The commitment of the Cecilia Gilardi Foundation to support young people: “Everyone has a dream, we help them nurture it.”

In the last 13 years, Piedmont has lost 46,000 artisan businesses, nearly a quarter of its entire production network. On a national level, we are the third region for the loss of workers in the artisan sector. These jobs, which often represent the tradition of Italian excellence, are now at “risk of extinction.” It is partly to counter this trend that the Cecilia Gilardi Foundation has been supporting young people since 2010, helping them find their path and revitalize certain professional niches. In its thirteen years of activity, the foundation has financed 320 scholarships and 45 special projects, disbursing over 1.2 million euros. “Often, talented young people already have their path in mind, but they don’t know how to follow it. We help them make their dreams come true in a concrete way”, explains Alessandro Gilardi, president of the foundation named after his daughter, who died at 17 in an accident.

The Master Mëstè program, supported by the CRT Foundation and the Chamber of Commerce, is aimed at individuals under 35 and is now in its third edition. “97% of the young people we’ve helped have since been hired on permanent contracts; the dropout rate is practically negligible”, says Alessandro Gilardi. Initially, the project was limited to the Piedmont region, but it has since expanded to Liguria and Valle d’Aosta. “Over the years, we’ve helped mosaic restorers as well as actors who are now part of the Teatro Stabile,” recalls Gilardi.

Alongside Master Mëstè, the foundation also supports young athletes, artists, or talented university students who lack the means to complete their studies. All are selected by a scientific committee that evaluates not only financial criteria, such as the ISEE, but also the strength and originality of their projects. “Over the years, we’ve realized that young people still have dreams; they just need help to nurture them”, concludes Gilardi.

We are pleased to share with you a new project concerning the promotion of tourism in our beloved Valleys.
Our intention is to revitalize the area thanks to an app that we have been working on and are working on for more than three years now.

If you don’t know it yet, it is VIAVAI: a digital application designed specifically for tourists and sportsmen.

Years ago Crédit Agricole helped us get started, and today Eppela is giving us the opportunity to concretely achieve our goals.
Specifically, we would like to create inclusive signage also for the visually impaired, a section of the app always dedicated to this category of people, and a website specifically for VIAVAI. At the link below you will find all the information regarding the project.

Let us know what you think, your opinion is very important to us and if you would like to share the initiative with other people we would be grateful!

Find out more and contribute!

The fourth edition of GrandUP! Tech Academy, the free training program for future entrepreneurs and innovative startups, is about to begin! You can discover all the new features during the presentation event, which will be held on Thursday, October 3rd at 6:00 PM in person at the Rondò dei Talenti in Cuneo!

In addition to learning about the details of this year’s program, including insights on how the course will be conducted and how to participate, the meeting will provide an opportunity to learn more about the application process and hear the testimonies of young teams who participated in last year’s edition, such as QRTonic and SmartScholars.

The event will conclude with a networking aperitif, providing the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with the local entrepreneurial community.

The new edition of the academy

The initiative is promoted by Fondazione CRC in collaboration with I3P, the Incubator of Politecnico di Torino, as part of the multi-year project GrandUP! Tech, which aims to support the development of an innovation ecosystem and the creation of new businesses in the Cuneo area.

The new edition of the Academy will once again address key topics for the development of an innovative startup, covering both theoretical aspects and practical applications, including case studies. The nine sessions, starting in January 2025, will feature contributions from professors from Politecnico di Torino, industry experts, and I3P analysts who will guide the participating teams in developing their entrepreneurial projects.

Some of the main topics covered in the lessons include: business models, customer discovery processes, performance evaluation metrics, economic-financial planning and fundraising activities, project communication, digital marketing, as well as legal and tax aspects in the establishment of new companies.

The GrandUP! Tech project and its Academy are part of the “Protocol of Understanding for Innovation and Digitalization of Businesses in the Province of Cuneo”, promoted by Fondazione CRC and the Cuneo Chamber of Commerce, to which all the main local trade associations have adhered, including Coldiretti, Confagricoltura, Confartigianato, Confcommercio, Confindustria, Legacoop Piemonte, and Punto Impresa Digitale.

How to participate

The event will take place on Thursday, October 3rd, 2024, from 6:00 PM, in person at the Rondò dei Talenti in Cuneo, located at Via Luigi Gallo 1.

Participation is free of charge, but registration on Eventbrite is required.

Program

6:00 PM | Registration and Welcome

6:10 PM | Opening Remarks:

• • Introduction by Eleonora Lavalle, Program Manager of GrandUP! Tech
  • Institutional Greetings from Fondazione CRC and I3P

6:30 PM | Presentation of the New Edition of the Academy

6:45 PM | Testimonials from Young Participating Companies

7:15 PM | Conclusion and Start of Networking Aperitif

On Thursday, October 3rd, at 2:30 PM at Toolbox, the new Corporate Meeting of the Polo di Innovazione ICT will be held, focusing on technologies for health and well-being. The Corporate Meeting, titled “Tech Innovation for the Health Care Sector”, offers a unique opportunity for professionals and organizations to explore the latest trends and opportunities in digital health.

The event will highlight how HealthTech technologies are transforming the sector, making healthcare more personalized, preventive, and participatory.

With the anticipated impact of the EU Data Act in 2025, which will enhance data accessibility and security, technological innovation in healthcare is expected to grow even further.

Through presentations, pitches, and networking, participants will contribute to building a healthier and more sustainable future.

Learn more and register here.

Yesterday afternoon marked the third meeting of the Gender Equality Community of Practice, which involves organizations within the TSI ecosystem committed to what is now considered a priority and cross-cutting issue.

The meeting, once again led by Monica Cerutti, an expert in social inclusion policies and gender issues, followed up on the previous session, which focused on the Gender Equality Certification tool (UNI/PdR 125:2022).

Particularly valuable was the testimony of Amapola, a Benefit Corporation and TSI partner specializing in sustainability consulting and communication. Amapola shared its experience in the certification process, highlighting the challenges faced as well as the concrete benefits gained.

In the second half of the afternoon, ecosystem partners participated in a workshop aimed at discussing the strengths and opportunities of such a process, as well as the weaknesses and obstacles that may arise.

From the fruitful exchange within the working group, composed of more than 10 entities including institutions, associations, companies, and cooperatives, common needs and goals emerged. These discussions helped define the steps the Community of Practice will focus on moving forward.

The meeting took place at Open, a shared learning, civic engagement, and collaboration space for young people with and without disabilities, which is also the new headquarters of the Time2 Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to promote the participation and empowerment of people with disabilities, based on the principles of self-determination and equality, through a variety of operational, grant-making, and cultural activities.

The event was organized as part of the Community of Practice project, supported by the Turin Chamber of Commerce and the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation.

The annual edition of the Social Outcomes Conference 2024 recently took place, held on September 5-6, both online and in person at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford. The event gathered some of the world’s leading researchers, policymakers, and professionals to share cutting-edge insights and practical strategies for building partnerships that not only generate social good but do so with integrity and effectiveness.

Among the speakers was Mario Calderini, Full Professor at the Polytechnic University of Milan’s School of Management and spokesperson for Torino Social Impact. Calderini participated in the keynote panel of the Social Outcomes Conference 2024, addressing social and technological innovation and the need for a new governance model.

A bridge connecting experts and practitioners

The prestigious conference is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion, engaging a broad intersection of voices and backgrounds. It encourages the participation of individuals and organizations representing a wide array of ethnic, cultural, geographical, age, and income differences.

With this goal in mind, the latest edition involved top experts, researchers, policymakers, academics, and professionals to collectively reflect on how to build partnerships, share leading-edge insights, and develop strategies and practices that generate social good with integrity and efficiency.

Responsibility, transparency, and trust toward social change

The mission of this year’s edition is to understand how we can foster collaboration and partnership work in an increasingly uncertain world. In the face of adversity, responsibility, transparency, and trust become more crucial than ever, forming the foundation of cross-sector partnerships aimed at social change.

From this reflection, several questions are raised by the 2024 edition: how can innovative contracting practices contribute to long-term trust-based relationships? How can we use data not only to measure impact but actively promote improvement and empower partners? How can we ensure that marginalized communities are meaningfully engaged, rather than merely consulted, in the design and implementation of solutions?

The conference’s title, “Responsibility, Transparency, and Trust in Cross-Sector Partnerships,” points to the fundamental values needed to bring about social change. In a world grappling with unprecedented challenges and near-constant crises, collaboration proves not to be a luxury but a real necessity.

Uomo & Ambiente, a consulting and training company specialising in environmental, social and economic sustainability themes, has announced a collaboration with the University of Gastronomic Sciences (UNISG) to launch the first Executive Master in Circular Economy for Food in Italy. Thanks to its expertise in the field of sustainability, Uomo & Ambiente will participate as part of the teaching staff, offering its contribution in the training of participants.

The programme will provide core multidisciplinary skills, with a focus on crucial topics such as the circular bio-economy, eco-packaging and sustainable governance. Practical tools and strategies will be provided to address the challenges of the ecological transition.

This Master represents an important opportunity for those who wish to position themselves at the centre of change, acquiring the knowledge needed to become leaders in the circular economy applied to the food sector. The course also includes pathways that prepare for sustainability skills certifications, ensuring a comprehensive and innovative preparation.

Enrolment is now open and classes will start on 24 January 2025. You can download the information brochure here and register via the official website here.

The Italian Master Startup Award (IMSA), established in 2007, is the only national competition that rewards young, knowledge-intensive startups with a significant market impact, born from research at universities and public research institutions within the PNICube network.

IMSA 2024 is organized by PNICube, the largest and most extensive National Network of Universities, Academic Incubators, and Regional Start Cups – local business plan competitions, in collaboration with the Innovative Business Incubator of the Politecnico di Torino – I3P, which has supported over 360 incubated startups in developing their business since 1999.

The 18th IMSA Award will take place in Turin on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at I3P, located within the Politecnico di Torino Campus, as part of the “Side Events” of Italian Tech Week.

Co-financed by thePiedmont Region through the European Social Fund Plus, IMSA 2024 is sponsored by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, theItalian Alliance for Sustainable Development (ASviS), and the Embassy of Italy to the Holy See, with prestigious partnerships: Invitalia, OSIF (Scientific Observatory for Women’s Enterprises, University of Rome Tor Vergata), EIT Digital, Business France (the public agency for the internationalization of the French economy), and GammaDonna.

The event will feature the participation of eleven finalist startups in four sectors: Cleantech & Energy, ICT, Industrial, and Life Sciences / Medtech. The startup with the best performance will be announced at the event and will receive a cash prize of €10.000, co-financed by PNICube and I3P.

New this year: Special Services Award by Invitalia for the best female-led startup, in collaboration with OSIF; Special EIT Digital Award for the best startup in the ICT category; free support from Business France for IMSA finalist startups wishing to establish a presence in France. By bringing together the innovation ecosystem and offering a platform for promising startups, IMSA 2024 provides an ideal context for exchanging ideas and concrete proposals on how to support innovative entrepreneurship in the journey toward sustainability.

How to participate

The 18th IMSA Award will take place on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM, in the Agorà Room at I3P, located inside the Politecnico di Torino Campus, accessible via the pedestrian entrances at Corso Castelfidardo 34 and Via Borsellino 53/N. In addition to attending in person, it will also be possible to follow the event online via live streaming.

Participation is free, but registration is required on Eventbrite.

Program

2:15 PM | Participant check-in

2:30 PM | Welcome remarks

• Paola Paniccia, President of PNICube
• Giuseppe Scellato, President of I3P

2:45 PM | Finalist startup pitches

• Alba-Robot
• Bluebiloba
• E-Lectra
• Hemera
• K3RX
• Young Platform
• ALTO Robotics
• DG Twin
• Helios Domotics
• HEREMOS
• LEB

3:40 PM | Testimonials from innovative startups

• AIKO
• Midori
• Nanomnia
• Reveal

3:50 PM | Panel: “Startups from Research for Sustainability”

• Francesco Morgia, Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy
• Luigi Gallo, Invitalia
• Stefano Marzario, European Investment Bank (EIB)
• Francesco Ferrante, PNICube Board Member
• Michela Mari, OSIF – Scientific Observatory for Women’s Enterprises

4:20 PM | Award Ceremony
Moderator: Pietro Saccò, Deputy Editor, Avvenire

The 40 winning projects of the 2023 edition of Posterheroes, “Beautifully Diverse”, dedicated to the concept of disability, will be exhibited in New York at the United Nations Secretariat Building from September 16 to 27. This is a significant milestone, not only due to the prestige of the venue hosting the exhibition, but also for the alignment of purpose.

Posterheroes was launched in 2010 as an invitation to the international creative community to express a social message through a 70×100 cm poster, aimed at fostering debate on issues of collective interest. Over the past thirteen years, Posterheroes has received more than 20,000 posters from all over the world and engaged 110 international experts in illustration, arts, and visual communication, who, as jury members, selected the winning posters.

The 2023 edition of the competition sought to promote a culture of diversity free from stereotypes, highlighting authentic and transformative narratives while challenging dominant discourses on these topics. It reflects on the concepts of normalcy and social justice.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) affirms that disability results from the interaction between individual characteristics and the surrounding environment. Both material barriers, such as broken elevators, and intangible barriers, such as stigma and discrimination, can limit one’s freedom and ability to act. Addressing this issue effectively requires collective action and shared responsibility, alongside a cultural shift away from a focus solely on high-performing bodies and minds, towards valuing human diversity.

The initiative is promoted by the Cultural Association Plug, Favini,  ITCILO International Training Centre and Fondazione Time2.

The thirteenth edition, entitled “Making Mistakes,” is currently underway.

Doing good is good for you. This is the theme of the upcoming online webinar on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), organized by Amapola, a consultancy specializing in sustainability and communication. The event will take place on Wednesday, 2 October, at 12:00 PM, live on Zoom. Registration is required here.

The impact of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace

Following the success of the previous event on sustainability reporting, this webinar will dive into one of the most relevant and strategic topics for businesses today. Leading the session will be Emilia Blanchetti, Senior Account at Amapola and DEI expert, along with Micol Burighel, Head of Communications. During the event, participants will have the opportunity to explore how DEI policies are crucial for companies looking to stand out and thrive in an increasingly socially responsible market.

DEI policies are not just an ethical commitment with tangible impacts on people’s lives, but they are also powerful tools for enhancing business performance. Embracing diversity enables companies to attract talent, retain employees, win new clients, and strengthen relationships with stakeholders. The webinar will also discuss the evolving legal framework, with a focus on recent European directives such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), which requires companies to ensure respect for human rights and promote inclusion throughout their value chains.

The Amapola Webinar

This online event, hosted by Amapola, will explore how to integrate the values of equity and inclusion into corporate strategies, starting with leadership commitment, and how these efforts can deliver concrete benefits. It will also cover how transparent communication and active stakeholder engagement can help prevent washing practices and position DEI as a cornerstone of business development.

About the Speaker: Emilia Blanchetti

Emilia Blanchetti brings over 30 years of experience in sustainability projects, stakeholder engagement, and business consulting, with a particular focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

For more information and to register for the webinar, please visit the dedicated page.

Yesterday, Tuesday, September 17, the second meeting of the OP4IMPACT Community of Practice was held, bringing together the four participating professional orders: the Order of Chartered Accountants and Accounting Experts of Turin, the Turin Bar Association, the Notarial Council of Turin and Pinerolo, and the Order of Labor Consultants of Turin.

The OP4IMPACT Community of Practice is an initiative aimed at promoting positive social impact through collaboration among professionals with distinctive and complementary skills and approaches. The meeting took place at the Cottino Social Impact Campus, an inspiring environment for discussion and reflection.

The in-depth analysis of a case study to share future work perspectives

During the workshop, attended by 16 representatives from the four professional orders, participants engaged in an icebreaker exercise to kick off the day.

Following this, they worked on a case study, with the aim of exploring and deepening the specific and integrated competencies of the various professional orders, building on discussions from the first meeting. Caterina Soldi, Development and Program Manager at the Cottino Social Impact Campus, facilitated the activity, encouraging participants to discuss strategies, areas of intervention, and priorities related to governance, value chain, communication, and reporting.

The case study work provided valuable insights to define the content and themes to focus on in 2025, thus concluding the workshop with a reflection on how to guide the future work of the Community of Practice.

The Community of Practice project is an initiative of Torino Social Impact that represents a significant step towards strengthening the collective dimension of the impact ecosystem. Supported by the Chamber of Commerce and the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation within the TSI framework, it aims to create a collaborative space where partners can pool their expertise and work together on shared issues and challenges.

From the collaboration between the Chamber of Commerce of Turin, Torino Social Impact, Unione Industriali Torino, and Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, a series of online meetings has been created to delve into the topic of social procurement, promoting responsible business choices.

The meetings aim to explore the main aspects of this business strategy by examining both the most interesting elements for business development (on the supply side) and the key opportunities for entering a market (on the demand side) that, in addition to meeting business needs, generates positive impacts on the local area.

The Chamber of Commerce of Turin, which has long been active in supporting local businesses in raising awareness and social responsibility, including through the Torino Social Impact project platform, has enthusiastically embraced this shared initiative.

How can you become a player in Social Procurement? Where can I find commercial partners with a social impact? What kind of supply can I request, and what form of impact can I expect? What opportunities are available for businesses in the local area?

Experts and professors will attempt to answer these and other questions during the Promotion of the Social Market event, which will be held online on Tuesday, September 24th, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

In the third and final webinar, thanks to the contributions of industry experts, opportunities and testimonials on the implementation of social supplies by local businesses will be presented.

The program, still being finalized, is available in the attached flyer.

The series of events will conclude with a keynote speech by Professor Mario Calderini from PoliMi Management School and spokesperson for Torino Social Impact.

Participation is free with prior registration here.

On Monday, September 16, from 2 to 4 pm, the course “Social Impact Metrics in Journalism” was held: the second in a series of webinars as part of the Torino Impact Journalism initiative, sponsored by Social Impact Agenda for Italy, which aims to explore how journalism can promote change by engaging all sectors of society, from institutions to businesses, to address major environmental and social challenges.

Starting from metrics to build a culture of impact

Measuring the social impact of news is now a crucial aspect of journalism. News is widely evaluated in quantitative terms, following the logic imposed by the algorithms of major internet players. However, this approach risks overlooking the true value of journalism as an agent of social and economic change. Evaluating the social impact of news, emphasizing the importance of qualitative metrics that go beyond the number of views or shares, instead allows us to understand their concrete effect on communities and restore journalism to its original function: to spark reflections and positive actions in society.

Thus, the webinar “Social Impact Metrics in Journalism” brought together industry experts to analyze possible metrics for measuring social impact in journalism and provide practical tools for assessing how news affects the communities they serve.

Measuring the social impact of news: experts weigh in

More than 80 journalists, communicators, media experts, and interested parties participated in the webinar, organized in collaboration with the National Association of Journalists. The event, moderated by Paolo Piacenza, featured speakers with expertise in social impact, including Richard Addy, co-founder of Akas; Lindsay Green-Barber, founder and director of Impact Architects; Filippo Montesi, senior advisor at Human Foundation and general secretary of Social Impact Agenda for Italy; and Vera Penêda, director of programs and impact at the European Journalism Centre.

After an introduction by Paolo Piacenza, Filippo Montesi introduced the concept of social impact, with a deep dive into the concept of social value and the main impact metrics. He also provided an overview of how journalism can contribute to an economic paradigm shift toward more socially and environmentally sustainable development.

Lindsay Green-Barber, founder of Impact Architects, then discussed the use of digital tools in newsrooms to monitor the impact of news. On this occasion, she presented the *IA Impact Tracker* developed by Impact Architects, a free digital platform to help journalistic organizations, funders, and other stakeholders understand the impact of journalism by defining, measuring, and tracking real-world changes.

Richard Addy followed by sharing his decade-long experience in impact measurement, presenting the work of Akas, an international consultancy (of which he is a co-founder) specializing in audience strategy. Akas’ mission is to help organizations increase their impact to achieve their missions and visions. For the occasion, he presented the Impact Wheel, a tool useful for accurate and credible evaluation of the social impact of news. Through practical examples, Addy showed how the use of measurement techniques has influenced newsrooms’ work, helping them produce more relevant content for the public.

Lastly, Vera Penêda, representing the European Journalism Centre, shared her experiences in training newsrooms in impact journalism, providing tools and support to implement an impact-focused mindset. She provided key guidelines to help newsrooms and freelance journalists plan and measure the social impact of their journalism.

Overall, the national and international experts offered a comprehensive overview and concrete examples for reflection, starting from one certainty: in today’s landscape, measuring the social impact of journalism is not only possible but necessary to restore its central role in promoting sustainable and informed social development.

To learn more, don’t miss the upcoming webinars:

• November 11, 2-4 pm – Impact Journalism: Stories that Make a Difference
• December 2, 2-4 pm – Economic Sustainability of Impact Journalism

In Turin, the climate crisis has a particularly significant impact.

During our conversation with Sergio Capelli, director of Legambiente Piemonte Valle d’Aosta, we explored why addressing ecological transition and climate change is key to changing the economic vision.

Interview is conducted by Francesco Antonioli.

Watch previous episodes here.

On 19th September at 11:00 AM at the Luigi Einaudi Campus, the Kick-off Meeting of the DEA Project – Digital, Equity, Actions will take place. The event, titled “Managers of the Future: Between Innovation and Inclusion” offers an important opportunity to learn how the project aims to promote gender equity and the inclusion of women in technology sectors and managerial roles.

The meeting is open to businesses, managers, and students, and will provide a platform for discussion on innovation and inclusion. Register here

The DEA Project

With Italy ranked 79th out of 146 countries in gender equality, as highlighted by the Global Gender Gap Report 2023, immediate action is needed. In particular, the STEM sector (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) suffers from a severe gender disparity: only 17% of Italian women work in tech, compared to 32% of men (Eurostat 2023 data).

The DEA project, promoted by Fondirigenti and carried out with the University of Turin and Fondazione Piemonte Innova, aims to provide companies with innovative tools to enhance Diversity & Inclusion (D&I). Through research, analysis, and co-design with businesses, DEA seeks to create more inclusive, sustainable workplaces equipped to face the challenges of emerging technologies.

In the project’s initial phase, two online surveys, targeting companies (click here) and executives (click here) , will explore the barriers preventing greater female inclusion, with a focus on the skills required to navigate technological advancements.

Leveraging the survey results, participating companies will analyze challenges, explore best practices, and co-design a set of actions and tools to bridge the gender gap. The goal is to create a replicable model that includes self-assessment methods, monitoring, and the definition of new skill profiles.

The DEA project will unfold over 6 months and will involve up to 20 companies in the experimental phase. This journey will not only help close the gender gap but also prepare Italian SMEs for a cultural revolution, requiring new managerial skill sets that blend humanistic and technological expertise.

For more information or to participate, contact: dea@piemonteinnova.it

An afternoon dedicated to collective cleaning along the Dora River, but more importantly, a chance to come together to take care of public spaces and create a moment of sharing and collaboration.

The 2024 edition of the “Puliamo il Mondo” campaign will be held on Sunday, September 22, in the Aurora neighborhood, organized by the Legambiente Molecola and GreenTo clubs, with the participation of Torino Social Impact as part of the Circular Economy Community of Practice, a project funded by the Chamber of Commerce of Turin and the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation.

The Molecola and GreenTo clubs involved are mainly composed of young people under 35 active in the Turin area, committed to environmental protection and the promotion of sustainable practices. Various local organizations focusing on integration, inclusion, and public space management will also participate in the campaign, contributing to an experience of civic responsibility and engagement.

Why Aurora?

Many local associations in the Aurora neighborhood work daily to promote paths of integration and collective care of urban spaces. Organizing “Puliamo il Mondo” here provides an opportunity to make the neighborhood more livable, which is reflected in the event’s title: “WE’RE ALL HERE IF IT BELONGS TO ALL OF US.”

Program:

• Meeting point: In front of Sermig/Giardino Pellegrino, 2:30 PM
• Activities: Training and division into work groups
• What to bring: Gloves and bags will be provided by the associations. Appropriate clothing is required (sturdy, high shoes).

How to participate:

Everyone’s participation is essential for the success of this initiative. Those interested in joining are asked to register for the event and, if they wish, propose an activity for the occasion by Thursday, September 19.

The “Puliamo il Mondo” Campaign:

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people across Italy commit to cleaning up streets, squares, urban parks, riverbanks, and beaches from abandoned waste. “Puliamo il Mondo” is an initiative that, year after year, actively involves citizens and has been described by Legambiente as “the world’s largest environmental volunteer event.” It is supported by a vast network of associations that work with migrants, asylum seekers, people with disabilities, prisoners, and individuals discriminated against for their sexual orientation, with the aim of “cleaning the world of prejudices as well.”

Atex and MyType presents the first edition of the Atex AI Accelerator Program, dedicated to newsrooms and journalists worldwide. The program aims to tackle the most urgent challenges in journalism through the strategic and conscious use of Artificial Intelligence. 

The importance of this initiative for the journalism landscape 

The advent of Generative AI has profoundly transformed various industries, including content production and media. For instance, AI can now help analysing large amounts of data much faster or assist journalists in rewriting the same content in different formats, e.g. from newsletters to social networks. However, it’s not always easy to understand how to best use these tools, and not all newsrooms have the time and resources to do so. The goal of the Atex AI Challenge is to offer this opportunity by leveraging our expertise in the technology and media sector. In a long-term vision, the Atex AI Challenge aims to be the starting point for a structural change at the intersection of journalism and the advent of Artificial Intelligence. 

Who can participate? 

• Journalists, newsrooms, and publishers 

• Master’s programs and journalism schools 

• Associations and organizations active in journalism 

What kind of ideas can be submitted? 

Submit AI-based ideas and challenges that can support and improve one or more phases of the daily workflow: news gathering, news production, news distribution, and news monetization. Each candidate can present one proposal, which can range from better integration of advertising to increasing subscription rates, from identifying quality news to efficiently distributing them. 

Examples of successful implementations: 

• The New York Times: Uses a machine learning model called the Dynamic Meter to personalize paywall limits. It optimizes user engagement and subscription conversions by analyzing reader behavior. Read more here 

• The Guardian: Supports journalistic tasks with AI, such as: analyze large data sets, assist with fact-checking, and streamline content creation while emphasizing human oversight and ethical considerations (Euronews) 

• News Corp Australia: Uses generative AI to produce thousands of local stories each week on topics such as the weather, fuel prices, and traffic conditions. It helps boosting content output and it allows small teams to manage high volumes of articles at once (Euronews). 

• Schibsted: makes audience gain with AI-driven personalised audio playlists (INMA)  

• Personalized Advertising: AI creates highly targeted ads by examining vast amounts of data to predict customer interactions, improving engagement and conversion rates (Mediaboom). 

• Enhancing Fact-Checking with AI: the Spiegel Group, one of Germany’s most influential media companies, built out an AI tool to support their fact-checking process. (INMA) 

• And many more… 

Selected projects 

Atex, together with selected media experts, will choose the best ideas for development. Authors of the selected projects will receive funding (AI credits), technical and project resources to create pilots necessary to validate their ideas’ impact. The various phases will be supported by Atex, from proposal analysis and co-ideation to co-design and initial development and integration.  

Submit your idea here!

Please note, all applications must be submitted in English.

Contact Information: Write to us at challenge@atex.com 

Professor Mario Calderini, spokesperson for Torino Social Impact, internationally recognized as an expert and innovator on sustainability, social impact, and Purpose Driven Innovation, has joined the Expert Group on Social Economy and Social Enterprises of the European Commission through Social Impact Agenda for Italy, where he is a member of the Board of Directors.
This is an important milestone in supporting and promoting social economy and social enterprises in Europe, aimed at contributing to a European ecosystem oriented toward generating positive and measurable social impacts.

The GECES supports the work of the European Commission on important directives. Among its tasks are:

• Assisting the Commission in the implementation of measures outlined in the Commission’s Communication: “Building an economy that works for people: an action plan for the social economy”;
• Advising the Commission on how to best implement policy measures in the field of industrial policy for the social economy, particularly in the development of the Transition Pathway for the “Proximity and Social Economy” industrial ecosystem;
• Assisting the Commission by providing advice and expertise in the follow-up to the implementation of the Council Recommendation on the development of the framework conditions for the social economy in Member States;
• Assisting the Commission in preparing legislative proposals and policy initiatives in the field of social economy and social enterprises;
• Reflecting on how to better integrate social economy and social enterprise issues into the Commission’s policies and funding;
• Facilitating the exchange of experiences and good practices in the field of social economy and social enterprises and contributing to awareness-raising.

SIA, through its Secretariat, congratulates Professor Mario Calderini, recognizing the depth and expertise he will bring to the European working group.

———

In 2021, Mario Calderini was included by Apolitical in the list of the 100 most influential academics in the world on public policy.

He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Manchester and is a full professor at the School of Management of the Politecnico di Milano, where he teaches Impact and Sustainability Management.

He is the director of Tiresia, the Research Center for Social Impact Finance and Innovation at the Graduate School of Management of the Politecnico di Milano, which he founded in 2013.

In 2024, he was appointed by the European Commission as a member of GECES, the expert group on “Social Economy and Social Enterprises.”

During the Draghi government, he served as Cabinet Advisor to the Minister for Technological Innovation and Digital Transition and was a member of the Commission for Sustainable Infrastructure Finance, established by the Minister for Sustainable Infrastructures and Mobility. Previously, he was a scientific advisor to the Minister of Research and Innovation for four successive governments and Sherpa for the G7 Government. He was also a member of the G8 Task Force for Impact Investing. He is an advisor to the European Commission on social impact finance and entrepreneurship. He helped promote the social innovation agenda in Italy, launching the sector’s first public consultation. He was part of the government advisory group that drafted the Third Sector Reform.

He has been a member of the Advisory Board of Unicredit and the Sustainability Advisory Board of the Bolton Group. He sits on the Global Advisory Council of the Sella Group and is a board member of Fondazione De Agostini, Fondazione Cottino, Fondazione Human Age Institute, and Fondazione per il Dono.

He is the spokesperson for Torino Social Impact.

We are sharing this interesting initiative to actively experience urban spaces.

Would you like to tell us what life is like in your neighborhood, how the services and public spaces you know and visit are?

With Voci di Quartiere, you can!
Join the second phase of the project by answering the survey and participating in events between September 24 and November 9, 2024.

The initiative is organized by Urban Lab with the City of Turin, the Rete delle Case del Quartiere, the Fondazione per la Cultura, and Turismo Torino e Provincia.
Throughout 2024, you can take part in meetings, performances, walks, and chats in public spaces, parks, neighborhood houses, markets, and some of the most beloved places in Turin.

Stay up-to-date by checking the website.

“The Sun Touches Everything“. This is the theme chosen this year by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to launch its worldwide call for the Space Apps Challenge, the largest annual hackathon on the planet dedicated to space and science.

Italian fans of the exploration of the universe and the new opportunities generated by the Space Economy will be able to take part live in Turin: on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October I3P, the Innovative Companies Incubator of Politecnico di Torino, will host the eighth edition of the local event in the city, funded by Regione Piemonte with resources from the European Social Fund Plus and organized in collaboration with the ESA BIC Turin incubation program managed by I3P.

The NASA International Space Apps Challenge is a collaborative event for programmers, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, technologists and innovators from around the world to come together at one of the hundreds of local venues hosting the initiative: everyone will be able to use the open data made available by space agencies to create solutions to the challenges – not only scientific – which humanity is facing today on Earth and in the cosmos.

The international event will take place simultaneously, globally, with free participation. The hackathon is based on the choice of a challenge to be tackled as a group to produce open source solutions that could potentially be adopted for real, or that could turn into the project behind new innovative start-ups, the kind of young companies that I3P has been accompanying and supporting for 25 years.

“We are proud to once again collaborate with one of the world’s leading space agencies to offer many young talents an opportunity for creative collaboration in the field of technological innovation,” says Giuseppe Scellato, President of I3P and Coordinator of ESA BIC Turin. “From the ideas offered by NASA’s challenges, valuable projects can emerge, with real market opportunities and the potential to evolve, one day, into start-ups: our incubator is ready to accompany the growth of the most promising entrepreneurial ideas, particularly in the space sector, thanks to the support of the ESA BIC Turin programme and the support of the innovative ecosystem of which we are a part.”

Last year’s Space Apps 2023 saw record participation of around 58,000 participants, through more than 400 local events in over 150 countries around the world, who realised more than 5,500 projects in response to challenges set by the Washington-based space agency, together with 13 other partner agencies.

As part of the 3P4SSE project – Social and Solidarity Economy – CentralEurope Network, of which LINKS is the scientific partner, a series of meetings has been organized on topics related to the social and solidarity economy.

The fourth seminar in the series, “Transformation Processes in the Social Economy,” will be held in Italian and will focus on the management of complex processes in the social economy, including territorial governance, digitalization, and innovative partnerships between social clusters and public administrations.

The event will take place on September 24th, from 2:30 PM to approximately 4:30 PM, at the LINKS Foundation – Via Pier Carlo Boggio, 61, Turin.

The program will include presentations by various public and private practitioners, who will help explore existing best practices aimed at promoting the construction of territorial networks in the social economy, illustrating their innovative dynamics.

To participate in the event, registration is required here.

WELLGRANDA | Reti di Welfare, within the Accompagnamento Progettuale axis, has launched its second training and consultancy course with experts in social innovation, social impact entrepreneurship and welfare, aimed at organisations and partnerships active in the province of Cuneo, wishing to develop innovative welfare projects.

This second call, following on from the activities launched last year, is designed for projects in the area that wish to grow through a dedicated path divided into five stages: assessment, exploration, co-design, monitoring and networking.

WELLGRANDA | Reti di Welfare is Fondazione CRC‘s system action, realised in collaboration with SocialFare | Centro per l’Innovazione Sociale, which from 2023 to December 2025 will work on three axes of action (Territorial Academy, Project Accompaniment, Modelling) in five challenge areas for welfare in the province of Cuneo (health welfare, labour welfare, community welfare, cultural welfare and landscape welfare) involving both local authorities and organisations and active citizenship.

Register by 23:59 on Sunday 15 September 2024 through the form here
For more information click here

For any questions and/or curiosity, you can contact us at info@wellgranda.org and/or visit us at the WELLGRANDA desk at the Fondazione CRC Headquarters and by appointment at 0171452780 or at the email info@wellgranda.org.

Do you have a start-up engaged in the development of innovative services, models and products in the welfare field and do you want to make it grow?

Applications are now open for the third edition of the Personae acceleration programme, which aims to promote start-ups as catalysts of social innovation in a complementary way to public welfare systems, supporting the development of projects that respond in an innovative way to the most current challenges in the welfare sphere, such as demographic imbalance, the fragmentation of family structures, the emergence of new relational models, or the strengthening of social vulnerability.

The solutions sought must have characteristics of accessibility, personalisation, flexibility, inclusion, innovation and fall within the areas of individual, family and community, work and economic well-being: offering better access to services, facilitating the balance between personal life and career, promoting inclusion and new approaches to relational and social life needs.

The selected start-ups will participate in a 4-month intensive acceleration programme, focused on growth for market access, with masterclasses and mentorship sessions with mentors and industry professionals, networking opportunities and collaboration with Italian investors. Start-ups will receive an initial investment of 100,000€ and the possibility of a ‘follow-on’ of up to 300,000€ for start-ups with the highest growth and scalability potential.

Interested start-ups can apply for the third edition of the acceleration programme from 5 July until 29 September 2024 at the website.

The programme is part of the CDP Venture Capital National Accelerator Network, a network present throughout Italy to help the growth of young companies specialising in high-potential markets. Set up on the initiative of CDP Venture Capital Sgr and realised together with SocialFare | Centro per l’Innovazione Sociale and a|cube with a total budget of  € 6.1 million, Personae sees the participation of SocialFare Seed, a|impact – Avanzi Etica SICAF EuVECA and Fondazione Italiana Accenture ETS as co-investors and benefits from the support of main partners Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Cuneo and Fondazione Social Venture Giordano dell’Amore. Accenture Italia participates as a corporate partner.

With the start of the new school year, teachers have the opportunity to engage their students in a unique adventure.

Dream Jobs 2025 is a national project designed to enhance the educational offerings of schools, providing students with the chance to explore scientific and technological applications in the world of sports.

By participating in this contest, students can develop essential practical skills and gain orientation toward new and exciting careers. It’s an unmissable opportunity to put classroom learning into practice and look to the future with fresh perspectives.

Teachers can apply with their students to participate in Dream Jobs 2025 and have the chance to win an educational experience in the stunning setting of the Torino 2025 World University Games.

For more information and to access the application form, visit here

In the park of Le Vallere, at the boundary between Turin and Moncalieri—a place rich with history and meaning—we caught up with the friends from Cooperativa Nemo.

Sitting on the Bench-Mark bench, Francesco Di Meglio and Silvia Santantonio, the President and Vice President of Nemo, explained their attempt to create a new economy, focused on social and environmental impact, that connects mountain and city territories.

Interview by Francesco Antonioli.

Watch previous episodes here.

Pre-registrations for the second edition of the CUAP Social Impact Finance are now officially open!

Following the success of the first edition, which saw over 20 Third Sector organizations participate as students, we are excited to once again offer a unique educational program designed for those who wish to deepen their knowledge in sustainable finance and impact investing.

When: The fully online courses will start on October 14th, so don’t miss the chance to reserve your spot!
Why participate: Learn how finance can be a powerful tool to generate positive and sustainable change in society.
Pre-register now to ensure you don’t miss this opportunity—registrations will close on September 23rd!

For more information and to register, contact: socialimpact.management@unito.it

The CUAP Social Impact Finance program, coordinated by Professor Paolo Biancone, is hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Turin as part of the Torino Social Impact Strategic Plan and is implemented by the School of Management and Economics of the University of Turin in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Turin (members of the Committee for Social Entrepreneurship), the Order of Chartered Accountants and Accounting Experts of Turin, the Piccatti Milanese Foundation, Cottino Social Impact Campus, Tiresia, the training bodies of the Cooperative Centrals (Consorzio Il Nodo for Confcooperative Piemonte Nord and Inforcoop Ecipa Piemonte for LegacoopPiemonte), and the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation.

We are happy to announce the Escape Room co-creation workshops for the European project ‘The Food Odyssey’.

There will be 4 workshops in total: 3 online from 5 pm to 6.15 pm CEST on the following days: 24th September, 1st October, and 8th October through the ZOOM platform and a final event to be held on 17th October 2024, from 9 until 5.30 pm at Open Incet in Piazza Teresa Noce 17, Turin.

‘The Food Odyssey’ is an innovative project funded by the Erasmus+ Programme that brings together NGOs, private sector organisations and vocational training schools from Slovenia, Italy, Serbia and Spain to revolutionise European agri-food vocational education.

The aim of the workshops is to jointly create a educational tool that can educate students on the crucial link between food systems and climate change.

During the meetings, you will have the opportunity to deepen your knowledge on innovative educational tools and in particular on the methodology of escape rooms, getting in touch with experts in non-formal education and game designers. In addition, the workshops will be an excellent opportunity to network at the European level with different stakeholders in the agri-food sector and to share your knowledge and good practices.

Feel like challenging yourself through brainstorming sessions and the creation of engaging puzzles? This is a unique opportunity to share your knowledge and be an agent of change.

Why participate?

• You can be a key player in the creation of an innovative educational tool on crucial issues for the future of our planet;
• The workshops will enable you to connect with NGOs and agribusiness professionals from all over Europe, expanding your professional network;
• You will be able to express your creativity and collaborate with a group of people motivated to develop innovative and engaging solutions;
• You will contribute concretely to creating an educational tool with a high social impact;
• You will enjoy a unique experience of collaboration and sharing and a delicious lunch offered at the final event.

What are you waiting for? To confirm your participation, please fill in the registration form by clicking here.

We look forward to meeting you in person and sharing this unique experience with you!

If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Valentina Crepaldi valentina.crepaldi@escape4change.com

Elisabetta Bottero elisabetta.bottero@escape4change.com

Amapola, a benefit corporation specializing in sustainability consulting and communication, announces a new cycle of “Amapola Café” webinars focused on developments and challenges in the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) sector. The first webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10, at 12 PM on Zoom, titled “Reporting to the test”.

Registrations are open HERE.

Reporting and the CSRD

In recent years, sustainability reporting has experienced a true explosion, transitioning from a practice of a few virtuous organizations to a widely adopted standard. After addressing the topic in 2023 with a first webinar, Amapola returns to the subject of reporting after a year of intense work, ongoing regulatory developments, and preparation for the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive), the latest European regulation. This past year has brought new challenges and processes for organizations, ranging from updated data collection to double materiality.

It is now clear that institutions have charted a precise path for sustainability reporting, elevating it to a new level of maturity and granting this process the same dignity and importance as financial reporting. The Amapola webinar offers an opportunity to take stock of the situation, exchange views, and understand how to best prepare for this new, more operational phase.

The Amapola Café Program

During this webinar, Giulia Devani, Head of the Reporting Area at Amapola, will discuss with Micol Burighel, Head of Communication, how the CSRD is transforming business processes and organizational approaches, how to prepare, and the central role that stakeholder engagement plays in this phase. The meeting will be an opportunity to delve into useful insights on making reporting not only compliant with regulations but also effective, integrating business strategies and policies with stakeholder dialogue.

How can one pursue a career in sustainability? What does it mean to work in this sector? Returning this year to the “Salone della CSR e dell’Innovazione Sociale” (to be held at Bocconi University from October 9 to 11, 2024) is the “Meet the CSR Leaders” project, which facilitates dialogue between new generations and sustainability professionals. This initiative is born from a partnership between the Salone and Amapola Società Benefit, a company specialized in sustainability and communication. This year marks the third edition of the event, enriched by a new format that includes both online and in-person meetings and collaboration with CSRnatives, the first and only network in Italy that brings together young professionals and students united by their passion for CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility).

“Meet the CSR Leaders” is a space dedicated to university students and recent graduates who wish to explore career opportunities in sustainability by engaging directly with those who work in this field daily. The meetings offer a one-to-one orientation session lasting approximately 30 minutes with an expert present at the Salone. In this stimulating environment, participants will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of hard and soft skills, educational and professional experiences, and receive advice on how to shape their career paths toward sustainability themes.

To encourage the participation of students from across Italy, the 2024 edition will also feature remote meetings scheduled for the last day of the Salone, exclusively for those from universities outside Milan.

Meeting Schedule:

• Wednesday, October 9: In-person from 2 PM to 5 PM
• Thursday, October 10: In-person from 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM
• Friday, October 11: Online from 10 AM to 12:30 PM and 2 PM to 3:30 PM

You can reserve your session at the following link: link to registration by Monday, October 7, 2024.

“‘Meet the CSR Leaders’ is a concrete opportunity for dialogue between the new generations and professionals who drive the sustainable transition daily”, says Rossella Sobrero, a member of the Promoting Group of the Salone della CSR. “Beyond educational offerings and skills updates, it is essential to create spaces for sharing, discussion, and mutual exchange of experiences. This is the goal of the Salone, which is increasingly open to the participation of young people, intergenerational dialogue, and reflection on the future, as evidenced by recent editions. This year, our cultural program will also feature meetings and roundtables on education, the labor market, evolving skills, and the role of new generations in change, always exploring the contradictions and solutions that characterize the sustainability dimension”.

This year marks the third edition of the project. In 2023, the initiative spanned three days, offered 10 hours of one-to-one orientation, and involved 50 young participants who met with 23 Sustainability Managers. Interviews with some of the key players can be viewed on YouTube here. “Supporting young generations interested in sustainability to find a career path in this field is one of our goals as a Benefit Company”, comments Elena Mancino, partner at Amapola. “From Greta Thunberg to eco-activist movements, young people are loudly demanding involvement, participation, and tools to change the world around us: it is our moral duty to facilitate this request. That is why we are very pleased to have the CSRnatives network by our side this year, which will help us expand the project’s impact thanks to their extensive network and shared commitment to spreading a culture of sustainability”.

“One of the main goals of our network is to generate interest around sustainability issues by encouraging younger generations to engage in this field”, explains Vincenzo Baccari, coordinator of CSRnatives. “The theme guiding our activities this year is precisely the promotion of young people and professions related to sustainability: ‘Meet the CSR Leaders’ is an event we couldn’t miss.”

ABOUT THE SALONE DELLA CSR E DELL’INNOVAZIONE SOCIALE

Promoted by Bocconi University, Sustainability Makers, Global Compact Network Italy, ASviS, Fondazione Sodalitas, Unioncamere, and Koinètica, the Salone aims to keep the focus on sustainability high throughout the year, sharing positive experiences and creating opportunities for dialogue among various social actors.

Key figures from the 11th edition include: 284 participating organizations, 115 events (available on the Salone’s YouTube channel), 549 speakers, 4,600 attendees over three days, 9,000 remote connections, over 2,800 media appearances, 10 stages of the “Giro d’Italia della CSR,” and 1 publication by Egea. The Salone has a significant online presence: its website; a weekly newsletter sent to over 16,000 contacts; and profiles on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, as well as a YouTube channel.

Since 2015, the Salone has been ISO 20121 certified: Bureau Veritas Italia has certified the last six editions of the Salone as “Sustainable Event” in both planning and management phases.

THE 2024 EDITION
The theme for the 12th edition is “Challenging Contradictions.” Sustainability is complexity: in the current context, it is necessary not only to learn to navigate change but also to see problems from new perspectives. Every vision, statement, or choice contains the seed of contradiction; however, the coexistence of opposites opens up interesting opportunities for reflection, encouraging organizations and individuals to view reality from a different perspective. The path towards sustainable development remains steep, but it is important to remember that in moments of greatest challenge, innovative solutions are born. The commitment of all is needed—a collective action and continuous dialogue among stakeholders.

For more information: Monica Cesana 392 2169204 m.cesana@koinetica.it

ABOUT CSRnatives

CSRnatives is the first and only network in Italy of students and young professionals dedicated to CSR. Founded in 2015, it now has over 600 members and aims to spread the culture of sustainability. The network is divided into working groups that coordinate activities in publishing (blogs and eBooks), event organization (on specific sustainability topics), training (webinars, podcasts, generative workshops), communication, and external relations (social media activities and partnerships with other organizations).
For information: Vincenzo Baccari, coordinator, 333 8559165, csrnatives@gmail.com

ABOUT Amapola Srl Società Benefit

Amapola Srl Società Benefit is a consulting firm specializing in sustainability with a particular focus on communication. Founded in 2009, it helps companies and organizations develop sustainability projects and make them meaningful and shared with all stakeholders. To this end, it offers structured listening and stakeholder engagement services, institutional and environmental communication, sustainability reporting, media relations, content production, video production, event organization, conflict management consulting, and CSR project creation. Amapola has offices in Milan, Turin, and Alessandria, as well as a network of correspondents throughout Italy.
For information: Micol Burighel, Amapola Press Office, 380 4384930, micol.burighel@amapola.it