Since 1979, ENGIM Piemonte ETS has been supporting people in need by providing training, guidance, and employment services for young people, adults, foreigners, individuals with disabilities, and those facing social challenges.
At the Collegio Artigianelli in Turin, we met with Marco Muzzarelli to explore their commitment and learn more about this key partner of Torino Social Impact!
Interview by Francesco Antonioli.
Watch previous episodes here.
Twenty initiatives including employment contracts, internships, training courses, and volunteer work have benefited individuals serving their sentences outside prison under alternative measures or who have already completed their sentences. During the same period, 70 individuals were supported—59 adults and 11 young adults—while 54 businesses and cooperatives were contacted, 31 of which expressed willingness to offer work opportunities to individuals with a history of legal trouble. Additionally, 26 job interviews were conducted, and 8 individuals were able to find jobs independently during or after receiving support.
These figures, as highlighted in the cover image summary, represent some of the results achieved in 2024 by the Welcoming Enterprise Project, promoted by the Turin-based volunteer organization La Goccia di Lube ETS. With financial support from the Piedmont Region, the project started in June and enabled two part-time staff members to coordinate the initiatives. The project’s initial results were presented on December 12 in Turin, at the meeting hall of the Pastoral Migrants Office, where La Goccia di Lube, the lead organization in the network, conducts interviews and meetings. The conference was attended by regional councilor Silvio Magliano, directors Antonella Giordano and Laura Angius from the Interdistrict Office for External Penal Execution (UIEPE) and the Social Service Office for Minors (USSM), respectively, and Marco Viglino, President of the Turin Supervisory Court.
The Welcoming Enterprise Project seeks to address a significant yet little-known phenomenon: people serving the final or partial stages of their sentences outside of prison. In Italy, by the end of 2023, about 70,000 individuals were in this category—roughly equal to or even exceeding the number of incarcerated prisoners, including approximately 3,000 in the Turin and Asti areas (under UIEPE of Turin’s jurisdiction) and about 5,000 across Piedmont. This is a reality that requires serious and decisive attention.
“These individuals are among us, even if we don’t notice them, and they are numerous,” explains Bianca Eula, who is responsible for managing clients and volunteers. She works daily alongside individuals serving sentences outside prison, referred by UIEPE Turin and USSM. “Living outside prison, they face expenses like everyone else. Without a job, they are at high risk of reoffending. Employment offers them a real chance at a fresh start. However, to access jobs, they need support even with seemingly simple details. For instance, not having a driver’s license excludes them from many opportunities. As an organization, we also try to find institutions willing to fund driving lessons, which are often unaffordable for them. Furthermore, these individuals often have low levels of education and need to rebuild a work ethic. Our volunteers assist them at every stage, helping them regain self-confidence and acquire the necessary tools to overcome these barriers.”
Of the 70 men and women currently supported by the organization, 20 are under house arrest, 36 are on probation with social services, 1 is under supervised release, and 2 are in a state of probation. The remaining 11 individuals are young adults under specific alternative measures.
“As soon as we take on these individuals,” say Adriano Moraglio and Dario Valenzano, president and vice president of La Goccia di Lube, “we conduct interviews to understand their skills and aspirations so we can help them make the most of these. During these sessions, we found a prevalence of skills in construction, minor maintenance, manual labor, and hospitality. The average age of the adults interviewed is around 40, while the young adults are in their 20s.”
“We need courageous companies,” appeals Silvia Lessona, who manages relationships with cooperatives and businesses. “Together with other volunteers, we’ve worked to build a network of entrepreneurial entities willing to bet on the positive, overcoming stereotypes about people who have made mistakes. So far, we’ve conducted 75 meetings with individual companies, cooperatives, and employer organizations. Out of 54 entities contacted, 31 have shown willingness to become ‘welcoming enterprises.’ To date, six companies or social cooperatives have already hired these individuals, earning the Welcoming Enterprise plaque awarded by the project. These numbers, though still modest, are encouraging and highlight the work that remains for the Welcoming Enterprise Project to support entrepreneurs.”
The first company to receive the Welcoming Enterprise recognition was Market Service in Givoletto, specializing in setting up large stores and supermarkets across Italy. Other companies awarded this recognition include The Promoland in Volpiano, the Raggio cooperative in Turin, the Frassati cooperative, the Barbara B social cooperative in Turin, and Cooperativa Amico in Almese.
Among the project’s partners are prominent organizations such as the Turin Industrial Union (through its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Table), API Torino and API Formazione, Confcooperative Piemonte Nord, Confesercenti Torino, ANCE Torino’s College of Builders and its construction school FSC, and the Agenzia Piemonte Lavoro with its employment centers in the Turin metropolitan area. Other partners include Compagnia delle Opere, the Unione Cristiana Imprenditori e Dirigenti, and training agencies such as Immaginazione e Lavoro and Casa di Carità Arti e Mestieri. The employment agency Adecco, through its Diversity and Inclusion section, also supports the initiative. Volunteer support is provided by Volontariato Torino.
Discussions are ongoing with other entities outside the project, such as Unimpiego Torino, the Cnos-Fap Salesian training center, Confartigianato Torino, Confagricoltura Torino, and the Scuola Camerana, to broaden the search for job and training opportunities for individuals under alternative measures to incarceration.
For La Goccia di Lube volunteers, finding employment opportunities—through internships and hires—for individuals under house arrest, probation with social services, or supervised release is vital. Such measures enable these individuals to reintegrate into society, resist the temptation to reoffend, and secure a future. This benefits both the individual and society at large, addressing the growing public need for safety.
Thanks to the Welcoming Enterprise Project, La Goccia di Lube has recently joined the Torino Social Impact platform.
The Italian Third Sector is facing crucial challenges: increasing complexity, new beneficiary needs, and the necessity to adopt more efficient and sustainable operational models. In this context, technological and digital innovation represents a key factor in ensuring the responsiveness and impact of social interventions.
Enter Social Innovation Trail (SIT), an ecosystem dedicated to Italian social innovation, promoted by ELIS in collaboration with AICCON and supported by UniCredit. SIT aims to foster collaboration between Third Sector organizations and innovative startups/SMEs, creating synergies to develop technological solutions that address today’s social challenges.
“Facilitating new collaborations between Third Sector organizations and innovators”, explains Luciano De Propris, Head of Open Innovation & Sustainability at ELIS, “means strengthening the sustainability of non-profit entities and enhancing a network of stakeholders capable of combining economic and social dimensions in territorial development”.
On November 20, during the launch event, applications were opened for two calls aimed at Third Sector organizations and innovators:
“The SIT call is intended to be a platform to integrate and strengthen the relationship between social projects and digital enterprises focused on social impact. The project’s goal goes beyond simple ‘matching’; it aspires to create prototypes of social innovation on a territorial basis”, says Paolo Venturi, Director of AICCON.
A distinctive feature of SIT is its national network of foundations, cooperatives, and other organizations, organized into seven regional boards, which ensure that the program’s development aligns with the needs of various local ecosystems across Italy, from north to south.
Among the organizations involved in the seven regional boards are: Associazione Generale Cooperative Italiane (AGCI), Confcooperative Piemonte, Consorzio Nazionale CGM, Fondazione Caritro, Fondazione Cariverona, Fondazione Cariparo, Fondazione con il Sud, Fondazione Italiana Accenture – Ente Terzo Settore, Fondazione ITS Academy for New Life Technologies in Rome, Fondazione Sviluppo e Crescita CRT, Isola Catania, L’Altra Napoli, Legacoop Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Legacoop Piemonte, Legacoop Sicilia, Torino Social Impact.
“Social innovation is a key element in addressing current challenges”, says Stefano Gallo, Head of Territorial Development at UniCredit, “because it promotes synergies among organizations, businesses, and institutions, facilitating the sharing of resources and skills. We are convinced that through strategic collaborations with Third Sector organizations based on social innovation, we can enable significant and lasting changes essential for building a sustainable and inclusive future”.
The SIT program represents a tangible opportunity for Third Sector organizations to:
Non-profits and innovators have until 7 February 2025 to submit their projects and propose solutions.
The final event of the year for the Benefit Corporations Community of Practice took place on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, bringing together organizations from the Torino Social Impact ecosystem to discuss the topic of benefit corporate purpose.
The meeting was held in collaboration with attorney Emanuela De Sabato, president and founder of Futura Law Firm, who facilitated an important reflection on drafting a benefit corporate purpose and the pivotal role it plays.
The event included participants from ten different entities, some of which are working to enhance the positive impact of their activities by embarking on a transformation journey toward becoming Benefit Corporations.
The discussion delved deeply into the topic by sharing concrete experiences and practical insights to understand how to make a benefit corporate purpose a functional tool aligned with the company’s goals. Building on this focus, participants explored how to best define and articulate benefit objectives in relation to their corporate purpose, as well as the reasons why revising it over time might be beneficial.
The participants, diverse in background and experience, had the opportunity to exchange ideas on the various methods for drafting a benefit corporate purpose and the most effective strategies for sustaining and enhancing the positive impact generated by their activities over time.
This initiative is part of the Benefit Corporations Community of Practice project for the 2024–2025 biennium, aimed at fostering shared knowledge through collaboration and the exchange of expertise among all participants.
The Community of Practice project is made possible through the support of the Chamber of Commerce of Turin and the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation.
Torino Social Impact has been invited as a model of public-private-social cooperation to speak at the EU’s annual social policy meeting, the Europa Social conference, to be held in Barcelona in collaboration with the Government of Catalonia on 10-11 December.
Torino Social Impact’s experience brings a contribution to the debates taking place across Europe to address social challenges and build a new European social agenda from below: local policies and practices.
More than 150 people have registered for the conference, including representatives of the Catalan and international third sector, public administrations and researchers. The Europa Social conference is a joint initiative of Taula and Catalonia International (the main Catalan consortium for international engagement) with the aim of raising local awareness about EU policy processes and showcasing local perspectives within EU policy processes. The Catalan Ministry of Social Rights, the City Council and the Provincial Council of Barcelona are also involved in organising the event.
On Monday, December 2, from 2 to 4 p.m., the course “Economic viability of impact journalism” took place, marking the fourth session in a series of webinars under the Torino Impact Journalism initiative. Supported by Social Impact Agenda per l’Italia, the initiative aims to explore how journalism can drive change by engaging all sectors of society—from institutions to businesses—to address major environmental and social challenges.
In today’s rapidly evolving landscape of technological change and shifting information consumption habits, media outlets face a critical challenge: ensuring economic sustainability in the medium to long term. With high-quality journalism being vital to the functioning of democracies, striking a balance between securing new revenue streams and maintaining editorial independence has never been more crucial.
Against this backdrop, the webinar “Economic Sustainability of Impact Journalism” brought together industry experts to discuss economic challenges and potential solutions to ensure the sustainability of impact-driven newsrooms. It was an opportunity to exchange ideas between national and international perspectives, offering practical advice and concrete examples to help shape a sustainable future for journalism.
Organized in collaboration with the Order of Journalists, the webinar attracted 80 professionals, including journalists, communicators, media experts, and impact specialists. Moderated by Pietro Saccò, the event featured prominent speakers such as Styli Charalambous, Co-founder of Daily Maverick; Annalisa Eichholzer, Business Development Manager at Thomson Reuters Corporate Foundation; Lucy Nash, Impact Producer with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism’s Enablers team; and Francesco Zaffarano, Head of Content at Will Media.
The webinar consisted of two main sessions: the first focused on sustainable models and experiences in impact journalism, while the second delved into building a newsroom from the ground up.
Styli Charalambous opened the discussion by sharing the evolution of Daily Maverick, a Cape Town-based publication that grew from a five-person startup to a team of over 100 full-time employees. A key driver of success was the Maverick Insider membership program—a community-driven, economically sustainable model. His insights on reader engagement strategies and lessons learned in building an impact-oriented newsroom in South Africa were universally applicable.
Annalisa Eichholzer highlighted the work of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, which supports impact journalism projects worldwide. She explained how the organization develops strategic partnerships to ensure the economic sustainability of newsrooms, offering practical advice on accessing funding and grants—particularly useful for those starting new projects. Eichholzer also outlined what makes a project attractive to funders in terms of social impact and economic viability.
In the Italian context, Francesco Zaffarano, Head of Content at Will Media, shared the rapid growth story of the platform, which successfully engages a young, digital audience. His talk focused on distribution and monetization strategies to balance economic sustainability with social impact while ensuring quality journalism. He also emphasized the role of the New Media Academy, developed by Will Media, in training journalists for impact journalism and the essential skills required to build innovative, sustainable newsrooms.
Finally, Lucy Nash, Impact Producer at the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, presented the organization’s impact model. She discussed how the Bureau generates real-world change through news and investigative reporting, sharing techniques and strategies to amplify their reach and effectiveness.
Overall, the webinar provided a wealth of practical insights, demonstrating how solution-focused and constructive journalism can achieve economic sustainability. The experiences shared by the speakers serve as valuable guidance for journalists and newsrooms looking to develop a concrete and effective model for impact journalism.
REFUGEE RESTART, online incubator of talents and startups for refugees and migrants, and a proud member of the Conecta Migrants & Refugees Italia network, is excited to announce the launch of a free, fully online programme to support entrepreneurs with a migration background in their entrepreneurial journey.
This 5-month initiative offers:
Entrepreneurs from first, second, or third-generation migrant backgrounds who are seeking to launch a new business or scale an existing startup in Lombardy, Lazio, or Campania.
Mentors with expertise across various sectors, willing to offer flexible, voluntary support (1-2 hours per week) to help create a more inclusive society.
Applications are open until 15 January 2025!
REFUGEE RESTART seeks local partners to help promote the programme and ensure the selection of participants by the 15 January 2025 deadline. Interested organisations can reach out via info@refugeerestart.com to schedule a meeting, explore potential synergies, and support the dissemination of this unique opportunity.
By joining REFUGEE RESTART, you will contribute to building a more inclusive, sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem capable of driving meaningful social impact.
Let’s grow innovation and inclusion together!
After exploring the topic of Gender Equality Certification, the fourth meeting of the Community of Practice was dedicated to inclusive communication, through a dynamic and immersive experience designed to explore gender equality dynamics in an engaging and educational way.
The meeting was led by Monica Cerutti, an expert in gender policies and former Councillor for Equal Opportunities and Immigration in the Piedmont Region. During the session, the recent ISO guidelines on inclusive communication were discussed, which aim to promote a language that “does not exclude or limit but instead places every person at the center without discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, or ableism, helping to break down the prejudices and stereotypes built over time by words.”
The event took place at Redrim’s technological laboratory, a cooperative company engaged in innovating production processes with a particular focus on sustainability and inclusion. Redrim is also a partner of TSI, supporting from the outset the creation of a community of practice dedicated to gender issues.
During the meeting, the group reflected on the evolution of language over time and on the stereotypes rooted in words and our everyday language. A segment was dedicated to strategies for communicating consciously and inclusively, both in verbal and digital communication. We also analyzed how images can reinforce stereotypes and the importance of diversifying the protagonists represented in photographs or visual content.
Applied Games as a Tool for Inclusion
Games proved to be an effective tool, not only for active and engaging learning but also for raising awareness about diversity and inclusion. During the meeting, the group learned about some applied games, video games, and digital applications that use game design logic to simulate real-life situations, allowing players to immerse themselves in complex topics. Immersion in games plays a crucial role: it not only raises awareness but also stimulates empathy and greater consciousness.
Through an innovative applied game developed by Drimlab in collaboration with the Fiordaliso Cooperative, participants had the opportunity to immerse themselves in an engaging and interactive experience designed to explore and deepen the topic of gender equality. The game, characterized by interactive and stimulating dynamics, provided a valuable opportunity for active learning, allowing participants to reflect on crucial issues related to equality and inclusion, learning through action. It was an experience that combined entertainment and education, promoting awareness and sensitivity around an issue of great social relevance.
On November 29, 2024, at the Talent Garden in Turin, “Mens Sana in Corporate Sana” took place—an extraordinary event dedicated to corporate well-being and happiness, organized by UOMOeAMBIENTE in collaboration with 2BHappy | Culture Company.
The event delved into how corporate policies and strategies can evolve to prioritize people, fostering well-being and sustainability for the future of organizations.
With contributions from UOMOeAMBIENTE co-founders Nunzia Giunta and Mario Burrascano, alongside 2BHappy team members Daniela Di Ciaccio, Veruscka Gennari, Paola Baravalle, and Saverio Cuoghi, attendees gained deeper insights into how employee well-being and organizational happiness—now backed by solid scientific evidence—can drive sustainable performance, thriving corporate cultures, and long-lasting prosperity.
The highlight of the day was an engaging, interactive workshop where participants actively worked through the four pillars of happiness:
Guided by the 2BHappy team and with active participation from the attendees, practical activities were planned to translate these principles into actionable strategies to enhance organizational well-being and efficiency.
This event marked the second installment of an annual initiative by UOMOeAMBIENTE, a Turin-based consulting and training company. It brings together clients and partners to promote themes related to sustainability, organizational happiness, and ESG goals. As with last year, the workshop’s outcomes and reflections will be compiled into a practical workbook to be distributed next year as an operational tool for companies embarking on this transformational journey.
Mens Sana in Corporate Sana provided a valuable opportunity to collaboratively build a model of organization that is both human-centered and fertile, capable of empowering people and generating ecosystemic value.
On December 16, from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM, at Social Fare, Via Maria Vittoria 38, Turin, the conference and round table “From Reception to Autonomy: Work and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Integration” will take place.
The conference, organized as part of the Empower! project, aims to promote the integration and economic independence of non-EU citizens. It will provide an opportunity for dialogue and reflection with institutional and private stakeholders to assess orientation pathways and employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for foreign citizens in Turin.
During the first part of the afternoon, the results and best practices of the Empower! project will be presented. Following a coffee break, the round table “Building Bridges: Public-Private Collaborations for Integration” will begin.
Participation in the event is free, but seating is limited.
To attend, registration via the form at the provided link is required.
Moderator
Diego Boerchi – Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
Schedule
2:30 PM
From Project to Person: Experiences That Make a Difference
3:30 PM – Coffee Break
4:00 PM
Round Table: Building Bridges: Public-Private Collaborations for Integration
On December 11 Social Impact Agenda for Italy (SIA) will present the findings of the research “Renewable Energy Communities with Impact: Models and Tools for Impact Investing in a Just Transition.” The study was conducted with the support of Amundi, Coopfond, CGM, and Intesa Sanpaolo, and developed in collaboration with BIP in partnership with AzzeroCO2, Bonelli Erede, ESTÀ, and Kyoto Club.
The research involved active participation from SIA’s member base, which represents Italy’s impact finance network, as well as engagement with key industry stakeholders. It identified and analyzed the most effective impact investment and financing solutions within the context of Renewable Energy Communities (CERs), starting with their technical-financial modeling.
What are the findings and issues that emerged from this research? How can they be implemented and developed within the current legislative, technical, and operational framework of CERs? Is it truly possible to use financial tools as leverage to enhance the social impact-generating potential of CERs in Italian territories?
These and other questions will be addressed on Wednesday, December 11, from 3:00 PM in Rome and online. Participants in the discussion will include policymakers, energy and impact evaluation experts, local administrators, public and private financiers, market actors, and third-sector representatives. The goal is to assess the conditions necessary to launch practical pilot projects across Italian territories.
The event is sponsored and hosted by Legacoop at their headquarters, Via Giuseppe Antonio Guattani, 9, Rome.
The event will also be streamed live.
Program and registration available on the Social Impact Agenda for Italy website: CER WITH IMPACT: Tools for Impact Investing in a Just Transition. Presentation of SIA Research Findings.
For more information: c.buongiovanni@socialimpactagenda.it
What happens to our clothes once we throw them away?
Every year, European citizens purchase almost 26 kg of textile products and discard about 11 kg. However, once discarded, even when correctly placed in recycling bins, post-consumer clothes and textiles are often of low quality and very difficult to recycle, making it challenging to find the right destination for each item. Most of these items are shipped to Africa or South America, where they stifle local craftsmanship, and often end up burned, lost at sea, or in open landfills.
This situation must be addressed by making textile waste collection in our cities more sustainable, useful, and transparent, and, even before that, reducing the production of such waste.
The City of Turin has taken on this challenge as part of Climaborough, a project funded by CINEA and the European Union under the “100 Climate Neutral and Smart Cities” mission. This initiative involves twelve European cities experimenting with innovative urban planning solutions for the ecological and digital transition toward climate neutrality.
The RiVestiTO project, created by Atelier Riforma, Mercato Circolare, and Huulke, was introduced to the citizens of Turin during the Circular Days, Green Pea’s circularity festival, and launched during Circular Monday, the international movement promoting reuse and responsible consumption. The project aims to make the collection of discarded textile products in Turin more transparent and efficient, directing them toward the most suitable valorization methods, supporting reuse practices, and encouraging a local virtuous circle of circular economy.
“In a world with limited resources, it is absolutely urgent to implement strategies that make the best use of existing textile products through virtuous circular economy practices,” say Elena Ferrero and Nadia Lambiase, administrators of Atelier Riforma and Mercato Circolare. “RiVestiTO is an ambitious experiment aimed at bringing substantial change to the current management of used textiles, which suffers from waste, pollution, lack of transparency towards citizens, and a regulatory framework with many gray areas.”
The project stands out for its use of innovative technological tools:
The project will map and identify local organizations collecting used clothes and textiles, providing them with the Re4Circular tool to direct each textile material to the most suitable valorization method. Re4Circular is connected to a B2B marketplace that links textile collectors with businesses, artisans, and craftswomen willing to use and valorize the material. A perfect garment will be directed to vintage and second-hand stores. A slightly damaged item or leftover fabric from textile companies can be upcycled by artisans and tailoring shops. Severely damaged textiles suitable for recycling will be used to create new yarns and fabrics, while non-recoverable materials can be directed to companies specializing in producing insulating products for construction and other uses. All of this will be done with full transparency, tracking the destination of each material.
Textile products discarded by citizens and companies in the city will enter this circular economy system. However, a circular economy can only exist if it is jointly participated in by businesses, citizens, and public administration. Therefore, thanks to the Mercato Circolare app, the RiVestiTO project will connect citizens, schools, public administrations, collection entities, second-hand shops, artisans, tailoring shops, and all local businesses that give a second life to textile materials. The goal is to promote a local virtuous circle capable of connecting the supply of circular products with the demand from citizens and institutions through the app.
In collaboration with the City of Turin, the project will launch an experimental corridor to treat tailor waste and pre- and post-consumer textiles as goods rather than waste. Currently, regulations do not allow these materials to be handed over to businesses and artisans who could give them a second life (they can only be donated to charitable organizations). Thanks to the experimental corridor, these materials will be valorized as resources, helping to save the use of virgin materials.
Citizens will be actively involved through city-wide events aimed at raising awareness and educating on waste prevention, promoting reuse practices, and circular economy.
Additionally, a survey will be conducted to investigate current textile consumption behaviors, inviting people to reflect on their habits and adopt more sustainable practices.
The project will also produce a book, a podcast, and a photo exhibition by photographer Chiara Agostinetto.
In one year, 20 initiatives including employment contracts, internships, and training courses (such as driving school courses for B licenses) have benefited individuals serving their sentences outside prison through alternative measures or who have already completed their sentences. During the same period, 67 people were assisted, including 55 adults and 12 young adults, along with 19 companies and cooperatives that agreed to offer work opportunities to those with a history of legal issues. Additionally, 24 job interviews were conducted, 3 individuals were introduced to volunteering as a form of social restitution, and 8 people, with or without support, independently secured employment. These are some of the results achieved by the Impresa Accogliente Project—promoted by the Turin-based volunteer organization La Goccia di Lube ETS—as it nears the end of 2024, moving towards a safe harbor after an initial experimental phase from January to May and an official phase that began in June. This journey into the world of job opportunities, undertaken by the volunteers of La Goccia di Lube, was made possible thanks to significant support from the Piedmont Region, whose funding allowed the project promoters to engage two professionals to coordinate activities within a network of over 35 volunteers.
These results highlight the existence of another world—a world rooted in trust and willingness to offer a second chance to those who have wronged others and society. It stands in stark contrast to the narratives often seen in crime news. This world is populated by volunteers who dedicate their free time to the well-being and human redemption of others, and by entrepreneurs, leading trade associations, and renowned training agencies that contribute to the rebirth, personal, and professional growth of adults and young people. By doing so, they often, perhaps unknowingly, fulfill the innate desire to help those worse off return to an honest and responsible life. It is also a way to bring to life the principles enshrined in the Constitution, which speaks of the “rehabilitation of offenders.”
This comprehensive picture emerged during a webinar—moderated by Alessandra Giannino—organized by the Turin Industrial Union on November 12 for Confindustria-affiliated companies involved in the so-called DE&I (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Roundtable on corporate social responsibility. During the webinar, the project, its objectives, and its initial results were presented through reports by the project coordinators Bianca Eula (responsible for user management and volunteer liaison) and Silvia Lessona (in charge of relations with cooperatives and companies), as well as the Vice President of La Goccia di Lube, Dario Valenzano.
It was just the first step in the involvement of the Confindustria entity in the Impresa Accogliente Project, of which it is a partner alongside a wide group of collaborators, with further developments planned in the coming months. Among the collaborators of the Impresa Accogliente Project are notable names such as Api Torino and Api Formazione, Confcooperative Piemonte Nord, Confesercenti Torino, Collegio Costruttori Ance Torino and its construction school, FSC, the Agenzia Piemonte Lavoro with its employment centers in the Turin metropolitan area, Compagnia delle Opere, Unione Cristiana Imprenditori e Dirigenti, the training agencies Immaginazione e Lavoro and Casa di Carità Arti e Mestieri, and the employment agency Adecco with its Diversity and Inclusion division. The project also receives support through services and consultations from Volontariato Torino, creative professional Massimiliano Manera, and the communication agency Master Communication.
During the webinar, Manera described the creation of the Impresa Accogliente brand, while Marianna Carlini from Master Communication presented the project’s communication strategies, including its initial publications and media appearances, thanks to contributions from Serena Ravazzotti. Discussions are also underway with external entities like Unimpiego Torino, the Cnos-Fap Salesian training center, Confagricoltura Torino, and Confartigianato Torino to expand the search for job and training opportunities for individuals under alternative measures to incarceration. These individuals are referred to La Goccia di Lube by the UIEPE (Interdistrict Office for External Penal Execution) in Turin and the USSM (Social Service Office for Minors), which is under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Justice Center.
The main role of the employer associations in the project is to identify companies willing to join the network of “available enterprises” and become “welcoming enterprises” by offering employment opportunities.
For the volunteers of La Goccia di Lube, it is crucial to secure job positions, whether through internships or employment contracts, for those under house arrest, probationary social services, or supervised release—the three main legal situations addressed by the project. These opportunities allow individuals to sustain themselves as they reintegrate into society and resist the temptations of reoffending, which had initially led to their conviction and incarceration.
The first company to earn the title of “Welcoming Enterprise” (Impresa Accogliente) was Market Service in Givoletto, a company specializing in setting up department stores and supermarkets across Italy. During the end-of-year conference scheduled for December 12 in Turin, additional “Welcoming Enterprise” plaques will be awarded to recognize the commitment to providing jobs already shown by The Promoland of Volpiano, the Raggio cooperative of Turin, the Frassati cooperative, and the Barbara B. social cooperative. During the webinar, Luca Ordazzo from Market Service shared the reasons behind his company’s decision to offer work opportunities to three individuals referred by La Goccia di Lube. The Turin entrepreneur concluded his testimonial by “thanking everyone involved in the Impresa Accogliente Project for their efforts, hoping to establish a direct channel with companies and institutions, streamlining and facilitating placement processes wherever possible, and creating many opportunities for work and… life.”
How can you build a newsroom from scratch and make an impact journalism project economically sustainable over time?
On Monday, November 2, from 2 PM to 4 PM, the course “Economic viability of Impact Journalism” will take place. This is the fourth in a series of webinars as part of the Torino Impact Journalism initiative.
The webinar will focus on the economic challenges and potential solutions for ensuring the sustainability of an impact-oriented newsroom. Topics will include innovative funding models such as grants, crowdfunding, and strategic partnerships, featuring concrete examples and case studies.
The course will also explore how to build an impact journalism newsroom from scratch, encouraging active community participation and demonstrating how journalism can address local challenges, raise awareness, and inspire concrete actions for positive social change.
This event is part of the training program offered by the Order of Journalists and is open to professionals as well as anyone interested in exploring this topic.
Styli Charalambous. Co-founder of Daily Maverick, which he helped grow from a 5-person startup to an organization with over 100 full-time employees. Passionate about leadership and innovation, in 2021, he was awarded South Africa’s top journalism prize for courage and integrity for his pivotal role in Daily Maverick’s success.
Annalisa Eichholzer. Business Development Manager at the Thomson Reuters Corporate Foundation. Her role involves researching and developing new opportunities for strategic partnerships with philanthropic organizations and companies interested in supporting independent journalism and a globally active pro bono legal service.
Lucy Nash. Impact Producer in the Enablers team at the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. She ensures that investigations have tangible impact beyond publication. She also writes the Spark, newsletter entirely dedicated to the positive change off the back of investigative journalism.
Pietro Saccò. Deputy Editor at Avvenire, responsible for the Economics section and the Civil Economy supplement. He teaches journalism at the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome and co-authored the book Basic Journalism Course. He has received the State Street Institutional Press Award in the categories “Young Talent” and “Best In-Depth Article.”
Francesco Zaffarano. Head of content at Will Media, a community-first startup focused on telling the big stories and trends of a rapidly changing world. He is also Director of the New Media Academy. Previously, he worked in audience development roles at The Telegraph, The Economist, GEDI Digital, and La Stampa.
To participate and receive the webinar access link, registration is required via the following Google Form.
Attracting EU funds by encouraging the active participation of the local ecosystem in European calls: this is the mission of the HUB for European projects in the social economy, which serves as a reference point for organizations and businesses interested in seizing the opportunities offered by EU funding.
In this context, the HUB recently worked on an open call within the FuTOURiSME project – Fostering Digital & Sustainable Transition of TOURism SMEs for FUture Innovation and Resilience, co-financed by the European Commission’s Single Market Programme.
The call aims to support the development, implementation, and scalability of innovative solutions – whether products, processes, services, or business models – by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the European tourism sector. The goal is twofold: to foster innovation in tourism offerings and to accelerate the green and digital transition of the sector.
To facilitate the participation of interested entities, the HUB has set up a project support path, structured in multiple phases and led by Gaia Bacin and Maria Chiara Pizzorno, experts in EU project management from Weco Impresa Sociale.
The process began with a collective webinar focused on the key aspects of the call:
Following the webinar, participants developed their project proposals with support through several stages:
Thanks to this structured and collaborative approach, two socially impactful projects were submitted to the open call, involving a total of five organizations from the Turin area. Among the themes addressed were a proposal for a tourism offering that combines environmental sustainability and social participation, and the creation of a dialogue platform for cultural organizations across Europe.
The HUB for European projects is co-designed with Weco Impresa Sociale, with the support of the Turin Chamber of Commerce and the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation.
