In the fifth episode of Voci, we discuss an issue that – fortunately – is attracting growing attention, an issue based on a patriarchal worldview whose deep cultural roots are difficult to eradicate: gender violence. More precisely, male violence against women, as Lella Palladino observes in this episode.

A structural phenomenon

Worldwide, gender violence affects 1 in 3 women. In Italy, there were 24 feminicides between January and April 2024, about one every 3/4 days. According to Istat data, 31.5% of women in Italy experience some form of physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. The most serious assaults are perpetrated by partners or ex partners, relatives or friends. In 62.7% of cases, rape is committed by partners.

Besides physical and sexual violence, gender violence can assume many other guises. This is reflected in the data in the Libellula Foundation’s latest L.E.I. survey (Lavoro, Equità, Inclusione) on the workplace and discrimination against women. Of the 11,000 respondents, about 60% receive a lower salary than male colleagues with an equivalent role, responsibility and seniority of service. With regard to harassment, 40% said they had experienced unwelcome physical contact in the workplace. These two figures are particularly significant, but the discrimination list continues, and extends to maternity, leadership and clothing issues.

L’intervista a Lella Palladino

Lella Palladino is founder of the E.V.A. Social Cooperative and Past President of the Di.Re Foundation (Donne in rete contro la violenza). In this episode of Voci, she talks about anti-violence centres, explaining their activities, the importance of territorial networks, and the methods used to approach women in danger and difficulty. The work is complicated: listening and empathy are core skills for the operators, together with the ability to suspend judgement and respect the woman’s culture and personal situation. The interview then turns to the experience of the E.V.A. Cooperative, which runs five anti-violence centres and shelters, including one for victims of sex trafficking. The cooperative’s main projects focus on job placement for women who have been victims of violence, specifically economic violence.

The episode closes with a look at the current situation in Italy. Today, gender violence has at last gained visibility in public debate, a necessary but not sufficient step to bring it to an end. There are still too many obstacles to women’s freedom and empowerment. Fighting the phenomenon means first of all understanding its cultural and structural nature, based on “the idea that women are second-class citizens, (…) something else with respect to a male universe that continues to regulate everyone’s lives.”.

The Voci series

Voci is the Amapola collection of stories, people and words without limits. It was created with the intention of shining a light on important social issues that risk being submerged in the constant stream of daily news. The playlist with all the interviews is available on YouTube.

Since 2015, Open Incet has been operating in the Turin area with an innovative approach, aiming to foster the development of a local impact economy.

In this latest episode of Bench-Mark, Debora Greco and Sara Carrabba, respectively Project Manager and Project Officer at Open Incet, joined us to explore what impact economy means to them and the value of networking with both public and private stakeholders in the surrounding territory.

Interview by Francesco Antonioli.

Watch previous episodes here.

“The imaginary life drives the creative life, as Natalia Ginzburg beautifully writes in her essay, sometimes anticipating and guessing the events of real life. It also concerns the anticipation of a future that we can build through literature, cinema, art, written words, and the voices to which we dedicate our special attention. Even our secret devotion and our hopes. This Salon is then a tribute to the imaginary life, in all its forms: its creative, melancholic, hopeful, and always new way of creating other worlds and making them meet, even hoping that some of them may become real.”

This is how Annalena Benini, Editorial Director of the International Book Fair, writes.

Ginzburg’s passage seems to reflect on how the imaginary life, or the inner world of fantasy and imagination, can influence real life and the creative process.

Artàporter has invited artists from all disciplines to participate in this open call, welcoming visual, performative, literary, and multimedia works. It invites deep reflection on the powerful message expressed in the above-mentioned text. The imaginary life, with its richness of imagination and creativity, could be the key to unlocking new perspectives in artistic work. It is necessary to take a moment to consider how the imaginary life influences the creative process. Explore how dreams, fantasies, and visions can transform into artworks that inspire and move others. Experiment with new techniques and approaches that can be fueled by the imaginary life.

The exhibition, signed by Artàporter, will take place at the Con/Temporary Space Santa Teresa in Turin, from May 4th to May 13th, 2024, with the vernissage on May 4th at 6:00 PM. The exhibition is part of the Salone del Libro OFF showcase.

The RETURN project (an acronym for Multi-Risk sciEnce for resilienT commUnities undeR a changiNg climate) is an extensive partnership funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), which aims to strengthen the research sectors related to environmental, natural, and anthropogenic risks at a national level, promoting participation in strategic European and global value chains. Through the enhancement of basic knowledge and the application of technology, the project contributes to the strengthening of key skills, technological and knowledge transfer, and Italian governance in disaster risk management, involving public administrations, stakeholders, and private companies.

The RETURN partnership, coordinated by the University of Naples “Federico II”, includes the participation of the Polytechnic of Turin, leader of Spoke 6 – TS2: Multi-Risk Resilience of Critical Infrastructures, and involves 26 partners, including 12 universities, 5 research institutions and centers of competence, 6 private entities, 2 territorial bodies, and the Department of Civil Protection, with funding provided by the Ministry of University and Research exceeding 115 million euros. The RETURN Foundation manages activities including calls for businesses: the project aims to identify and support innovative startups, spinoffs, and SMEs with specific activities in prevention, management, and mitigation of environmental, natural, and anthropogenic risks. The program also includes participation from I3P, the Incubator of the Polytechnic of Turin, which has organized a series of events to disseminate the opportunities of the RETURN calls to the network of innovative startups and to involve young companies that align with the types of technological solutions sought.

The third event in this series, dedicated to the Water vertical (related to Spoke VS1 of the project), will take place on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 4:00 PM, in an online webinar format with free participation. During the digital meeting, which will be held in Italian, the RETURN project and its calls for SMEs will be presented, with a focus on the specific vertical related to the mitigation of water-related risks, such as in cases of floods or droughts. A startup will also share a testimony of its innovative entrepreneurial project in this field.

To receive the link to connect to the webinar, it is necessary to register on Eventbrite.

Program

• 4:00 PM | Opening of the webinar and introductory greetings by Negar Mokarram, Business Analyst at I3P
• 4:05 PM | The RETURN project and its calls for innovative SMEs – Ciro Del Vecchio, RETURN Foundation
• 4:30 PM | The Water vertical (VS1) and its fields of application – Martino Bernard, Researcher at the University of Padua
• 4:50 PM | Presentation of a startup active in the Water area
• 5:00 PM | Thanks and conclusion of the meeting

There are those who have been orienting journalistic work towards positive social values for years and those who have invested in innovative tools to promote new ways of reporting. Some have founded a successful news outlet from scratch, while others have championed journalism that focuses on solutions as a means to change the world.

The guests, who are journalists, communication experts, and innovators, will meet on Friday, May 10, at 10:30 AM at the Turin Book Fair to participate in the event “The Role of Journalism in the Impact Economy Era“, organized by Turin Social Impact.

This event is part of the Torino Impact Journalism initiative, which aims to explore how journalism can help drive change in a context where all societal actors, from institutions to businesses, are called to address major environmental and social challenges.

The event, free and open to the public until full, will provide an opportunity for debate and discussion among experts who apply impactful journalism daily to help society progress and inform the public.

The discussion will feature stories from a growing and increasingly widespread movement of journalists and experts from the United States to South Africa, from France to Italy, who investigate reality and address societal problems through rigorous, fact-based journalism that highlights positive experiences through constructive approaches.

We will introduce the guests who, on Friday, May 10, at the Sala Bianca of the Turin Book Fair, will share their experiences in impactful journalism.

Mario Calabresi

Journalist and author, began his career as a parliamentary reporter at Ansa, was a correspondent in the United States, and directed La Stampa and La Repubblica. He has written nine books and is dedicated to experimenting with new forms of journalism and narrative. He runs a weekly newsletter called Altre/Storie and directs the podcast company Chora Media, of which he is a co-founder.

 

Mario Calderini

Internationally recognized as an expert and innovator on sustainability, social impact, and Purpose Driven Innovation. He is the director of Tiresia, the research center on finance and social impact innovation at the Graduate School of Management of Politecnico di Milano, which he founded in 2013.

 

Styli Charalambous

Co-founder of the Daily Maverick, which he helped grow from a five-person startup to over 100 full-time employees. Passionate about leadership and innovation, in 2021 he received South Africa’s most prestigious journalism award for courage and integrity for his pivotal role in the success of the Daily Maverick.

 

Zoe McDonagh

Part of the global Outreach and Strategy team at the Media Development Investment Fund, focusing on funding and investor relations. She spent nearly a decade at the CRT Foundation, where she gained extensive experience in implementing international impact entrepreneurship projects.

 

Julie Pybus

Editor at Pioneers Post, an independent news network for the global impact community. Her work has always been based on the principles of solution journalism, offering coverage of positive news that explores how societal challenges can be addressed.

 

Tina Rosenberg

Co-founder of the Solutions Journalism Network and writer. She was a long-time journalist at the New York Times, writing editorials and articles for the Sunday magazine. Together with David Bornstein, co-founder of SJN, she wrote the “Fixes” column for the New York Times for 11 years.

 

Raphael Zanotti

Journalist at La Stampa since September 2007, he covered crime and judicial news for 15 years before specializing in Data Journalism, Visual Journalism, OSINT, and Social Media Intelligence. He was the deputy head of the national web of La Stampa and is now responsible for the city news web edition in Turin.

The Imaginary Life of the Giardino Forbito obviously in the garden! On the occasion of the 2024 Salone Internazionale del Libro, the Googreen Market returns to Sambuy on May 11 and 12 for two days of small-scale productions and cultural encounters.

Saturday, May 11
12 PM
“Imagine that snack!”
With Federico Gordini, Chiara Cavalleris, and Marco Fedele a collective narrative of the very Piedmontese ritual of the “Merenda Sinoira” featuring a Googreen market area dedicated to ingredients, flavors, and the rural gastronomic tradition, the undisputed origin of the now indispensable “aperitif” moment.

Saturday, May 11
2:30 PM
“The Italy of Miracles. Stories of saints, magic, and mysteries”, Raffaello Cortina Editore
The author Marino Niola will converse with Davide Monopoli and Silvia Casolari of the Mufant – Museum of the Fantastic in Turin – who, interviewed by Antonella Giani, will engage in a visionary comparison between past and future, in a dialogue that brings the figure of the Saints, active witnesses of a “doing good” so necessary today, back to the center of everyday life.

Saturday, May 11
3:30 PM
“In Spirit”
Journeys in search of Saints and at the same time of wine productions in Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato. In collaboration with Domenico Papa and Art Site Land, the first immersive tourist excursion will be previewed, which during the summer, will take place in Monferrato, specifically in Moasca at the church dedicated to San Rocco and in the land of the Amistà winery, with the participation of Michele and Jacopo Marsiaj who will talk about their passion for the grapes of this region.

Sunday, May 12
All day
“So Much Hat”
The project by the Well-Groomed Garden that merges street art and the Googreen Biodiversity Market in the name of the regeneration of the Sambuy Gardens and the Porta Nuova ring. A show of “active participation” continuously with surprise encounters among the garden paths and “Whispers,” stories and sounds face-to-face in the garden.

What does Diversity Mindset mean? Why do we talk about inclusion in organizations and workplaces? If I’m a freelancer or run a small business, how can I concretely incorporate this theme into my content and communication strategy?

Let’s work together on the answers on Tuesday, May 7th, from 6 PM to 7:30 PM. Associazione Acca, as part of the Salone OFF event offerings, is organizing a meeting at Pink Coworking (via Bertolotti 10 in Turin, near Piazza Solferino) on a foundational topic: inclusion and a broad intersectional approach in the workplace.

We believe it is important to address these questions in a rapidly changing work environment, where corporate welfare and inclusion are crucial for reputation and appeal. Yet too often, in the rush for sustainability, they are reduced to merely “cosmetic” actions; this is also an issue that affects freelancers when they are integrated into complex and diversified organizations.

We will discuss all these topics, and more, with Sambu Buffa, author of the upcoming book “Change your mindset with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in your activity”. We will have some previews of the book during the event: a meeting that lies between an interview and an extended discussion with the audience.

Engaging in dialogue with the author will be Chiara Zoia, an expert in accessible communication, and Sylvia Oberto, a consultant for Diversity Equity and Inclusion interventions in companies and third-sector entities.

The event is part of the Salone OFF programming of the Salone del Libro of Turin, in collaboration with Flaco Edizioni; and is supported by the Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, within the framework of the Time and Skills Bank of Pink Coworking.

Click here to read the news on our website, where you can also find a form to register.

For more information: info@associazioneacca.eu

The Innovative Business Incubator of the Polytechnic University of Turin (I3P) has organized a series of free educational events, in collaboration with Jacobacci Lawyers and the Jacobacci & Partners group, specifically aimed at startups and innovative SMEs, but open to anyone interested in deepening their understanding of the defense and enhancement of intellectual property in a business and professional context.

The first event on Wednesday, May 8th will focus on the most suitable technical-legal tools to ensure the ownership of rights on know-how and trade secrets of a young company, exploring how the protection and regulation of such rights can be an essential element for proper exploitation within their market strategy.

During the meeting, led by Leo Italiano, Senior Consultant at I3P, and conducted by Alberto Spoto, Lawyer at Jacobacci Lawyers, typical scenarios will be pragmatically addressed where startup partners manage technical and commercial information, including interactions with external parties. Emphasis will be placed on the main contractual structures that can cover know-how, relationships with universities and research institutes, and practical measures to solidify contractual provisions.

The second session in this series, titled “The Brand: Basic Concepts for a Successful Strategy“, is scheduled for early June, led by Chiara Ferrari, Trademark Attorney at Jacobacci & Partners. The third meeting will take place in July on the topic of “Protecting Software, Data, and AI: A Practical Guide for Startups“, featuring talks by Edgardo Deambrogi, Italian and European Patent Attorney and Partner at Jacobacci & Partners, Valerio Verdecchia, European Patent Attorney at Jacobacci & Partners, and Alberto Spoto, Lawyer at Jacobacci Lawyers.

How to participate

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 8th, 2024, starting at 5:00 PM, in person at the Agorà Hall of the I3P incubator, located within the Campus of the Polytechnic University of Turin, accessible both from the main gate at Corso Castelfidardo 30/A and the pedestrian entrance at Via Pier Carlo Boggio 59.

Participation in the event is free, with prior registration on Eventbrite.

Schedule

5:00 PM | Reception and registration of participants
5:10 PM | Introductory greetings by Leo Italiano, Senior Consultant at I3P and Program Manager at ESA BIC Turin
5:15 PM | Presentation by Alberto Spoto, Lawyer at Jacobacci Lawyers
6:15 PM | Q&A session with the audience
6:30 PM | Conclusion and networking aperitif

Organizers

Founded in 1999, the Innovative Business Incubator of the Polytechnic University of Turin (I3P) supports the creation and development of high-tech innovative startups with growth potential, founded by both university researchers and students as well as external entrepreneurs, providing strategic consulting services, coaching, mentoring, fundraising support, and workspace. I3P’s mission is to support the entrepreneurship ecosystem with the goal of generating economic development and employment in innovative industrial sectors.
For more details: www.i3p.it

Jacobacci Lawyers, established in the mid-90s, has always aimed to be a benchmark in intellectual property protection, both in Italy and abroad. Today, the firm boasts a consolidated team of 15 partners and over 40 professionals operating in four offices across Italy and France. Its professionals specialize in various aspects of intellectual property, from trademarks to patents to design, to protect the innovative ideas of an international clientele across various sectors, from technology to services. Over the years, the firm’s professionals have represented their clients in particularly complex legal matters across the entire spectrum of intellectual property, achieving landmark precedents in Italian and European courts in numerous areas.
For more details: www.jacobacci-law.com/it

Jacobacci & Partners is an international group with 13 offices across Europe – including Turin, Milan, Rome, Brescia, Padova, Kilometro Rosso (Bergamo), Bologna, Madrid, Alicante, Paris, Lyon, Nantes, and Bordeaux – that has been operating in the field of intellectual property protection and enhancement for over 150 years, managing 100,000 patents and 120,000 trademarks for over 10,000 clients of every size, sector, and geographical area. For several years, it has ranked highly in major international intellectual property rankings: Managing Intellectual Property, World Trademark Review, Intellectual Asset Management, Financial Times, and Leaders League. Certified as a “Great Place to Work” also for the biennium 2023-2024, in 2023 it also achieved the Gender Equality Certification.

For more details: www.jacobacci.com

The Reusable Packaging Revolution project has started in Turin to reduce the use of single-use packaging in large-scale retail.

This is an experiment that, until the end of June, will test two different packaging reduction strategies at some Crai retail points in the city.
For some weeks now, at CRAI at Corso Moncalieri 267C, it has been possible to purchase products from the deli and butcher counters served for free in Around reusable containers, instead of single-use ones. After consuming the meal without producing packaging waste, the container must be returned within 7 days to the retail point, where it will be sanitized and recirculated.

The second experiment, starting in early May, will involve some Crai retail points in districts 1 and 8 and some deli counters at the Crocetta market, where a “pilot” group of 50 people will experiment with using containers brought from home.
The applications to participate in this experiment are open right now. The selected individuals, after an initial training phase, will go to the involved retail points using their own reusable containers brought from home and appropriately sanitized.

To apply, you can register here.
For information, write to projects@mercatocircolare.it

The Reusable Packaging Revolution is a project by Mercato Circolare srl, University of Turin, and Aarhus University, in collaboration with Around and Crai, for the EIT FOOD – POC (Proof of Concept) 2023-2025 call.

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of its operations, I3P, the Innovative Enterprise Incubator of the Polytechnic University of Turin, has launched a series of special events titled Scintille: a series of meetings with brilliant minds and prominent figures not only from the world of technology, who have made a significant mark in their field and beyond.

Following the success of the first two events in March and April, I3P is pleased to present the third appointment on Tuesday, May 14, with a uniquely profiled new guest: Chiara Montanari, the first Italian woman to have led an expedition to Antarctica and an engineer with decades of experience in managing polar missions at international research stations.

“Uncertainty has a bright side because it awakens our vitality”. This is one of the phrases with which Chiara describes her relationship with adventure and the exploration of ever-new horizons, often under challenging conditions that require constant ingenuity. This state of mind is familiar to young entrepreneurs who tackle their nascent ventures every day, still devoid of certainties and exposed to countless unforeseen events, but driven by passion and the desire to achieve something never seen before.

In addition to having participated in five expeditions to Antarctica, representing not only Italy but also France and Belgium, Chiara Montanari has managed some of the most extreme research stations on our planet, such as the Concordia station, located at the top of the polar ice cap, at 4,000 meters altitude with temperatures ranging between minus 50 and minus 80 degrees Celsius.

Moreover, Chiara has conducted research in Organization Theory at the Polytechnic University of Milan and at the Center for Epistemology of Complexity at the University of Bergamo, before assuming managerial roles in various sectors and prominent companies. She has collaborated with the Cherenkov Telescope Array, the international astronomical observatory for exploring the high energies of the universe, and currently offers training courses to companies interested in developing the so-called Antarctic Mindset, the ability to thrive in uncertainty. She is a TEDx speaker and collaborates with various non-profit organizations on issues of empowerment in youth entrepreneurship, awareness of research, and environmental sustainability.

How to Participate

The meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, starting at 18:00, in person at the Agorà Hall of the I3P incubator, located within the Campus of the Polytechnic University of Turin and accessible either from the main gate at Corso Castelfidardo 30/A or from the pedestrian entrance at Via Pier Carlo Boggio 59.

Participation in the event is free, with prior registration on Eventbrite.

Program

18:00 | Welcome of participants

18:10 | Introductory greetings – Paola Mogliotti, Director of I3P

18:15 | Opening of the meeting – Adriano Marconetto, Entrepreneur In Residence at I3P

18:20 | Chat with Chiara Montanari, Antarctic Expedition Leader

19:00 | Q&A session with the audience in the hall

19:20 | Conclusion of the meeting

From April 19 to 21, the Biennale Tecnologia 2024 is taking place in Turin, an event organized by the Politecnico di Torino dedicated to the decisive role that technology has assumed in all areas of human life, from health to the environment, from personal relationships to democracy.

As part of the Biennale, a panel will be held at the OGR on Sunday, April 21 at 11:30 am, titled: “The social entrepreneurship tribunal: heroes or facilitators?” In a simulated judicial process, the narrative of entrepreneurial heroism will be addressed: are social entrepreneurs contemporary heroes or rather facilitators of collaborative action?

Along with Alberto Masetti-Zannini (Director of Global Development for the international Impact Hub network), Marco Nannini (CEO of Impact Hub srl SB), Tiziana Monterisi, founder of Ricehouse Srl SB, and Ugo Vallauri, founder of The Restart Project, Elena Ferrero, co-founder of TSI partner Atelier Riforma, will also participate.

The journey started with the Benefit Companies part of the Torino Social Impact network is filled with enthusiasm and a willingness to face ever-new challenges. Step by step, this path continues to surprise us with new opportunities.

Today, the ecosystem includes 50 benefit companies that have joined the network: each with its mission, its projects, and its vision believes in the power of collaboration and “doing together”. Following the success of the Fit4benefit networking and training program launched in 2023, on April 25, 2024, part of the Practice Community gathered to design new meetings based on the needs identified at the end of the course.

The new edition of Fit4benefit, continuing from the previous year, today shares some important goals, such as creating common knowledge through a peer learning path and fostering new relationships.

With great enthusiasm, today we are pleased to announce the start of the second edition of Fit4benefit for the 2024-2025 period, which includes two parallel training paths:

Fit4benefit “online version”

These are virtual meetings where snippets of content already covered in 2023 will be proposed. These sessions are designed for new members joining the Practice Community, for those who did not participate in previous meetings, and for those interested in revisiting some topics. The meetings will last 1 hour and will cover the following topics:

• Stakeholder engagement: sustainability is elsewhere
  curated by Amapola
  May 8, 2024, from 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM

• Social Benefit Object
  curated by Futura Law Firm
  December 11, 2024, from 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM

• Communicating Benefit
  curated by Synesthesia
  March 5, 2025, from 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM

Fit4benefit “in-person version”

These are offline meetings where some topics related to being a Benefit will be discussed more in-depth. The meetings, lasting 3 hours, are aimed at the entire group of Benefit Companies and will conclude with a networking aperitif. The topics to be addressed are:

• The game of Good Governance
  curated by Operàri
  June 21, 2024, from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM

• Function and drafting of the Benefit Report
  curated by FL20 Studio and Futura Law Firm
  November 8, 2024, from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM

• Positive organizations and gender equality management systems
  curated by Uomo & Ambiente and Clover
  January 24, 2025, from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM

• Being Benefit: communicate, engage, share
  curated by Amapola and Synesthesia
  April 18, 2025, from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM

If you represent a Benefit Company, you are welcome to participate in this experience! Write to info@torinosocialimpact.it to register for the meetings.

The Practice Community project is made possible thanks to the support of the Chamber of Commerce of Turin and the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation.

Caring for the psychological well-being of employees is not only strategically important for organizations, but it also allows companies to comply with regulatory obligations to protect the psychosocial risks of their human capital.

In recent years, we have witnessed profound socioeconomic changes that have affected the world of work: from job insecurity to an increase in workload and pace, from continuous innovations to poor work-life balance.

In Italy, about 50% of sick days are due to work-related anxiety and stress. Companies (and individuals) need new skills and abilities to manage current and future challenges, especially in the interests of the new generation of workers. For this reason, we have decided to do our part, this time too, for everyone’s mental health.

Our training program is comprehensive, intense, and aimed at HR, Welfare Managers, Chief Happiness Officers, and Entrepreneurs.

• 6 training sessions (3 in-person + 3 online)
• A total of 3 months of impactful training
• Only 50 spots available

A set of topics ranging from psychological training to corporate counseling; from welfare to high emotional impact leadership styles; from monitoring employee well-being to a corporate culture based on feedback and proper information flow.

It is necessary to take concrete actions to promote psychological well-being in the workplace, and we believe that one of the best ways to do so is through training!

Purchase the ticket for 3 months of intensive on-site training and learn how to effectively implement a Corporate Mental Health Strategy!

The reserved price is 590.00 EUR, valid only if you register by April 25th! It includes a 20% discount on the next TeamDifferent course (we will tell you more about this soon).

Let’s make an impact together.

Browse the detailed program of the course here!

The course is organized in partnership with NotOnlyDesk, with the strategic collaboration of Econgood (Economics Federation for the Common Good), the magical team of GeCo | Generazione Competente, WellWork, and M74 Solution.

With the launch of the new Call for Startups – a phase in which startups can submit their applications on the dedicated website – the third edition of FAROS officially begins. FAROS is an accelerator of the National Accelerator Network CDP Venture Capital, established in 2021 to promote a marine economy in Italy in support of sustainable development.

For this edition, the selected startups will be offered an acceleration program with masterclasses, one-to-one coaching activities, mentoring with industry experts, networking with national and international stakeholders; moreover, the best solutions will have the opportunity to engage in open innovation activities with corporate partners; the startups will receive an investment in the form of a convertible note starting from 75,000 euros with potential follow-on up to 400,000 euros.

The goal of FAROS is to identify the most interesting national and international entities that develop products or services impacting on eight focus areas of the marine economy:

• Ocean Data: intelligent systems and innovative technologies for the collection, monitoring, and evaluation of data from the sea and oceans
• Ocean Energy Systems: creating an energy mix based on ocean resources
• Sea Health & Restoration: activities for the prevention, protection, restoration, and monitoring of the marine environment and ecosystem
• Smart Ports & Green Shipping: digital and automated processes for optimizing port activities and decarbonizing maritime transport
• Sustainable Aquaculture: farming and processing of fish, algae, and mollusks for the food chain
• Innovative use of marine resources: for industrial applications and processes
• Shipbuilding: innovative and sustainable processes in the shipbuilding supply chain
• Coastal Tourism: services for the development of a more sustainable tourism supply chain

Teams can submit their applications by June 16, 2024, and the selection process will culminate in July 2024 with the Selection Day, during which up to 10 of the best entities will access the acceleration program that will last 4 months (November 2024 – February 2025) and will conclude with the final Demo Day event, scheduled for March 2025.

APPLICATIONS

The regulations of the call with details on eligibility criteria, conditions, and methods for submitting applications are available here. The Call closes on June 16, 2024.

FAROS is the first accelerator in Italy dedicated to this sector, created by the initiative of CDP Venture Capital Sgr in collaboration with the Port System Authority of the Ionian Sea – Port of Taranto and is managed by a|cube, an accelerator for social and environmental impact enterprises, and the local manager Wylab. With a national and international scope, FAROS promotes its activities through two significant Italian hubs, Taranto and La Spezia.

What is the role of information in the era of the impact economy? This is the question at the heart of the event organized at the Turin Book Fair. From here begins a journey to explore how journalism can contribute to promoting change in a context where all actors in society, from institutions to businesses, are called to activate to face the major environmental and social challenges.

Friday, May 10, 2024 – 10:30 AM
“The Role of Journalism in the Era of the Impact Economy”
Salone Internazionale del Libro di Torino, Sala Bianca

An international debate to delve into how journalism can help promote change in a context where all the actors of society, from institutions to businesses, are called to activate to face the major environmental and social challenges. The event will also illustrate the solution journalism movement, which offers information aimed at producing social impact by not only showing problems but also solutions, thus contributing to societal progress.

The event is organized by Turin Social Impact as part of the Turin Impact Journalism initiative.

Introduces
Raphael Zanotti, journalist at La Stampa and curator of Turin Impact Journalism

Moderates
Mario Calderini, Professor at Politecnico di Milano and spokesperson for Turin Social Impact

Tina Rosenberg, co-founder of Solution Journalism Network and Pulitzer Prize winner
Styli Charalambous, co-founder of Daily Maverick
Julie Pybus, journalist at Pioneers Post
Zoe McDonagh, Media Development Investment Fund
Mario Calabresi, journalist and writer, founder of Chora Media

The event is part of the SalTO24 program.
Entry to the event is free, subject to availability of seats.

The food sector offers a prime opportunity to witness the intelligent and beneficial impacts of impact economy.

Established in 2014 in the vibrant barrier district of Milan, Panacea is a social cooperative dedicated to bread production, with a specific focus on strengthening the relationship with the surrounding territory.

Isabella de Vecchi, member of Panacea Social Farm, joined us in this new episode of Bench-Mark to tell us more about the company.

The interview is conducted by Francesco Antonioli.

Watch previous episodes here.

The RETURN project (acronym for Multi-Risk Science for Resilient Communities Under a Changing Climate) is an extensive partnership funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). It aims to strengthen the research supply chains in environmental, natural, and anthropogenic risks at the national level, promoting participation in strategic European and global value chains. By enhancing fundamental knowledge and applying technology, the project contributes to the strengthening of key competencies, technological and knowledge transfer, and Italian governance in disaster risk management, involving public administrations, stakeholders, and private enterprises.

The RETURN partnership, coordinated by the University of Naples “Federico II”, includes participation from the Polytechnic University of Turin, leading Spoke 6 – TS2: Multi-Risk Resilience of Critical Infrastructures, and involves 26 partners, including 12 universities, 5 research bodies and competence centers, 6 private entities, 2 territorial bodies, and the Department of Civil Protection, with funding of over 115 million euros from the Ministry of University and Research. Among the activities managed by the RETURN Foundation are calls for enterprises: the project aims to identify and support innovative startups, spinoffs, and SMEs specializing in the prevention, management, and mitigation of environmental, natural, and anthropogenic risks. The program also includes I3P, the Incubator of the Polytechnic University of Turin, which has organized a series of events to disseminate the opportunities of the RETURN calls to the network of innovative startups and engage young enterprises that align with the sought technological solution types.

The second event in this series, dedicated to the vertical area Multi-Risk Resilience of Critical Infrastructures, will take place on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 2:00 PM, in an online webinar mode with free participation. During the digital meeting, which will be held in Italian, the RETURN project and its calls for SMEs will be presented, with some scientific insights; a startup will also share a testimonial of its entrepreneurial project in the field of increasing the resilience of an area after a catastrophic event or natural disaster.

To receive the link to join the webinar, it is necessary to register on Eventbrite.

The first webinar of the series, held on March 21, 2024, on the vertical area Ground Instabilities, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes, is available on the YouTube channel of I3P.

Schedule

• 2:00 PM | Opening of the webinar and introductory greetings by Negar Mokarram, Business Analyst at I3P
• 2:05 PM | In-depth presentation of the RETURN project and its calls for innovative SMEs – Ciro Del Vecchio, RETURN Foundation
• 2:30 PM | Activities of Spoke 6 – TS2: Multi-Risk Resilience of Critical Infrastructures – Gabriele Freni, Co-Leader of Spoke TS2
• 2:50 PM | Presentation of a startup active in the Multi-Risk Resilience of Critical Infrastructures (TS2)
• 3:00 PM | Thanks and conclusion of the meeting

Social startup Atelier Riforma is among the 13 social enterprises selected from across Europe for “Grow AI – Social Tides”, one of the programmes supported by Google for Startups Accelerator.
Grow AI is an accelerator programme dedicated to social companies and impact organisations that use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to pursue positive impact. Social Tides is promoted by INCO Academy with the support of Google.org.
Over the next 6 months, the startup will receive tools, technical knowledge, mentoring and a $190,000 grant to grow its technology and business.

Atelier Riforma has designed and developed (from 2021 until now) Re4Circular, a technological tool – based on Artificial Intelligence – used to smartply classify clothes and fabrics that are no longer used. Starting from a simple photograph of a garment and of its label, Re4Circular extracts and records all the essential data to best recover that garment through circular economy processes (such as reuse, recycling, tailoring, etc.).

Connected to this classification technology there is also a digital platform, which matches supply and demand (B2B) of this material, so that the organisations that collect used garments, as well as fashion brands that have deadstocks, – by using Re4Circular – can direct them to all those professionals and companies that are able to reuse the material in their business. This serves to reduce waste in the fashion industry, saving textiles from landfill and, on the contrary, valorising them as productive resources instead of virgin material.

Only two Italian projects were selected across Europe and Atelier Riforma is also the only project focused on the fashion sector.
The other selected social enterprises come from countries such as Sweden, the United Kingdom, Spain, Ukraine, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania and Lithuania and all use AI for the common good, e.g. to improve the lives of blind people, increase pedestrian safety on the streets, diagnose heart diseases in advance, provide ongoing support to people with psychological disorders, make healthcare services accessible to all, combat fake news in information, promote women’s employment, make agriculture more sustainable, train young people in new technologies, etc.

Between the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024, the Piedmontese startup has been awarded funds (both national and international) amounting to around €250,000, which they will use to improve their technology and spread their service as widely as possible. A project that is the result of a lot of hard work and determination, which is beginning to receive rewards and have its important social mission recognised internationally.

The city of Turin enthusiastically welcomes the arrival of the Tour Truck, a unique event dedicated to professional orientation and the promotion of safety and legality in the workplace. The initiative, which will be held on April 18th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, is organized by the Foundation of Labor Consultants in collaboration with numerous institutions and local entities.

During the day, participants will be able to explore six stands offering job orientation services, support in drafting resumes, information on local job opportunities, and much more. Additionally, attendees will have the chance to engage with GeL, the first videogame dedicated to ethical work that helps to navigate the world of work.

The event will open with the participation of the Regional Minister of Labor, Education, and Merit of Piedmont, Elena Chiorino, and the President of the Foundation of Labor Consultants, Vincenzo Silvestri.

This will be followed by a dense program of conferences at Aula A2 of the Luigi Einaudi Campus, featuring speeches from various academic and institutional authorities discussing themes related to safety, legality, and orientation in the world of work.

The Tour Truck presents an invaluable opportunity for students, young professionals, and anyone interested in better understanding the dynamics of the job market and enhancing their skills in a stimulating and informative professional context.

For more information about the event program, click here.

Our future lies in the Third Sector

Why does the work of social enterprises still receive limited support from philanthropic organizations? Why are these large institutions —with enormous economic resources— in the last place among impact investors?

We will try to answer these and other questions on Thursday, April 11, from 6:30 to 8.00 p.m. in Dorado (lungo Dora Firenze 37), during an event dedicated to the strategic role of philanthropic entities in supporting social enterprises and third sector organizations.

We will have with us four professionals who have been involved insocial innovation, nonprofits, and sustainable development for years: Carola Carazzone (Assifero general secretary) / Arianna De Mario (Director of Strategic Partnerships at Ashoka) / Paola De Leo (founder and president of Semia) / Mario Montalcini (founder and CEO of Brainscapital). Introduced by Luca Ballarini, founder of Stratosferica.

Participation in the event is free.
At the entrance, you can get your membership card and become a “Friend of Dorado” (€5), which enables you to participate in all the events that will take place in Aurora’s new community hub.

We are thrilled to announce the event “Global Challenges, Local Solutions: Turin and the G7 on Climate“, organized by Green Growth Generation as part of Planet Week 2024!

What is it about? The Planet Week will take place from April 20th to 28th in the municipality of Turin, a calendar of initiatives leading up to the G7 Climate, Environment, and Energy. With “Global Challenges, Local Solutions: Turin and the G7 on Climate,” our goal is to inspire and engage the entire community to greater climate and environmental awareness. We will have the pleasure of hosting distinguished speakers, including representatives from Greenpeace, Relearn, ECCO, and Climate Fresk, who will guide us in an engaging discussion on the topics of ecological and digital transition.

And at the end of the morning, don’t run away: lunch is provided by Green Growth, with the kind contribution of the cooperative “Karibu Kitchen.”
Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this important moment of discussion and action for our planet!

When? Sunday, April 21st, from 10:00 onwards.

Where? Bagni Pubblici di Via Agliè – Via Agliè 9, Turin.

Register now on Eventbrite and secure your spot!

On the occasion of Biennale Tecnologia 2024, a permanent biennial event organised by Politecnico di Torino and dedicated to technology’s decisive impact on each aspect of human life, the innovative companies incubator I3P is offering an opportunity to meet the founders of several start-ups in the space sector to talk about their vision of humanity’s future in space, the origin of their business idea in this field, and the steps they are taking to turn it into reality.

Among the guests at the meeting, there will be three innovative companies supported by the incubator on their entrepreneurial growth path: AIKO, Space Cargo Unlimited and Space V. AIKO develops artificial intelligence for the automation of space missions, while Space Cargo Unlimited intends to exploit the potential of manufacturing in space for terrestrial commercial applications, and Space V operates in the field of bio-regenerative systems for inhabited space missions. United by their activities in the spacetech sector, the representatives of the three start-ups will share their experience in this field of enormous potential and their perspectives on the future of human presence in the cosmos.

During the event, an in-depth look will be given at the projects and initiatives offering concrete support to the birth and development of new businesses in the space economy, such as the ESA BIC Turin incubation program and the NODES Ecosystem, with its Spoke 1 dedicated to Aerospace and Sustainable Mobility, of which I3P is a partner. At the end of the meeting, it will be possible to meet in person several players in this fast-growing sector and possibly submit one’s own technology-based business idea in the space field to the ESA BIC Turin specialists, for a free initial discussion.

How to join the event

The event will be held, in Italian language, in the afternoon of Thursday, April 18^th, 2024, starting at 16:30 CEST, in presence at the Agorà hall of the I3P incubator, located within the Campus of Politecnico di Torino and accessible both from the main gate of corso Castelfidardo 30/A, and from the pedestrian entrance of via Pier Carlo Boggio 59.

Participation is free of charge, only requiring registration on Eventbrite.

Event programme

• 16:30 | Opening of the event and welcoming of the public
• 16:45 | Introductory remarks – Giuseppe Scellato, President of I3P and Coordinator of ESA BIC Turin
• 16:50 | “Innovative entrepreneurship in the Space Economy” – Leo Italiano, Program Manager of ESA BIC Turin
• 17:00 | “The opportunities of the NODES Ecosystem for companies” – Sabrina Corpino, Associate Professor at the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (DIMEAS) of the Politecnico di Torino
• 17:10 | The case of AIKO – Giorgio Albano, Chief Legal Officer
• 17:20 | The project of Space Cargo Unlimited – Veronica La Regina, Director General
• 17:30 | The vision of Space V – Franco Malerba, Business Strategy Manager
• 17:40 | Round table: space startuppers discuss the role of innovation in the sector
• 18:10 | Q&A session with the audience
• 18:30 | Conclusion of the meeting and networking aperitif

Event speakers

Giorgio Albano, Co-Founder and Chief Legal Officer of AIKO, holds a degree in Law from the University of Turin and is a qualified lawyer. After several experiences in the legal and privacy departments of international companies, he founded AIKO in 2017 together with two other partners and joined the company in 2021. Always passionate about new technologies, in 2023 he published together with Maura Zara the article “New Age Space Activities: Implementing Earth Observation and Reducing Inequality through Artificial Intelligence“, presented at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2023.

Veronica La Regina, Director General of Space Cargo Unlimited, has an illustrious professional background, with current roles in several international organisations and previous positions in large aerospace companies, as well as the European Space Agency (ESA), in addition to research roles at universities in Europe and the United States. Her educational background has included academic studies in systems engineering, space policy, economics and law. La Regina’s contributions in the field of space include publications, research affiliations, mentorship, government consulting and coaching within prestigious networks, cementing her as a leading figure in the field of space exploration and innovation.

Franco Malerba, Co-Founder and Business Strategy Manager of Space V, is a lecturer at the University of Genoa and the University of Leicester, but he made history as the first Italian astronaut: in 1992 he flew into space aboard the shuttle Atlantis, which carried the Eureca laboratory and the Tethered satellite. During his career he has been a researcher at CNR and ESA, held management positions in industry, was an elected member of the European Parliament and scientific attaché of the Italian diplomatic representation to the OECD, ESA and the International Energy Agency in Paris. Today, he contributes to the dissemination of science by organising the annual Space Festival in Busalla, Liguria.

Giuseppe Scellato, President of I3P and Coordinator of ESA BIC Turin, is Professor of Business Economics and Innovation Economics and Management at Politecnico di Torino. His research activities focus on the economics and management of innovation, innovative entrepreneurship and the economics of science: on these topics he is the author of publications in international journals, including Science, Nature, Journal of Management Studies, Journal of Corporate Finance, and Research Policy. In recent years he has been scientifically responsible for research projects on economics and innovation policy funded by the European Commission, European Patent Office, EU Joint Research Center, European Investment Bank, MIUR, National Bureau of Economic Research.

Leo Italiano, Senior Consultant at I3P, has a degree in Management Engineering from Politecnico di Torino and has been working since 2010 at I3P, where he provides consulting support to technology start-ups and entrepreneurs in business planning and business development. He is also the Program Manager of ESA BIC Turin, the incubation programme for start-ups active in the aerospace sector promoted by the European Space Agency and managed by I3P.

On April 5, 2024, Vol.To ETS and Fondazione Piemonte Innova signed a collaboration agreement aimed at revitalizing the Third Sector. This three-year partnership aims to modernize volunteer organizations through the adoption of digital technologies and more efficient management practices. The entities will actively collaborate to meet the needs of the associations, focusing on aspects such as cybersecurity, compliance with GDPR, and customer relationship management through CRM.

The agreement also includes a concrete commitment to professional training, with specific focuses on digital skills and other relevant areas for the Third Sector. It encompasses the efficient management of Vol.To ETS spaces within the Innovation Block – an innovative experimentation area established by the Chamber of Commerce of Turin through the redevelopment of the historic buildings of Piazzale Valdo Fusi, contributing to strengthening the dynamism of the innovative environment in Turin.

The collaboration between the two entities promotes a fruitful exchange of knowledge and experiences through regular meetings and specific actions aimed at enhancing digital skills among young people involved in volunteering, Civil Service, and international mobility programs. The common goal is to strengthen the digital competencies of Third Sector organizations, thereby promoting conscious social change, building a fairer and more inclusive future.

Discover more

As part of the #3P4SSE project – Social and Solidarity Economy – Central Europe Network, for which LINKS is a scientific partner, a series of meetings on the themes of social and solidarity economy has been organized.

The second seminar scheduled, “Social Economy and Territory: The Third Sector as a Driver of Territorial Development,” will be held in Italian and will delve into the role of territorial entities, both public and private, in the social economy.

The event will take place on April 15th, from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM, at the headquarters of the Metropolitan City of Turin: the program includes in-depth discussions with various public and private practitioners who will help explore existing good practices aimed at promoting the construction of territorial networks in the social economy, illustrating their innovative dynamics.

It will be possible to participate in the event remotely by connecting here

“Nutri-Minds. Cultural Significance, Sustainability, and the Right to Food” is the title of the eighth edition of the Ferdinando Rossi Forum, dedicated to the relationship between human beings and food, which will be held in Turin from April 17 to 19, 2024.

The discussion will take place at the Terracini Hall of the Palazzo Nuovo (April 17-18) and the Aula Magna of the Rectorate (April 19) and will be approached from different perspectives, through the contribution of disciplines such as anthropology, semiotics, bioethics, social sciences, and life sciences.

A disciplinary approach to food

Never before have we been so obsessed with nutrition, with eating healthily. Never before has food become a vehicle for political ideas, a tool for communication and identity building, and, finally, never before have we been continuously exposed to images and representations of food.

From observing contemporary daily reality, and especially the frequent lack in public and academic communication of an interdisciplinary approach to food, the idea was born to dedicate the eighth edition of the Ferdinando Rossi Forum to this theme, realized thanks to the contribution of the University of Turin and the “Ferdinando Rossi” School of Advanced Studies of Turin.

Food policies, food influencing, sociability, and nourishment

The 2024 Forum will delve into the theme through a disciplinary lens, to offer a fruitful and meaningful exchange between different disciplines. The conferences, free and open to the public, will be divided into three days in which experts will be invited to speak on the theme. Among the many topics that will be explored at the event, local food policies, food influencing, popular gastronomies, the beneficial role of nutraceuticals, moral choices regarding food production, the link between food and writing, and eating disorders will be discussed.

The event will be completed by two Round Tables in which selected students will discuss the relationship between food, nourishment, and sociability. The participation of the public in this debate is welcome.

The Ferdinando Rossi Forum

The Ferdinando Rossi Forum is an annual cultural event, conceived and organized by the Organizing Committee, a body composed of university students of the “Ferdinando Rossi” School of Advanced Studies, the path of excellence of the University of Turin (SSST).

Born from the desire to stimulate a fruitful exchange between the academic world, associations, and the territory, it aims to promote knowledge of scientific, humanistic, and social topics of current relevance, through an interdisciplinary approach and with the intervention of experts from different disciplinary fields.

For more information, the complete program of expert interventions can be consulted on the event’s website.

Working together, finding new friends, and building new collaborations

APRIL 18, 2024 TURIN – DORADO

On Thursday, April 18th, from 9 AM to 6 PM, the first Social Working Day of the year will take place in Turin at the new Urban Innovation & Community Hub by Stratosferica: DORADO! A new multifunctional space along the Dora River that has breathed new life into a former Lavazza warehouse.

The #SWDAY24 is organized by MyOrango with the goal of bringing together freelancers, professionals, and companies in a unique location to exchange ideas and foster new opportunities and collaborations. It will be a full day of shared work, aimed at socializing and gaining new knowledge.

During the event, there will be three speeches given by Luca Ballarini, a graphic designer and founder of Bellissimo and the creator of Stratosferica, Cristina Leonetti, a consultant for change strategies, and Andrea Visconti, a content creator and entrepreneur of Reelations.

Tickets available at socialworkingday.com

New date, same FIORILE.
Following the cancellation of the March 30/31 edition due to bad weather, we return to the Rose Garden of Moncalieri Castle on SATURDAY 20 and SUNDAY 21 APRIL.

A weekend among seasonal excellences, flowers, agricultural productions, and crafts. Together we will explore the Moncalieri hill, meet new producers and new professions, listen to music, talk about biodiversity and ethical cooking.
It will be an opportunity for exchange, discovery, and participation with the WORKSHOPS of Beesù, Metropolitan Pollinators Slow Food, Floriculture Racca, and Orso Objetos, the IMMERSIVE WALK in the hill by Asd Nordic Walking Andrate towards PininAgri Farm, the ART SPACE of Benedetta Piovesana, and the CONCERT of Strawman & Celine.

Discover more here

April brings the bloom. And the Giardino Forbito brings it to the market.

Sunday, April 14th, we return to the Sambuy Gardens with the Googreen Market of the month: agricultural producers, craftsmen, and nurserymen for a spring shopping in the city center.

From the fruits of the earth to handmade objects, a day in the park to discover our territory together through small excellences and new professions.

Not just a market! Postponed by a month, the art of street performance returns to Sambuy with surprise encounters along the park’s paths. WHISPERS, sounds, and stories face to face in the garden, together with the artists Arianna Abis, Chiara Trevisan, and Sandro Reina.

This year, I3P, the Incubator of the Polytechnic University of Turin, celebrates 25 years: a significant milestone, dotted with the successes of the hundreds of startups it has supported over time, to be celebrated together with the innovative entrepreneurship community through a series of special initiatives throughout 2024.

In the series of special events titled Scintille (Sparks) – a series of meetings with brilliant minds and leading personalities, coming not only from the world of technology but who have made a significant mark in their field of activity – I3P is pleased to present the meeting on Tuesday, April 16, with an internationally renowned winemaking entrepreneur: Angelo Gaja.

Angelo Gaja is the most famous producer of fine Italian wines in the world; the “king of Barbaresco,” a wine that once few considered and that Gaja has made appreciated – both by the best international critics and by the most refined clientele – through the combination of an obsessive orientation to the quality of the product and evolved commercial strategies.

Angelo Gaja has changed the fortunes not only of his family company but of his entire territory, with insights and courageous choices decades ahead of his time: an entrepreneur who has always and obstinately focused on the search for excellence in all aspects of the business: product, brand, organization, environmental sustainability. His bottles continue to win the best international awards and are a must in the biggest restaurants in the world. Even today, Angelo Gaja continues to have a great passion for his work and a constant inclination to imagine and design the future.

How to participate

The event will take place on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, starting at 6:00 PM, in person at the Agorà Hall of the I3P incubator, located inside the Campus of the Polytechnic of Turin and accessible both from the main gate at Corso Castelfidardo 30/A and from the pedestrian entrance at Via Pier Carlo Boggio 59.

Participation in the meeting is free, upon registration on Eventbrite.

Program

6:00 PM | Welcome of participants

6:10 PM | Introductory greetings – Paola Mogliotti, Director of I3P

6:15 PM | Opening of the meeting – Adriano Marconetto, Entrepreneur In Residence at I3P

6:20 PM | Speech by Angelo Gaja, internationally renowned winemaking entrepreneur

For over forty years, Dalla Stessa Parte Cooperativa Sociale has been actively engaged in the Turin area in support of disadvantaged individuals, drawing inspiration from the story of its “founding father”, Franco Malerba. Following a tragic car accident, Malerba made the decision to dedicate his life to a project of solidarity and inclusion.

In this new episode of Bench-Mark, Gianluca Bruna, Project planning manager of Dalla Stessa Parte Cooperativa Sociale, explains how their current activities take into account impact economy, carrying on Franco’s legacy and continuing to make a difference in the community

Interview by Francesco Antonioli.

Watch previous episodes here.

“It’s Adventure – School Years” is the winning project of the Gaming, Augmented Reality and VR section of the 6th edition of Faber. The Formade team, which developed the idea, was also selected by Marcopolo for its Special Award, consisting of a 20-hour mentoring course aimed at refining the project idea from a communication point of view.

The mentoring program was built together with the It’s Adventure project’s referents, to meet their interests and needs and enable them to obtain practical knowledge useful in defining the identity, including the visual identity, of the game and its launch on the market.

The appointments will be structured through online and in-person meetings and will involve various professional figures from the Marcopolo staff, including CEO Maurizio Bazzano, who will offer his entrepreneurial experience to help Formade transform its idea into business.

Although many within the Marcopolo team have already had teaching experience, first and foremost thanks to the collaboration with the IED, with which we have been collaborating as trainers for several years as part of the Master in Marketing and Communication, this will be the first time that we will all be working together on a project that makes our vertical skills available in a transversal manner, and we are very curious to put ourselves to the test, as individuals and as a team!

We hope to live up to the expectations of the young men and women who will participate in the programme, and we are confident that this can be a wonderful opportunity for us to reflect on all the knowledge that underpins the daily work we do for our customers. We are delighted to have the opportunity to share what we know, and we hope that this can be the first step towards a systematisation of our expertise, which can open up more and more to the various players in the area interested in learning more about issues related to the definition of a brand personality, including through the use of methodologies borrowed from the approaches of Design Thinking and Human Centred Design, the construction of a recognisable and coherent visual identity, and the adoption of an effective multi-channel communication strategy.

Internet of Things for SMEs without the need for new investments in machinery, digital platforms for sexual education and contact with specialists, advanced tools in the zootechnical field for the sanitation of farms. These are just a few examples of the types of technological projects developed by aspiring startups of GrandUP! Tech Academy 2023-2024, the training program for innovative entrepreneurs, which will be publicly presented during the Pitch Day scheduled for April 15th in Cuneo.

There are ten startup teams selected to participate in the program, who are now ready to present their projects: Dabycon, Euli, myReMuS, OneInput, QRTonic, Saniwash, SE.RI., Smartscholars, Unirooms, and YesPop.

During the event, each team will have seven minutes to present the result of months of work, plus three minutes to answer the in-depth questions from the evaluation jury, which will then select the best project proposals to offer them a pre-incubation path in I3P, the Incubator of the Polytechnic University of Turin, funded by the CRC Foundation.

The Academy’s initiative is part of the GrandUP! Tech project, promoted by the CRC Foundation in collaboration with I3P to support the development of an innovation ecosystem and the birth of new businesses in the Cuneo area. The activity was carried out within the framework of the “Memorandum of Understanding for Innovation and Digitalization of Companies in the Province of Cuneo“, signed in 2022 by the CRC Foundation and the Chamber of Commerce of Cuneo, with the participation of all the main trade associations in the area, including Coldiretti, Confagricoltura, Confartigianato, Confcommercio, Confindustria, and Legacoop.

How to participate

The Pitch Day event will take place on Monday, April 15, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm, in person at the Rondò dei Talenti in Cuneo, at via Luigi Gallo 1.

The meeting is open to everyone, and participation is free, upon registration on Eventbrite.

After the initial presentations and project pitches, the organizers will offer a networking cocktail to facilitate opportunities for in-depth discussion and exchange of contacts.

Schedule

5:00 pm | Accreditation and welcome

5:10 pm | Opening of the meeting

• Introduction by Eleonora Lavalle, Program Manager of GrandUP! Tech
• Initial greetings from I3P and CRC Foundation
• Institutional greetings from the partner entities of the initiative

5:50 pm | Dabycon pitch

6:00 pm | Euli pitch

6:10 pm | myReMuS pitch

6:20 pm | One Input pitch

6:30 pm | QRTonic pitch

6:40 pm | Saniwash pitch

6:50 pm | SE.RI. pitch

7:00 pm | Smartscholars pitch

7:10 pm | Unirooms pitch

7:20 pm | YesPop pitch

7:30 pm | Conclusion of the meeting and start of the networking cocktail

Who designs innovative digital applications and products makes choices that inevitably involve technical skills. However, a large part of the design world perceives the development world as something alien, incomprehensible, and unexplored, not relevant to their own domain.

The event entitled “UpstreamUX – Design beyond the surface“, organized by the innovative startup Bitboss and hosted by the I3P incubator on the occasion of Torino Digital Days 2024, will be a conversation that brings UX design and technology to sit at the same table and speak the same language: “natural technical language.” The speakers at the event will explain how a greater technical understanding can help designers better navigate client demands, solve problems before they become insurmountable, and create solutions that are not only visually appealing but also function exceptionally well.

The meeting is open to everyone and particularly aimed at UX designers who wish to take a step forward in their professional development, as well as startup founders involved in the conception of their digital product, to discover how the right level of technical knowledge can make work more efficient and easier to realize. It will be an informal meeting, rich in practical examples and without much pomp, discussing the indispensable skills in this field, even for those entering it for the first time.

How to participate

The event will take place on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, starting at 5:00 PM, in person at the Agorà Hall of the I3P incubator, located within the Campus of the Polytechnic University of Turin, accessible from both the main gate at Corso Castelfidardo 30/A and the pedestrian entrance at Via Pier Carlo Boggio 59.

Participation in the meeting is free, but registration via Eventbrite is required.

Program

5:00 PM | Welcome and registration of participants
5:10 PM | Introductory greetings from I3P
5:15 PM | Talk with Tommaso Salvetti and Riccardo Barbotti, Co-Founders of Bitboss
6:15 PM | Q&A session with the audience present in the hall
6:30 PM | Networking aperitif

Access to European funding for businesses and organizations in the social economy is today one of the main challenges to be faced in promoting the sector. It is from this need that the initiative HUB European projects for the social economy was born, started in 2023 in collaboration with Weco Social Enterprise thanks to the contribution of the Chamber of Commerce of Turin and the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation.

On Thursday, March 28th, the first training day dedicated to the CERV Program was held at the Cottino Social Impact Campus, bringing together 18 people from 10 partner organizations of Turin Social Impact interested in deepening the four main pillars, objectives, and calls of the program.

The CERV Program “Citizens, equality, rights, and values”

The program aims to support and develop open societies, based on rights, democratic, fair, and inclusive founded on the rule of law. This includes promoting a dynamic and autonomous civil society that encourages democratic, civic, and social participation of citizens and nurtures the rich diversity of European society based on the values, history, and memory we share.

The CERV program is structured around four pillars:

1. Equality, rights, and gender equality: promotion of rights, non-discrimination, and equality; integration of gender policies and non-discrimination at all levels
2. Citizen involvement and participation: promotion of citizen involvement and participation in the democratic life of the Union, exchanges between citizens of different Member States, and knowledge of common European history
3. Daphne: combating violence, including gender-based violence and violence against children
4. Union values: protection and promotion of Union values.

A day of capacity building and workshops on open calls

During the morning, Maria Chiara Pizzorno, senior expert at Weco Social Enterprise and evaluator of numerous European programs, led an infosession on the program. In addition, Chiara Mantegazza and Matteo Pizzi from the Danish Refugee Council shared their experience in CERV project design and grant management with participants, in a peer-to-peer learning approach.

In the afternoon, organizations, divided into working groups, designed projects on the open calls “To prevent and combat gender-based violence and violence against children CERV-2024-DAPHNE” and “European Remembrance CERV-2024-CITIZENS-REM”, which will expire in May 2024.

Many themes were proposed: from recalling the historical memory of migratory flows in European cities, to preventing gender-based violence against men at risk of reoffending, to promoting youth awareness of the European Union of peoples, rights, and democracy.

A fruitful exchange of ideas, tools, and skills to enhance the European project design capacity of the TSI ecosystem!

In the heart of Aurora, Borealis is about to open, a new center dedicated to art and social innovation whose programming will be defined through participatory management mechanisms.

It is a venue of over 700 square meters born with the ambition of creating a home open to all forms of participation and cultural citizenship that we have experienced so far and which, perhaps, have been lacking in the city of Turin lately.

The project by Kaninchen-Haus APS is in the final round of the new competition promoted by Reale Mutua Foundation… if it is among the 4 most voted projects on the web and on social media, we will win 10,000 euros that we will use to make this space compliant, safe, accessible, and soundproofed, in order to give Turin a place that offers a varied cultural program every day and make all activities sustainable, occasionally organizing some parties.

You can help us both by voting and by sharing this appeal with all those who could benefit from the opening of this new space:

1. Contest website: give 5 stars to the project, enter your name and email (you will receive a confirmation request)
2. Like this post
3. A nice like to this post

This year too, we participated in the Sport City Meeting in the wonderful setting of the city of Pietrasanta in Versilia.

Together with the Sportcity Foundation, we have committed to promoting the Republic of Movement starting from the new generations involved in the Dream Jobs project. Signing this agreement were our president Gianni Lanfranco, along with vice president Franco Frasca and president Fabio Pagliara, to whom we acknowledge the credit for the excellent organization of the event with the Administrators of the city of Pietrasanta.

Words of encouragement and future prospects were expressed by the Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi, and interesting testimonies were shared by those who are dedicated to sports at every level on a daily basis, such as Mauro Berruto, Daniela Sbrollini, Silvia Salis, and many others.

As a testament to the great value, both in sports and professionally, of the NextGen, we were also joined by Leonardo Citti, former goalkeeper of the Juventus Football Club youth sector, now goalkeeper of Pietrasanta, as well as soon-to-be a chartered accountant. Honor to the young athletes and professionals!

New call “Evoluzioni” to support social economy organizations and the third sector in the design and implementation of strategies and processes for digital transition.

The new call “Evoluzioni – Transizione digitale nell’economia sociale” is aimed at social economy entities operating in the territories of Piedmont, Liguria, Aosta Valley, and Lombardy. In continuity with the previous edition of the initiative, the “Evoluzioni” call will unfold through four areas of digital transition: digital transformation of processes; service and product innovation; data-driven organization and marketing, communication, and fundraising.

In line with the elements identified by the European Commission towards green and digital transitions, this new edition of the initiative reserves particular attention to the themes of the Twin transition, identifying among the primary objectives of the call the desire to accompany entities through the development of economically sustainable solutions, with low environmental impact and high social impact.

Online event for the presentation of the call on April 10th at 11:00 am, prior registration at this link.

Applications by May 30, 2024.

Discover more

MI allows you to purchase directly from local markets through the app and receive products at home or at the workplace. The service offered is not just a simple online food marketplace, but a service of social, environmental, and food sustainability.

Local markets, the cultural, social, and economic heritage of cities, are going through a phase of great difficulty and are disappearing. More and more businesses are forced to close, unable to compete with the large companies present in the sector.

From a social perspective, the work is structured in synergy with small businesses to create a territorial ecosystem based on proximity services. By aggregating market stalls and small commercial activities, it is possible to offer an online sales and home delivery system.

Third sector associations present in the area of interest are involved, with particular attention to the work integration of disadvantaged people.

Deliveries are made with zero environmental and noise impact thanks to the use of cargo bikes, which, by reducing city traffic, improve traffic flow.

Great attention is also paid to packaging. The system is based on returnable packaging practices; all packaging is recovered from customers, sanitized, and reused for subsequent orders.

From a food perspective, only locally sourced products are promoted, educating the consumer through the offering of seasonal products.

As a marketplace, each seller has access to and control over their own product showcase. Sales go directly to the customer, and thanks to the professionalism present in the markets, the customer can customize products. For example, it is possible to choose the ripeness of fruit, the cut of meats and cheeses, the cleaning of fish, coffee grinding, vacuum sealing, and many other customized options.

Companies are offered agreements with discounts, welfare services, and benefits for employees, and delivery directly to the workplace or home (which can always be monitored as Welfare): an initiative that values employees and supports the local economy.

Learn more: Wandering Market – The freshness of the market at your doorstep.

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

The first event, a conference on Public Policies in the Social and Solidarity Economy, will be held next March 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Collegio Carlo Alberto: scheduled discussions with experts and stakeholders, who will help explore concepts such as social clusters, regional development and new regulatory frameworks for the social economy. The event will be in Italian and English.

For more information and the full agenda for the meeting: click here.

It will be possible to attend the event remotely by connecting to this link.

Thursday, April 4th, 2024
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Webinar on Webex

The IV edition of the Impact Prototypes Labs program, proposed by Cottino Social Impact Campus and the Chamber of Commerce of Turin, dedicated to companies in the Piedmont region and to students of the Master’s Degree Courses at the Polytechnic University of Turin and the University of Turin, is kicking off.

IP Labs is a practical training and support program for sustainability, aimed at companies wishing to embark on a path of strategic, organizational, and managerial evolution and innovation, through projects that combine competitiveness and market positioning objectives with the achievement and measurement of positive impact.

Impact Prototypes Labs is a systemic program that has been involving some of the major players in the Piedmont region for four years: Chamber of Commerce of Turin, Cottino Social Impact Campus, UniCredit, Api Torino, Confindustria Canavese, Unione Industriali Torino, Polytechnic University of Turin, University of Turin, Fondazione Collegio Einaudi, Fondazione Piemonte innova, Unigens, YES4TO, Torino Social Impact.

In the first 3 editions, 62 Piedmontese companies have already participated, and 200 students have been involved.

Participating companies will be guided through the analysis of their starting situation to develop new opportunities and projects, guided by competent tutoring in corporate strategy, management, impact measurement, and engaging with young minds to embrace new visions and skills.

On April 4th, the Chamber of Commerce of Turin and Cottino Social Impact Campus, with Api Torino, Confindustria Canavese, and Unione Industriali Torino, are organizing a webinar to present the fourth edition of Impact Prototypes Labs, to delve into its benefits for companies and grasp the connections between innovation, organizational evolution, and impact.

Program

2:30 PM
Introductory Greeting
Guido Cerrato, Manager, Area for Territorial Promotion and Market Regulation, Chamber of Commerce of Turin

Impact Prototypes Labs IV edition – Program Introduction
Caterina Soldi, Cottino Social Impact Campus – IP Labs Management

2:45 PM
Innovating through Impact – Meanings and Opportunities
Mario Calderini, Scientific Advisor, Cottino Social Impact Campus, and Full Professor, Polytechnic University of Milan, spokesperson for Torino Social Impact

3:00 PM
What Evolution of Business for Impact?
Marella Caramazza, Board Member CSIC, and Strategic Direction CeVIS – Center of Competences for Impact Measurement and Evaluation

3:15 PM
Program Phases of IP Labs and Benefits for Companies
Caterina Soldi, Cottino Social Impact Campus – IP Labs Management

3:30 PM
Q&A – Closing

Free participation upon online registration.

Registered attendees will be able to join the event by clicking on the link they will receive the day before the webinar.
It is not necessary to download the Webex application to your device.

For information: innovazione@to.camcom.it

It’s possible to promote a fairer and more inclusive green and digital transition, one that considers vulnerable groups and new generations?

On Wednesday, March 20, several organizations in Turin – part of the Community of Practice that brings together circular economy initiatives of Torino Social Impact – embarked on a new challenge: to brainstorm and propose innovative projects to submit to the SEFIT Open Call, a European project by Fondazione Brodolini and the City of Turin.

The spaces of Open Incet provided the perfect setting for an afternoon entirely dedicated to project design: the presence of Weco Impresa Sociale was invaluable, as they facilitated the workshop, guiding organizations in ideating and drafting project proposals. The Fondazione Brodolini also played a crucial role, addressing questions and curiosities from the entities during an info session dedicated to the SEFIT project earlier that morning.

THE SEFIT OPEN CALL

The Open Call, aimed at SMEs and Third Sector Organizations, offers a non-repayable grant for the implementation of the proposed innovation and provides a capacity-building program to support its realization. Thus, the workshop focused on the challenges related to innovative proposals: what needs and solutions were identified, what local impact can be achieved, and how the project can be scalable and replicable at a national level.

PROJECT PROPOSALS FOCUSED ON TERRITORIAL INNOVATION

Throughout the afternoon, the participating organizations worked on two main areas: Financial and Consumer Education, conceived as a response to the growing poverty caused by rising energy costs and lack of awareness regarding energy conservation; and green jobs, aimed at increasing resilience to climate change through training and employment of disadvantaged individuals in the green economy sector.

Several diverse and innovative ideas emerged and were shared with the group of participants: from reducing waste in the agri-food chain to promoting a renewable energy community in urban areas, to designing a platform to build virtuous and local relationships based on mutual aid.

A big thank you to all participants for this enriching day, and best of luck to everyone for the submission of their projects!

The blockchain, a technology that is revolutionizing the way digital transactions are conceived and managed, will be the focal point of this informative meeting to be held at the I3P incubator in Turin. Starting from its origins and the Cypherpunk movement, the event will propose an exploration of the path that led to the birth of Bitcoin and the subsequent expansion of the cryptocurrency market. Coinbase, initially founded as a cryptocurrency wallet, has played and continues to play a key role in the adoption and promotion of digital assets.

In addition to the basics of blockchain and the history of Coinbase, concepts such as Ethereum, Smart Contracts, the difference between Fungible and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), and much more will be examined. We will delve into the distinction between centralized and decentralized finance, as well as the role and types of wallets in securing cryptocurrencies.

Blockchain is not just a tool for financial transactions, but an ecosystem of companies, innovations, and entrepreneurs in constant and rapid evolution. This sector offers solutions for the transition from a centralized online world, dominated by major players in computing (Google, Amazon, Meta…), to decentralization, emphasizing the importance of transparency, security, and traceability.

How to participate

The event will take place on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, starting at 6:00 PM, in person at the Agorà Room of the I3P incubator, located within the Campus of the Polytechnic University of Turin and accessible from both the main gate of corso Castelfidardo 30/A and the pedestrian entrance of via Pier Carlo Boggio 59.

Participation in the meeting is free, upon registration on Eventbrite.

Program

6:00 PM | Welcome of participants

6:15 PM | Introduction by Adriano Marconetto, Entrepreneur In Residence at I3P

6:20 PM | Speech by Daniel Seifert, Vice President & Regional Managing Director EMEA at Coinbase

6:40 PM | Speech by Claudio Fallica, Community Manager at Coinbase Italia

7:20 PM | Q&A session with the audience present in the room

7:30 PM | Conclusion of the meeting and networking aperitif

Parity is a dynamic issue, one that needs to be constantly and carefully cultivated with sensitivity and a willingness always to meet a challenge. Amapola has obtained gender equality certification, in compliance with the UNI/PdR 125:2022 standard, from Ancis! An important acknowledgement setting out in black and white the consultancy deeply felt commitment to gender equality.

Amapola is a sustainability and communication consultancy, part of Torino Social Impact network. «Gender equality has always been a cornerstone of Amapola’s identity, and is particularly significant considering that two thirds of our team are women,» says founder and partner Luca Valpreda. «And of course sustainability consultancy is our business: this was a logical step for us because sustainability cannot exist without equality.»

Gender equality: the context

Despite the progress that has been made in recent years, there is still a great deal to do. This is confirmed by the data in the latest edition of the Survey L.E.I. (Lavoro, Equità, Inclusione) published by Fondazione Libellula, which was answered by more than 11,000 working women. About 60% receive a lower salary than male colleagues with an equivalent role, responsibility and seniority of service. With regard to harassment, 40% said they had experienced unwelcome physical contact in the workplace. These two figures are particularly significant, but the discrimination list continues, and refers to maternity, leadership and clothing issues.

«The World Economic Forum says we will not manage to bridge the gap between men and women until 2154,» comments Micol Burighel, Gender Equality Officer at Amapola and the company’s Head of Communication. «To fight systemic inequality, which affects businesses and industries indiscriminately (and, as we know, the communications world is no exception), we need a systemic commitment.»

Policies, procedures and objectives in Amapola

To obtain gender equality certification, companies must satisfy six key indicators relating to internal policies: culture and strategy, governance, HR processes, growth opportunities and inclusion of women in the workplace, gender-based pay equality, support for parenting and work-life balance. The Amapola Strategic Gender Equality Plan sets clear objectives: promotion and strengthening of an inclusive corporate culture, protection of female representation in the workplace with attention to management roles, respect for inclusive processes that guarantee equality in every corporate area (selection, recruitment, career development, pay, parenting policies and work-life balance), awareness-raising measures, and internal and external communication.

«Our gender equality objectives translate into concrete action,» Burighel continues, «such as a two-month extension for maternity and paternity leave – including fostering and adoption – compared with statutory leave, the extension of leave on the birth of a child from 10 to 30 days, free and flexible smart working to facilitate the work-life balance, internal climate surveys, zero tolerance of harassment, a structured training plan. In this area, for example, in 2024 the entire Amapola team will take part in training organised by the Human Art agency on recognition of gender violence and use of equality-based language.»

Working for female empowerment means monitoring, listening, acting, giving women a voice, amplifying.

For over thirty years, UGI – Unione Genitori Italiani ODV, has been committed to supporting families with children affected by pediatric oncology.

In this latest episode of Bench-Mark, we hear from Massimo Mondini, Executive Director of UGI ODV, as he shares how the actions promoted by the association lead to a positive social impact on the territory.

Interview by Francesco Antonioli.

Watch previous episodes here.

Are you between 18 and 29 years old and residing in Novara or its province? Are you looking for a program that equips you with the necessary skills to turn an idea into a business project?

“Never Too Late” is your opportunity to engage in “startup prototyping” or simply to expand your knowledge in the field of Social Innovation and the Silver Economy.

+30 hours of free training, 8 face-to-face modules with professionals and industry experts, and a budget of up to €10,000 for prototyping ideas selected for the second phase of the project.

The training program is organized by TOP-IX, CSCI, Scuola Open Source, Vision&Value, in collaboration with the Municipality of Novara and with the support of Fondazione Social Venture Giordano Dell’Amore. Activities will take place at nòva – Ex Caserma Passalacqua, from April 29 to June 21.

The call for participation will remain open until April 12, 2024.

All information and the registration form are available on the website.
For any doubts or questions, write to mtt@top-ix.org.

The RETURN project (acronym for Multi-Risk sciEnce for resilienT commUnities undeR a changiNg climate) is an extensive partnership, funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), aimed at strengthening research chains on environmental, natural, and anthropogenic risks at the national level, promoting participation in strategic European and global value chains. Through the enhancement of basic knowledge and the application of technology, the project contributes to strengthening key skills, technology and knowledge transfer, as well as Italian governance in disaster risk management, involving public administrations, stakeholders, and private companies.

The RETURN partnership, coordinated by the University of Naples “Federico II”, involves the participation of the Polytechnic University of Turin, leader of Spoke 6 – TS2: Multi-Risk Resilience of Critical Infrastructures, and includes 26 partners, including 12 universities, 5 research institutions and competence centers, 6 private entities, 2 territorial bodies, and the Department of Civil Protection, with an investment of over 115 million euros provided by the Ministry of University and Research. Among the activities managed by the RETURN Foundation, there are calls for proposals for companies: the project aims to identify and support startups, spinoffs, and innovative SMEs with specific activities in the prevention, management, and mitigation of environmental, natural, and anthropogenic risks. The program also involves I3P, the Incubator of the Polytechnic University of Turin, which has organized a series of events to disseminate the opportunities of the RETURN calls for proposals to the network of innovative startups and to engage young companies more in line with the types of technological solutions sought.

The first event of this series, dedicated to the vertical scope of Ground Instabilities, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes, will take place on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 2:30 PM, in an online webinar mode with free participation. During the digital meeting, which will be held in Italian, the RETURN project and its calls for proposals for SMEs will be presented, along with some scientific insights; furthermore, a startup will provide a testimony of its entrepreneurial project in the field of seismic risk assessment.

To receive the link to join the webinar, registration on Eventbrite is required.

Agenda

2:30 PM | Opening of the webinar and introductory greetings by Negar Mokarram, Business Analyst at I3P
2:35 PM | In-depth presentation of the RETURN project and its calls for proposals for innovative SMEs – Ciro Del Vecchio, RETURN Foundation
3:00 PM | Intervention by Salvatore Martino, Full Professor in Applied Geology at the Department of Earth Sciences of the University of Rome “La Sapienza” and the CERI research center for Geological Risks
3:20 PM | Pitch by a startup active in the field of Ground Instabilities (VS2)
3:30 PM | Thanks and conclusion of the meeting

After recent meetings with Reggio Emilia and Bologna, TSI had the pleasure of hosting yesterday in Turin the Consorzio Consolida from Trento, a valuable member of the National Consortium CGM.

During the meeting, Mario Calderini, spokesperson for Torino Social Impact, provided valuable insights into the genesis and development of the social impact ecosystem to a delegation led by the president of the Consortium, Francesca Gennai, and accompanied by Flaviano Zandonai.

This meeting was an opportunity to share the mission, values, and ongoing projects of TSI. The strength of this ecosystem lies in its ability to foster collaboration, inspire innovation, and serve as a model for others.

On March 30th and 31st, Giardino Forbito celebrates spring with FIORILE | Gardens & Flowers on display – Spring 2024, returning to the Rose Garden of Moncalieri Castle for its first edition in 2024. A special Easter weekend featuring seasonal excellences, flowers, agricultural products, and craftsmanship.

Nurserymen, artisans, agricultural producers, artists, and special guests come together to celebrate the season and the territory.

An event of exchange and discovery with a rich schedule of activities:

• WORKSHOPS by Beesù, Impollinatori Metropolitani, FloricolturaRacca, and Orso Objetos
• IMMERSIVE WALK in the hills by ASD Nordic Walking Andrate towards PininAgri Agricultural Company
• ART SPACE by Benedetta Piovesana
• CONCERTS by Strawman & Celine and Anthony Lynch
• MEETINGS with Daniela Foresto, Luca Marin, and Jacopo Pellegrinelli

Discover more here

After the experience on February 28th in Bologna, where Torino Social Impact shared the story of the Turin ecosystem in the field of social economy, it was a pleasure to host the Metropolitan City of Bologna and Social Seed, a laboratory of innovation for local organizations, on March 5th in Turin.

It was an opportunity to share the mission, values, and projects of Torino Social Impact, with the hope of inspiring the virtuous path that in Emilia Romagna aims to build a regional-level research and social innovation hub. Surely, we also take home many insights thanks to their story.

On this occasion, we visited some partner entities of the ecosystem operating in the fields of housing, care, and employment inclusion: the cooperative Esserci welcomed us at Pandàn, its welcoming social restaurant project, and the Cooperativa Accomazzi led us to discover Luoghi Comuni, the social housing project in Porta Palazzo promoting a more inclusive way of living.

The strength of the ecosystem lies precisely in this: sharing, stimulating, and being a generative example.

The feasibility of the Social Impact Exchange was recently the focus of an extensive and in-depth discussion during a workshop organized and hosted in Brussels by the Social Entrepreneurship Unit of the DG EMPL of the European Commission.

The meeting, held on February 14th, involved qualified experts from DG EMPL, DG GROW, DG FISMA, DG ECFIN of the European Commission, the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the European Investment Fund (EIF). It provided an excellent opportunity to explore innovative strategies to overcome the imbalance between demand and supply of financing for impact-oriented enterprises and create a supportive environment for the social economy by better integrating its needs and peculiarities within the financial markets system.

Promoter Committee of the Social Impact Exchange

Promoters: Paolo Biancone (University of Turin); Guido Bolatto (Turin Chamber of Commerce); Mario Calderini (Turin Social Impact); Davide Dal Maso (Avanzi Sostenibilità per Azioni); Giorgio Fiorentini (Bocconi University); Giovanni Gallo (Confcooperative); Andrea Ganelli (Leading Law); Mario Montalcini (Studio Dottori Commercialisti Associati); Paolo Mulassano (Compagnia di San Paolo); Paolo Petrucci (Legacoop Piemonte); Eleonora Rajneri (University of Eastern Piedmont); Roberto Randazzo (Legance); Elisa Rosso (Turin Social Impact); Raffaella Scalisi (Turin Social Impact).

Other members: GianPaolo Badini (Investimenti Solidali s.p.a.); Paola Bellotti (Coopfond); Pietro Bracco (AndPartners); Stefano Cacchi Pessani (Bonelli Erede); Alessandro Corbari (Nexus); Pierangelo Decisi (Sigit S.p.A.); Claudia Fiaschi (Forum Terzo Settore); Dario Prunotto (Unigens); Giuseppe Cais and Alessandro Baldo di Vinadio (Studio BGR Tax and Legal); Marella Caramazza (Cottino Social Impact Campus and Center of Excellence for the Evaluation and Measurement of Social Impact).

An important addition to the Steering Committee of the Social Impact Exchange, established in 2021 and open to the participation and involvement of interested stakeholders, chaired by Guido Bolatto, Secretary-General of the Chamber of Commerce of Turin

Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) joins the current 24 members of the Steering Committee in the evaluation phase of possible scenarios for the creation of the market infrastructure. Given its mission to support innovation and competitiveness in the Italian business world and promote sustainable development of the country’s economy, CDP brings crucial expertise and tools to the Committee to effectively address the future challenges of the initiative.

The Social Impact Exchange is an innovative project developed by Torino Social Impact with the support of founding members (Chamber of Commerce of Turin, Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation, and Banca d’Italia). It aims to create a capital market dedicated to companies intentionally producing additional, measurable positive social impact. Transactions on this market are based not only on financial value but also on the measured value of social impact.

“The ultimate goal is to create a market reserved for companies that want to contribute to solving ever-growing social and environmental challenges, not just with brilliant ESG profiles but with business models that formally and consistently define sustainability as a foundational element of their mission,” stated Guido Bolatto, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Social Impact Exchange “The entry of an actor like Cassa Depositi e Prestiti into the Committee is further evidence of how innovative and strategic this project is on the road to an impact economy”.

The Social Impact Exchange proposal complements existing financing channels, offering additional opportunities for those interested in supporting a “new” economy. This economy aims not only to mitigate negative environmental and social impacts but also to generate social value for all stakeholders.

In 2023, the simulated listing of 8 pilot companies concluded, involving 130 professionals to promote impact investing and create a capital market dedicated to impact enterprises. During the experimentation, companies worked on listing hypotheses on both stock and bond markets. Impact strategies and measurement methodologies were defined with a tailor-made approach to represent the specificities of each company. Engineered hypotheses of financial instruments were developed to predict mechanisms for valuing the achievement of impact results. The outcomes of the simulation are documented in a publicly available report on the initiative’s website.

Italgas, leading Network Tech Company in the sectors of gas distribution, water, energy efficiency and IT, launched a new call for startups in collaboration with I3P, the Innovative Companies Incubator of Politecnico di Torino.

The call is aimed at seeking innovative solutions and technologies for the “NewGen Construction Site” and falls within the scope of “Ideas 4 Italgas,” an open innovation program launched by the Italgas Group in 2020 to select the best startups and SMEs to support the digital transformation of networks and the sustainability of the Group’s activities.

More specifically, this call aims to explore existing innovations both domestically and internationally that can contribute to shaping the profile of sustainable construction sites. This initiative aims to accelerate the transition process towards a new way of building energy infrastructure and working safely on construction sites of the future.

The call is open to proposals from startups and SMEs offering innovative solutions and technologies aimed at reducing environmental impact, facilitating early detection of anomalies, and optimizing operational costs associated with construction activities. Italgas has identified five main areas of interest in this regard: gas network design, construction site monitoring and safety, new network construction, waste management, and infrastructure maintenance. Participation in the initiative is free, and applications can be submitted in either Italian or English.

Companies established in Italy or abroad, preferably with teams, resources, and assets dedicated to the project being proposed, as well as working groups composed of two or more individuals who are striving to develop technological innovations stemming from research activities, are eligible to respond to Italgas and I3P’s call. Projects can be at various stages of development: from the conceptual stage to translating an idea into a prototype within the year, from having a prototype already developed and validated or awaiting validation in the market, to having a product/service already commercialized or about to be. Applications are open until May 6, 2024, on the website, which also contains the full call for proposals. Subsequently, Italgas and I3P will evaluate the received proposals and announce the winning projects during a final event within the month of June.

The selected projects will have the opportunity to develop a Proof-of-Concept with Italgas, collaborating directly with the group to field-test their technological proposal and assess the feasibility of the presented use case. Additionally, teams chosen from the call will have free access to both mentorship and Italgas laboratories to explore how to integrate innovative projects into the group’s processes. They will also have access to a six-month incubation program at I3P, providing strategic consultancy and entrepreneurial training to maximize startup growth.

“Open innovation for Italgas – explained Raffaella Marcuccio, Italgas Procurement and Material Management Director – is not only an endless source of innovation and a driver of the future, but also a continuous platform for dialogue that allows the Group to grow and foster growth in the communities where it operates. With this new call, we aim to continue the virtuous path that has allowed us to select over 500 startups, test their respective technologies, and collaborate in the development of new prototypes, which in some cases have contributed to transforming our daily operations in terms of innovation and sustainability. This is precisely what we aim to achieve with this new call dedicated to the development of a new green paradigm for our construction sites”.

“We are proud to continue the Open Innovation activities initiated with the Italgas group in the previous years and to offer all startups, not just those in our network, a new tangible opportunity for collaboration with a world-class corporate entity,” commented Giuseppe Scellato, President of I3P. “The Ideas 4 Italgas program and its new call focused on construction sites of the future represent the ideal meeting point between the evolving needs of a significant market sector and the technological inventiveness of young enterprises. The role of the incubator will be to facilitate the meeting between the demand and supply of innovation, generating value for all actors involved in the process”.

Renewable Energy Communities (CER) are groups of individuals, businesses, and organizations that produce and share energy from renewable sources within the local area. Governed by European and national regulations, these communities can benefit from incentives, tax advantages, and reduced tariffs for access to the electrical grid.

On March 18, you will have the opportunity to delve into this topic at the Turin stop of InsiemEnergia, the nationwide tour for CER organized by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, in collaboration with the Energy Services Manager and Unioncamere. This initiative allows institutions, associations, and businesses to learn about the updates in the incentive decree and discover the potential of this tool. During the event, the Turin Chamber of Commerce will present its CERTo project. The event is also available for streaming.

For further information, click here.

Kurs Orbital, an Italian spacetech startup, has raised €3.7 million in seed funding to bring its innovative solutions to the in-orbit services and logistics market. The round was led by leading European DeepTech VC firm OTB Ventures, and joined by (in alphabetical order): Credo Ventures, Galaxia (the Italian National Technology Transfer Hub for Aerospace of CDP Venture Capital together with Obloo Ventures and the regional co-investment fund Piemonte Next, created and managed by CDP Venture Capital and supported by the Financial Institute of the Piedmont Region, Finpiemonte, with the aim of maximising investments in innovation for the region), In-Q-Tel (IQT), and Inovo.

Founded in 2022, Kurs Orbital is incubated in I3P, the Innovative Companies Incubator of Politecnico di Torino, within the ESA BIC Turin incubation program.

The start-up aims to democratise in-orbit servicing solutions including space debris removal, satellite relocation, de-orbiting, and satellite inspections, by providing reliable and cost efficient rendezvous and docking technology. Its innovative ARCap module makes it possible for servicing and logistics industries, who would otherwise be unable to afford operating in the orbital market, to scale up their business.

The seed funding will propel Kurs Orbital towards the completion of its first flight model, allowing for faster integrated testing and team expansions, with the intention to become the leading provider in this platform technology.

ARCap is a single and standardised rendezvous module which can be integrated into any kind of satellite, orbital transfer vehicle (OTV), cargo/crewed ship, or spacecraft bus the customer uses to enable transportation, life extension, in-orbit servicing, space debris removal, and more.

“This round is critical for our next step – delivering powerful and cost-effective rendezvous technology to the market”, said Volodymyr Usov, Kurs Orbital’s CEO and Co-founder. “With the help of our investors we will be able to reach the market sooner, enabling many other startups and companies to start debris removal and satellite servicing operations that are vital for sustainable space activities.”

Wojtek Walniczek, Partner at OTB Ventures, said: “Kurs Orbital’s team, building off a long and rich legacy of designing and creating rendezvous and docking systems in an agency context, immediately struck us as the right combination of deep and unique expertise combined with a fresh look at the technology and market. It is a great example of our investment strategy in the wider in-space servicing market. The timing is just right with the changing paradigm of space environment, so the company is uniquely positioned to commercialise and provide this foundational platform for future space operations. We made sure to bring together a robust investor consortium to put Kurs Orbital on a strong footing and to enable its dynamic development timeline.”

“We are delighted to join forces with OTB Ventures in supporting Kurs Orbital’s groundbreaking venture into the in-orbit servicing and logistics markets,” commented Claudia Pingue, Manager of the CDP Venture Capital Tech Transfer Fund. “This investment demonstrates how the Italian research and industrial ecosystem is among the few in the world to provide a fully integrated value chain for the space economy,” added Nicola Redi, Managing Partner of Obloo Ventures.

Giuseppe Scellato, President of I3P and Coordinator of ESA BIC Turin, commented: “We are very proud of this important funding round for Kurs Orbital, which has joined the first cohort of start-ups in the ESA BIC Turin incubation program with the aim of bringing to market a highly innovative and strategic technology for the development of future satellite platforms.”

FEMMEPOWERMENT is a project that aims to improve the digital skills of women over 50 in crowdfunding and match-funding to add value to their position in the labour market and strengthen companies engaged in Corporate Social Responsibility activities.

The project, lasting 18 months, is funded by the European Union, Erasmus + programme, Action KA210-ADU – Small-scale partnerships in adult education, and is developed in Spain and Italy thanks to a partnership formed by the Microlab Association, Impact Hub Madrid, Open Impact and the European Crowdfunding network.

The aim of the project is the implementation of a training standard for the acquisition of crowdfunding and match-funding skills and their integration with traditional CSR, Corporate Social Responsibility or Corporate Social Responsibility strategies. This will allow on the one hand women over 50 to acquire a unique set of skills, improving their position in the labour market, and on the other hand to strengthen companies by combining their traditional commitment to socially useful initiatives with a broader and increasing degree of transparency and visibility.

The innovativeness of the project lies precisely in the integration of crowdfunding with the more traditional CSR strategies of the various companies.

The pilot project, aimed at 25 women over 50, will develop and test a standardised learning course on crowdfunding and CSR strategies for women already in employment. The course will be integrated into working hours and thus included as professional development for the beneficiary women, adapted to the needs of the companies and developed in Italian and Spanish.

Are you a company or a woman over 50 and want to participate in the project?

Write to info@associazionemicrolab.it
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Funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) alone and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA can be held responsible.

Erasmus+ Programme, Action type KA210-ADU – Small-scale partnerships in adult education

The Foundation for Architecture in Turin embarks on a captivating journey in the year 2024 to discover the connection between architecture and happiness, inviting everyone to participate.

The Foundation for Architecture in Turin launches a new and exciting cultural initiative for 2024, aimed at exploring the relationship between Architecture and Happiness. This exploration involves stimulating interdisciplinary and intergenerational dialogue to offer new perspectives in the design of urban and domestic spaces, encouraging the public to share ideas and experiences.

The relationship between Architecture and Happiness has been explored in the past, primarily through the perspectives of philosophers and writers (such as Alain De Botton, “Architecture and Happiness, 2006”) and anthropologists (such as Marc Augé, “Does Happiness Have a Place? 2011”). The Foundation also acknowledges the recent emergence of a quantitative approach by architects in the development of “happy buildings.” All of this has inspired the emphasis on the cultural aspect of the new investigation, highlighting the direct consequences of architecture on people’s quality of life and the social responsibility of architects.

“I want to emphasize – says Gabriella Gedda, President of the Foundation for Architecture in Turin – all the pride and commitment that the Foundation has put into the Building Happiness project, which sees architecture as a social value in the service of the community, promoting the well-being of citizens. We firmly believe that happiness is a fundamental indicator for measuring the psycho-physical health of individuals and for strengthening territorial attractiveness. With the Building Happiness project, we want to raise awareness among the community of architects and all professionals in the field to contribute tangibly to the creation of an urban environment that, in addition to meeting practical and functional needs, nurtures the emotional and spiritual well-being of its inhabitants.”

To begin this exploratory journey, the Foundation chooses to pose a challenging question, widespread and necessary, not only to architects but to the entire community: “Dove sta di casa la felicità?” Building Happiness aims to attempt one or more answers to this question.

The heart of the entire programming will be the Masterclass that will investigate the relationship between built spaces and happiness through contributions from expert and multidisciplinary teachers. The Masterclass program brings together architecture and neuroscience, principles of innovation and social impact, international case studies, lessons from Italian masters, experiences related to different territorial scales (city, neighborhood, condominium, interior design), and insights from reading big data and expectations about the future.

“One of the main results of the Masterclass – emphasizes Eleonora Gerbotto, Director of the Foundation for Architecture in Turin – will be the creation of the ‘Building Happiness Book‘, a manual for happy design. A document summarizing the results, but above all, a practical and accessible tool that will be published and made available to designers, architects, scholars, and stakeholders. We hope – continues Gerbotto – that it can become a useful tool to contribute significantly to the creation of happy urban places, homes, offices, and community spaces.”

The Building Happiness journey will consist of about twenty events, including a six-hour choral and multidisciplinary marathon during which guests, many of them young, will take the stage with their vision of happiness. The events include “Face to Face” meetings with architects, tours of happy places, cultural talks with distinguished guests, including one in collaboration with the Department of Architecture and Design at the Polytechnic University of Turin, a Book Lab in collaboration with the Circolo dei Lettori in Turin, and the creation of a photographic exhibition in collaboration with CAMERA – Italian Center for Photography. The Foundation also commits to involving people by inviting them to respond to a public questionnaire about their perception of the space around them.

“I would like to emphasize – concludes Eleonora Gerbotto – our commitment to making young people protagonists. Through the Marathon, one of the highlights of the programming, young people (architects and others) have been actively involved to have the opportunity to express themselves on such a relevant theme as happiness. I believe it is important to listen to them, but even more so to involve them because young people are, in every way, the creative engine for the future of our city.”

Cultural Partners of the Project

ArchiTuned, CAMERA – Italian Center for Photography, CIRCOLO DEI LETTORI FOUNDATION, ITER Turin Institution for Responsible Education, Lombroso16 Cultural Pole, Polytechnic University of Turin – Department of Architecture and Design, Turin Urban Lab

Media Partner

The Plan

Building Happiness – Foundation for Architecture / Turin (fondazioneperlarchitettura.it)

In 2004, just a short walk from Turin’s Parco della Tesoriera, an innovative project promoting the values of sustainability and environmental responsibility was born.

In this episode of Bench-Mark, Nunzia Giunta and Mario Burrascano, co-founders and CEO of UOMOeAMBIENTE, shared with us the story of their courageous journey in guiding businesses eager to adopt an ethical and sustainable approach.

Interview by Francesco Antonioli.

Watch previous episodes here.

Amapola presents CivicMente: a series of open meetings for everyone, aiming to ignite citizens’ interest and engagement in their city’s policies. It’s also an opportunity to raise awareness, focusing on sustainability.

Following the session “How can citizens activate and influence public action?” on March 7th from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the Community Center Più SpazioQuattro, located at Via Gaspare Saccarelli 18 in Turin, the second event titled “Aria di Città: how to improve its quality and get involved in the midst of climate change” will take place.

Air quality is a crucial aspect of urban living, directly impacting citizens’ lives, habits, and health. How do urban policies respond? What can citizens do personally and in monitoring public action?

Speakers:

• Alessandro Bertello – Metropolitan City of Turin
• Maurizio Cisi – University of Turin
• Dario Marmo – LAMA Impresa Sociale
• Elisa Gallo – FIAB
• Roberto Mezzalama – Torino Respira
• Moderator: Cristina Massarente – Amapola

The event will provide an overview of the current situation and share monitoring experiences from citizen groups. At the end of the meeting, there will be a reception for participants.

For registrations and information, please email: civicamente@amapolaprogetti.org

You can register for one or more sessions.

Here is the program for the meetings.

“Food, Relationships, Sociability: Nourishment as a Form of Sharing”

Target Audience: Students from UniTo, PoliTo, RIASISSU, and Collegi di Merito

Subject: Participation in the Roundtables of the Ferdinando Rossi Forum

Abstract Submission Deadline: March 15, 2024

Communication of Results: March 25, 2024

Event: April 17-19, 2024

Purpose of this Call

The Organizing Committee of the Ferdinando Rossi Forum issues this call for the selection of six abstracts, whose authors will participate in the roundtables of the Ferdinando Rossi Forum 2024.

Introduction to Forum 2024

“Tending Minds. Cultural Significance, Sustainability, and the Right to Food” is the title of the eighth edition of the Ferdinando Rossi Forum, dedicated to the relationship between humans and food. The discussion will cover various perspectives, drawing contributions from disciplines such as anthropology, semiotics, bioethics, social sciences, and life sciences. Starting with an essential analysis of quantitative aspects, such as the sustainability of the food supply chain, the conference will delve into the diverse functions and meanings associated with food, both in collective and individual imagination.

The conference will span three days, featuring experts on the topic and two moments of interaction between students from UniTo, PoliTo, and other university contexts. During these roundtables, students from the University of Turin, the Polytechnic University of Turin, or other outstanding Italian institutions (High University Schools part of RIASISSU and Collegi di Merito) will engage in discussions moderated by a Ph.D. candidate who will briefly present their research, fostering interaction among the participants.

Roundtable Theme

The act of nourishment is, for humans and other species, an experience that transcends the purely biological need for sustenance, becoming a social practice of sharing and openness towards others. Through commensality, a space of coexistence and mutual exchange is created around the table, extensively addressed by social sciences and humanities in ancient and contemporary forms. This ranges from Plato’s and Dante’s conviviality to modern mass consumption rituals in the globalized and foodified society. Even in the study of plant and animal species, forms of sociality related to the retrieval and consumption of nutrients have been highlighted.

Participants in the Roundtable are asked to reflect on how the production and consumption of food, as well as the associated imagery, either involve or exclude forms of sharing and sociability among individuals of the same or different species. The reflection can utilize a theoretical perspective, drawing on conceptual tools from disciplines such as philosophy, literature, and visual arts, as well as life sciences and psychology. It can highlight the diachronic evolution of the theme from a particular disciplinary perspective or offer a synchronic perspective, proposing the discussion of sector-specific results or studies.

Roundtable Execution for 2024

The 2024 edition includes two roundtables. The first will focus on the humanistic and social aspects, titled “human sciences”; the second will be dedicated to the technical-scientific aspects, titled “natural sciences,” in analogy with the division of the School of Advanced Studies of Turin. However, interdisciplinary contributions are encouraged.

During each of the two sessions, three students from the University of Turin, the Polytechnic University of Turin, or other distinguished institutions (High University Schools part of RIASISSU and Collegi di Merito) and a Ph.D. candidate under the selection of the Organizing Committee will engage in discussions. The moderation will be done by a student from the School of Advanced Studies “Ferdinando Rossi,” who will facilitate interaction with the audience. The roundtable aims to present, in about 7-10 minutes, a perspective on the topic expressed in the abstract of each student and a brief presentation of the Ph.D. candidate’s work in approximately 15 minutes. Following this, a debate will be opened with the audience and the roundtable on the issues raised by the presentations.

Number of Slots and Participation Requirements

This call is divided into two sections for a total of 6 abstracts: Section I will select 3 abstracts for the “human sciences” section; Section II will select 3 abstracts for the “natural sciences” section. The abstracts must, with an essential focus, open a perspective on the roundtable theme in light of the author’s academic background and interest.

Eligible for selection are abstracts written by university students enrolled in one of the outstanding Italian institutions (High University Schools part of RIASISSU and Collegi di Merito), the University of Turin, and the Polytechnic University of Turin. The committee reserves the right to vary the number of selected papers for each section in case of excess or shortage of eligible applications and based on their particular interest. Submissions from any undergraduate, graduate, or single-cycle master’s degree program at the mentioned universities or Merit Colleges are accepted. Works written by multiple authors will not be accepted.

Application Process

Submission of the abstract (max. 4000 characters including spaces) of an original presentation related to the roundtable question in paragraph 3 of this call is required. It should be accompanied by a minimal bibliography and followed by a brief biographical note about the author. This note can be submitted in the form of a letter (max. 1000 characters including spaces) or a short video (up to 1 minute). It should include the candidate’s age, university affiliation, and the degree program they are enrolled in, along with other information considered interesting for the selection by the candidate.

The abstract can be written in either Italian or English. The document must be submitted in PDF format to the email address of the Organizing Committee (comitato@forumferdinandorossi.it) no later than 3:00 PM on Friday, March 15, 2024.

Selection Committee

A committee of students, faculty, and Ph.D. candidates from the School of Advanced Studies “Ferdinando Rossi” at the University of Turin will review the submissions. Positive evaluations will be given to works that demonstrate particular originality and a thoughtful understanding of the issues related to the theme of this call. The results of the selection will be communicated only to the winners of the call via email by March 25, 2024.

Responsibilities for Selected Students

Selected students are required to participate in the roundtable of the Ferdinando Rossi Forum, which will take place in person on April 18 and 19, 2024. Here, they will have the opportunity to individually present their abstract and subsequently engage in discussions with each other on the roundtable question, opening the debate to the audience.

Organizational Notes on Event Execution

Any travel and accommodation expenses necessary for the in-person roundtable will be covered by the Organizing Committee.

The theme of the double transition, both in energy and digital aspects, will be at the center of the event organized by Fondazione Piemonte Innova and Fondirigenti, in collaboration with the Polo di Innovazione ICT, Federmanager Torino, and the Unione Industriali Torino. This impactful meeting is dedicated to presenting the results of the DC4ET project – Digital Competences for Energy Transition.

In preview, the “Competences and Digital for Energy Transition” model will be presented, a roadmap designed in collaboration with managers from participating companies in the project. This model serves as a strategic and practical guide for SMEs aiming at energy efficiency, managing energy risks, and actively participating in Renewable Energy Communities.

The conference will provide an opportunity to delve into the technologies enabling the transition, thanks to a detailed overview provided by the companies of the Polo di Innovazione ICT on the most interesting digital solutions of the moment.

Event Details:

Date: March 14

Time: 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM

Location: Congress Center of the Unione Industriali, Via Vela 17, Turin, Italy

Participation: the event is open to managers, entrepreneurs, professionals, and experts in the field interested in guiding their companies towards a green and sustainable future.

To register and get further details click here.

The Social Innovation Campus (#sicampus2024), launched by Fondazione Triulza in MIND Milano Innovation District has also this year the objective of involving new generations in moments of confrontation, experimentation and contamination to design together a sustainable future.

Drimlab enthusiastically participated in the initiative telling its story both on the main stage, thanks to Giulia Vogliolo’s beautiful speech (which you can catch up here from minute 1:12:38), and through a workshop dedicated to high school girls and boys presented by Fabrizio Chirico and Federica Cocchia.

“It was amazing to see the enthusiasm and interest of girls and boys as we explored the streets of DrimCity together. Interest and curiosity to the themes of Social Innovation and Impact, but also to the challenges of our reality that is Innovative and Cooperative StartUp” these are the words of Fabrizio Chirico, president of Drimlab, in recounting the experience at Social Innovation Campus 2024.

Partnerships between social economy enterprises and mainstream businesses

Within the scope of the European project BUY SOCIAL, which aims to promote innovative forms of procurement among private companies to support the growth of businesses and socially impactful activities, a detailed report has been prepared to explore, through the analysis of some particularly relevant cases, the partnership between enterprises operating in the social economy and those operating in the traditional economy.

Specifically, social economy enterprises with long-standing partnerships with traditional enterprises were analyzed: Urbike & Facq (Belgium), La Varappe & ONET (France), Naturgy (Spain), Ikea & I-Did (Netherlands), and Goel (Italy).

The report also includes a section dedicated to the analysis of the various entities examined: their history, from their inception to their development, the economic and social context in which they have grown, the objectives they have achieved, and the goals they have set for the future.

To learn more about social procurement and the BUY SOCIAL project, please refer to the Best Practices Report.

On 12 March from 2 to 6 p.m., the National Contact Point is organising a dynamic and interactive info-session, at the Open Incet premises in Turin, dedicated to support beneficiaries of EaSI programmes by providing tools and suggestions to face design challenges of European projects. The workshop will be conducted in Italian

Goal: The workshop aims to provide participants with practical and innovative tools in an engaging way to address the challenges related to every aspect of designing ideas within European programmes, from proposal design to matchmaking with other partners.

Activities: Through gamification strategies and group work we will tackle the development and desing of European projects, approaching the application form and planning of operations.

Attendance: The event is in-person and open to all those interested in improving their skills in the field of European project design such as Public Administrations, social enterprises and Third Sector organisations.

Register and reserve your place by following this link.

Registration closes on Sunday 10 March at 6pm.

Master Mëstè stems from the concept of the Cecilia Gilardi Foundation, which, since 2010, has been supporting deserving young individuals in their educational journey, facilitating their entry into the workforce through scholarships and internships in the fields of university studies, sports, arts, and artisan trades. In its first thirteen years of operation, the Foundation has granted 320 scholarships and backed 45 special projects, amounting to over 1.2 million euros.

Following the success of the initial two editions, which saw almost all scholarship recipients employed by the companies where they completed their internships, the selection process is reopening for young individuals up to 35 years old who aspire to gain skills and expertise in the world of artisanal work within outstanding companies in the northwest of Italy.

Applications for the Master Mëstè scholarship program, aimed at 19 recipients, are open from February 27 to May 5, 2024. The selection process will be conducted by a committee composed of members of the Scientific Committee of the Cecilia Gilardi Foundation and representatives from partner organizations. The initiative entails a study program consisting of 70 hours of classroom training (taught by university professors, professionals, and experts in labor and artisanal work, financial management, sector-specific regulations, marketing, and digital channel utilization). Additionally, it includes a paid six-month internship, from late September 2024 to March 2025, at companies and workshops in Piedmont, Valle d’Aosta, and Liguria.

Master Mëstè is a project that addresses the current challenges faced by young people and artisanal businesses. Recent data from the Turin Chamber of Commerce indicates a decrease of 416 units in youth enterprises in 2023, while artisanal businesses show a modest growth of +0.16%, a situation that has remained essentially unchanged for three years.

Attractiveness, research, and territory: three words that encapsulate the deeper meaning of the meeting held in Bologna on Wednesday, February 28.

In Emilia Romagna, a virtuous path has been initiated, aiming to establish a regional Social Research and Innovation Hub, as outlined in the Regional Program for Productive Activities 2023-2025. This hub is envisioned as a space for co-creating policies and initiatives that allow social innovation to become a model for research and innovation policies oriented towards social impact.

An hub for co-creating policies and initiatives in the region

Torino Social Impact participated as a guest, bringing its experience in creating an ecosystem that promotes social impact.

It was a valuable opportunity to engage with the Emilia Romagna Region, represented by Morena Diazzi (General Directorate for Knowledge, Research, Employment, and Enterprises, Emilia-Romagna Region), and ART-ER, a Consortium Company of Emilia-Romagna established to foster the region’s sustainable growth and promote the internationalization of the research system through participation in European and international networks. ART-ER also supports the development of collaborative projects, encourages knowledge exchange, and values regional competencies and experiences.

Social economy ecosystems: Torino Social Impact’s experience

On this occasion, Torino Social Impact shared its experience, recounting its genesis in the Turin area and identifying the vision, objectives, and strategy developed at the territorial level. Attention then shifted to identifying the purpose that gives rise to social economy ecosystems, as well as the crucial role played by research.

The day concluded with a workshop where the research and social innovation system was analyzed in relation to the three scenarios of the present, future, and transition, working on the participants’ visions.

It was an important opportunity to share the experience of Torino Social Impact with a broad representation of organizations from the region, and we hope to have contributed to the establishment and success of the new Hub emerging in Emilia Romagna.

Build a shared idea of a social impact economy with third-sector organizations and businesses: this is the goal of “Reggio Emilia towards a Social Impact Economy,” a workshop promoted by the Municipality of Reggio Emilia, Fondazione E35, and Laboratorio Aperto.

It was a great opportunity to participate in the day to share the experience of Torino Social Impact alongside the Municipality of Turin and a special guest: Juan Antonio Pedreño, president of Social Economy Europe, CEPES (Spanish Confederation of Social Economy), UCOMUR (Worker Cooperatives of the Region of Murcia), and UCOERM (Educational Cooperatives of the Region of Murcia).

The workshop stems from a belief: in a context where social and sustainability challenges are increasingly urgent, creating alliances between the business world, cooperatives, the third sector, and institutions becomes more strategic and necessary to define an economy that is more inclusive and competitive. An economy capable, therefore, of not leaving anyone behind.

On this occasion, the Municipality of Reggio Emilia, Fondazione E35, and Laboratorio Aperto organized a day full of appointments, showing how the city and its organizations are committed to supporting and strengthening the development of innovation and social impact through ambitious and virtuous regeneration projects.

Between Past and Future: Visiting the Reggiane Innovation Park

The first part of the visit took place at the Reggiane Innovation Park: once hosting the historic Officine Meccaniche Reggiane, it is now a redeveloped place where innovation, work, creativity, and relationships come together through collaboration between the academic and business worlds.

Suspended between past and future, it is a technological hub that brings together universities and research centers, businesses, and public administration. Here, businesses grow, and new ones emerge within a complex that prioritizes industrial research and technology transfer. Visiting its spaces, you encounter Hangar 19, the first renovated building that now houses the Technopole, with four laboratories for advanced research and technology transfer to serve businesses, as well as an incubator for innovative startups.

La Polveriera, a Place of Inclusion and Beauty

The visit then continued to La Polveriera, described as “a space within everyone’s reach“, and indeed, its motto does not deny it: inside two lateral structures and a large central square, beauty is at home and gives life every day to an active social culture laboratory, a catalyst for inclusion.

Its spaces are inhabited by different realities: the Oscar Romero Consortium, the first social consortium born in the province of Reggio Emilia, along with other social cooperatives, businesses, associations, and local entities. These entities share the belief that only through beauty can reciprocity, change, and mutual aid be generated.

In the spaces of La Polveriera, there is a workshop that produces design objects through the encounter between creatives, entrepreneurs, and vulnerable individuals; offices; a laboratory that deals with the social reintegration of women victims of trafficking; a day center; a residential center for people with disabilities; job placement agencies dealing with the work placement of vulnerable individuals; a bar-restaurant, and much more.

TSI’s Ecosystem in the Frame of the Chiostri di San Pietro

The Chiostri di San Pietro are the final stop of the experience in Reggio Emilia. In recent years, the monumental complex of the Chiostri has undergone restoration, co-financed by the ERDF, to create the Laboratorio Aperto, which works daily on experimenting with models of collaborative economy and social and technological innovation. It is in this evocative setting that the meeting “Ecosystems for Entrepreneurship and Social Impact Economy” took place, where, on this occasion, Juan Antonio Pedreño, Torino Social Impact, and the Municipality of Turin contributed to an overview of national – starting from Turin – and European experiences of territories and businesses working to support the social transition of the economy.

Today, Torino Social Impact operates in a network with an increasing number of territories and entities at the national and European levels, contributing to a constant dialogue on the creation of local ecosystems for the impact economy. If it is true that Tuesday, February 27, represented the first meeting opportunity for Torino Social Impact in Reggio Emilia, we are confident that this is only the first piece of a longer and mutual exchange and contamination path. We thank the Municipality of Reggio Emilia, Fondazione E35, and Laboratorio Aperto for this meeting opportunity, with the hope of meeting again soon.

As part of the European Clean Cities Campaign, this year dedicated to the theme “Città2030 – Italian cities and the challenge of change“, Legambiente Piemonte e Valle d’Aosta organizes two moments of discussion and reflection on air quality and on a new urban and extraurban mobility in Piedmont.

Friday 1 March, h 17:00 – Centro Studi Sereno Regis, via Garibaldi 13, Turin

Presentation of the data of the national report Mal’Aria di Città 2024 with focus on Piedmontese data; comparison between the administrations of Turin and Bologna on the theme of the City 30.

Participants:

• Alice De Marco – President Legambiente Piemonte e Valle D’Aosta
• Mirko Laurenti – Scientific Office, Legambiente Nazionale
• Aldo Leonardi – Responsible for Emissions and Environmental Risks, Piedmont Region
• Chiara Foglietta – Councillor for the Environment of Turin
• Valentina Orioli – Councillor for the Environment of Bologna
• Simone Nuglio – Contact Campaign CleanCities and Office Mobility Legambiente
• Elisa Gallo – National Councillor FIAB – Federazione Italiana Ambiente e Bicicletta

Saturday 2 March, h 10:30 – Foyer delle Famiglie, via Milliavacca 5, Asti

Presentation of the data of the national report Pendolaria 2024 with focus on the Piedmontese data; comparison on the themes of commuting, extraurban mobility, suspended Piedmontese railways and poverty mobility.

Participants:

• Alice De Marco – President Legambiente Piemonte e Valle D’Aosta
• Maurizio Rasero – President of Asti Province
• Giancarlo Dapavo – President Circolo Gaia Legambiente Asti
• Enrico Fedeli – Legambiente Scientific Office Consultant
• Simone Nuglio – Legambiente Mobility Office
• Giovanni Currado – Director of the Agenzia Piemontese per la Mobilità
• Fulvio Bellora – Comis Piemonte
• Selene Saccato – UDS Cuneo
• Angelo Porta – Administrator Legambiente Piemonte e Valle D’Aosta

“Dream Jobs: Living Sports, Dreaming a Profession” is an educational proposal that celebrates the creative thinking and passion of most young people for sports, enabling students to acquire knowledge and skills useful for successful integration into the workforce or to facilitate their academic journey.

With around twenty schools from 14 regions, 885 students, and 30 teachers involved in the 2022 edition, the largest national network of Italian schools has been created, working to make sports a “magical” tool capable of fostering the growth and learning of students and providing job opportunities in very diverse areas: green technologies and efficient energy solutions, sustainability for sports facilities, advanced materials and smart textiles, neuroscience, bioengineering, big data, artificial intelligence, nutrition, wellness, marketing and digital communication, and last but not least, scientific and technological progress for an increasingly inclusive sport.

A network of facilitators from the partner Asse4 guides students in this fun sports-cultural competition, putting them in charge of co-designing video lessons, real educational paths for the development of transversal skills and orientation (PCTO). The video lessons created by the students are uploaded to the Sporters partner app to make them visible to a wider audience.

At the Sport Innovation Growth Camp, the top 8 teams participate based on criteria such as originality, relevance, creativity, quality, involvement of external figures, student protagonism, and ability to work in groups.

The Camp provides an opportunity to delve into innovation and entrepreneurship topics in the sports world based on defined lines of work. Collaboration with ASAG at the Catholic University of Milan and with the Polytechnic University of Turin ensures technical-scientific support and guidance, also aimed at building the curriculum based on the skills acquired throughout the entire professional orientation process.

Additionally, the event includes a congress moment for the dissemination of results and discussion with institutional and corporate entities.

Friday 22 March from 2.30 p.m. The event on how innovation and new technologies are changing cities and the way we live is back. Mobility, consumption, lifestyle. Four international entrepreneurs and new business opportunities. The event, held by Stratosferica, is the result of continually updated research that the organisation has been conducting for several years with the aim of identifying urban trends destined to influence the evolution of cities. Free participation with mandatory booking.

4 KEYNOTE SPEECHES WITH INTERNATIONAL GUESTS

1. Urbanising AI with Hubert Beroche, founder of Urban AI (Paris)
2. Infinite Architecture with Hedwig Heinsman, co-founder of Aectual and the design studio DUS (Amsterdam)
3. Floating Urban Farming with Peter Van Wingerden, Floating Farm (Rotterdam)
4. New City States with Ralph Horat, Next Gen Village (Zurich)

1 PANEL WITH EXPERTS, INNOVATORS AND STARTUP ACCELERATORS

Innovators in the age of urban tech: a lucid and animated discussion to understand what contributions technology can make in addressing the most pressing urban challenges.

Meet our speakers:

• Massimiliano Magrini / Founder & Managing Partner di United Ventures
• Massimo Carnelos / Capo Ufficio Innovazione Tecnologica e Startup, Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale
• Diyala D’Aveni / Head of Vento, the Italian chapter of Exor Ventures
• Eugenia Forte / Plug and Play and Takeoff Director
• Virginia Pigato / Investment Analyst di Techstars Italy

Moderatori e talk host: Giacomo Biraghi e Barbara Gasperini

1:1 MEETINGS TO CREATE PROFESSIONAL CONNECTIONS

Also this year, local companies will be able to meet international guests by participating in the private business matching events included in the programme.

To book business matching, please write to the address daniele@stratosferica.org

NETWORKING APERITIF

The event is realised with the support of

Fondazione CRT, OGR Torino, Camera di Commercio di Torino and Unione Industriali Torino.

The Giacomo Brodolini Foundation, together with partners Rethink Ireland, the City of Turin, and the City of Cork, is pleased to announce the launch of the Open Call within the SEFIT project – Social Ecosystem for Fair and Inclusive Transition. The project brings together local authorities, social innovators, and citizens to promote a transformative ecological and digital change that is equitable within the cities of Turin and Cork.

The Open Call aims to select social innovation projects taking place in Turin and Cork that address specific challenges posed by the Twin Transition in each local context.

The City of Turin has been selected among the 100 European Cities for the Mission “100 Climate-Neutral Cities by 2030 – by and for Citizens,” which will be supported by the European Union in their transformation towards climate neutrality and digitization. This initiative aims to significantly accelerate the achievement of the European Green Deal‘s goal to become a “net zero” continent by 2050. Within this framework, through the SEFIT project, economic support is intended to be offered to innovative projects addressing the following challenges:

• Financial and Consumer Education conceived as a response to the growing poverty caused by rising energy costs and a lack of awareness regarding energy conservation. This initiative aims to address these challenges by promoting processes of participation and social innovation.
• Green Jobs aimed at increasing resilience to climate change through the training and employment of disadvantaged individuals in the green economy sector.
• Sustainable Mobility aimed at encouraging a change in behavior in the use of public city transportation.
• Youth Forums, whose creation aims to encourage active involvement of young people in a direct dialogue with local and national public administrations on the topic of climate change.

The goal of the Call is to promote a fair and inclusive green and/or digital transition, supporting social innovation solutions that address and mitigate the current and future impacts of climate change in the city of Turin, encouraging the active participation of people living in socio-economic disadvantage.

Grants, ranging from €27,000 to €38,000, are intended for legally constituted SMEs and Third Sector Organizations. Selected beneficiaries can benefit from the following services:

• Capacity-building program accompanied by mentors and experts who can guide organizations in strategic planning, impact maximization, communication, storytelling, and fundraising.
• Networking

Applications for the call can be submitted through our application form from Friday, February 23, to Tuesday, April 16, at 2:00 PM (CET). To apply and check the eligibility of the application, please consult the guidelines.

For additional information, write to sefit@fondazionebrodolini.eu or visit the Open Incet website.

View the Open Incet profile on Torino Social Impact.

Meeting with Juan Antonio Pedreño, Torino Social Impact, and the Municipality of Turin

As part of the journey “Reggio Emilia towards a social impact economy,” the Municipality of Reggio Emilia, together with Fondazione E35 and the Open Labs of the Chiostri di San Pietro, organizes a series of events open to social economy ecosystem actors to engage with regional, national, and European entities on the topic.

During this meeting on February 27, we will learn about the experience developed by Torino Social Impact and the Municipality of Turin concerning ecosystems for entrepreneurship and socially impactful investments.

Juan Antonio Pedreño, an expert in social economy and cooperation, will speak. Currently serving as the president of Social Economy Europe, CEPES (Spanish Confederation of Social Economy), UCOMUR (Worker Cooperatives of the Region of Murcia), and UCOERM (Educational Cooperatives of the Region of Murcia).

The aim of this meeting is to facilitate an exchange of experiences and knowledge to delve into relevant aspects for the territory and its challenges.

Torino Social Impact now operates in collaboration with an increasing number of territories and entities at the national and European levels, contributing to an ongoing discussion on the establishment of local ecosystems for the impact economy. In Italy, active dialogues are taking place with various entities: in addition to Milan, Genoa, Trento, there are now engagements with Bologna and Reggio Emilia, as well as some areas in the central and southern regions.

Program:

Parco Innovazione, Reggio Emilia

11:00 – Welcome and reception – Tecnopolo Reggio Emilia (Piazzale Europa, 1)
11:10 – Visit to Parco Innovazione The Reggiane Innovation Park is a European hub for services, born from the regeneration of the historic “Officine Meccaniche Reggiane,” built in 1904. Once an emblematic workplace of modernity and a driving force behind Italy’s industrial growth in the 20th century, it is now a technological-scientific-humanistic hub that brings together university and research centers, businesses, and public administration in a uniquely fascinating location.

La Polveriera, Reggio Emilia

12:00 – Transfer and visit to La Polveriera spaces.
La Polveriera is a regenerated space for meeting and aggregation hosting various services and activities for the neighborhood and the city. It was created with the support of the Oscar Romero Consortium and some social cooperatives, along with businesses, associations, and local entities. The buildings house various services: a day center, a residential center, and a socio-occupational center for people with disabilities, offices, job placement agencies dealing with the employment of vulnerable individuals, services for asylum seekers and migrants, workshops, and a bar-restaurant. The Oscar Romero Consortium is the first social consortium in Reggio Emilia, supporting the growth and development of associated cooperatives (currently 12) and engaging with local social fabric actors, acting as a connector and cultural reference for an open citizenship. It operates as a tool for human promotion and a fairer economy.
12:45 – Lunch at La Polveriera.

Chiostri di San Pietro (Via Emilia San Pietro 44c)

The Chiostri di San Pietro are the most extraordinary monumental complex in Reggio Emilia, one of the most suggestive of the Italian Renaissance. It is an ancient monastery used in various ways over the centuries, recently restored and returned to the community as a culturally relevant international center. Through the restoration of the Chiostri, co-financed by the ERDF, an Open Laboratory for the experimentation of collaborative economy and social and technological innovation has been created. More information here.

14:30 – Welcome and reception for local stakeholders
14:40 – Welcome and introduction to the afternoon
15:00 – Daniele Marchi, Councilor for Budget and Welfare, Municipality of Reggio Emilia
15:00 – Juan Antonio Pedreño, President of Social Economy Europe
15:40 – Networking café
16:10 – Torino Social Impact and the Municipality of Turin
17:10 – Closing of the afternoon: summary of emerging themes, upcoming meetings, and greetings

Confirm your presence by February 23 by emailing: sara.magnani@comune.re.it and silvia.gabrielli@e-35.it

A new call from the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation is dedicated to individuals under 30 as activators of participation and civic engagement on issues, needs, and opportunities identified by them directly.

WHAT IT IS

The Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation believes in young people as a development resource for society as a whole. Therefore, it is launching the new call: SparkZ. Youth Activators. Consistent with the European Union’s youth strategy for 2019-2027, aimed at encouraging youth participation in democratic life, supporting social and civic engagement, and ensuring active participation, the Foundation supports paths that allow those under 30 to act as informed, aware, and active citizens. The call is addressed to young people so that they can:

• Identify urgent and/or important needs and issues
• Take the lead in conceiving and proposing solutions to the identified relevant needs
• Implement methodologies, techniques, and tools that facilitate the participation of citizens and local communities

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE

• Informal groups consisting of at least 5 young people aged between 18 and 30 living in Piedmont, Liguria, Valle d’Aosta.
• Non-profit entities formally constituted, with at least 75% of young people between the ages of 18 and 30 in the governing body and operating in Piedmont and/or Liguria and/or Valle d’Aosta. The entity must be eligible for contributions from the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation, as indicated in the Implementing Guidelines of the Foundation’s Institutional Activities Regulation.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Proposals can be submitted:

• Aimed at promoting active participation of the population, involving both the direct beneficiaries of the initiatives and the proposing group/organization actively
• Involving any area of intervention, as long as developed with participatory methodologies
• With different levels of definition: ideas, initiatives, projects
• To be implemented in the territories of Piedmont, Liguria, and Valle d’Aosta

TIMELINES

Applications must be submitted by 2:00 PM on March 29, 2024. This call is the first part of a multi-phase process that includes, throughout 2024, the incubation of selected proposals through listening for the emergence of needs, training, and technical support to support the development of proposals and strengthen the group. Selected initiatives can be implemented in 2025 (Phase 2: implementation). For more information on timelines, refer to the call text at this link.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

To participate, it is necessary to fill out the FORM with your proposal.

INFORMATION AND QUESTIONS

For the full text of the call, click here. For further details on the themes addressed by the Participation Mission, click here. For questions before submitting applications, write to: sparkz@compagniadisanpaolo.it. Starting in February, the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation will kick off the SparkZ Roadshow! A real tour between Piedmont, Liguria, and Valle d’Aosta in collaboration with various local realities where interested young people can explore all the opportunities provided by the SparkZ Call. To participate, check the schedule available at this link.

On February 28th, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, at CNR – Area della Ricerca in Bologna, we would like to express our gratitude to ART-ER (Emilia-Romagna Consortium Company created to promote the sustainable growth of the region through the development of innovation and knowledge, attractiveness, and internationalization of the territory) for inviting us to share the story of Torino Social Impact within the framework of a co-design path for the establishment of a regional-level Research and Social Innovation HUB.

The path focuses on the construction of a research and social innovation hub as a place to co-build policies and initiatives that enable social innovation to become a model for research and innovation policies oriented towards social impact.

The goal of the meeting will be to define the objectives and purposes of the Research and Social Innovation HUB.

The testimony of Torino Social Impact serves as a stimulus for discussion and laboratory activities to be carried out subsequently with the stakeholders of the territory: why the birth of the TSI ecosystem, what has been the path, and what role it plays for the territory.

This intervention, following the one the previous day in Reggio Emilia, fits into the series of testimonials that the TSI ecosystem is called upon to bring at the national level to encourage the replication of a model recognized externally as effective and impact-generating.

Torino Social Impact now operates in a network with an increasing number of territories and entities at the national and European levels and contributes to a constant discussion on the creation of local ecosystems for the impact economy. In Italy, the dialogue is active with various realities: in addition to Milan, Genoa, Trento, now Bologna and Reggio Emilia, but also some areas in the center-south.

Discover the meeting’s program

Since 2014 Redrim, a cooperative founded in Borgaro Torinese, has been committed in supporting companies and organizations in better understanding and measuring their social and environmental impact. Their goal is to lead the way towards a new model of impact-driven economy, blending the concepts of hybridization and contamination

Today, we explore more about this initiative with Simona Orlandi, partner and board member of Redrim.

Interview by Francesco Antonioli.

Watch previous episodes here.

This year, I3P, the Incubator of the Polytechnic University of Turin, will celebrate its 25th anniversary since its foundation: a significant milestone marked by the success of hundreds of startups supported over the years. To celebrate, I3P presents a new series of events titled “Sparks“: a collection of encounters with brilliant minds and prominent personalities not only from the world of technology but also from various fields, individuals who have left a lasting impact in their respective domains and beyond.

At the heart of Sparks are stories about the genesis of successful ideas, the origins of innovation, the obstacles faced, and how challenges were overcome to realize visions and establish themselves in the contemporary landscape. The aim is to inspire young talents and ignite the flame of creativity.

Sparks will debut on Tuesday, March 12, with guest Luca Foresti, a nationally renowned manager and investor. For over 14 years, Luca served as the CEO of the Santagostino Medical Center, leading its strategy, branding, technology, innovation, finance, and human resources. His mission was to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services to millions, leveraging the latest ICT solutions and a customer-centric approach. His passion for entrepreneurship and social impact continues to drive him to seek and support other CEOs and explore new investment opportunities in education, sustainability, and digital transformation.

The event also provides an opportunity to delve into how a scientific background—Luca Foresti studied Physics and Financial Mathematics—can offer valuable tools and allow the application of rigorous and innovative methods to solve real-world problems, optimizing processes and outcomes, especially in the entrepreneurial field.

How to Participate:

The event will take place on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, starting at 6:00 PM, in-person at the Agorà Room of the I3P incubator, located within the Polytechnic University of Turin Campus, accessible from the main gate at corso Castelfidardo 30/A and the pedestrian entrance at via Pier Carlo Boggio 59.

Participation in the event is free, but registration on Eventbrite is required.

Agenda:

• 6:00 PM | Welcome
• 6:10 PM | Introductory Greetings – Paola Mogliotti, Director of I3P
• 6:15 PM | Opening of the event – Adriano Marconetto, Entrepreneur In Residence of I3P
• 6:20 PM | Conversation with Luca Foresti, Manager & Investor
• 7:00 PM | Interactive Session with the Audience
• 7:30 PM | Conclusion of the event and networking aperitif

On Monday, February 26, at 4:00 PM, SAA – School of Management, Fondazione Piemonte Innova, Torino Chamber of Commerce, and Strategy in Action Italia will delve into the close connection between a solid corporate structure and the creation of a strategic and sustainability plan.

The Corporate Crisis and Insolvency Code impact all businesses, including small ones, as it places the prevention of crisis and the adequacy of corporate structures at the center of the corporate system, with a focus on business sustainability. Having a strategic plan connected to ESG policies allows for greater credibility, especially in dealings with financial institutions.

Accreditation and training credits will be granted by both sponsoring professional orders: Chartered Accountants and Accounting Experts, and Labor Consultants. The event will take place at SAA – School of Management, Via Ventimiglia 115, Turin. Participation is free upon registration at the following link.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 21, 2024, from 09:30 to 10:30, the webinar “Good morning “Polo_GDPR for SMEs and Non-Profits: opportunities for innovation” will take place, aiming to help better understand the opportunities and advantages of adapting one’s organization to GDPR.

Indeed, GDPR should not be seen only as an obligation but as an opportunity for SMEs and non-profit organizations to innovate their processes and enhance customer trust.

WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER IN THIS WEBINAR:

• Why GDPR is important for your organization
• How to adapt to GDPR simply and securely
• How GDPR can help you create innovative and secure products/services
• How Fondazione Piemonte Innova can support you to be GDPR READY

WHO IT’S FOR:
Entrepreneurs and managers of SMEs, privacy managers, consultants

WHY PARTICIPATE:

• You will learn how GDPR can help improve business processes
• You will receive practical advice and brief training to comply with GDPR
• You can ask questions to our experts

Speakers:
Cristina Colucci, Head of Compliance Area, DPO, and Certified Privacy Consultant
Federica Lombardi, Privacy Consultant

The webinar is organized by the ICT Innovation Hub, in collaboration with certified GDPR & Privacy experts from Fondazione Piemonte Innova.

Sign up now for this event

The CSR Italy Tour restarts, the itinerant event of the CSR and social innovation fair that aims to enhance the concrete experiences of businesses and territories, promote a culture of sustainability, and stimulate virtuous emulation. On February 27th, it stops as usual in Turin, with a contribution from Torino Social Impact on social impact territorial ecosystems.

The fair is a cultural event that, for 12 years, has promoted opportunities for discussion and updates among businesses and between businesses and other social actors.

Throughout the year, the CSR Fair organizes events in different territories, online meetings, hackathons, awards, and initiatives to support organizations on their path toward increasingly responsible development.

Impact management: from contradictions to controversy

Turin, February 27, 2024
University of Turin, Corso Unione Sovietica 220 – Jona Hall

10:00 AM | OPENING REMARKS
Francesca Culasso, Director of the Department of Management
University of Turin
Paola Casagrande, Regional Director for Policy Coordination, Piedmont Region
Rossella Sobrero, Promoter Group of the CSR Fair

10:15 AM | BEYOND IMPACT MEASUREMENT
Giulio Pasi, Policy Officer Social and Sustainable Investments, European Commission

10:30 AM | TERRITORIAL ECOSYSTEMS FOR SOCIAL IMPACT
Raffaella Scalisi, Senior Advisor, Torino Social Impact

10:45 AM | COLLABORATING FOR SOCIAL WELL-BEING
Moderator:
Francesca Ricciardi, Full Professor of Business Organization, University of Turin

Speakers:
Luca Pereno, Social Impact Manager, Leroy Merlin Italy
Alberto Zambolin, Vice President, Il Quinto Ampliamento

11:15 AM | SHARING COMMITMENT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Moderator:
Rossella Sobrero, Promoter Group of the CSR Fair

Speakers:
Marco Piccolo, CEO, Reynaldi
Sergio Vazzoler, Environmental Communication Expert and Amapola Partner

11:45 AM | INNOVATING SERVICES FOR CITIZENS
Moderator:
Enrico Sorano, Professor of Business Economics, University of Turin

Speakers:
Sandro Baraggioli, President, Confservizi Piemonte – Valle d’Aosta
Chiara Foglietta, Councilor for Ecological and Digital Transition
City of Turin

12:15 PM | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
12:30 PM | CONCLUSIONS

REGISTER for the event

Download the PROGRAM

“Accorciamo le distanze” is an initiative of Qubì Cultural Association that aims to promote integration for Turin’s international students, who will have the possibility to tell us about their countries through food and traditions. These are convivial evenings with the specific purpose of networking in the city through cross-cultural interchange.

The next appointment is on February, 22nd at 7:30 pm with Senegal, with the collaboration of the “Turin Senegalese Association” and some international students of the University and Polytechnic of Turin, who will cook, share their stories and perform typical dances.

A portion of the proceeds will go to the Senegalese people that will participate to the organization of the event.

We look forward to seeing you Thursday 22 February at 19:30 at Qubì, Via Parma 75/C, Turin

Reservations are required via email and whatsapp:
info@qubitorino.it
3500543432

A disused space in the city reopens, brought back to life by the art and commitment of the innovative startup and Benefit Society Artàporter at one of its Con/Temporary Spaces, Macario in via Santa Teresa 10/D, which from February 15 to March 7 hosts the artistic dialogue between Federico Masini and Aldo Dolcetti (curated by Valeria Ceregini) titled “Human Transfigurations.” This is the historic Macario theater where the Piedmontese actor used to perform, and its fate has remained uncertain for some time.

Art as the transfiguration of reality is revealed in this exhibition through the photographic works of Masini and the paper works of Dolcetti, both turning their gaze towards the rediscovery of the human figure in its most natural and real context. Federico Masini‘s settings of female bodies in natural contexts rediscover the naturalness and spontaneity of the human body regardless of gender.

The rebirth of spaces not conventionally linked to art but that can be revived precisely thanks to it is also interesting, which is the mission of Artàporter.

Contemporary/Space Macario is indeed one of the two spaces directly managed by Artàporter for the promotion of emerging artists throughout Italy. Direct management allows the creation of a medium-term cultural calendar, circulating beauty and creativity.

The opening of the dual solo exhibition by Federico Masini and Aldo Dolcetti will take place on Thursday, February 15, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The exhibition will be open from February 15 to March 7, every day from 3:00 PM to 7:30 PM, with free admission.

From where does one start to transform an idea into a successful business? What steps need to be taken to establish an innovative startup? How does one form a team to tackle the challenges of a technology-based business project? These and many other questions will be answered by the experts from the Politecnico di Torino’s Incubator in the second edition of the I3P Startup Academy, the free training program for aspiring innovative entrepreneurs, taking place between March and May 2024.

Online applications to participate in the Academy are open from February 13 and will close on Wednesday, March 6, with evaluation in the order of submission until the 35 available spots are filled.

Similar to the previous edition held in 2023 with excellent public participation, the I3P Startup Academy 2024 training course is funded and implemented as part of the activities of the NODES ecosystem – Nord Ovest Digitale E Sostenibile (Northwest Digital and Sustainable), and its Spoke 1, dedicated to Aerospace and Sustainable Mobility, of which the I3P incubator is a partner.

Starting the Business

The goal of the course is to support aspiring entrepreneurs in their early phase, helping them give concrete shape to an innovative idea, find other members to compose a team with complementary skills, and initiate the customer discovery process, with insights into the techniques of validating entrepreneurial projects and examining the potential market.

The course will consist of five lessons and will follow an interactive mode: each lesson will be based on short sessions of theoretical preparation, business games, and open discussions with I3P tutors, external mentors, and already active startups, especially in the aerospace and sustainable mobility sectors supported by the Spoke 1 of the NODES ecosystem. The initiative aims to create a dynamic and engaging atmosphere that encourages interaction among participants, learning the basic concepts of the lean startup approach, and the possibility of meeting new potential co-founders for innovative businesses of the future.

Target Audience

The I3P Startup Academy 2024 program is aimed at individuals under the age of 35, residing in Piedmont and already holding a degree. Both teams with an initial idea for a new innovative business and individuals without a specific project, but willing to get involved by joining existing teams or creating new ones, can participate.

One of the main objectives of the program is to connect people with diverse skills to integrate existing working groups or create new ones. To succeed in this, participants should genuinely want to engage in dialogue and discussion—both with tutors and mentors and among themselves—and be willing to share their ideas and skills with other aspiring entrepreneurs.

Furthermore, the Academy initiative aims to offer equal opportunities for meeting, training, and consulting to all those interested in embarking on a startup creation path, with particular attention to female entrepreneurship and support for teams composed of women founders to promote their presence in the innovation world, still predominantly male. Aspiring female entrepreneurs, the I3P incubator is eager to meet you and support your innovative ideas toward success!

Program Schedule

The I3P Startup Academy lessons will take place on Saturday mornings, from 09:00 to 13:00, on five dates over the next three months: March 9, March 23, April 6, April 20, and May 4, 2024.

The five sessions will be held in person, mainly at the I3P headquarters, but some dates will be hosted at OGR Tech, the innovation and technology hub of OGR Torino, a partner of the incubator in creating and supporting the innovative ecosystem in the area. Participation in the initiative is free. During the application phase, interested individuals will be asked for their commitment to follow the entire program consistently and dedicatedly, culminating in building an entrepreneurial project to present at the final meeting, to make the most of the course and take advantage of the opportunities it offers.

Between each lesson, participants will also be required to perform activities aimed at testing their business idea. This means that during the weeks of the Academy, aspiring entrepreneurs will be asked to invest their time to apply the concepts, notions, and ideas acquired during the course sessions to their projects.

To apply to participate in the new edition of the I3P Startup Academy and take the first step toward creating an innovative startup, interested individuals must fill out the online form by Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at the latest. However, it is advisable to do so as soon as possible because the available spots are limited to 35, and applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information about the initiative and program details, you can write to the dedicated email address academy@i3p.it.

Designed for those who aim to design local development systems, it seeks to educate a professional figure that combines technical, design, technological, sociological, anthropological, legal, economic, and managerial skills. This figure is envisioned to guide, co-design, and co-manage scalable products, services, organizational processes, and business models that serve the community with significant social impact.

The Executive Master’s program “Social and Technological Innovation for Cooperation and the Third Sector,” promoted by the Polytechnic University of Turin’s School of Master and Continuing Education, is coordinated by Professor Francesca Montagna from the Department of Management and Production Engineering (DIGEP). The initiative has been supported by the CRT Foundation and was conceived and programmed in collaboration with the Terzjus Foundation, Legacoop Piemonte, Confcooperative, and the Third Sector Forum.

Find out more about the Master’s degree here

Synesthesia supports the eighteenth edition of the “House of Artificial Intelligence” (A&T – Automation & Testing), the fair dedicated to the industrial world that will take place from February 14th to 16th at the Oval Lingotto Fiere in Turin.

It’s a meeting dedicated to exploring the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence in the manufacturing and supply chain sectors. The event will bring together large companies, SMEs, and startups involved in the project coordinated by the National Competence Center CIM4.0.

In conjunction with the entry into force of the decree from the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Safety (MASE) regarding Renewable Energy Communities and widespread self-consumption in Italy, Social Impact Agenda for Italy (SIA) initiates a research and in-depth analysis process to identify models and financing tools for CERs (Comunità Energetiche Rinnovabili) that ensure positive social impacts on the territories.

On February 20th, at 3:00 PM, the first webinar will be held, titled “CER AND IMPACT INVESTING. How to finance Renewable Energy Communities for a just transition?“. Starting from this session, SIA aims to engage in a collaborative discussion to guide technological offerings, market dynamics, and governance considerations towards business models suitable for making CERs activators of social impact, promoting sustainable and inclusive development in territories, with a particular focus on financing models and tools.

With contributions from experts, analysts, funders, and direct experiences in the territories, the webinar represents an initial moment of reflection and public discussion on the topic of impact finance for CERs, within the framework of green and just transition policies and processes that are underway.

The impact investing approach, with its characteristics of intentionality, additionality, and measurability of generated social impacts, seems to be able to drive CER experiences towards a greater awareness of underlying business models and related impacts, well beyond the horizon of environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.

Program and registrations:

You can register at the following link.

Speakers: Leonardo Becchetti, University of Rome Tor Vergata; Paola Bellotti, Coopfond; Giusi Biaggi, Consorzio nazionale CGM, Annalisa Corrado, Kyoto Club; Giovanni di Corato, Amundi Asset Manager; Giuseppe Dasti, Intesa Sanpaolo, Filippo Montesi, Secretary-General of SIA.

Upcoming stages:

Following the February 20th meeting, there will be a central stage in the SIA journey dedicated to CERs and impact investing, presenting the results of the ongoing research “Renewable Energy Communities | Impact investing models for the just transition.”

Social Impact Agenda for Italy (SIA) brings together investors, social enterprises, market builders, and philanthropic institutions to create a new economy that combines economic sustainability and positive social and environmental impact. SIA represents the Italian Advisory Board of the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment (GSG).

For more information, visit the Social Impact Agenda website.

Torino Social Impact makes its mark at the European Social Economy Conference within the framework of the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council. TSI has also participated in the conferences during the Spanish presidency in San Sebastián and the Swedish presidency in Göteborg, confirming itself as one of the most dynamic social impact ecosystems globally.

On February 12 and 13, 2024, the European Social Economy Meeting is taking place in Liège. This event provides a unique opportunity for the social economy to bring together operators, scientists, policymakers, and other stakeholders to discuss innovative, resilient, and stimulating economic models for a more social and sustainable Europe.

The Torino Social Impact ecosystem has been invited to provide a testimony during the roundtable on “Integration of the social economy: a political strategy for the future.” Raffaella Scalisi, Senior Advisor, will speak on February 13.

Placing people at the center of the business approach, the social economy offers a model of economic development based on cooperation and local rootedness.

The strength of the social economy comes from its democratic governance, involving the participation of all actors – workers, users, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders – in the management of the enterprise/organization, and its close relationship with the territory, in line with the evolving needs of the population.

The program of the Liège meeting is very diverse:

• Three plenary sessions dedicated to each of the transitions.
• Six workshops presenting a variety of good practices and referring to on-the-ground realities in Europe and worldwide (on the three transitions, as well as storytelling, scaling-up projects, and social innovation).
• Four roundtables analyzing how political objectives can be put into practice (one dedicated to urban environments with the example of Brussels, the others on state aid, the integration of the social economy, and finally, the accessibility of funding and investments).

Explore Social Economy European Meeting.

For a social enterprise, understanding its identity is essential to improve and strengthen its presence in the market: telling its own story, having clear values, and knowing how to relate and communicate effectively.

With the European project Buy Social Future of Social Economy!, we reached out to businesses and social cooperatives in the area to provide them, through three training sessions, with the tools and skills necessary to strengthen their competitiveness and presence in the B2B market.

During the third and final meeting, which took place on Thursday, February 8, Beeozanam provided the backdrop once again. For this occasion, the trainers Daniele Consoletti, Alberto Marzetta, and Alberto Baccari accompanied us, experts in contract law, communication, and marketing, respectively.

We revisited the topics covered in the previous sessions, providing additional insights through both frontal discussions and practical activities. With lawyer Daniele Consoletti, we discussed how to draw up a contract, confidentiality agreements, and non-compete agreements. Alberto Marzetta then guided participants through individual consultations on how to best communicate their organization: emphasizing that communication must be authentic and tailored, he showed how to create effective storytelling, build a communication plan, identify target audiences, and determine which tools and channels to use.

Finally, we delved into marketing with Alberto Baccari, head of innovation. With his support, participants got hands-on experience through a team-building activity that saw them working side by side, simulating the work of a company in defining a value proposition.

The training sessions are part of the broader Buy Social! project that promotes social procurement in the private sector – the purchase of products and services from social enterprises that prioritize impact, thus enhancing business relationships with traditional companies.

The Pink Coworking celebrated its first year of activity on February 1, 2024, with a party that involved numerous supporters. This event marked the culmination of a journey that has seen the spirit and mission of our shared workspace grow.

The Pink Coworking was born out of a tangible need: to provide a welcoming and collaborative environment for many freelance professionals, particularly women, seeking mutual support and a platform to (re)acknowledge, assert, and defend their rights. In a historical moment where social issues such as women’s rights, welfare, domestic violence, and the gender pay gap are widely discussed, the Pink Coworking aims to be a place for reflection and action to address these issues.

During the first year of operation, we worked tirelessly to promote a culture of solidarity, successfully channeling positive energy that inspired an open and inclusive community. Every active member of our community is an important piece of an ever-evolving mosaic, contributing to the care and growth of the Pink Coworking.

With much gratitude, we also rely on the support of Circoscrizione 1 of the City of Turin, which hosts us and with whom we co-design, and numerous individuals and organizations actively committed to what aims to be a social change, countering the precarious and low-wage work that particularly affects women.

A mutualistic and generative tool of Pink Coworking is the Time and Skills Bank, supported by the Active Civic Participation Lines of the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation.

While thanking everyone who contributed to the success of the Pink Coworking, we also want to highlight the specific initiatives activated within our spaces, such as the Freelance Desk in collaboration with ACTA – Freelance Association, active since February 8, with a free monthly appointment on the rights and characteristics of having a VAT number. Additionally, there are Financial Education courses for Freelancers and more in collaboration with Kermasofia starting from February 17; Business Model You with Marta Giavarini, which will be presented on February 28; and Canva for the third sector with Chiara Zoia for sustainable, participatory communication, using the advanced AI features of the tool.

We are planning various activities so that the Acca Association, with its actions, increasingly enriches the sense of “doing together” for positive impact through the activation and networking skills of people in the shared care of a common good. Being part of Torino Social Impact is an important milestone in this regard.

Discover Pink Coworking

Contact us info@associazioneacca.eu

Catering can serve as an extraordinary vehicle to promote the values of sustainability and the circular economy.  This is part of what the Qubì team aims to achieve by offering cultural initiatives related to gastronomy and home catering services.

This cultural association – who has been operating in the heart of the Aurora – Borgo Rossini neighborhood for several years – provides an experience beyond culinary pleasure. A journey through future-oriented values, where local relationships become a vehicle to share and disseminate principles that might otherwise seem distant.

In a discovery dialogue with Margherita Frari, Head of the Qubì Cultural Association, we delve into this reality that has been upholding social and recycling philosophy for years.

Interview by Francesco Antonioli.

Watch previous episodes here.

Are you a micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise or a social enterprise?

IMPACT2026, the social procurement program linked to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Milano Cortina 2026, helps you access opportunities arising from the organization of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Milano Cortina 2026.

Through collaboration between Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, Yunus Sports Hub, and Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini, IMPACT2026 aims to create sustainable job opportunities, promote the professional integration of vulnerable groups, and develop the local economic fabric of the various involved territories.

APPLY NOW

To learn more, register and participate in the webinar on February 14 from 4 pm to 5 pm. The info session will explain the participation procedures in the program and the expected economic opportunities.

REGISTER NOW

What are the benefits of IMPACT 2026?

Stimulate the growth and economic sustainability of businesses and territories.
Make the Games more inclusive and sustainable.

In the intricate fabric of relationships that bind businesses to their territories and the actors that compose them, a company is not merely an economic entity but also a social and cultural entity.

DEI’s initiatives are fully integrated into the strategic process for building new balances between economic growth, sustainability, well-being of individuals, and social cohesion.

The increasingly diverse profiles of company populations and potential recruitment pools have turned companies into true laboratories for coexistence — embracing genders, generations, individuals with different ethnic, cultural, religious backgrounds—and for social impact innovation.

The combination of constraints and opportunities (PNRR, ESG, Agenda 2030, etc.) urges companies to leverage the numerous advantages of a conscious approach to “diversity, equity, and inclusion” in human resource management, in the competitive repositioning of the company, and in strengthening synergies with stakeholders.

HR specialists must skillfully and consciously play their roles as strategic actors, purpose players, and generators of an additional and measurable impact, becoming “internal pioneers” of innovative policies and practices that are simultaneously consistent with the organizational culture and the company’s core values and ethics.

For Whom

The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion path is aimed at: HR Director & Manager, HR business partner, HR Specialist, Sustainability Manager, Diversity, Welfare, Wellbeing Manager, Consultants and all those interested in the dimension of sustainability and impact on society of business choices.

Formula and distinctiveness of the route

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion for Impact is structured into 6 modules: an initial Induction module and 5 thematic modules in which to delve deeper into the dimensions of DEI in the relationship with organizational cultures and brands, the challenges of current socio-demographic scenarios, the reference, the strategic potential on a management and impact measurement level.

Core topics

• Module 0 | Induction
• Module 1 | Masculine and feminine for a company that generates value
• Module 2 | Generational equity for more sustainable work
• Module 3 | The Diversity Dividend: the challenge of including immigrants and refugees
• Module 4 | Promote the work of people with disabilities for a more inclusive company for all
• Module 5 | Impactful DEI policies: objectives, indicators and metrics

Key Takeaways

• Develop: an awareness and level of competence adequate to meet the challenge of DEI;
• Acquire: knowledge and familiarity with contents, experiences, methodologies, regulations, best practices, macrotrends and social developments that impact the company
• Apply:  DEI principles for the promotion of an inclusive corporate culture and a work environment where each person feels valued, so as to increase the level of satisfaction and engagement;
• Define: the internal and external objectives of the organization, the indicators and metrics with which to develop your own impact strategy from a DEI perspective;
• Encourage: the maturation of elements of shared and functional awareness for capacity building in managerial action, through the sharing of the practice-based experience of the participants professionally and in the company;
• Contribute to: create inclusive practices and environments to attract talent and promote social change.

With ChatGPT, interest in generative AI has exploded among the public and in the media. But how does it work, what are its uses, and what impact does it have? To learn more, on Tuesday, February 6, from 5 pm to 7 pm, the seminar “Generative AI: how it works and what impacts it will have” will take place. A contribution to provide an independent and comprehensive view of the most significant innovation we are currently experiencing.

The event, organized by CSI Piemonte, Associazione SENIOR CSI, Forum Democrazia Etica Digitale, and ISMEL, will start from concrete cases of AI-based applications and will focus on the main questions arising from the current experience.

The event will take place in person at the CSI Next headquarters, upon registration at the following link. It is also possible to follow the seminar via streaming (without registration) and access the link that will be published at the same address on the day of the event.

Program:

• 5:00 PM: Registration and welcome coffee
• 5:15 PM: Introduction and coordination by Pietro Bizzotto. Greetings from Pietro Pacini, General Director of CSI Piemonte
• 5:30 PM: “Working with ChatGPT: how to build an effective prompt,” by Pietro Terna from the Academy of Sciences of Turin
• 6:00 PM: “Camilla, the new digital assistant for PA: ideation, realization, and technological choices,” by Claudio Parodi and Maurizio Dipierro from AI and Robotic Process Automation CSI Piemonte
• 6:30 PM: Discussion and debate with participants
• 7:00 PM: Conclusion

Elevating the informative heritage and skills of the chamber system by adopting Open Innovation as a reference model to support the digital transformation of the Public Administration and businesses. These are the foundations of the project promoted by Unioncamere and InfoCamere, which, in collaboration with The Doers, the Open Innovation consultancy firm of Digital Magics, the leading incubator in Italy for early-stage investments in digital startups, has initiated a system-wide “Open Innovation” path that now leads to the launch of the Call “Data-Driven Innovation: Chambers of Commerce and Startups together for a Digital Italy“, targeting innovative startups and SMEs in Italy.

At the heart of the project, which undergoes its first phase of experimentation in five Chambers of Commerce (Florence, Messina, Milan, Padua, Turin), is the definition of two strategic themes for the chamber system (known as “Challenges“), aimed at the selection and implementation of experiments to be carried out in each Chamber. In a second phase of the initiative, these challenges can evolve into operational projects.

Between July and October, preliminary activities were conducted, identifying the needs of the involved stakeholders (Chambers of Commerce and businesses), defining the two thematic areas for the “Challenges” among the candidates, and setting up the necessary tools for the call, starting with the online platform for collecting applications.

The Call is open to all startups capable of providing technologies for the digitization and automation of processes, with the goal of streamlining and making internal chamber procedures more agile and productive, as well as those with external implications (Internal process automation) and/or high-innovation solutions that can contribute to improving the management of information assets by increasing the accuracy, timeliness, coherence, and completeness of the data managed by the Chamber System (Intelligent Data Analysis & Management).

In this context, the first case seeks NLP (Natural Language Processing) technologies: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Conversational Design, Chatbots & Virtual Assistants, Virtual Testing, RPA (Robotic Process Automation). For the second type of solutions, technologies in Big Data Analysis are sought: Data Governance, Data Cleansing, Data Quality Assurance, Predictive Analysis, Sentiment Analysis.

After the call closes on February 19, 2024, an “Innovation Day” will be held in Rome on March 22, during which the selected startups will have the opportunity to present their projects to the representatives of the chamber system stakeholders, as well as industry experts. Each startup will have 5 minutes to present their product/service and 5 minutes to respond to questions from the audience.

Following the call, a Co-design program will allow the winners to work together with the Chambers of Commerce, Unioncamere, and InfoCamere to identify services and/or products consistent with the expectations of all stakeholders. Cooperative work will lead to the concrete finalization of the design of products and/or services of the startups/SMEs that stood out during the Innovation Day. The starting point will be the already existing services and/or products selected, followed by the adaptation of the same, through the Co-design phase, to the objectives of the stakeholders.

Participation details for the call and all relevant information about the initiative can be viewed and downloaded on the online platform.

The fifth edition of the Social Impact Assessment Certification (CUAP) will begin on February 5th. This university course is organized by the Department of Management at the University of Turin in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Turin (members of the Committee for Social Entrepreneurship), the Piccatti Milanese Foundation, the Cottino Foundation, the training institutions of the Central Cooperatives (Il Nodo Consortium for Confcooperative Piemonte Nord and Inforcoop Ecipaa Piemonte for Legacoop Piemonte), and the Compagnia di San Paolo.

In this fifth edition, the online format of the course has generated strong interest not only from those working in the Third Sector but also from the for-profit sector at the national level.

The opening day on Monday, February 5th, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, as well as the two concluding days, will also provide an opportunity to reconnect with students from past editions for discussions and updates.

For more information: socialimpact.management@unito.it

Giardino Forbito kicks off 2024 with the monthly shopping, strictly in the garden.

A moment of gathering and exchange that brings together 40 exhibitors to narrate February through small productions and seasonal harvests.

Fruits and vegetables, bread, honey, cheese, chocolate, wine, beer, biscuits, preserves, but also natural cosmetics and handicrafts.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, from 10 am to 7 pm.

Within the EU Project HUB for the Social Economy, aimed at increasing European opportunities for the ecosystem, an interesting initiative is highlighted.

9-11 April 2024

This mission for social enterprises in Brussels has a dual objective:

• Get first-hand knowledge of European collaborative funds and programmes that are interesting for social enterprises and work on the tools and processes to access them: those responsible for different funds and programmes in Brussels, as well as sector experts, will provide practical information and directly address questions and doubts from participants.
• Matchmaking event: identify partners with whom to prepare international projects as well as potential business collaboration. The activity is organized in collaboration with the Proximity & Social Economy Sector Group of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), and social enterprises from different European regions will participate.

Ideally, at the end of the mission social enterprises will have identified their European collaborative funds or programmes of interest and potential partners with whom to apply to those funds or programmes.

The mission will also be an opportunity to find potential collaboration beyond EU projects.

To facilitate interaction between participants, participants will be able to access a B2B matchmaking platform (profile based) two weeks before the mission.

Who can participate?

Social enterprises from the regions that belong to the Proximity & Social Economy Sector Group of the EEN, that have interest in EU collaborative funds and programmes and want to meet potential partners for international projects.
Interested social enterprises should be working on these fields:

• Social services and care (e.g. disability, elderly, childcare)
• People at risk of social exclusion
• Support for migrants
• Gender equality
• Sustainable mobility
• Sustainable tourism
• Sustainable energy
• Education and culture
• Social innovation
• Circular economy

Important: this is a tentative list, applications from social enterprises working on other fields can also be considered for the mission.

Registration procedure

Interested social enterprises should inform their EEN consultant and fill in this registration form before the 16th February.

Info: alps-europa@pie.camcom.it

Download the full program.

During on extraordinary members’ meeting, Gianni Lanfranco, an athlete from Piedmont, national and international champion on numerous occasions with the Italian volleyball selection, takes over as president of our association. As president he will be assisted by Franco Frasca, General of the Carabinieri Corps on leave, his collaborator and lover of sports.

Gianni Lanfranco‘s presidency also aims to represent the excellence that Piedmont can boast in the field of sports entrepreneurship. He is the founder and at the lead of Advanced Distribution, which has been marketing sports equipment and apparel for more than 30 years, and he strongly believes in the ability to network among entities, institutions, manufacturing companies, and the education and training system to grow opportunities for innovation and greater competitiveness in the Italian sports ecosystem.

A new stage begins for Sport innovation hub in which the outgoing founder and president Marta Serrano remains at the helm of our activities in the role of Executive Director.

Congratulations and thanks to the newly elected members, who are already immediately at work with the entire Board of Directors to make 2024 a year of great success for the association and the territory in general. More news will follow about planned projects, initiatives and events presented yesterday during the Extraordinary Meeting.

A happy year of sports and innovation to all!