Bench-Mark | Ep. 103 – Consorzio Sociale Abele Lavoro

At a time when international geopolitics fuels uncertainty and makes it difficult to look ahead, working on employment means giving concrete shape to an idea of the future.

Since 1998, Consorzio Sociale Abele Lavoro has been active in the field of social and work inclusion, supporting around 2,000 people each year through pathways toward employment and autonomy. Restoring dignity, participation and identity strengthens the entire social fabric: a person reintegrated into society is not a burden on the community, but a resource.

We discussed this with President Massimo D’Amico.

Interview by Francesco Antonioli.

Filmed and edited by Riccardo Quaglio.

Watch all past episodes of Bench-Mark here.

Training and Employment: Applications Open for the Master Mësté 2026 Call

Over 600 applications for 62 scholarships worth a total of approximately €340,000, and around 80% of scholarship recipients hired by the companies where they completed their internships — these are the figures from the previous four editions of Master Mësté, the project created by the Cecilia Gilardi Foundation to train a new generation of artisans and support their entry into the workforce.


Building on this success, the fifth edition of the Master Mësté call for applications has been launched. From February 19 to May 5, 2026, applications are open for 14 scholarships worth €5,400 each, aimed at unemployed or inactive young people aged 18 to 35, for a comprehensive training pathway. The programme includes 40 hours of classroom training followed by a six-month full-time internship at one of the host companies — 12 located in Piedmont, 1 in Liguria, and 1 in Lombardy.

Starting from the previous edition, an agreement has also been signed with Agenzia Piemonte Lavoro to provide candidates with practical tools and support in drafting their CVs and preparing effectively for job interviews.

The project covers a wide range of craft specialisations, including tailoring, weaving, fashion and design, carpentry and wood restoration, glassmaking and goldsmithing, pastry and chocolate-making, cosmetics, precision mechanics, and set design.

Selected scholarship recipients will be able to undertake a paid work placement (€900 per month) at one of the participating artisan excellence companies: Born in Berlin, Drogo Gioielli, Miroglio & C., Tappezzerie Druetta, Trakatan, Vibel Group, Woodex, Chiara Ferraris Art & Glass Fusing, Distilleria La Cava, Lavoratti, and Laboratorio Cosmopolita.

For detailed information about the call and to submit your application, click here.

International leaders in the social economy gathered in Turin to strengthen the role of the impact economy in Italy and across Europe

Today, in the prestigious setting of the Aula Magna of Cavallerizza Reale at the Università degli Studi di Torino, the forum “Business, Social, One Vision – Social Economy for Competitiveness and Social Justice” took place. The initiative was promoted by the Camera di Commercio di Torino, Torino Social Impact and the Centro Internazionale di Formazione dell’ILO, on the occasion of the World Day of Social Justice.


The event was preceded, on the evening of 19 February, by the lighting of the Mole Antonelliana in orange, featuring the visuals of the Business, Social, One Vision campaign, conceived by Marco Rubiola. The campaign aimed to promote a narrative capable of highlighting the innovative nature of the topics at the heart of the forum and to affirm the initiative’s key message: business and social impact are not separate worlds, but parts of a single vision for the future.

Some of the leading institutional, European and international voices in the social economy gathered in Turin, confirming the growing role of this model as a strategic lever to reconcile economic competitiveness, sustainability and social justice. The forum established itself as a key moment of discussion on the contribution of social enterprises and impact-driven models to building more inclusive, resilient economies oriented towards human and civil rights.

At a decisive stage for the development of the social economy in Italy — marked by the drafting of the National Action Plan for the Social Economy and by the strengthening of European and global policies — the forum offered a space for reflection on emerging opportunities and challenges within an international context shaped by geopolitical transformations and shifts in the strategic priorities of the European Union.

At the core of the debate was the role of the social economy as a driver of innovation and competitiveness, capable of integrating economic and social objectives, contributing to a fair transition policy, and acting as a true democratic infrastructure at a time marked by uncertainty and new geopolitical pressures.

Today, the social economy represents a structural and steadily expanding component of the European economic system. Across EU countries, the sector generates a total turnover of approximately €912.9 billion, contributing 6.5% to EU GDP and involving 13.6 million workers across around 4.3 million organisations.

Activities are mainly concentrated in social services, healthcare, education, ethical finance and agriculture — areas where economic objectives are integrated with social and collective purposes. Over the past fifteen years, the sector has recorded average annual growth between 2% and 2.5%, confirming its capacity for expansion and resilience even in complex economic contexts (OECD 2025; European Commission 2024, 2025; Social Economy Europe).

In Italy, the social economy plays an equally significant role, with an estimated gross value added of €52.6 billion, accounting for approximately 3.5–4.0% of national GDP. The sector employs between 1.53 and 1.9 million paid workers and includes between 360,000 and 450,000 active organisations. Key areas include social services, healthcare, education, mutual finance, agriculture and environmental protection. Between 2011 and 2021, gross value added increased by 25%, while employment grew by 13.8%, confirming the sector’s strengthening and growing weight within the national economy (Euricse 2023; Terzjus 2024; Unioncamere 2024).

At regional level, Piedmont is one of Italy’s most dynamic regions in this field. In 2024, the total economic value of the regional social economy is estimated at around €5 billion (4.5–5% of regional GDP), employing between 110,000 and 120,000 people. Approximately 950 social cooperatives operate in the region, generating a total turnover of around €1.8 billion. Key sectors include welfare, healthcare, education, agriculture, environmental protection and urban regeneration.

Within this context, the city of Turin stands out as one of Italy’s main hubs for the social economy. The sector’s total economic value is estimated at around €3.1 billion (4.8–5.0% of metropolitan GDP), with approximately 70,000 employees. There are 448 active social cooperatives generating about €1.13 billion in turnover. Considering all cooperatives and social cooperatives combined, total turnover reaches approximately €2.8 billion, involving over 42,000 workers. Main areas of activity include welfare, culture, the circular economy, impact finance and social innovation, confirming Turin’s role as an advanced laboratory for impact-oriented economic models (Euricse; Unioncamere Piemonte; RUNTS; Legacoop).

In the wider Turin metropolitan area, when considering the broader perimeter of the social economy — including social enterprises and social cooperatives (549), mutual societies (43), social promotion associations (2,307), volunteer organisations (1,399), other third sector entities (621), philanthropic entities (32), as well as benefit corporations (256) and social vocation start-ups (26) — the total number of operating entities exceeds 5,200, rising to nearly 5,900 when cooperatives (657) are also included.

Overall, these figures highlight the relevance of the social economy not only in terms of economic size, but also in its capacity to generate employment, promote social cohesion and contribute to sustainable development at European, national and local levels.

The forum opened with remarks from local institutional representatives committed to advancing the social economy: Massimiliano Cipolletta, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Turin; Chiara Foglietta, Deputy Mayor of the City of Turin for Innovation, Digital Transition, Climate and Mobility; Jacopo Suppo, Deputy Mayor of the Metropolitan City of Turin; and Silvio Magliano, Regional Councillor of Piedmont.

Subsequently, following the opening speech by Mario Calderini, Spokesperson of Torino Social Impact, the debate saw the participation of leading speakers, including Lucia Albano, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance; Irene Tinagli, Member of the European Parliament and Chair of the Intergroup on Social Economy and Services of General Interest; Silvia Roggiani and Lorenzo Malagola, Members of the Chamber of Deputies; Mario Nava, Director-General of DG Employment at the European Commission; Juan Antonio Pedreño, President of Social Economy Europe; Simel Esim, Head of the Social Economy Unit of the Organizzazione Internazionale del Lavoro; Lamia Kamal-Chaoui, Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities of the Organizzazione per la Cooperazione e lo Sviluppo Economico; Olivier De Schutter, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights; Gianluca Salvatori, Secretary General of Euricse; Stefano Granata, President of Social Impact Agenda per l’Italia and Confcooperative Solidarietà; Aicha Belassir, Director General for Social Economy and Corporate Social Responsibility of the Government of Spain; Sarah de Heusch, Director of Social Economy Europe; and Paola Babos, Deputy Director of the Centro Internazionale di Formazione dell’ILO.

In addition, several initiatives and reports were presented, such as the Joint Position Paper to promote a human rights economy through the social and solidarity economy by the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy (UNTFSSE), the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights and the Global Coalition for Social Justice and the Social Economy; the OECD report entitled “Social Economy in Europe Contributing to Competitiveness and Prosperity”; and the report “Social Economy 2025: Evidence, Challenges and Trajectories for Italy” published by Euricse.

The high level of contributions and the international dimension of the discussion represented further recognition of Turin’s positioning as one of the leading European ecosystems for the social economy and the impact economy.

In this regard, Massimiliano Cipolletta, President of the Camera di Commercio di Torino, the main promoting body of Torino Social Impact and of the initiative, stated:

“The presence in Turin of world leaders in the social economy is recognition of the positioning work carried out in recent years by the Chamber of Commerce of Turin to promote our territory as a model in which competitiveness and social cohesion grow together; they are not alternatives but interdependent. We are proud to have acted as pioneers, guiding this path since 2005 with the establishment of the Observatory for the Civil Economy within the Chamber. This commitment then continued with the Social Entrepreneurship Committee in 2016 and the creation of Torino Social Impact, a generative platform of highly innovative projects, and was further consolidated, together with the Metropolitan City, in the recent approval of the Metropolitan Plan for the Social Economy Turin 2030.”

The city stands out for the presence of a dynamic and innovative system, supported by public institutions, private actors, impact finance, philanthropy and research centres, all engaged in promoting sustainable and inclusive economic models.

In this context operates Torino Social Impact, a platform established in 2017 within the framework of the Social Entrepreneurship Committee of the Camera di commercio di Torino and today composed of more than 400 partners, including public and private actors, profit and non-profit organisations, finance, philanthropy and research.

The ecosystem has contributed to the development of innovative initiatives such as the Social Impact Exchange and to the adoption of the Turin 2030 Metropolitan Plan for the Social Economy, strengthening the role of the territory as a laboratory for social innovation.

Turin also confirms its international vocation thanks to the presence, since 1964, of the ITCILO, engaged in promoting decent work and developing skills for social justice and sustainable development.

The forum is part of the path launched with the communication campaign Business, Social, One Vision, launched by Torino Social Impact in 2025 to promote an integrated vision of the economy, capable of bringing together the profit and non-profit worlds and enhancing the role of the impact economy as a model for the future.

The success of the event confirms the centrality of this vision and strengthens the commitment of the actors involved in promoting the social economy as a strategic pillar for fair and sustainable development.

I3P Startup Academy 2026

The initiative aims to provide a starting point and the fundamental knowledge needed to build a new business project based on a technological solution: over 140 aspiring entrepreneurs participated in the three previous editions of the initiative, which then gave rise to more than 15 business projects.


Where do you start to turn an idea into a successful business? What steps does one need to take to found an innovative start-up? How does one put together a team capable of tackling the challenge of a technology-based business project? These are some of the main questions asked by those entering the world of innovative entrepreneurship for the first time, and they will be answered by the Incubator of Politecnico di Torino (I3P) in the fourth edition of the I3P Startup Academy.

This year’s training course, which is free of charge as always, will consist of seven sessions scheduled from March to June 2026.

Online applications to participate in the Academy are now open and will close on March 10, 2026, with an initial pre-selection based on compliance with the requirements for participation and a second introductory step before the final selection. The program has a maximum of 40 places available in total.

How to create a start-up

The goal of the program offered by I3P is to support aspiring startuppers in their earliest stages, helping them to give concrete form to an innovative idea, meet other people with whom they can assemble a team with complementary skills, and begin the customer discovery process, with a focus on techniques for validating the business plan and examining the market it could potentially target.

The course will be divided into seven in-person workshops and will follow an interactive format: each session will be based on short theoretical lessons, business games, and discussions with expert guests — including founders of start-ups and scale-ups, investors, and industry mentors — who will give practical accounts of how a successful entrepreneurial story begins.

Once again this year, the incubator aims to create a dynamic and exciting environment that encourages collaboration among participants, the acquisition of basic concepts of the lean start-up approach, and the opportunity to meet new potential co-founders with whom to shape the innovative businesses of tomorrow.

The target of the initiative

The I3P Startup Academy 2026 program is aimed at people aged 18 to 40, and can be joined by either existing teams – composed of up to three people – with an initial idea for a future innovative business, and individuals who do not yet have a specific project but would like to get involved by joining existing groups or creating new ones are eligible to participate. In particular, the ideal target audience for the initiative is professionals, recent graduates, and students with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, preferably with a background in research or previous experience as managers or startuppers.

One of the specific aims of the program is to bring together people with different skills, either to complement existing working groups or to create new teams. To achieve this, participants must be genuinely interested in dialogue and discussion — both with tutors and mentors and with each other — and therefore willing to share their ideas and skills with other aspiring startuppers.

The Academy’s initiative also aims to offer equal opportunities for networking, training, and consulting to anyone interested in starting a start-up, with a particular focus on female entrepreneurship and support for teams composed of female founders, in order to promote their growth in the world of innovation.

The program of the course

The I3P Startup Academy workshops will take place on Saturday mornings, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., on seven dates: March 28April 11April 18May 9May 16May 30, and June 6, 2026. All meetings will be held exclusively in person, at alternating locations such as the I3P headquarters and the premises of two partner organizations: Feat. House, the social business club of Feat. Ventures, and OGR Tech, the innovation and technology hub of OGR Torino. Participation in the Academy is completely free of charge.

During the application phase, interested parties are asked to commit to following the entire program with consistency and dedication, developing a business project to be presented at the final meeting, in order to get the most out of the workshop cycle and take advantage of the opportunity it offers. Between sessions, participants will also be required to carry out activities aimed at testing and validating each business idea: this means that during the weeks of the Academy, aspiring startuppers will have to invest their time in applying the concepts, notions, and ideas acquired during the course.

To apply to participate in I3P Startup Academy 2026, the dedicated online form must be filled out by March 10, at the latest, but it is best to do so as soon as possible because the second stage of evaluation will be completed in the days immediately following. Successful applications will be confirmed by March 19, in time for the first workshop on Saturday, March 28.

For more information about the initiative and its program, it is possible to write to the email address academy@i3p.it.

A Unique Opportunity for Young Changemakers: GenC x TTTECH | Future Ready. Together.

A unique weekend of dialogue, co-creation, and networking to rethink how technology can truly serve people and society.


Are you between 14 and 24 years old and passionate about technology, digital innovation, and artificial intelligence? Do you want to connect with young people from across Europe and explore how to build a more human, sustainable, and inclusive future?

GenC x TTTECH | Future Ready. Together. is an initiative by Ashoka in collaboration with TTTech, bringing together 30 young Europeans for an international experience in Brixen (Bressanone), Italy, in October 2026.

Discover all the details and apply now by visiting the official page.

The Social Impact Prize: an opportunity for startups ready to change the system

The Prize is open to ventures with an MVP or in early validation stages, tackling the root causes of social challenges through sustainable and scalable business models. It is not just a financial award, but a true growth journey designed to strengthen impact-driven entrepreneurship.


Ashoka Italia, together with a|cube, launches the Social Impact Prize — an initiative designed for early-stage startups and entrepreneurial teams developing innovative solutions capable of generating systemic social and environmental impact across the Mediterranean region.

What the Prize Offers

  • €20,000 non-dilutive grant
  • Capacity-building program and tailored mentoring
  • Access to Ashoka’s international network
  • European visibility and connections with investors

Up to 20 startups will join the training program; among them, up to 5 finalists will take part in the final international event, where the winning project will be selected.

If you are building a venture aimed at transforming systems, this is your opportunity to accelerate your impact.

Discover all the details and apply by visiting the official call website.

Capital for Innovation and Growth: Presentation of the New Basket Bond Piemonte Model

On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM, the event “Capital for Innovation and Growth – The New Basket Bond Piemonte Model and the FI4INN Project” will take place at the Sala Trasparenza of the Grattacielo Piemonte.


The initiative reaffirms the joint commitment of regional institutions and financial operators to creating new growth opportunities for the business system in Piedmont. At the heart of the meeting will be the presentation of the new Basket Bond Piemonte model to stakeholders — a strategic initiative designed to facilitate SMEs’ access to capital markets, in synergy with regional innovative finance instruments supporting businesses.

Following participant registration, institutional greetings will be delivered by Michele Vietti, President of Finpiemonte S.p.A., Elena Chiorino, Vice President of the Regione Piemonte, and Andrea Tronzano, Regional Councillor for the Development of Productive Activities.

Mario Alparone, Director General of Finpiemonte S.p.A., will then present the new Basket Bond Piemonte model and the FI4INN project. The programme will also include insights into the role of Mediocredito Centrale, with remarks by Lorenzo Coletta, as well as a technical overview of the model provided by Enrico Duranti (ADB – Corporate Advisory) and Matteo Bertolini, President of Sinloc S.p.A.

The event will conclude with a focus on the Regione Piemonte’s support for innovative finance instruments, presented by Paolo Furno, Head of Economic Development Promotion and Business Access to Credit – Regional System Competitiveness.

Participation is free of charge, subject to registration on  Eventbrite.

March 5, 2026 — Turin hosts “CONTRO”: companies and organisations united against gender-based violence

A public, participatory event to build safer workplaces and fairer communities.


Gender-based violence is not an isolated emergency. It is a systemic phenomenon that runs through society, rooted in language and everyday behaviour. This is the awareness behind “CONTRO”, the cultural and participatory event promoted by Amapola Società Benefit, which on March 5, 2026 will bring to Turin an urgent reflection on the role organisations can play in preventing and tackling gender-based violence.

The initiative takes place under the patronage of the Metropolitan City of Turin, Torino Social Impact, Unione Industriali Torino, and the Turin Chamber of Commerce. It is organised in collaboration with the University of Turin, together with UniToGO and CIRSDe – the Interdisciplinary Centre for Research and Studies on Women and Gender, with Fondazione Libellula as scientific partner.

The event is supported by CSI Piemonte and Roquette Italia.

Technical partner for Italian Sign Language (LIS) interpreting: Dotwords.

The research and mapping of corporate practices

Workplaces are not just sites of production: they are relational, cultural and social environments. For this reason, companies can—and should—play an active role in addressing gender-based violence by promoting fair models, respectful relationships, and concrete prevention policies. They can be a point of reference for the people who experience these spaces every day, and strategic nodes within the fabric of local communities.

A distinctive element of CONTRO” is a structured analysis and mapping of corporate policies and initiatives that address gender-based violence within organisational settings. This work will take shape as a white paper developed together with companies, designed to gather existing experiences, approaches and practical tools, and to identify shared guidelines and future directions.

The document will be presented during the March 5 event and will serve as the foundation for a multi-stakeholder dialogue among professionals from the worlds of work, research and institutions, with the aim of turning a collective commitment into concrete action on an issue that is still too often confined to the private sphere.

A participatory event to build alliances

The day will feature a morning programme (9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.) hosted by CSI Piemonte at CSI Next (Corso Unione Sovietica 216), open to the public. It will include expert talks, the presentation of research findings, a thematic roundtable, and a participatory design thinking session, followed by an informal networking moment.

“CONTRO” aims to spark peer-to-peer exchange and encourage meaningful alliances between companies, institutions and communities, to imagine—and build—professional environments grounded in respect, fairness and prevention.

The initiative sits within a growing focus on social sustainability and a culture of responsibility, offering participants a high-quality framework for deeper insight, opportunities for interdisciplinary dialogue, and the chance to contribute to a different, more transformative narrative around an issue that remains too often underestimated in organisational contexts.

A shared cultural challenge

“We believe that tackling gender-based violence also depends on our ability to turn data and lived experiences into tools for change” — says Micol Burighel, Head of Communication at Amapola Società Benefit — “CONTRO” is not just about documenting what already exists—it is about building possible visions: new leadership models, inclusive policies, and workplaces capable of recognising, preventing and addressing all forms of violence, both visible and invisible. All of this is made possible thanks to strong institutional and scientific partners, and a participatory approach based on sharing knowledge and experience.”

The event is an opportunity to strengthen a broad, cross-cutting alliance between public and private actors, at a time when companies can no longer postpone their stance on social justice and gender equity—neither in terms of values nor strategy.


Up-to-date information on the programme, agenda and how to take part is available, with ongoing updates, on the dedicated page.

IMPACT DEAL RETURNS: driving innovation, growth, and measurable impact

Designed to support organizations that combine technological innovation with measurable social and environmental impact, Impact Deal offers a unique growth path that integrates exclusive access to data, tailored mentorship, strategic partnerships, and investment opportunities.


The kick-off of the fourth edition of Impact Deal will take place at OGR Torino on February 12th and 13th, featuring the 30 startups selected for the program’s first phase (see the list here). Over the next two months, these startups will engage in a schedule of training and mentoring aimed at defining their development needs and exploring potential synergies with Data Club members. The goal of this phase is to select 15 startups that will advance to the second phase of the program.

Promoted by Fondazione CRT and OGR Torino, managed by the TOP-IX Consortium with scientific supervision by Fondazione ISI, the program sits at the intersection of technology, impact, and open innovation, establishing itself as a leading platform for data-driven innovation.

A European platform where data meets impact

Now in its fourth edition, Impact Deal continues to be a reference point for data-driven impact acceleration. Through the Data Club, a network of companies and institutions providing real datasets, testbeds, and proof-of-concept (PoC) opportunities, participants can develop and scale innovative solutions that address global challenges.

This year, the Data Club welcomes 12 corporate partners who will share their data to accelerate the growth of participating startups.

What is Impact Deal

Impact Deal is a European, data-driven acceleration program dedicated to social and environmental impact ventures. It supports high-potential startups, scaleups, and nonprofit organizations that combine innovation and measurable impact, offering access to strategic data, tailored mentorship, and industrial partnerships to foster growth and amplify impact, fully aligned with the UN SDGs.

Surprises at the Gazebo Forbito Sambuy for “M’illumino di meno”

Friday, February 13

Giardino forbito opens its doors to a creative workshop where children can make colorful Carnival-themed artworks using the collage technique, working with paper, buttons, cut-outs, and many other materials.

While young artists bring their creations to life, parents can relax inside the Gazebo Forbito Sambuy — browsing a book from the bookcrossing corner and enjoying wines from local producers along with regional specialties.

Saturday, February 14 — “Kiss Point at Gazebo Forbito Sambuy”

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, on Saturday, February 14, 2026, the Gazebo Forbito Sambuy will transform into an intimate setting of candlelight and soft illumination, evoking emotion and the senses. Beneath the large mistletoe — marking the inauguration of a permanent Kiss Point — couples are invited to share a candlelit toast and a kiss in the dark, a poetic gesture that sparks dialogue between feeling and atmosphere in a unique and immersive experience.

A workshop curated by Beesù will guide participants in creating beeswax lip balms for perfect kisses. A special toast will feature wines from the Roccassanta winery, founded by blind winemaker and oenologist Pietro Monti. His life story and passion make this moment even more meaningful: after losing his sight in a road accident, Pietro chose to continue working in viticulture with renewed energy and a sensory intuition that goes beyond vision. His wines will take participants into the heart of his vineyards and the care behind each bottle — an experience to be appreciated with all the senses, offering a journey of aromas, flavors, and emotions that transcends physical barriers.

Roccassanta’s labels are also symbols of inclusivity: some feature Braille text, making the tasting experience more accessible and sensory for people with visual impairments.

During the evening, dedicated photographic shots will capture the magic of the event. The images will then be officially presented during “M’illumino di meno” on Monday, February 16, amplifying the symbolic value of a light that turns off to ignite a brighter one — the light of the heart.

Monday, February 16

Join the celebration of “M’illumino di meno” at the Gazebo Forbito Sambuy starting from 4:30 PM.

University of Turin launches a new MBA in Social Innovation

The University of Turin introduces a new MBA in Social Innovation, developed by IUSEFOR and SAA – School of Management in collaboration with Forum Terzo Settore Piemonte and a network of local partners.


The programme combines 432 hours of lectures, workshops and hands-on learning with a 300-hour internship, preparing professionals in key areas including design thinking, strategy and communication, leadership and facilitation, Third Sector management, ESG and sustainability reporting, impact measurement, data analysis and digital transformation.

More than a traditional academic pathway, the Master integrates legal and managerial training with professional certifications (Cepas – Bureau Veritas: Chief Value Officer CSRD and Impact Evaluator) and real-world experience. The aim is to equip the next generation of social innovation leaders with the skills needed to navigate complex and rapidly evolving environments.

Torino Social Impact collaborates with the University of Turin — Department of Management to actively involve its ecosystem of more than 400 partners in shaping the programme.

Organisations are invited to complete the Training Needs Questionnaire via the provided link to help tailor teaching content, case studies and workshops to the real needs of the ecosystem.

Applications are open until March 13, 2026.
The programme will begin on May 8, 2026.

For more information: mastermbasocialinnovation@unito.it

February 8, 2026 — Googreen Biodiversity Market

Following the first events in January, the Gazebo Forbito Sambuy is warming up and expanding its activities. Starting this month, the park’s community hub will offer a weekly calendar packed with events, progressively unveiled through its social media channels.


On Sunday, February 8, the season kicks off with the monthly Googreen Biodiversity Market, traditionally held on the second Sunday of each month.

From 10 AM to 6 PM, the garden transforms into a colourful carnival setting filled with local farmers, sustainable artisans, seasonal produce, recycled glass creations, and eco-conscious crafts.

Programme

  • 11 AM: Children’s workshop — become fantastic animals using imagination and recycled materials.

  • 3:30 PM: Beesù workshop with Monica Fissore — “It’s Carnival! Let’s Mask Up!” Create butterfly-inspired masks while learning about pollination and biodiversity.

  • 3 PM until sunset: “Sussurri” — an intimate street art experience hidden among the garden’s vehicles: follow the sounds, words, and performances.

Artists & Performers

  • Pascall Clown
  • Silvia Borello — actress, dancer and clown presenting “Leaving Is a Kind of Blooming”
  • Poesiaagettone & Nino Carriglio — storytelling, imagery and live wind music in a poetic micro-theatre

Held in Piazza Carlo Felice, in front of Porta Nuova station, the event creates a welcoming cultural and social space in the heart of Turin.

More info on Giardino Forbito’s social channels.

UniCredit and Giffoni Innovation Hub launch “The Gift of Stories”

UniCredit and Giffoni Innovation Hub launch “The Gift of Stories”: three short documentaries dedicated to the excellence of Italian nonprofit organizations.


“The Gift of Stories” is born, a project conceived by Giffoni Innovation Hub in collaboration with UniCredit to support, promote, and give visibility to the everyday work of Third Sector organizations that generate tangible impact within communities.

The initiative will lead to the production of three short documentaries, each dedicated to a selected organization, with the aim of telling their local engagement, social mission, and the human value that drives their work. An authentic audiovisual narrative designed to highlight the excellence of Italian nonprofit organizations and amplify their voice on a national stage.

“The Gift of Stories” stems from the meeting between UniCredit—long committed to supporting the Third Sector, also through the IlMioDono.it platform—and Giffoni Innovation Hub, a benchmark in the field of audiovisual production and branded entertainment. This partnership reinforces UniCredit’s role as a key ally of the Third Sector, able to support organizations not only by increasing their visibility but also by concretely strengthening fundraising efforts and community engagement. Two organizations united by a shared vision: to provide tools, visibility, and opportunities to those who build social value in local communities every day.

The project, developed by Giffoni Innovation Hub, will guide the selected organizations through a process of enhancement via audiovisual storytelling, culminating in the production of three professional short documentaries.

The three finalist projects, which will be premiered at national festivals dedicated to social engagement and at internationally renowned film festivals, will tell not only the activities carried out, but above all the people, relationships, and impact generated within their communities. They will become institutional communication and awareness-raising tools available to the organizations to support their initiatives and campaigns.

The goal is clear: to strengthen the ability of Third Sector entities to communicate their value, making social change visible, shareable, and capable of generating new participation and community support. In a context where communication means building trust, engaging volunteers and donors, and ensuring long-term project sustainability, storytelling becomes a strategic tool for growth.

Who the initiative is for

The call is open to Third Sector entities registered with RUNTS, with registered offices and operations in Italy, established for at least three years and with at least one approved financial statement. Special attention will be given to small and medium-sized organizations that are deeply rooted in their territories, capable of working in networks, and with potential for growth and replicability of their intervention models.

How to participate

Interested organizations can apply online by following the instructions available on the project’s official website, which provides all information on requirements, application procedures, and timelines:

The organizers

UniCredit, through the IlMioDono.it platform, offers a simple and intuitive system to discover the social projects of participating organizations and support them through donations.

Giffoni Innovation Hub is the creative and production hub born from the Giffoni Film Festival, committed to developing projects that combine creativity, social impact, and new generations, supporting institutions and organizations in telling stories of change.

For further information

Antonella Passini – press@giffonihub.com

Bench-Mark | Ep. 102 – Kermasofia

Knowledge imbalance is one of the most significant inequalities of our time.

In Turin, Kermasofia is a social enterprise that promotes economic and financial education as a tool to address these gaps, with a particular focus on gender inequalities.

In this episode, Giulia Grignani explains how economic violence — like any other form of gender-based violence — is rooted in dynamics of abuse that limit autonomy and control over one’s own finances.

Interview by Francesco Antonioli.

Watch all past episodes of Bench-Mark here.