On June 11, as part of the activities of the Genoa Blue District, the conference “Towards a Regenerative Blue Economy: The Role of Benefit Corporations” took place in Genoa. Torino Social Impact participated in the panel discussion “Benefit Corporations as a Driver of Territorial Development.”

The event, organised in collaboration with SiCamera, the Genoa Chamber of Commerce, the Municipality of Genoa, and the Genoa Blue District, is part of a broader programme of information and training initiatives designed to support companies and professionals in the establishment and management of Benefit Corporations. The programme was launched by the Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy together with Unioncamere and the Italian chamber system.

The conference was held within the framework of the Blue Festival, an event dedicated to climate, oceans, and biodiversity. Conceived as a space for bringing together diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences, the festival explores both the challenges posed by the climate crisis and the solutions currently being developed through workshops, documentaries, laboratories, gaming experiences, meetings with innovative startups, conferences, talks, and opportunities for dialogue and civic engagement.

Within this context, the conference provided a valuable opportunity to explore how Benefit Corporations can become a driver of sustainable development for territories, businesses, and communities.

Following opening remarks from representatives of the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy and the Genoa Blue District, the morning began with an overview of the Benefit Corporation model. Lucia Tacchino, representing the Genoa Association of Chartered Accountants and Accounting Experts, examined the regulatory framework, while Monica Onori of Si.Camera – Sistema Camerale Servizi presented an overview of the phenomenon at the national level.

The panel “Benefit Corporations as a Driver of Territorial Development” then showcased a range of territorial experiences and initiatives.

Giuseppe Colasurdo of NATIVA Srl Società Benefit — the first Benefit Corporation in Europe — presented data highlighting how Benefit Corporations consistently outperform traditional companies across both economic and organisational dimensions. The figures show stronger results in terms of revenue growth, internationalisation, patents, and average employee remuneration, confirming a business model capable of generating not only economic value, but also social and organisational value.

He also presented Roma Impresa Comune, a project promoted by the Department for Productive Activities and Equal Opportunities of the Municipality of Rome and implemented through Rome’s House of Emerging Technologies in collaboration with NATIVA. The initiative has contributed to a 15% increase in the number of Benefit Corporations operating in the Rome metropolitan area.

Representing Torino Social Impact, Lorena Di Maria shared the experience of the Communities of Practice: collaborative learning and exchange pathways involving partner organisations across the ecosystem. These initiatives aim to foster engagement, strengthen collaboration and networking among ecosystem actors, and develop strategic projects that reinforce the positioning of the collective Torino Social Impact brand.

Particular attention was given to the Benefit Corporations Community of Practice, launched in 2022, which has generated significant results in terms of peer learning and networking among partners, bringing together more than 70 companies within the network.

Raffaella Bruzzone, representing the Genoa Chamber of Commerce, then presented local projects and initiatives supporting sustainability. Among these was participation in the Enterprise Europe Network, established by the European Commission to support the growth of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. Comprising around 450 contact points across 58 countries, the network provides integrated services to help SMEs and other economic actors internationalise, strengthen their innovation and sustainability capacity, and navigate available funding opportunities.

The morning continued with the panel “A Visionary Company Has a Plan B: B for Benefit and Blue Economy”, dedicated to companies operating at the intersection of sustainability and the blue economy. Speakers included Fondazione Capellino /Almo Nature Benefit S.p.A., JAMIN Underwaterwines S.R.L. Società Benefit, OUTBE S.R.L. Società Benefit, Maiscadoras S.R.L. Società Benefit, Fenice Nautica S.R.L. S.A.P.A. Società Benefit and Grendi Holding S.p.A. Società Benefit.

The event concluded with an award ceremony recognising exemplary companies that successfully combine public-benefit objectives, environmental stewardship, and sustainable territorial development.

Overall, the conference provided an important opportunity to strengthen dialogue at the national level among institutions, businesses, and territories, while promoting the dissemination of models capable of combining competitiveness, sustainability, and positive impact.