Beyond Crisis project: Study visit in Reggio Emilia Italy

We are thrilled to share the highlights and key takeaways from the inaugural study visit of the Beyond Crisis project, which unfolded in Reggio Emilia from October 18th to 20th, 2023. This three-day event brought together participants from Greece and Spain to explore and celebrate practices supporting social economy.

Day 1: Welcoming Dinner

The journey commenced with a warm welcome from the Municipality of Reggio Emilia, hosting a delightful dinner for the 16 participants – 7 from Greece and 9 from Spain. This set the stage for a collaborative and enriching experience.

Day 2: Exploring Reggio Emilia’s Innovative Spaces

Reggiane Innovation Park and Technopole : Parco Innovazione and Technopole served as the backdrop for the first day’s study visit. This hub, born from the regeneration of the historic “Officine Meccaniche Reggiane,” embodies a scientific-humanistic technological center, fostering research, innovation, and social development.

Loris Malaguzzi International Centre: A former cheese factory regenerated in 2004, the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre is a testament to the Reggio Emilia pedagogical approach, promoting innovation in education and culture for individuals aged 0-99.

Day 3: Unveiling Urban Regeneration

St Peter Cloisters and Open Lab : The St Peter Cloisters and Open Lab represent a blend of historical restoration and adaptive re-use, fostering social, cultural, and business projects. This urban hub encourages experimentation, social innovation, young entrepreneurship, and collaborative economy.

La Polveriera : La Polveriera stands as a regenerated space dedicated to meeting and aggregation. This active laboratory of social culture, supported by the Oscar Romero Consortium and local cooperatives, emphasizes respect for the quality of life and the production of beauty.

Experiences Shared: Showcasing Collaborative Initiatives

Partnerships Driving Social Impact

L’Ovile Cooperative and Fattoria Italia : L’Ovile and Fattoria Italia exemplify a cross-sectoral partnership, seamlessly integrating a social cooperative with a mainstream company. Their collaboration focuses on job placement and social integration, contributing to the value chain of food production.

CNA, Griffe Hair, and AIMA : The National Confederation of Craftsmanship (CNA) partnered with the Italian Alzheimer’s Disease Association (AIMA) to create a network offering hairdressing and beauty services to people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. This innovative care service activates public-private partnerships, benefiting the community.

Regeneration through Social Economy

Rigenera Social Cooperative : Rigenera shared insights into co-designing “Neighborhood Houses”, acting as social, intergenerational, and intercultural spaces. Their approach emphasizes the activation of local communities, culture as a regenerative lever, and social inclusion.

Consorzio 45: Consorzio 45 focused on the social impact evaluation of job placement activities. This consortium of cooperatives assessed the transformative change in disadvantaged workers’ lives and the economic value created for the Public Administration.

Experiences Shared: Showcasing Collaborative Initiatives

Diversity Management for Social Impact

Fondazione Mondinsieme: Mondinsieme Foundation, supported by the Municipality of Reggio Emilia, highlighted diversity as an opportunity for value creation. Their diversity management approach involves maximizing cross-cultural competencies and minimizing barriers, creating value for local companies.

Conclusion

The Beyond Crisis project’s first study visit in Reggio Emilia exemplified the power of collaboration, innovation, and social impact in the realm of social economy. The shared experiences and insights from diverse initiatives underscored the potential for positive change in communities.

Stay tuned for more updates as the Beyond Crisis project continues its journey towards fostering a sustainable and impactful social economy.