Thirty-three enterprises have been selected in southern Italy to participate in the training course provided by the SOFIGREEN project, which aims to strengthen the sustainability of processes and activities of beneficiary enterprises, improving their ability to attract investment for the green transition also by expanding partnership networks.

The enterprises come from a variety of production sectors, from social agriculture to culture to sustainable logistics. 

Below is an overview of the selected enterprises, broken down by geographic area. 

From Sicily

The most represented region is Sicily, with 13 enterprises. Agry Social (Palermo) manages 40 hectares of organic farming, with a 0-kilometer supply chain for olive, citrus and livestock. Isola Catania (Catania) is a hub for social innovation, culture and coworking, and, from next year will also set up a bistro. Verbumcaudo (Palermo) cultivates four agri-food chains on land confiscated from the Mafia, promoting labor inclusion. Birrificio Messina (Messina) produces beer with a focus on sustainability, reusing waste for bioplastics. Boniviri (Catania) is a benefit company that supports sustainable farms by marketing their products and promotes healthy food. CRESM (Trapani) is engaged in local development, with spaces for culture and innovation, and in the management of property confiscated from the Mafia. Asterisco (Palermo) offers training and job brokerage services for unemployed and NEET youth. Health&Senectus (Trapani) provides social welfare services to minors and the disabled, adopting sustainable practices. Solidarity and Energy (Messina) specializes in energy conversion and installation of photovoltaic systems. Astu (Palermo) promotes job inclusion with carpentry and joinery workshops, encouraging recycling of materials. Sol.E. Consortium (Messina) manages logistics services and community welfare projects, promoting the use of renewable energy. Finally Nesti, (Catania) designs social innovation interventions for more sustainable communities.

From Campania

In Campania, 11 enterprises have been selected. Capovolti (Salerno), has regenerated 8 hectares of land with social agriculture and aims to create an EcoPark with innovative water-saving solutions. Bmore Eccellenze per il Sociale (Irpinia) promotes personal autonomy for disabled people and tourist accessibility. Un Fiore per la Vita (Naples) runs an organic and social farm and aims to create an energy community. L’Uomo e il Legno (Naples) promotes social inclusion with carpentry, social agriculture and urban green maintenance activities. Il Tulipano (Naples) provides services to people with autism and supports social agriculture in collaboration with the Archaeological Park of Pompeii. Sale della Terra (Benevento) is a consortium of cooperatives that promotes the inclusion of youth, migrants and prisoners through agriculture and crafts. Casa del Contemporaneo (Naples) runs theater activities, promoting sustainability through the recycling of materials. Le Nuvole (Naples) is a cultural cooperative that promotes education for sustainability through scientific and educational activities. P.A.S.S. (Naples) deals with building and plant engineering, promoting energy communities and energy efficiency. En Kai Pan (Naples) deals with labor inclusion for fragile individuals, with activities in sustainable tourism and culture.

From Calabria and Sardinia

Three selected companies in Calabria and Sardinia: Kyosei (Catanzaro) supports children, youth and vulnerable people with educational and work inclusion projects. Mana Chuma Artistic Association (Reggio Calabria) creates performances and cultural projects in disadvantaged areas, using theater to investigate issues such as the circular economy. Le Coccinelle (Cosenza) offers educational services for children, promoting sustainability in its educational programs. Oleificio Cooperativo di Alghero produces olive oil using sustainable methods, using agricultural by-products for energy. Tramas (Guspini) processes local agricultural products, supporting short supply chain and labor inclusion. Cooperativa di Assistenza Sociale (Sassari) provides social and health services for people with disabilities, promoting organic products.

And from Puglia and Basilicata

Two companies selected from Puglia: Jazzile (Putignano) coordinates a network of agricultural and wine businesses, promoting sustainability through natural wine and responsible tourism. Pietra di Scarto (Cerignola) deals with organic agricultural production, with a strong commitment to reducing environmental impact. 

Finally, in Basilicata, Altraspesa (Matera) was selected, which deals with sustainable logistics and urban mobility to improve social and welfare processes

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EISMEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.