Four-day global conference to look at future of social co-ops

The event will include discussion of the impact of changing technology and the role of co-ops in rural and urban renewal

A four-day conference on social co-operatives and social enterprises has been organised for October by Confcooperative Federsolidarieta, the trade union group for Italy’s social co-ops, with support from Cicopa, the international organisation of industrial and service co-ops.

The Social Cooperatives International School, which runs from 25-28 October in Naples, Italy, brings together entrepreneurs, thinkers and practitioners from the co-op and social enterprise sectors around the world to share experience and best practice.

It features three sessions and one international seminar, on:

Social Co-operatives: normative framework and best practices in the international context: An overview of social co-operatives, normative frameworks and recent trends in the provision of social, health and educational services, as well as work integration of disadvantaged persons.

Social impact evaluation and measurement: An overview of the basic concepts of social impact, presenting methods for activities and public policies evaluation. It will update participants on the debate and latest trends in social impact finance.

 Social co-operatives and technological innovation: A look at how changing technology can influence the life of social co-operatives – including what innovations it can bring, and new ways of social services provision that can be developed and financed.

International Seminar – Urban regeneration and local communities: A panel of experts will discuss the role and future perspectives of social cooperatives promoting economic, environmental and social sustainability – for instance through empowerment of rural communities or revitalising assets in run-down urban areas.

The school, held at the Hotel Royal Continental, is expected to draw in 40 social co-operators, 20 from Italy and 20 from the rest of the world. The working language will be English.

The participation fee is €300, including materials, accommodation (in shared double room) and lunches (€450 for a single, non-sharing room). The participation fee also includes a study visit to local co-operatives.

Deadline for registration is 15 September; early bird registration before 30 August is €250 (double room) or €400 (single room). Former participants registration before 15 September: €250 (double room) or €400 (single room).

  • For more details and to register, click here.
In this article


Join the Conversation