Intesa Sanpaolo started the IX edition of the “Women Value Company” AwardIn partnership with Marisa Bellisario Foundation, to recognize and valorize small and medium-sized enterprises that promote gender equality, promote the development of female employment and entrepreneurship, and support diversity and innovation in the production system. The The award is aimed at companies that adopt inclusive policies and promote the growth of women in the world of work
An award for female inclusiveness
Since 2014, Women Value Company has established itself as a point of reference for female entrepreneurship in Italy. In eight editions, over 6.000 applications, awarded approximately 800 SMEs, and organized beyond 20 enhancement events throughout the country. Among its highest honors, the award has assigned 16 golden apples, a symbol of excellence and commitment to promoting an inclusive and equal world of work.
How to participate in the new edition
Le SMEs interested in applying for the award they have until 23 April 2025 to send your application by filling in the questionnaire available on the official websites of Understanding and Bellisario Foundation. Companies can participate if they operate both in the public and private sectors, respecting certain criteria linked to the promotion of gender equality and corporate welfare policies, such as:
- Work-family balance services (vouchers, benefits, internal nurseries);
- Flexible work organization policies
- Meritocratic and non-discriminatory remuneration policies
- Development of skills and enhancement of female careers, with women in managerial or top roles
- Awareness-raising actions and culture of gender diversity
Awards and special mentions
The winning companies, one small and one medium-sized, will receive the prestigious “Golden Apple” in the award ceremony which will be held on June 27, 2025, During the XXXVII edition of the Marisa Bellisario Award, at Archaeological Park of the Colosseum, in an event broadcast live on Rai1. In addition to the two main awards, Intesa Sanpaolo will award the recognition “Women Value Company 2025 – Intesa Sanpaolo” to the finalist companies, in dedicated events that will highlight the best practices of the companies that have implemented innovative initiatives to support and enhance women in the world of work, in line with the objectives of the Pnrr. They will also be assigned Special mentions for particularly deserving projects.
Intesa Sanpaolo and the support for female entrepreneurship
With this initiative, Intesa Sanpaolo renews its commitment to supporting the development of female entrepreneurship and to promoting a working environment that is favorable to the growth and competitiveness of businesses. The bank's commitment is also reflected in a significant investment of 1 billion euro, which aims to strengthen support for investments aimed at enhancing female talent, diversity and inclusiveness in the world of work. The resources have already been fully used in the previous two years, demonstrating the effectiveness of the initiative.
“In a context in which the latest survey of the INPS Gender Report still highlights how only 52% of women are employed, the ninth edition of the Women Value Company Award represents once again an opportunity for boost female entrepreneurship. Our commitment in recent years has focused on identifying solutions and tools capable of making women-led businesses grow, promoting female employment, focusing on innovation, internationalization, as well as welfare and social inclusion policies. For this reason, we are setting aside an additional billion to support investments in these businesses that enhance female talent and are decisive in national and international competition, enhancing and telling the best success stories” she declared Anna Roscio, Executive Director Sales & Marketing Companies Intesa Sanpaolo.
"We are happy to continue this extraordinary journey among small and medium Italian excellences and grateful to Intesa Sanpaolo for the vision and commitment with which it has invested in this idea of the future. The Women Value company Award was born from a bet and an intuition: the vitality, the sustainable and inclusive approach of our companies. Nine incredibly successful editions, have convinced us even more that equality represents a vital asset for growth and innovation for Italian entrepreneurship. In such a complex moment for global economic and political structures, this Award starts again from us, from our heritage of talents, from the strength and resilience of our SMEs, which year after year focus with ever greater determination on the centrality of the female contribution" commented Lella Golfo, Chairman of the Marisa Bellisario Foundation.
