Il non-profit makes a vital contribution to the growth ofItaly: the value of production reached 2022 billion euros in 84 (+5% compared to 2020), according to the Foundation for Subsidiarity. The real impact is close to 100 billion euros, considering the activity of over 6 million volunteers. This is what emerged today in Rome on the occasion of the presentation of the Report "Subsidiarity and... social development", produced by Foundation for Subsidiarity, in collaboration with Istat, with the intervention of Marina Elvira Calderone, Minister of Labor and Social Policies.
The social economy (cooperatives, mutual societies, associations and foundations) has over 400 entities (+7% in 6 years), almost 1,6 million employees and over 6 million volunteers, whose activity is equivalent to 875.000 employees, according to ILO standards. Here are some numbers from the report.
Italy confirms itself as a country with a strong solidarity vocation
Italy also stands out in the ranking of volunteering involving 26% of adults. Better than us only there Germany (34%). They follow France (24%), Britain (23%) and Spain (15%). While we are at the top, before us only France, for workers in the social economy:
| Country | Employees in the social economy as a % of the total |
| France | 9,1% |
| Italy | 8,8% |
| Spain | 7,7% |
| Germany | 6,7% |
| Britain | 5,6% |
The Report reveals that subsidiarity, understood as participation in collective, social and political activities, contributes to improving the quality of life, facilitating the search for a job and reducing the risk of poverty. The study shows a strong positive correlation between subsidiary commitment and employment. In particular, participation in continuous training programs favors entry into the world of work, at all ages (0,7) on a scale from 0 to 1). A positive impact on the ability to find work derives from participation in cultural activities outside the home (0,89), social participation (0,88) and non-profit organizations (0,7). The same factors contribute to reduce the risk of poverty and removes the danger of not making ends meet with your income.
The presence of an active and dynamic social private sector helps to alleviate the conditions of hardship and favors employment. He said it George Vittadini, president of the Foundation for Subsidiarity adding that “the third pillar between the state and the market, that of the community, plays a key role for development and must therefore be valued and supported. The study shows that subsidiarity is the fuel that drives the engine of a socio-economic system”.
Secondo Gian Carlo Blangiardo, president of Istat, the analyzes have highlighted a significant link between subsidiarity and some socio-economic phenomena. “In regions where the 'subsidiarity rate' is higher, the employment rate also increases and vice versa. There is therefore a mutual dependence: engagement in social activities helps individuals and the community to create work”.
“The research work conducted for the Report highlights the existence of an ecosystem of subjects who constitute a real social infrastructure made up of ties. Thanks to this infrastructure, personal and collective dynamics become possible that generate opportunities for people and development for the whole of society. The social economy should therefore not be seen only as a means to stem problems, but also as a necessary condition for generating development", he said John Fosti, president of the Cariplo Foundation.
Furthermore, the non-profit helps to reduce youth unemployment. "The Report demonstrates the presence of non-profit organizations in the area contributes significantly to reducing the incidence of young people who do not study and do not work, offering them a future", he says Pierluigi Bartolomei, Director General of the ELIS Center Association.
“The Subsidiarity and Social Development Report tells of a society marked by growing socio-economic inequalities. At the same time, it highlights the presence of a multiplicity of actors aware of their role in the development of a more equitable, environmentally and socially sustainable society: among these, private sector actors are called to exercise their social responsibility with increasing attention". he noted Gianmario Crescentino, president of Deloitte Central Mediterranean-. The collaboration of all the social partners represents the central element around which to build a new development model”.
"The pandemic and the emergencies of recent years have made the crucial role of the third sector even more evident in listening to the needs of people and territories and providing timely responses, creating opportunities, healing the wounds of the socio-economic fabric - he said Vanessa Pallucchi, Third Sector forum spokesman -. However, progress needs to be made in terms of recognizing this role and giving impetus to shared administration, through which the third sector can lead the country towards more inclusive and sustainable social and economic development".
