In Turin, old Local Police uniforms are getting a second life thanks to a collaboration with local artisans who received these materials to process, transform, and reintroduce them to the market through the creation of a pilot corridor that treats discarded textiles as resources rather than waste.

The initiative has already led to the recovery of over a thousand garments. Of these, 817 were distributed among 12 upcyclers—local artisans interested in receiving and transforming them. Once all identifying elements were removed, the garments were sent through upcycling processes to bring them back to life by creating something new that could be reused and repurposed.

This valorisation of discarded Local Police uniforms was made possible by a Protocol that allowed for a temporary and experimental derogation from current legislation.

“The experiments launched through RiVestiTo as part of the Climaborough project share the common goal of reducing waste and limiting the use of raw materials and energy. At the same time, they foster a culture of reuse, raising awareness of sustainability and the value of resources, while also offering job opportunities,” said Chiara Foglietta, Councillor for Ecological Transition.

“The issue of illegal waste dumping is strongly felt by the Local Police, which has created a new operational unit, the Environmental Protection Division, dedicated to monitoring, prevention, and enforcement,” emphasised Marco Porcedda, Councillor for Legality and Security. “That’s why we’re proud to have supported the project by donating our decommissioned uniforms, which will gain new life thanks to the creativity and skilled hands of the artisans involved.”

The initiative is now expanding, with the goal of directly involving Turin’s citizens, who will be able to donate their unused textiles to artisans and tailoring shops through September 2025. Textile companies and fabric stores can also participate by donating what, for them, represents waste they are unable to reuse internally.

The experiment is part of RiVestiTo, a project designed by Atelier Riforma, Mercato Circolare, and Huulke, in collaboration with the City of Turin. It is funded by the Horizon Europe Climaborough project, which involves twelve European cities piloting innovative urban planning solutions for the ecological and digital transition toward climate neutrality, as well as two observer cities.

“It was a delicate and important job to study the existing legislation and constantly engage with local authorities,” said Nadia Lambiase, CEO of Mercato Circolare, a project partner. “We’re very satisfied with the agreement reached, and we are confident this trial can pave the way for future experiments capable of redefining the concept of waste.”

In Italy, current law does not allow people to donate their old clothing or textiles to artisans for upcycling. The same goes for unsold or defective items from shops, or company uniforms: they can only be transferred to artisans through a purchase—and even then, they cannot be further processed.

According to the law, “any substance or object which the holder discards or intends or is required to discard” is considered waste, as stated in Article 3 of the Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC. Therefore, the mere fact that a private citizen or company wants to dispose of something automatically classifies it as “waste,” which must be managed solely by authorized waste handlers. Artisans and tailors, who are not authorized, can only legally obtain discarded textiles by purchasing them. Unfortunately, this strict interpretation prevents many textiles from being reintroduced into circulation through upcycling.

How does the pilot corridor work?

Citizens, businesses, and retailers can donate their unused clothing or household textiles (e.g., sheets, pillowcases, tablecloths, curtains) to a selected list of artisans, tailors, and local designers, who will then have the opportunity to rework, transform, and circulate them locally.

The list of participating artisans, which is constantly updated, is available online on Mercato Circolare’s website: https://www.mercatocircolare.it/vuoi-donare-i-tuoi-tessili-inutilizzati/. It also indicates which types of materials they are interested in and how to contact them.

To avoid burdening participants with unsuitable materials for their creative work, artisans may partially or fully decline donations—either during initial discussions or after examining the materials. In such cases, it is the donor’s responsibility to dispose of any rejected materials properly.

In the case of production scraps, it is important to draft a written agreement with the company providing the materials.

To join the initiative and be listed as a textile recipient, professionals must email info@atelier-riforma.it with the following information:

• Name of the business/professional

• Location where the textiles can be delivered

• Contact email and/or WhatsApp Business number and/or social media page

• Types of textile materials they wish to receive (if no preference, please specify)

Using a digital form managed by the RiVestiTo team, records will be kept on the quantity and type of textile materials received.

“In this way,” said Elena Ferrero, CEO of Atelier Riforma and project partner, “we want to document the project’s results: the number of stakeholders involved, the volume of intercepted and valorised textiles, and the amount of new textile waste avoided. If the results are positive and significant, the City of Turin could become a best-practice case study to help push for improvements to the regulatory framework in support of circular practices.”

The series created with Futura, the magazine of the “Giorgio Bocca” Master’s in Journalism, continues – offering a fresh perspective on the Torino Social Impact ecosystem through the eyes of young journalists.

In this new article, Mattia Giopp explores the work of Kermasofia: a nonprofit organization that promotes financial education, especially among women, to counter economic violence and foster autonomy.

Read Mattia Giopp’s article on Futura News

The City of Turin has launched a call for expressions of interest for 31 kiosks currently undergoing revocation or forfeiture, with the aim of bringing new life to these urban spaces by turning them into hubs of social interaction, culture, and local enterprise.

The kiosks will be incorporated into the city’s public assets and made available through a participatory process: residents, associations, and entrepreneurial initiatives are invited to submit proposals for economic or social activities aligned with the characteristics and needs of each neighborhood.

The deadline for submitting proposals is September 30. After that, public tenders will be issued to assign temporary surface rights for the kiosks, with the requirement to ensure their maintenance and proper functioning.

Any outstanding debts will remain the responsibility of previous operators. Kiosks that cannot be restored will be demolished as part of a sustainable plan.

This is a concrete opportunity to contribute to the revival of public spaces and take care of our city together.

Read the full call here

Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo has launched a new Call for Partnerships to identify up to 11 entities or partnerships to co-design initiatives aimed at fostering broader and more inclusive participation across five specific areas: cultural participation, scientific citizenship, information and citizenship, participatory planning, and active participation in public space.

The initiative is part of the 2025–2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan and is open to a wide range of national actors: third sector organizations, institutions, partnership networks, and profit-oriented entities.

The objective is to more effectively reach communities and territories that have so far had fewer opportunities to access cultural and democratic life, by strengthening competencies and leveraging resources through collaboration and mutual trust.

Read the full call

Developing an impact measurement model to enhance real estate assets and regenerate the city.

This is the goal of an innovative idea that, once structured, could redefine the use of countless empty shells.

Acquiring a public space for projects with social value generates a collective economic return. Can it be measured? In Turin, thanks to a pilot initiative promoted by the City of Turin, the Turin Chamber of Commerce, Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, and Cevis – Center for Impact Evaluation, the answer is yes. A pioneering assessment mechanism, unique in Italy, has been created within the Torino Social Impact ecosystem.

The sixth stage of the “Journey into Social Impact” with Vita takes us to discover this groundbreaking project.

Read the article by Daria Capitani on Vita.

She’s Next is an initiative promoted by Visa Europe Limited and RCS Mediagroup S.p.A. to support and celebrate women’s entrepreneurship in Italy. The goal is to select 5 deserving female entrepreneurs who have stood out for innovation and their contribution to the Italian economy, particularly in the post-Covid period.

Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini is participating as a partner of Impact 2026, the social procurement initiative promoted by Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 to make the Olympic Games more inclusive and sustainable. For this reason, this edition of She’s Next includes two special awards focused on Sport and Inclusion.

Why apply?
She’s Next offers women entrepreneurs the opportunity to:

• Receive financial support in the form of goods and services worth up to €10,000 to develop a strategic project for their business.

• Gain visibility through major platforms such as Corriere della Sera, iO Donna, and prominent social media channels.

• Connect with a network of outstanding women entrepreneurs, experts, and stakeholders at the Il Tempo delle Donne Festival (Milan, 12–14 September 2025).

How many winners will there be?
At the end of the selection process, 5 women entrepreneurs will be awarded:

• 2 winners from any sector

• 2 winners in the sports sector

• 1 winner in the social sector

Who can apply?
Applications are open to women entrepreneurs residing in Italy who own a VAT-registered business or company with no more than 10 employees, a turnover of up to €2 million, and an active digital presence (website, e-commerce, or social media profiles). An electronic payment system is also required.

How to apply?

To apply:

• Register at www.shesnext.it by 27 July 2025

• Complete the online application form

• Submit:

  • A short video presentation (max 3 minutes)

  • A CV or biography (max 2 pages)

  • A description of the business project to be developed (max 20 pages/slides)

  • An up-to-date company registration certificate (visura camerale)

For full details, please consult the official rules at https://shesnext.corriere.it/ or contact us at impact2026@fondazionebrodolini.eu

Don’t miss this chance to energize your business and share your story!

The crowdfunding campaign launched by the Museo Piemontese dell’Informatica (MuPIn) is officially online, with the support of the Fondazione Sviluppo e Crescita CRT. The aim is to sustain and expand the reach of Ada Lovelace Day—an initiative that has promoted the role of women in science and technology for over a decade.

Launched on the Eppela platform, the campaign marks a turning point in the history of the initiative: for the first time, it opens to public participation, giving everyone the chance to actively support a cultural and educational project that seeks to reshape the narrative of STEM through equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

A campaign that doubles the value of your contribution

This crowdfunding campaign is strategic: if we succeed in raising €5,000 from the public, Fondazione Sviluppo e Crescita CRT will match the amount with an additional €5,000. This will significantly amplify the impact of the initiative. The foundation’s support is activated only if the €5,000 goal is reached and serves as a powerful catalyst to bring the project to more schools, neighbourhoods, and cultural contexts that are currently underserved. Every donation brings us closer not only to the fundraising target, but to the concrete possibility of expanding access to scientific and technological knowledge, offering real opportunities to those who need them most.

Why this campaign matters

Ada Lovelace Day, active in Italy since 2012 thanks to MuPIn’s commitment, is much more than a celebration: it is a tool for inspiration, engagement, and transformation. With this crowdfunding campaign, we aim to strengthen this role by making the initiative even more widespread and accessible. The funds raised will allow us to:

• Offer free coding, logic, and robotics workshops in schools with limited access

• Launch mentorship programs to support girls in their first steps in the STEM world

• Produce podcasts, videos, and educational materials accessible nationwide

• Organise travelling exhibitions highlighting female figures in science and technology

An opportunity to act together

Supporting this campaign means choosing to invest in a more equitable future—one where girls and young women can see themselves in the languages of science, technology, and innovation. It also means contributing to the creation of more inclusive learning environments and bringing new opportunities to often-overlooked communities.

Participation in the campaign is accompanied by symbolic and material rewards, including free access to the museum, exclusive digital content, the official t-shirt, a certificate of participation, and recognition as a patron of knowledge.

Donate now. Turn your contribution into a real opportunity
The campaign is active until August 8, 2025. You can participate here!

“Building Happiness. Explorations on the happiness of spaces” is the new book by Fondazione per l’architettura di Torino, published by Franco Angeli, and presented in a national preview on Tuesday, July 8 at Circolo Esperia in Turin. The book will be available in bookstores and online starting in September, and it stems from a question as simple as it is revolutionary: “Where does happiness live?”

The result of a year-long research journey, the volume gathers visions, experiences, and diverse contributions — from architects and urban planners to philosophers, sociologists, economists, activists, writers, and citizens — to explore the relationship between space and well-being. Through projects, quotes, drawings, photos, and narrative dialogues, the book offers a cross-disciplinary approach that speaks to different audiences and provides insights and tools useful both for design practice and everyday life.

“We believe happiness is a key indicator of people’s health and a territory’s attractiveness,” says Gabriella Gedda, President of the Foundation. “Building Happiness is an invitation to consider happiness as a concrete lever to regenerate the urban environment and build more inclusive, welcoming cities that respond to the deeper needs of those who inhabit them.”

A multidisciplinary and collective work, because — as Eleonora Gerbotto, Director of the Foundation, points out — “Happiness has many faces, like a diamond. And from this multiplicity, a shared truth emerges: we all long for a space where we can thrive. With Building Happiness we chose not to simplify, embracing different voices and complex imaginaries. Because designing for happiness means inhabiting complexity and recognizing plurality as a resource.”

By integrating architectural, neuroscientific, philosophical, economic, and social perspectives, the book highlights how the built environment directly affects emotional experience. It’s not just about creating pleasant or functional spaces, but about designing environments that meet people’s emotional needs, fostering psychological and social flourishing. In this sense, Building Happiness is an invitation to rethink design through the emotions that space can evoke.

Eight Relational Figures to Inhabit Space

At the heart of the volume are eight “relational figures”: spatial metaphors that help us understand the human-space relationship. They are not rigid formulas, but interpretive keys drawn from disciplines, life experiences, and personal narratives. Refuge, stair, roof, wall, threshold, street, square, and garden do not refer to architectural forms per se, but to different — and complementary — ways of inhabiting the world. No single figure captures the full complexity of space, and each space can contain more than one.

To explore the space-well-being link quantitatively, the Foundation also launched a survey, engaging 747 people. The aim was to collect perceptions and stories related to everyday places. One finding stood out clearly: 85.5% of respondents believe that the characteristics of space directly affect their mood.

Data That Speak of Well-being

We asked people to answer the question, “Where does your happiness live?” The qualitative and quantitative data collected intertwine with the eight relational figures, creating an open and diverse map of the spaces that make us feel good.

Family and social relationships represent the “happy place” for about 25% of respondents aged 26–65. This dimension is embodied by the figure of the square, a symbol of connection and collective participation. Nature follows, cited by 21.42% of the sample as a space of well-being. This environment is recognized across all age groups and is often associated with the roof — evoking protection and perspective — or the stair, a metaphor for introspection and inner exploration.

The home continues to play a central role in happiness, especially for its emotional and protective value. It is mentioned by 11.78% of respondents and linked to the refuge figure, which expresses a deep need for shelter and safety.

The youngest respondents (<18 years) tend to favor the street, cited by almost 30% of them. This figure represents identity formation, self-discovery, movement, and the exploration of passions. Other participants referred to the threshold, a space of change and openness to the unexpected, or to the garden, a place of creativity and desire translated into planning — metaphors that reflect a dynamic, future-oriented idea of happiness.

A small percentage of the sample did not indicate a specific place, confirming the fluid and subjective nature of happiness, which resists any attempt at definitive classification.

In this new episode of Bench-Mark, Davide Sanmartino – founder of Sand S.r.l. – explains how each green space installation can highlight the identity and history of a place, enriching both the setting and those who pass through it.

Interview by Francesco Antonioli.

Watch all other episodes of Bench-Mark here.

The series created in collaboration with Futura, the magazine of the “Giorgio Bocca” Master’s in Journalism, continues. Through the eyes of young journalists, it explores the ecosystem of Torino Social Impact.

In this article, Virginia Platini takes us to Fonderie Ozanam and the bistrot Qui da noi, where inclusion happens through work: cooking, pizza-making, and pastry courses for disadvantaged youth, people with disabilities, and unaccompanied foreign minors.

A project that looks to the future, with deep roots in the community.

📖 Read the article by Virginia Platini on Futura News.