BEN Altre Imprese: The Value of Collaboration Told Through a Book

On Saturday, November 15, the Temporary Shop transformed into a literary salon for the presentation of a special book: “BEN Altre Imprese: Stories of Active Italian Philanthropy,” published by ITL Libri. Among the many stories of collaboration featured in the book, Spazio 3R is also included, and we had the opportunity to discuss it with the authors, Giulio Litta Modignani and Chiara Tintori.

Stories of Synergy

“BEN Altre Imprese was rooted in the desire to tell a story of philanthropy that is accessible, practical, and replicable, and that develops a concrete path for those who get involved in their own communities using their skills, resources, and passions,” the authors explain. The book highlights positive experiences capable of creating hope and opening new future possibilities. Over the years, Filantripoa Attiva Italiana has supported Spazio 3R through several projects. Reaching this point in our philanthropic journey has also been possible thanks to this collaboration. Creating change is a collective act, driven by the synergy of forces working together toward a shared future. The authors also aimed to show how philanthropic activity can draw strength from values that are deeply rooted in family life: the ability to care for others, the willingness to experiment with doing good, and a natural orientation toward the future. This vision comes through clearly in the book.

One chapter of the book is dedicated entirely to Spazio 3R. It weaves together multiple perspectives, including that of Chiara, the organization’s President, as well as Rania, a professional seamstress who has been part of Spazio 3R since 2016.

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United by a "Common Thread"

Spazio 3R "embodies our vision of a broad and multidimensional social impact, going beyond the ‘basic’ inclusion of vulnerable women in the workplace.” Our workshops combine training, employment inclusion, community initiatives, and circular economy practices. “The organizations we collaborate with and feature in the book are seemingly very different from each other; they address a wide range of social issues using diverse approaches,” yet they are united by a “common thread,” the authors describe. This commonality refers to “the presence of a social entrepreneur who, day after day, chooses to actively build a society better than the one left behind.” The ability to continually reimagine oneself in the present, combined with a clear view toward the future, defines these organizations and unites them in a shared motive to create change.

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Spazio 3R and the Future

In the case of Spazio 3R, “it’s not just about responding to immediate needs, but about fostering authentic participation in the community.” The authors add that they “believe in the importance of developing truly marketable skills that allow women involved to both achieve economic independence and embark on a path of personal growth.” The social aspect of our work is intertwined with the environmental aspect. Raising awareness of more ethical and sustainable fashion is crucial in today’s circular economy.

The Filantropia Attiva Italiana team reflects, describing how writing the book “allowed us to better understand what we do and why we do it, strengthening ties with out partners and allowing us to make new discoveries.” Taking time to pause, reflect on the past, and recognize the value of strong relationships is essential to generating new ideas and increasing energy for the future. For Spazio 3R, contributing our story and reflecting on our journey was an opportunity to visualize the faces of over 250 women who have passed through our workshops. It allowed us to observe the evolution of the spaces and to recognize the rapidly expanding opportunities for social and employment inclusion. Contributing to the chapter on Spazio 3R made it possible for us to embody the social impact we’ve had, and to develop awareness that this is only the beginning. 

To access the book go to: https://www.itl-libri.com/prodotto/ben-altre-imprese