Welfare that Works!

Augurusa Foundation among the finalists of the seventh edition of “Welfare that Works!”

As Augurusa Foundation, we have been selected among the finalists of the seventh edition of the “Welfare that Works!” program, created to reward and support social entrepreneurship project models. The program promotes organizations and businesses capable of creating positive social impact in the sectors of

• Welfare, care, and community networks
• Cultural heritage regeneration and development of rural areas
• Fighting poverty (energy, educational, food)
• Environmental sustainability and circular economy
• Agrifood

Furthermore, the program focuses on promoting female and youth entrepreneurship, with particular attention to innovative and sustainable long-term projects and those oriented towards community well-being through relationship networks and multi-stakeholder involvement.

The ultimate goal is to build a system for protecting and empowering people and communities, thus fighting inequalities (gender, generational) and promoting social and territorial cohesion.

We participated with Virtus Lab by sharing the case study of one of our trainees, Raffaele. Below is an excerpt from the pitch presented by our President Francesco Augurusa:

“Let’s take Raffaele as an example, a young man from the province of Potenza. Like many people at risk of poverty and social exclusion, Raffaele, 38 years old, with a precarious work history, a wife and a child, was looking for work but couldn’t afford training, relocating, or even traveling to companies far from Potenza for interviews without employment guarantees.

On the other hand, one of our client companies, a large mechanical engineering company in Emilia Romagna, like many others in Italy, was struggling to find qualified resources ready for employment.

To address this problem, we created the Virtus Lab model, which operates at a systemic level, offering companies a channel to recruit and train resources while providing people access to job opportunities.

Thus we promote, on one hand, a better quality of life for workers, and on the other, greater economic productivity for companies.

Virtus Lab, by activating the Augurusa Foundation’s network of partners, which includes associations, dioceses, parishes, other religious and third-sector organizations, has found many people like Raffaele, motivated and needing access to stable employment but lacking the resources to do so.

Acting comprehensively, it offered them free of charge:

• theoretical and practical training with a learning by doing approach, delivered by industry experts,
• personal and professional guidance through auxiliary activities, workshops, and coaching support,
• support with food, accommodation, and psychological assistance.

At the end of this journey, Raffaele, like other trainees, received a permanent employment contract with decent working conditions. To facilitate his job placement, Virtus Lab also provided support in finding housing accommodation in a different region.”

“Welfare that Works!” has recognized our Virtus Lab model as a valid and worthy practice, selecting us as one of the finalists.

As a Foundation, we are grateful to have been part of this journey that saw numerous young talents participate. We emerge enriched and satisfied, with valuable new connections such as Il Mediterraneo 24, to whom we extend our sincerest congratulations on their victory!