Filatura Tollegno 1900, in collaboration with Orso Blu Impresa Cooperativa Sociale, is implementing the agreement pursuant to Article 14 of Legislative Decree 276/03 approved by the Piedmont Region. The agreement is not simply a regulatory requirement, but a real opportunity for inclusion, through the awarding of contracts to social cooperatives that hire workers with disabilities.
In the case of Filatura Tollegno 1900, the adoption of the agreement translates into the investment of a portion of its resources to hire a new employee at the plant, thus improving the cleaning service. But that’s not all. With this initiative, the company is pioneering a new opportunity in the Biella area, bringing tangible social value to the region through collaborative work with Orso Blu Impresa Cooperativa Sociale, the Piedmont Region, and the Biella Employment Center.
The value of this project, however, has positive implications not only for the company that adopted it, but also for the people directly involved, as confirmed by the Orso Blu cooperative. “For the worker, this project represents a profound change: they are no longer individuals receiving assistance but individuals who participate, contribute, and co-construct something, becoming active protagonists. Work confers dignity, gives rhythm to the day, and allows for the acquisition of autonomy and social skills, increasing self-esteem and a sense of self-efficacy. On a social level, the barriers of prejudice are broken down: disability and fragility are not synonymous with inefficiency but can coexist with commitment, competence, and professionalism. The daily encounter between workers with different abilities helps create a more open, inclusive, and aware environment, promoting more authentic social relationships,” explain Isabella Carlone, Head of the Logistics Sector, and Barbara Serra, Psychologist for Job Placement at Orso Blu Impresa Cooperativa Sociale.
The project, in addition to having positive impacts for the company, its internal resources, and the workers it employs, also has other merits, such as producing real benefits that extend to the local community. When for-profit companies and non-profit organizations interact, we see a reduction in the cost of community and welfare services, resulting in the development of a more sustainable and resilient economy.
