Italian social cooperatives

This chapter explores the history and development of Italian social cooperatives, tracing their origins to worker cooperatives which developed in the second half of the 19th century. The chapter emphasises the importance of work in terms of identity, inclusiveness and promotion as a core principle for both worker and social cooperatives. It details the growth of worker cooperatives, the formation of representative associations like Legacoop and Confcooperative, and the impact of the Fascist dictatorship. Post-World War II, the cooperative movement revived, with the legal recognition of social cooperatives in 1991 (Law 381). The chapter discusses the two main types of social cooperatives: those providing services of general interest and those focused on work integration. It analyses the significant role of consortia in supporting them, providing examples such as Consorzio CGM, Consorzio Idee In Rete and Consorzio PAN. The chapter concludes by examining the relationship between mutuality and solidarity in social cooperatives, highlighting both successes and challenges in maintaining the principle of worker-membership while addressing the needs of a diverse workforce and the demands of the wider community.