Cauto social cooperative

CAUTO, a social cooperative established in 1995 in Brescia, Italy, promotes human dignity through inclusive environmental work activities. It integrates disadvantaged people into the workforce while focusing on waste reduction. The name CAUTO combines “Cantiere” (building yard) and “Autolimitazione” (self-limitation), reflecting its core values of manual work and responsible resource management. The cooperative’s network, encompassing 540 workers (83% with permanent contracts and a 37.4% rate of disadvantaged people), collaborates with private companies (41%), public authorities (30%) and other non-profits (23%). Its operational approach emphasises “do, learn, share,” shifting from operational to consulting services. CAUTO prioritises democratic participation and worker welfare, employing the “PARTECIPO®” project for stakeholder participation training. It offers comprehensive welfare programs, including supplementary health insurance, a social pantry, and on-site services. The cooperative’s financial stability, significant capital endowment, and technological investments contribute to its success. It adheres to a strict Code of Ethics and uses the VALORIS tool to measure its economic impact, demonstrating a net positive value for public coffers.