On the occasion of International Women’s Day, five long-established companies from Prato — Beste, Daykem, Macoev and Rifinizione Penny, united by their status as Benefit Corporations, together with Conad — are launching a joint initiative in support of the “La Nara” Anti-Violence Center. This unprecedented alliance among the chemical, ICT, large-scale retail and textile supply chain sectors arose spontaneously during the inauguration dinner of the new board of the Pratofutura association: it was precisely that setting for dialogue that encouraged this synergy, although the initiative itself is not sponsored by the association.
THE INITIATIVE: A GESTURE OF CARE
At the heart of the project is a gift dedicated to personal wellbeing and dignity. Inside are items that evoke self-care and the excellence of the local area: scarves, fabric bags, towels, artisan chocolates and self-care products. A small gift, but one carrying a tangible message of closeness, reminding us that beauty and personal integrity are rights that must be protected every day.
THE MESSAGE: BEYOND THE GIFT, TOWARD AUTONOMY
The five promoting companies have chosen to use their voice to amplify a concrete opportunity for social reintegration. In fact, the initiative aims to raise awareness throughout Prato’s business community about the existence of facilitated tools designed to promote job inclusion and the hiring of women who have undertaken pathways out of violence, such as the PR ESF+ 2021–2027 funds — Public call addressed to women involved in pathways referred to in Regional Government Resolution no. 122/2024 for the granting of individual contributions in support of active labor policy pathways – 2024–2026 period.
“With this gift, we want to offer a gesture of care for the soul, but we know that true freedom comes through economic independence,” say the promoters of the initiative. “Our goal is to inform the district: there are tools such as ESF+ that can transform social responsibility into real employment opportunities. We are building a network so that no resource goes to waste.”
THE “LA NARA” ANTI-VIOLENCE CENTER is the essential local service in Prato that welcomes, listens to and protects women during the difficult process of rebuilding their lives. It provides psychological and legal support, as well as pathways toward independence, working in partnership with institutions and local organizations. The support of the four Benefit Corporations aims to increase the Center’s visibility by connecting the world of work with that of rights protection.
The four promoting companies share the status of Benefit Corporation, a legal form introduced in Italy in 2016 that incorporates into a company’s articles of association the objective of generating profit alongside that of pursuing common benefit purposes.
Being a Benefit Corporation means making a formal commitment — and reporting on it annually — to create not only economic value, but also social and environmental value, operating in a responsible, sustainable and transparent way toward people, communities, the local area and the environment.
In this context, the initiative in support of the “La Nara” Anti-Violence Center represents a concrete example of how the Benefit model can be translated into measurable actions deeply rooted in the local community.