The ‘depopulation’ of the South, the internal migration towards the centre-north of Italy and external migration towards the ‘north’ of the world is now an increasing and alarming phenomenon. In other words, it is a displacement of people, skills and knowledge that is holding back the development of the local communities and empties smaller centres, depriving the area affected of resources and identity.
Since 1995, southern Italy has seen 1.6 million young people flee while employment has grown four times slower than the national average (Confcommercio analysis data on economy and employment in southern Italy).
On the other hand, the way Covid-19 pandemic shifted habits and had us refram the way we think about work, represents a new ‘opportunity’ for the South.
The increase in remote workers has led to rethink businesses (public and private) and has created more opportunities to relaunch territorial economies: the ‘southworking’.
A new possible scenario
We at the Fondazione Comunitaria of Agrigento and Trapani, have seen new possible scenarios and new opportunities to start again ‘in the South’.
And as Italo Calvino wrote, ‘every city receives its shape from the desert it opposes’, we have channeled our efforts towards the creation of socio-economic enhancement opportunities for the youngest, designing activities aimed at their personal and community development.
Beehive Valore Sud
The Community Foundation has promoted the creation of a social enterprise, known as Beehive società cooperativa sociale, set up by three young people from Trapani: an idea incubator in the city of Trapani aimed at promoting south working and accompanying formulas for social enterprise and young people in the area.
Our commitment in Trapani is a model of sustainable development that transforms the traditional idea of work: Beehive Valore Sud, a community incubator that promotes local development of start-ups, creates opportunities for professional and personal growth and supports new businesses and professionals.
Today Beehive has created 25 workplaces, 15 ‘south workers’, 8 new jobs, 11 partners that are the life and soul of this social enterprise. With its precious work, it represents a true ‘community idea incubator’ where skills and knowledge thrive and have a direct and real impact on the local economy, with human development always at the centre.
A true community idea incubator to create and bring value back to the city through innovative social impact projects and the involvement of young people.
Through these local actions, it also contributes towards the achievement of the global goals of the SDGs sucha as promoting sustainable and digital transition.
What seemed an unachievable goal is today reality. A reality made of compassionate and hardworking people, meanigful relationships and real socio-economic impact.