Third sector

From association networks and volunteer service centres the push for social innovation

A study by the Terzjus Foundation provides a snapshot of two changing realities

by Camilla Curcio

30 May 2025

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3' min read

Key points

Associative networks
Voluntary Service Centres
Future challenges and objectives

3' min read

Photographing the transformation of the voluntary service centres (Csv) and of the associative networks (Ra) in the evolving regulatory framework of the Third Sector. This is the focus of the report 'Advocacy, identity and service. I Csv e le Reti associative dopo la riforma del Terzo settore", edited by the Terzjus Foundation (specifically by researcher Cristiano Caltabiano) in collaboration with Unioncamere.

Associative networks

Cross-referencing different sources, the research analysed the transition of two realities that, although in different directions - for the Ra assistance and representation of affiliated organisations, for the Csv promotion of volunteering on the territory - can make a difference in the management of the non-profit ecosystem. By establishing themselves as engines of social innovation.

With regard to association networks, of the 48 active at the time of the survey (July 2024), more than 18% were born before the 1960s, 25% between 1960 and 1979, 31.2% between 1980 and 1999 and 25% after the 2000s.

There are four lines of intervention: service within and outside the network (e.g. by supporting frail persons); participation (with initiatives to stimulate the civic involvement of members and non-members); awareness-raising (through social campaigns on issues such as the fight against climate change) and advocacy (giving visibility to instances neglected in the public debate).

Demonstrating the sprawling activity of the networks, which involve clubs, associations, delegations and groups scattered throughout Italy, are the initiatives of the affiliated bodies: in first place, covered by more than 85% of the members, are the cultural, artistic or recreational ones; followed by those related to education, education and professional training with 68.8% and, closely followed, with 60.4% were tourist activities of social, cultural or religious interest and projects for the prevention of school dropout and bullying and the fight against educational poverty.

Staff and resources reflect a streamlined structure that facilitates alliances between grassroots associations. An average of 6 paid workers and 31 volunteers work in the networks and, with respect to income, the gap between international and national networks is wide: it goes from 587,000 euro declared by the former to over six million by the latter. Active on the political scene, thanks to the recognition guaranteed by the Third Sector Code, over the years they have been able to dialogue with institutions through direct relations with policymakers and technical tables.

Voluntary Service Centres

Turning instead to the volunteer service centres: with the post-reform amalgamation, they went from 65 to 49 from 2017 to 2022. While the provincial ones have decreased (from 48 to 22), the interprovincial ones have almost doubled (from 9 to 17) and the regional ones have also grown slightly (from 8 to 10). Their distribution is homogeneous: they are present both in areas where the proportion of Ets per number of inhabitants is high (the spread is around 30%, with a median of 17 volunteers for every 12 workers) and where it is medium (51%) and low (18.4%).

In general, in the organisational structures of the centres, volunteers are 40% more than employees, but things vary at different levels. In provincial centres and those set up as voluntary organisations (VOs) there are almost twice as many volunteers and more than three times as many workers; in regional centres, on the other hand, there are 7 volunteers for every 10 workers.

The priority given to projects to promote volunteering and raise awareness of the value of active citizenship proves the shift in the centre of gravity of CSV action. And these are the activities that weigh most (37.1%) on the use of funds (four out of ten). They are followed by training (19.9 per cent) and information (14.5 per cent), which testifies to a constant focus on service.

Future challenges and objectives

From a synergy-oriented perspective, which sees them as 'facilitators' of civic and voluntary commitment, the future challenges awaiting association networks and service centres are ambitious but not impossible: at the top of the check list is the objective of economic sustainability (aiming to diversify the sources of income in addition to five per thousand and public funding). This is followed by the challenge of digitalisation (to improve internal management and dialogue with the Ets); the push for generational change (involving increasingly younger profiles) and the consolidation of their role in decision-making processes concerning public policies.