Third sector: Intesa Sanpaolo’s initiatives have a social impact of 2.2 billion

Banca Intesa continues to support the third sector in Italia, with a particular focus on support and inclusion services. In 2025, the bank supported 629 initiatives, promoted by 559 organisations, reaching 3 million beneficiaries, including 310,000 vulnerable people and 846,000 young people. A total of 200 social care initiatives were funded to the tune of €69 million, with an expected social value of €196 million (corresponding to €2.8 in social benefits for every euro funded).

The data are contained in the impact assessment carried out by Intesa Sanpaolo’s Impact Division in collaboration with Prometeia on loans granted to third sector organisations: the first meeting organised by the bank focused on the care and support of people. Specifically, the analysis examined over 2,500 initiatives promoted by around 2,000 organisations between 2022 and 2025 and supported by Intesa Sanpaolo with €720 million in loans, reaching a total of over 11 million beneficiaries. The expected social impact amounts to €2.2 billion, with a social return of €3.1 for every euro financed, to which is added a further economic impact estimated at almost €1 billion across the supply chains activated by the projects.

Among the main effects reported by the beneficiary organisations are an improvement in the psychological wellbeing and self-esteem of those involved (49 per cent), financial benefits for families (15 per cent) and more free time for carers (12 per cent). One organisation in particular deserves a mention. This is New Laser in Silvi (Teramo): it provides care and support for people with disabilities who do not have a family carer: “We are a Type A social cooperative, founded over 40 years ago, and we operate between Teramo and Pescara,” said chairwoman Annamaria Ruggieri. “ Today, the organisation has 200 staff and over 150 members, the majority of whom are women: we are certified for gender equality.” The funding will be used to build a facility, ‘Il Borgo del Sole’, which is due to open in January 2027, thanks to a total investment of 448,000 euros: “There will be a residential facility for 10 young people with disabilities,” explained Ruggieri. There will also be a semi-residential centre accommodating 15 young people, offering activities designed to strengthen and improve their skills. Among the innovative features will be workplace inclusion: ‘Il Borgo del Sole’ will include a B&B with four rooms for tourists. This will enable the young people to work.”

Over the coming months, there will be a series of in-depth articles on the main areas of social impact: these will cover, for example, women’s issues, educational inclusion, support for the younger generation, relational and social vulnerabilities, and the promotion of people’s health and wellbeing.

As regards disability, it is estimated that there are more than 4.3 million people with disabilities in Italy, of whom over 3 million are not self-sufficient. Istat figures confirm that over 25,000 non-profit organisations operate in the field of disability.