The words of the non-profit

Volunteering expertise, social value for business

A model already used by 65,000 organisations, another 300,000 ready. Terzjus Foundation 'Volunteer@work' awards presented

by Ilaria Ioannone and Gabriele Sepio

18 April 2025

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Skill volunteering on the rise as a new frontier for business support to the Third Sector. These are the data that emerged on 14 April on the occasion of the 'Volontari@work' Award organised by the Fondazione Terzjus to valorise the best projects in the country based precisely on the union between non-profit organisations and the market through the donation of skills. A model that, as pointed out by Giuseppe Tripoli, secretary general of Unioncamere, is already used by about 4.4 % of businesses (for a total of about 65 thousand), compared to about 300 thousand realities that declare their intention to activate it. A practice that becomes, therefore, a tool for implementing virtuous projects of corporate social responsibility through the ability of businesses to make their workforce available to the third sector.

The winning projects

The profit/non-profit dialogue generated by volunteer skill projects was, therefore, the focus of the second edition of the "Volunteer@work" award, with the participation of companies and, for the first time, also of Third Sector organisations. It was precisely this last category that was wanted to explore, as specified by the president of Terzjus, Luigi Bobba, the other side of the coin of volunteering expertise, namely that of the Ets, which availed themselves of the collaboration of professionals of enterprises to launch challenging projects.

Many projects were presented and experiences promoted throughout Italy. Among the companies that demonstrated capacity for innovation and growth with respect to volunteering were Stmicroelectronics, Luigi Lavazza and Avio Aereo. The awards for debutant companies, on the other hand, went to Edison, Unicredit and Kpmg. For the Third Sector, prizes went to Fondazione Airc, Opera della provvidenza di S. Antonio and the Provincial Association for Minors of Trento, while a special mention went to the B Borgo ragazzi di don Bosco of Rome.

Volontari@Work, Edison e Airc premiati per volontariato di competenza

The president of the jury, Luciano Violante, emphasised that these projects are an expression of a process of civilisation of the country that is changing the business culture and the responsibility of the market towards society. According to Daria Perrotta, Accountant General of the State, on the other hand, it is important to fortify these projects and invest in those capable of becoming models for all, as is the case with the funds for educational poverty and the Digital Republic. For Francesco Giorgino, skills volunteering operates through a commitment in working time and therefore moves in a business logic that goes beyond environmental sustainability and finds space in a social and cultural dimension.

Competence volunteering therefore represents a new and unexplored form of donation, which is certainly less widespread than that of money or goods, but no less effective and which takes the form of the contribution of skills and professionalism to Third Sector organisations.

Benefits for the company and the worker

A value, that which is generated by the projects, which is tripled thanks to the combination of voluntary activity and professional contribution. On the one hand a value for the Third Sector organisation, which receives useful skills to be able to improve its own organisation or carry out its own activity more simply. On the other hand, the possibility for the company to act on its social reputation and to create a direct relationship with Third Sector entities also thanks to a tax provision that, although little known, allows companies to be guided towards this virtuous model (Article 100 of the Tuir). In particular, there is the possibility for companies to deduct, within the limit of the 5 per thousand of the cost for employees, the expenses related to the employment of permanent workers, and used for services in favour of non-profit organisations. The latter will be replaced by non-commercial Ets as of 1 January next, thus expanding the number of entities benefiting from the relief.

Finally, an important value is generated for the worker/volunteer who acquires awareness of the culture of solidarity as a central value in the organisational models of the Third Sector to the point that many choose to continue the volunteer experience even after retirement. The growing interest of companies therefore underlines the importance of starting to assign a value to the gratuitousness and spontaneity of volunteering as a vehicle for promoting a healthy dialogue between the market and the Third Sector.