25 years after the foundation of the Economy of Communion, in March 2016 the newest project of the Economy of Communion was born: the international network for the incubation of new companies called EoC-IIN, Economy of Communion International Incubating Network. Here entrepreneurs and professionals of the Economy of Communion share their professionalism and experience to encourage the emergence of new business initiatives with positive social and environmental impact in compliance with ethical principles and responsibility. Communion is the multiplying principle of talents, creativity and riches.

The EoC communities organized themselves according to the resources of their respective regions to provide new entrepreneurs with useful services during the start-up phase of their company. Networking allows the project to grow faster by sharing resources and talents.

The EoCIIN Hubs are access points already active in 14 countries.

Over the past year, new communities have joined the project. The PTSNOA programme aims to grow and develop rural communities in the North-West region of Argentina by looking at tourism as an opportunity for human and social growth, respecting the origins, traditions and territory of local communities.

“Often we confuse development with economic growth. In this programme we have the proof, the demonstration of how it is possible to work for development while protecting the culture of the native peoples, protecting their relationship with the environment, working for gender equality and favouring active engagement, emphasising the role of women and young people, strengthening professional skills, freeing the potential of ability that every person has inside”.

Francesco Tortorella (AMU – Action for a United World)

Sophia offers a human, cultural and professional preparation for those who have the world as their horizon and Wisdom as their compass for orientation. Wide vision, team work training, conflict resolution tools, problem solving strategies, ways of dialogue – in an international and intercultural environment rich in stimuli and opportunities.

The economy is undergoing a paradigm shift. We need new ideas and new practices. Ideas and practices that must also revive the teaching of economics – which itself is in a crisis because of gradually turning away from the life and problems of people. To read the phenomena in which reality manifests itself correctly and to act in an appropriate manner it is necessary to acquire adequate knowledge.

An international research centre that looks at poverty and development through the “lenses” of “fraternity”. It seeks to highlight the effectiveness of the strategies implemented to fight poverty in terms of its material dimensions, but also in its relational dimensions that are so important for the “human flourishing” in the cultural perspective of the EoC.

In 2017, starting from its current headquarters, the Polo Lionello Bonfanti (Business Park) in Loppiano, Italy, OPLA was in charge of carrying out 3 research projects in Brazil, Portugal and the Philippines.

And in 2017, various international partnerships were developed with other researchers and groups, notably in Argentina, Brazil and Cameroon.

OPLA was also involved in training activities.

Programme coordinator Célia de Souza Carneiro says, “We must not only look at the economic contribution, which is also important, but help the person living in circumstances of vulnerability to gradually find their dignity, by observing, for example, their family situation and where they live”. (Read the article in full)

For the second time this year, the “Superamento della Vulnerabilità Economica” (SUPERA; Overcoming Economic Vulnerability Programme) brought together 21 people (14 agents and seven guests) involved in poverty reduction activities in Vargem Grande Paulista, near the city of São Paulo. The program is funded by the communion of resources in the Economy of Communion (EoC) and the United World Association (Associazione per un Mondo Unito, AMU).

The Meeting of the National Network of SUPERA Agents was organized by the National Association for an Economy of Communion (ANPECOM) with the aim of integrating and training agents through the evaluation and experiences of the work done by the agents, each coming from different states of the country.