BES Cooperativa Sociale

BES Cooperativa Sociale is a social enterprise founded in Milan in November 2017 with the mission of promoting ICT (Information & Communication Technology) training and facilitating access to employment for unemployed young people and individuals in situations of socio-economic vulnerability. The cooperative pays particular attention to people with disabilities and autism spectrum conditions, enhancing their skills while supporting autonomy and independent living pathways. Since its establishment, BES has developed structured training programs in digital and soft skills, internships, and professional services—including web solutions, IT consultancy, service desk activities, and document digitalization processes—creating market-ready professional profiles and fostering stable integration into the labor market. European projects represent a key strategic area of development and impact. In 2019–2020, BES participated in ENABLE (Enhancing Employability Skills of Persons with Disabilities), a transnational initiative aimed at strengthening employability and inclusive workplace strategies for people with disabilities. From 2020 to 2023, BES was a partner in VICTORUPESI (Vocational Innovation using Creative New Technologies Resulting in Upskilling Pathways for Employability and Social Integration), an Erasmus+ project focused on innovative upskilling pathways and digital empowerment for vulnerable women, with particular attention to women diagnosed with autism. Through initiatives supported by the European Union, BES contributes to the design and testing of inclusive training models, digital competence frameworks, and methodologies aimed at improving socio-labor inclusion and personal autonomy. Its European engagement strengthens international partnerships, fosters the exchange of best practices, and enhances the replicability and scalability of inclusive employment models. At local level, BES has implemented numerous initiatives within the EMERGO program promoted by the Metropolitan City of Milan (active since 2018), which builds territorial networks to support the employment of people with disabilities and complex vulnerabilities. Within this framework, BES led projects such as M.I.N.A. (Mondo del lavoro Inclusivo per le Nuove generazioni con ASD, 2020–2023), a laboratory and job placement pathway for young people with autism, and ALI (Autonomia, Lavoro, Integrazione), aimed at developing socio-occupational autonomy pathways for vulnerable individuals. In these projects, BES coordinated local networks and systematized best practices to ensure effectiveness and replicability. The cooperative has also implemented high social-impact initiatives, including “Per non dimenticare – Digitalizzazione documentale” (2019–2020), in which young people with autism digitalized historical records, and “Cittadella degli Archivi” (2021–2022), a project involving the digitalization of historical volumes at the City of Archives in Milan, strengthening both technical and relational skills of participants. BES promotes social cohesion and the fight against educational poverty through projects such as LinC – Legami Inclusivi Cimiano (2022–2023), a civic engagement and community empowerment laboratory, and “INCLUSI – Dalla scuola alla vita: andata e ritorno” (2020–2024), a digital orientation and training pathway in upper secondary schools. Within foundation-supported local networks, BES also contributed to the QuBì – Al bando la povertà! initiative (2018–2020), delivering digital literacy courses and workshops for families in disadvantaged socio-economic conditions. Finally, BES develops initiatives to promote women’s employability and economic autonomy. The 2024 project “Digitale e prossimità in rete per l’occupabilità di genere,” funded by Fondazione di Comunità Milano (Bando 57), provides digital and soft skills training, practical laboratories, and internships with local companies, further strengthening inclusive employment pathways and personal empowerment. Across all its activities—local, national, and European—BES integrates technological expertise and social innovation to create inclusive labor market opportunities and generate measurable, long-term social impact.