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Published on 27 April 2021
Italy
Puglia
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
URBIS promotes and supports with grants up to € 40,000 the establishment of new micro enterprises responding to specific local needs in the weakest area of the city. A co-financing of 15% is required to applicants.
URBIS endorses the creation of local initiatives such as social gyms, bicycle repair shops, neighborhood concierge, recreational centers and other proximity services that can improve the life quality of the communities residing in the target area.
All the sustained activities are not for profit and the participation is reserved to existing nonprofit entities (voluntary organisations, social cooperatives, foundations, moral and ecclesiastical enti ties, associations) or to informal groups engaged in the establishment of a new nonprofit entity and the activation of a new service in the target area.
URBIS endorses the creation of local initiatives such as social gyms, bicycle repair shops, neighborhood concierge, recreational centers and other proximity services that can improve the life quality of the communities residing in the target area.
All the sustained activities are not for profit and the participation is reserved to existing nonprofit entities (voluntary organisations, social cooperatives, foundations, moral and ecclesiastical enti ties, associations) or to informal groups engaged in the establishment of a new nonprofit entity and the activation of a new service in the target area.
Expert opinion
Often overlooked in the economic development of regions is the role that non-profits and social enterprises can play as a catalyst for growth in their community. What makes this good practice particularly interesting is the focus that is put on funding innovative local initiatives that are intended to make a difference in the community that needs the services the non-profit provides. Such a programme puts the funding into the hands of people who have an intimate understanding of the needs of the local community and can create a programme that addresses those needs. What is more, these new services now create a positive presence in these communities which can increases the standard of living for citizens in the area and possibly attract new businesses to the area. As a learning example, such a good practice could be implemented in regions around Europe, making it highly valuable as a learning tool for others. The practice is especially relevant in the light of the European Social Economy Action plan that is being developed by the EC by the end of 2021.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
URBIS is developed and manged by the Municipality employees, from the Department of education. The staff is composed by policy makers, administrative and financial profiles, project managers and communication experts. URBIS is funded by the Axis 4 of the National Operative Programme “Metro".
Evidence of success
A first call launched in September 2018 gathered 91 project proposals from associations, parishes, foundations, cooperatives, social enterprises willing to invest in a urban area and setting off sustainable initiatives and proximity services oriented to vulnerable members of society.
With a total investment of € 2,503,610 the call financed 66 projects in the field of social innovation.
With a total investment of € 2,503,610 the call financed 66 projects in the field of social innovation.
Potential for learning or transfer
URBIS achieves a strategy based on a co-governance and bottom-up participatory perspective. By ensuring a horizontal and collaborative local approach, it relies on the observation on real dynamics occurring in the urban area. This is considered as a key element for the success of the intervention, in order to better understand the requests coming from the territory and to direct the investments towards practical solutions to specific needs of the local communities. A practice such as URBIS is suggested to those public institutions that are running government programmes investing in physical projects for neighbourhoods, school and educational infrastructure, the reuse of public goods, cultural animation and the revival of trade.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Municipality of Bari
Italy
Puglia
Contact
Responsabile di Sub-Azione