What Is the Santa Francesca Cabrini Project?
Santa Francesca Cabrini is all about transforming asylum seeker reception centers into places filled with positivity. It’s not just about the quality of the spaces themselves, but also about nurturing genuine human connections and offering meaningful projects that help newcomers discover the true, healthy sides of the country. The idea is simple yet powerful: the more a migrant feels connected to beauty, the more they’re inspired to bring out their best selves. This, in turn, contributes to the growth of the local community. Beauty becomes the common thread that unites everyone and shows that migration can be an opportunity, not a problem.
Main Benefits and Key Figures
Here’s a quick snapshot of what makes this project stand out:
- Certified as a B Corp since December 2017
- Achieved a B Impact Assessment (BIA) score of 102.5 (well above the 80-point certification threshold)
- One of 220 B Corps in Italy
- First B Corp in the province of Lodi
- Operates as a Società Benefit (Benefit Corporation), blending profit goals with positive social and environmental impact
The Power of Community and Shared Responsibility
Every day, the project emphasizes teamwork and interaction beyond just the immediate group. Loneliness fades when people share common goals, interests, and responsibilities. Sometimes, participants even find themselves becoming guides for others. By engaging in exhibitions, events, and offering their products to society’s most vulnerable, they gain a sense of pride and usefulness. It’s a beautiful cycle: self-esteem grows through comparison and contribution. The community becomes a living, breathing space of mutual care, a real-life lab of values like understanding, cooperation, equality, and sharing.
Understanding Società Benefit and Its Evolution
Società Benefit (SB) represents a new kind of company—one that goes beyond just making money for shareholders. These companies embed a mission to create a positive impact on society and the environment right into their core purpose. It’s a step forward from traditional business models, aiming for long-term alignment between profit and purpose. This legal framework helps protect and promote a company’s mission over time, ensuring that doing good isn’t just a side project but a fundamental part of how the business operates.
What Does B Corp Certification Mean?
B Corp certification is like the gold standard for responsible businesses. It’s not just about saying “we care”—it requires passing a rigorous assessment by B Lab, which measures a company’s sustainability and social impact. Only after meeting strict criteria can a company officially become a B Corp. These certified companies join a global movement dedicated to redefining success in business. They continuously innovate to maximize positive effects on employees, communities, the environment, and all stakeholders. In short, B Corps aim higher than profit—they strive to make the world better.
Project Impact and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – fostering inclusion and equal opportunities for migrants
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – transforming reception centers into positive, vibrant spaces
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – promoting meaningful work and self-esteem through community involvement
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – collaborating with various stakeholders to maximize social impact
Looking Ahead: The Vision for a Better Future
Santa Francesca Cabrini’s journey is a testament to how business can be a force for good. By blending social care with innovative business models, it challenges the old ways of thinking about migration and community support. The project shows that when companies commit to beauty, inclusion, and responsibility, they don’t just help individuals—they help entire regions thrive. It’s a hopeful, inspiring example of what’s possible when profit meets purpose in a meaningful way.
