Arca di Noè Cooperativa Sociale

What Arca di Noè Cooperativa Sociale does

Arca di Noè Cooperativa Sociale is an Italian social cooperative (Type A+B, meaning it combines direct welfare service delivery with work-integration for disadvantaged groups) founded in 2001 in Bologna, with operational presence across Emilia-Romagna, Umbria (Perugia and Nuovo Circondario Imolese), Tuscany, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. It serves three primary beneficiary populations: refugees and asylum seekers (through first and second reception, legal assistance, housing, and CELI Italian language certification under Italy's SAI and CAS systems), people with disabilities (through supported employment and productive activities), and women in vulnerable situations (through the Progetto LEI employment-empowerment program).

The cooperative's service portfolio spans reception and integration, productive activities (including the wholly-owned Birrificio Vecchia Orsa craft brewery acquired in 2019, third-party contract manufacturing, and energy efficiency services delivered through Consorzio Solare Sociale), cultural and innovation programming (Roadmap to Inclusion festival, participatory video, DION librogame), European project design, training (including a co-designed Master's program with the University of Bologna), and a free digital educational platform called Migrantools delivering multilingual video tutorials on language, health, housing, work, and digital services. The organization holds ISO 14001:2015, UNI EN ISO 45001:2023, and UNI PdR 125:2022 (gender equality) certifications, and operates as a worker cooperative owned and democratically controlled by its members, without external private equity or venture capital.

Revenue is generated primarily through public service contracts with Italian prefectures, municipalities, and social services (subscription/recurring), direct consumer sales of craft beer and contract manufacturing (transactional), European and institutional project grants (professional services funding), and energy efficiency service revenue. In 2023, the cooperative crossed €10 million in production value for the first time, up from over €9 million in 2022. The go-to-market is community-led and direct, relying on entrenched relationships with public institutions, corporate partners (e.g., Adecco Italia, Confindustria Emilia), academic institutions (University of Bologna, AICCON), and civil society networks.

Name

Arca di Noè Cooperativa Sociale

Legal name

Arca di Noè Soc. Coop Soc.

Website

https://arcacoop.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Arca di Noè is an Italian worker-owned social cooperative (Type A+B) founded in 2001 in Bologna that delivers refugee and asylum reception, work-integration programs for people with disabilities (including the Vecchia Orsa craft brewery), and women's empowerment (Progetto LEI) across multiple Italian regions, with over €10 million in 2023 production value.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Inclusion Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Migrant Integration Enterprises (Livelihoods, Services) (BPAGALAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment) (BPADAHAI), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

Keywords

• Social inclusion services
• Refugee reception programs
• Disability employment services
• Craft brewery production
• Vocational integration programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Granarolo

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Public Service Contracts & Government Funding: Revenue from public contracts for refugee reception and social inclusion services (SAI system, CAS centers), funded by prefectures and local governments in Italy.
2. Direct Product Sales (Vecchia Orsa Craft Beer): Direct sales of Vecchia Orsa craft beer produced by the cooperative's productive activities division, which saw significant growth in 2022 and 2023. Beer production also includes food & beverage operations at seasonal venues.
3. Third-Party Contracting & Job Placement Services: Contract manufacturing (lavorazioni conto terzi) for external clients and vocational placement services for people with disabilities, generating revenue through consignment work.
4. European Project Funding: Funding from European projects (e.g., Progetto LEI, SAI, Progetto Ancora 2.0) for social inclusion, female empowerment, and migration-related initiatives.
5. Energy Efficiency Services via Consorzio Solare Sociale: Energy efficiency contracting services delivered through the Consorzio Solare Sociale consortium to private clients, benefiting from national incentive schemes, contributing to productive activities revenue.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Arca di Noè Cooperativa Sociale is an Italian A+B-type social cooperative founded in 2001 in Bologna that delivers reception and integration services for refugees and asylum seekers, work-integration programs for people with disabilities, and empowerment programs for vulnerable women. Alongside these publicly contracted social services, the cooperative runs productive activities — most notably Birrificio Vecchia Orsa (a craft brewery), third-party manufacturing, and energy efficiency work — that employ disadvantaged workers and generate cross-subsidy revenue; the cooperative also designs and participates in European cooperation projects and runs cultural inclusion initiatives.

Product overview

Arca di Noè Cooperativa Sociale is a social cooperative (type A+B) founded in 2001 in Bologna, Italy, providing a comprehensive portfolio of social inclusion services. The organization operates through several interconnected service areas: (1) Accoglienza e Integrazione for asylum seekers and refugees including reception facilities, legal assistance, housing, and language certification; (2) Attività Produttive e Disabilità for work integration of people with disabilities, including the Birrificio Vecchia Orsa craft brewery and third-party processing services; (3) Migrantools digital educational platform with video tutorials; (4) Progetto LEI women's empowerment and employment program; (5) Cultura e Innovazione cultural initiatives including Roadmap to Inclusion and participatory video projects; (6) European project design services; and (7) Training and formation programs. The cooperative also provides energy efficiency services through Consorzio Solare Sociale. The organization achieved over 10 million euros in revenue in 2023, marking significant growth in its productive activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Birrificio Vecchia Orsa: Craft brewery producing artisanal beer, operated by Arca di Noè for work integration of people with disabilities.

Products and services

• Birrificio Vecchia Orsa Craft brewery operated by the cooperative as a productive B-type activity that employs workers from its disability and inclusion programs while producing and selling craft beer.
• Refugee reception and integration services Reception, hospitality, and integration services for refugees and asylum seekers, delivered under contracts with Italian public authorities.
• Disability work-integration programs Vocational pathways and supported-employment placements for people with disabilities, integrated with the cooperative's productive activities as an employment channel.
• Women's empowerment programs Support and empowerment initiatives for women in vulnerable situations, providing pathways to autonomy and inclusion.
• Third-party manufacturing services Manufacturing activities carried out on contract for third parties, functioning as a B-type productive activity that provides employment for disadvantaged workers.
• Energy efficiency services Energy-efficiency activities undertaken by the cooperative as one of its productive B-type operations.
• European project design Design, coordination, and management of European-funded cooperation projects, typically in partnership with other third-sector and public entities.
• Cultural inclusion initiatives Cultural events and initiatives tied to inclusion themes, staged by the cooperative and often supported through sponsorships and grants.

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic, minor and supporting.

• Adecco ItaliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 October 2023Formal partnership agreement for social inclusion through employment, extending beyond Progetto LEI to promote integrated and stable actions to prevent discrimination and support the right to work for people in vulnerable situations.
• Consorzio Solare SocialecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration through a consortium arrangement for delivering energy efficiency services to private clients, leveraging national incentive programs. This partnership expands productive activities revenue and creates work integration opportunities.
• Consorzio L'ArcolaiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArca di Noè is a member of Consorzio L'Arcolaio, a consortium with extensive experience in refugee reception. The consortium coordinates the SAI network in Bologna and shares best practices nationally, including collaborations with Casa Emmaus in Sardegna.
• Fondazione Aldini Valeriani (Confindustria Emilia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWithin Progetto LEI, Fondazione Aldini Valeriani co-designed a customized administrative and accounting training course tailored for female beneficiaries, leveraging Confindustria's industrial management expertise to enhance women's employability.
• AICCON (University of Bologna)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAICCON, the cooperative studies center at the University of Bologna, provides social impact evaluation for Arca di Noè's projects (Progetto LEI and Vecchia Orsa), using civil society perspective metrics and helping the organization adapt and improve its interventions.
• Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di BolognastrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-designer of the University Master in 'Educatore nell'accoglienza e inclusione di migranti, richiedenti asilo e rifugiati' (240 hours of lectures + 500 hours internship), alongside ASP Città di Bologna and Servizio Centrale dello SPRAR/SIPROIMI.
• ASP Città di BolognacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in SAI (Sistema di Accoglienza e Integrazione) projects, coordinating reception services for refugees in Bologna. ASP Città di Bologna serves as the key institutional partner for the cooperative's primary service delivery area.
• BiografilmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration for the screening of documentary films (e.g., 'Habibi Hussein') as part of the Roadmap to Inclusion cultural program, reaching new audiences through film festivals.
• Yeah Impresa SocialesupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDigital accessibility consulting partner with over 10 years of experience, supporting Arca di Noè in the voluntary redesign of its website to ensure compliance with accessibility standards for people with disabilities.
• Studio TaleasupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDesign studio responsible for the visual identity and website redesign of Arca di Noè in 2024, creating a more representative and accessible brand presence.
• Zalab FilmsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFilm distribution partner for documentary productions including 'Un Giorno la Notte' and co-organizer of the Scuola Nazionale di Video Partecipativo, providing access to cinematic language for participatory storytelling.
• Cooperativa DensacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in Progetto LEI in the Perugia territory, contributing local expertise and networks for female empowerment initiatives.
• Associazione Trama di TerrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in Progetto LEI for the Nuovo Circondario Imolese territory, providing local knowledge and community connections for female inclusion programs.
• A Pieno TitolosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Progetto LEI contributing to the network of associations supporting women in vulnerable situations.
• BaumhausminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCultural venue in Bologna (via Jacopo Barozzi) hosting Roadmap to Inclusion events such as the Gaza prima di Gaza reading and concert, representing urban regeneration space dedicated to culture and inclusion.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Coopselios: Large Italian social cooperative (Type A+B) headquartered in Reggio Emilia, providing services for elderly, disabled, and minors across Italy and Europe. Direct overlap in A+B cooperative structure and social service delivery, but broader in scale and geography.
• Caritas Italiana: National Catholic charitable organization operating across Italy with reception centers, food programs, and social services for migrants and vulnerable populations. Broader scope and significantly larger scale, but overlapping refugee reception and social assistance mandate.
• CGM Consorzio Gino Mattarelli: Major Italian consortium of social cooperatives focused on work integration of disadvantaged people, including those with disabilities. Overlap in productive employment activities (Type B) and social cooperative governance.
• Croce Rossa Italiana: Italian Red Cross — large humanitarian organization providing reception services, health support, and social inclusion programs for migrants and vulnerable populations. Major overlap in migrant reception services but at much greater national scale.

Direct peers

• Fondazione Progetto Arca: Milan-based nonprofit providing reception, housing, and integration services for refugees, homeless people, and families in poverty. Highly comparable mission (refugee reception, social inclusion) and similar service model operating across Italian cities.
• CEIS (Centro Italiano di Solidarietà): Italian nonprofit network operating reception centers, social inclusion programs, and support services for vulnerable populations including refugees and people with disabilities. Comparable mission and direct overlap in Italian reception/integration service delivery.
• CIR - Consiglio Italiano per i Rifugiati: Italian Refugee Council — nonprofit specializing in legal protection, social integration, and rights advocacy for asylum seekers and refugees in Italy. Comparable focus on refugee integration pathways, though more advocacy-oriented than service-delivery oriented.
• Consorzio Solidarietà Sociale (CSS): Consortium of social cooperatives in Modena (Emilia-Romagna) providing reception, disability services, and work integration. Directly comparable A+B cooperative model and regional footprint adjacent to Arca di Noè's Bologna base.

Others

• Adecco Foundation Italia: Foundation arm of Adecco Italia, formal partner of Arca di Noè since October 2023 for labor inclusion of vulnerable populations. Comparable mission on disability employment and vulnerable worker integration, but operates as a corporate foundation rather than a service-delivery cooperative.

Emerging players

• Cooperativa Densa: Italian social cooperative partner of Arca di Noè on Progetto LEI in the Perugia territory, contributing local expertise for female empowerment initiatives. Directly comparable small-scale Italian social cooperative model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ArcadiNoeBologna
• Facebookfacebook.com/arcadinoebologna
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arca-di-noe-bologna
• Instagraminstagram.com/arcadinoebologna

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arca di Noè Cooperativa Sociale