Altreconomia
Altreconomia is an Italian reader-owned cooperative, founded 1999 in Milan, that publishes a monthly magazine, books, and podcasts on solidarity economy and ethics, and provides editorial services to non-profits, distributing through e-commerce, fair-trade shops, and Messaggerie Libri.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersMilan, Italy
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Altreconomia does
Altreconomia (legal entity Altra Economia – società cooperativa impresa sociale) is an Italian reader-owned cooperative founded in November 1999 and headquartered in Milan, operating an independent media, publishing, and communication-services business targeted at the solidarity-economy segment. The company publishes a monthly magazine (11 issues per year, ~8,000 print copies per issue) covering investigative journalism, reportage, and analysis on ethics, fair trade, environment, social justice, and alternative economic models, with advertising capped at 10% of pages and restricted to ethically aligned sponsors. In parallel, the company runs a publishing house with more than 250 titles across five collections (essays, guides, manuals, stories, illustrated books), distributed nationally through Messaggerie Libri and a network of 200+ fair-trade shops, and produces original multimedia content including a long-running 'Palestina-Israele' podcast (currently in its fourth season).
The business operates on a hybrid subscription-and-unit-pricing model. Subscription tiers range from a €50 annual digital-only plan to a €70 annual print+digital and €80 supporter plan, with a discounted €135 biennial option and a €42-€45 group rate for solidarity purchasing collectives (GAS). Individual issues retail at €3.49-€5.00 digital and €5.00-€7.00 print, books at €6.99-€20+, and gift vouchers from €25-€100; advertising and professional editorial services (press office, event organization, CSR reporting, communication campaigns, training) for non-profits, social enterprises, and public administrations form the remaining revenue layer. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the e-commerce site (altreconomia.it) and newsletter to nearly 40,000 subscribers, complemented by retail distribution through fair-trade shops, newsstands, Italian bookstores via Messaggerie Libri, and the Italian government's Carta del Docente teacher voucher program.
Altreconomia is governed as a cooperative with 1,200+ members (over 55 legal entities among them), has no parent company, no external investors, and operates without public funding. It employs ~38 staff (including ~12 core editorial worker-members), with a young in-house journalist team led by Duccio Facchini as editorial director and Gianni Fortunati as cooperative president. Reach is concentrated in Italy (geographic distribution skewed 45% North, 40% Central, 15% South), with digital audiences of 83,000 monthly website visitors, 75,000+ Facebook followers, 60,000+ Instagram followers, and 19,000 X followers; the company operates from via Adriatico 2, Milan, and is legally registered in Italy (Partita Iva 12973030153).
Altreconomia firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Altreconomia
- Legal name
- Altra Economia – società cooperativa impresa sociale
- Website
- https://altreconomia.it
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Altreconomia is an Italian reader-owned cooperative, founded 1999 in Milan, that publishes a monthly magazine, books, and podcasts on solidarity economy and ethics, and provides editorial services to non-profits, distributing through e-commerce, fair-trade shops, and Messaggerie Libri.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Altreconomia industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Independent Publishing
- NAICS
- Information (51), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)
- SIC
- Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Alternative/Independent Newsweeklies & Opinion Press (MPAJADAH)
Keywords
Where Altreconomia is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Milan
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Altreconomia business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Magazine Subscriptions: Monthly magazine (11 issues per year) available in print and/or digital formats. Subscription tiers include annual, biennial, supporter, and foreign options. Digital access includes e-pub and pdf formats.
- Book Sales: Publishing house produces saggi (essays), guide (guides), manuali (manuals), storie (stories), and illustrated books for children. Over 250 titles in catalog. Sold through own shop, fair trade shops, and distributed to all Italian bookstores via Messaggerie Libri.
- Advertising: Limited advertising space (maximum 10% of magazine pages). Only accepts advertisers aligned with ethical editorial line: fair trade, organic, ethical finance companies. Provides qualifying partnership for advertisers.
- Editorial Services: Communication and editorial services for non-profits, social economy enterprises, public administrations. Includes events organization, press office, graphic design, social media management, and CSR reporting.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Annual print + digital subscription |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Biennial print + digital subscription |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual digital-only subscription |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual supporter subscription |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual magazine issues |
| Subscription | Annual | GAS group subscriptions |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Books |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Gift vouchers |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Altreconomia product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Altreconomia is a reader-owned cooperative that publishes a monthly independent magazine (Rivista Altreconomia) covering solidarity economy, environment, ethics, and social justice, along with a publishing house producing books on social inquiry and sustainable living. It also operates an e-commerce shop, offers a podcast series, and provides editorial and communication services to non-profit organizations, social enterprises, and public administrations.
Product overview
Altreconomia operates as an independent media cooperative offering a unified portfolio centered on critical journalism and solidarity economics. The core offerings include a monthly magazine (Rivista Altreconomia) published since 1999, a publishing house (Casa Editrice) producing books across five collections (Saggi, Guide, Manuali, Storie, Illustrati), and a podcast series ('Palestina-Israele'). These are supported by an e-commerce platform (Shop) for direct sales of individual issues, books, and subscriptions, plus merchandise (Gadget) and special dossiers. The company also provides B2B editorial and communication services targeting non-profits and public administrations. All products are distributed through the shop, subscription services, fair trade stores, and major Italian bookstores via Messaggerie Libri.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Rivista Altreconomia (Monthly Magazine) Monthly magazine published since November 1999, featuring investigations (inchieste), reportage, interviews (interviste), and in-depth analyses (approfondimenti) on the economic system, with a focus on solidarity economies and ethical businesses. Published 11 issues per year in print and digital formats, serving critical readers interested in solidarity economy, ethical consumption, and social justice.
- Casa Editrice Altreconomia (Publishing House) Publishing house producing saggi (essays), guide (guides), manuali (manuals), storie (stories), and illustrati (illustrated books for children) focused on social investigation, solidarity economy, responsible tourism, environment, and sustainable living. Over 250 titles in catalog distributed via Messaggerie Libri to all major Italian bookstores.
- Podcast 'Palestina-Israele' Podcast series covering the Palestine-Israel conflict, currently in its fourth season titled 'Bibi. Le sei vite di Benjamin Netanyahu'. Available to readers and general audience via the website.
- Magazine Subscriptions (Abbonamenti) Various subscription options for the magazine including annual (€70), biennial (€135), digital-only (€50), sustainer tiers (€80), and combined partnerships with complementary publications (Nigrizia, Gaia, Azione non violenta, Mosaico di Pace). Special group rates for GAS (Gruppi di Acquisto Solidale) with €45 for 10+ orders and €42 for 30+ orders. Includes digital access in e-pub and PDF formats.
- Online Shop (E-commerce) E-commerce platform for purchasing individual magazine issues (digital €3.49-5.00; print €5.00-7.00), books (€6.99-€20+), subscriptions, gadgets including AltrAgenda planner, and gift cards (€25-€100). Books distributed via Messaggerie Libri to all major Italian bookstores.
- Gadgets and Merchandise (AltrAgenda) Merchandise items including the annual AltrAgenda planner and bundled packages with tote bags and books. Sold through the e-commerce platform.
- Dossier (Special Reports) Special in-depth reports and dossiers available as separate publications, often focused on specific social or economic topics such as the Almanacco TrovaFestival.
- Servizi Editoriali e di Comunicazione (Editorial and Communication Services) Editorial and communication services for non-profit organizations, solidarity economy enterprises, public administrations, and CSR-focused companies. Includes event organization, press office, communication campaigns, graphic design, social media management, CSR reporting, and professional training. Clients include NGOs, voluntary organizations, foundations, social cooperatives, and public administrations such as Chico Mendes onlus, COMIN, CNCA Lombardia.
Quantifiable outcome
- Readership of approximately 14,000-15,000 per month (8,000 copies x 2 readers)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Altreconomia
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Altreconomia technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Altreconomia partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Messaggerie LibricorePrimary distribution partner for all Altreconomia books to Italian bookstores and chains nationwide.
- Botteghe del commercio equo e solidalecoreNetwork of 200+ fair trade shops across Italy selling Altreconomia magazine and books. Includes partner organizations like Giuste Terre, Mondo Equo, Garabombo, Mandacarù, Ravinala, and many others.
- Altra Qualità, Altromercato, Banca Etica, Bio Bank, Caes, Compagnia dei Cammini, E' nostra, Iris, Fondazione Cesare Pozzo, Libero Mondo, Mani Tese, Novamont, Slow Food, Valdibella, Viaggi Solidali, ZeppelinminorSample of ethical businesses that advertise in Altreconomia magazine, aligned with the publication's editorial line on sustainability and solidarity.
- Biblioteca delle OblateminorFlorence library hosting book presentations and cultural events.
- Non-profit organizations (ONG, Onlus, cooperative sociali, fondazioni)coreAltreconomia provides editorial and communication services to non-profit organizations, NGOs, voluntary organizations, foundations, social cooperatives, and public administrations. Clients include Chico Mendes onlus, COMIN, CNCA Lombardia, and others.
- Fiera del Libro di ComominorAnnual participation in book fair together with Garabombo cooperative of Como. Multiple book presentations scheduled during event.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Altreconomia competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Pressenza: International press agency focused on nonviolence, human rights, and social justice, producing articles, podcasts, and editorial content in multiple languages including Italian. Comparable as an independent, mission-driven news producer covering similar themes (rights, ethical economics) to Altreconomia, though operating primarily as a digital newsroom.
Direct peers
- YES! Magazine: US-based independent nonprofit magazine covering solutions-oriented journalism on social justice, environment, and alternative economics. Comparable as a mission-driven independent publication with subscription revenue and a focus on solidarity economy and ethical consumption themes aligned with Altreconomia's editorial scope.
- Vita Magazine: Italian magazine and news platform covering the non-profit, social, and cooperative sector. Comparable as a subscription and services-oriented publication serving the Italian 'third sector' with a similar editorial mission and audience overlap with Altreconomia's.
- Internazionale: Italian weekly magazine featuring translated independent journalism on global affairs, sold via subscription and newsstand with a similar progressive, critical editorial stance. Directly comparable as a subscription-driven independent Italian news magazine, though broader in geographic scope than Altreconomia's solidarity-economy focus.
- Nigrizia: Italian monthly magazine focused on Africa, international cooperation, and global justice, distributed via subscription and partnership. Altreconomia explicitly cross-sells combined subscriptions with Nigrizia, indicating direct audience overlap and a similar mission-driven independent publishing model.
- New Internationalist: UK-based independent magazine and publisher covering global justice, ethical economics, and solidarity economy topics with subscription-based model. Closely comparable as an internationally-oriented independent media cooperative covering social justice and alternative economics, similar in mission and editorial positioning to Altreconomia.
- Left (edizione italiana di Le Monde diplomatique): Italian edition of Le Monde diplomatique, a monthly magazine offering critical analysis of economics, geopolitics, and social issues. Directly comparable in editorial positioning (critical of mainstream economics) and subscription-based independent magazine model serving Italy's progressive readership.
Regional players
- Radio Popolare: Italian independent cooperative radio station based in Milan covering social, cultural, and political issues with a progressive editorial line. Comparable as a Milan-based independent media cooperative with similar mission-driven journalism and audience overlap in the Italian alternative media landscape.
Others
- Altromercato: Italy's largest fair trade organization and retail network of botteghe, directly connected to Altreconomia's distribution and advertising partner ecosystem. Comparable as a mission-aligned player in the Italian solidarity economy ecosystem with overlapping audience, retail touchpoints, and ethical business positioning, though operating in retail rather than publishing.
Broad incumbents
- Il Fatto Quotidiano: Italian independent daily newspaper and online news platform with a critical, anti-establishment editorial stance. Comparable as a larger-scale Italian independent media outlet covering politics, economics, and rights, serving a similar progressive readership though with significantly broader scope and daily cadence.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Altreconomia social profiles
Digital presenceAltreconomia financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Altreconomia leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Altreconomia funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Altreconomia M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Altreconomia
What does Altreconomia do?
Altreconomia is a reader-owned cooperative that publishes a monthly independent magazine (Rivista Altreconomia) covering solidarity economy, environment, ethics, and social justice, along with a publishing house producing books on social inquiry and sustainable living. It also operates an e-commerce shop, offers a podcast series, and provides editorial and communication services to non-profit organizations, social enterprises, and public administrations.
Is Altreconomia a public or private company?
Altreconomia is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Altreconomia founded?
Altreconomia was founded in 1999. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Altreconomia based?
Altreconomia is headquartered in Milan, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does Altreconomia make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Magazine Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are book Sales, advertising and editorial Services.
Who are Altreconomia's main competitors?
Pressenza is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are YES! Magazine, Vita Magazine, Internazionale, Nigrizia, New Internationalist and Left (edizione italiana di Le Monde diplomatique). Radio Popolare is listed as a regional player. Altromercato is listed as an others. Il Fatto Quotidiano is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Altreconomia have an API?
No public API is recorded for Altreconomia.
What industry is Altreconomia in?
Altreconomia's product category is Independent Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJADAH, Alternative/Independent Newsweeklies & Opinion Press. Its NAICS code is 51 and its SIC code is 2721.