Cooperativa Sociale Il Simbolo

What Cooperativa Sociale Il Simbolo does

Cooperativa Sociale Il Simbolo is an Italian social cooperative (Società Cooperativa Sociale) founded in 1996 and headquartered at the former Convent of the Capuchin Friars in Pisa, Tuscany. Operating for nearly three decades across Pisa and Livorno, the cooperative delivers a portfolio of interconnected social services targeting three principal beneficiary groups: adults experiencing severe social marginalità and homelessness, minors and families in crisis, and children aged 0–6 in early-childhood education. Its service mix includes the Housing First program (Pisa and Livorno), the Progetto Verso Casa night shelter (23 beds, 6 dedicated to women, in Livorno), the Progetto Homeless lead-coordination role since 1997, three residential communities for minors (Comunità Il Simbolo, Controvento, La Fenice), the Casa di Fausta e Mirella for mothers and children, the Scuola dell'Infanzia San Bartolomeo Apostolo, the Nido d'infanzia Peter Pan nursery, and the BinarioZero multifunctional space near Pisa station.

The cooperative operates as a managed-services provider whose revenue is generated almost entirely through formal public-procurement contracts with municipal governments (Comune di Pisa, Comune di Livorno), the local health authority (Asl 5 Pisa), and Caritas Diocesana di Pisa. Pricing is determined through public-procurement processes rather than commercial negotiation. Distribution is direct, via physically operated facilities and outreach programs, with no commercial sales channel. Supporting capabilities include a small communications/web-engineering function (Maxceriale, identified as Responsible for information systems and web engineering) and communications staff managing the corporate website (ilsimbolo.it) and a Facebook presence. The technology footprint is operational rather than product-oriented; the "core technology" is best characterized as a service-delivery platform coordinating residential, childcare, and marginality programs.

The business is supported by an ecosystem of strategic partners including the Congregazione delle Figlie del Crocifisso (which provides the Casa di Fausta e Mirella facility under a loan-for-use arrangement since 2017), peer cooperatives (Alzaia, Arnera) on the Progetto Homeless, parish networks, philanthropic foundations (Vismara, San Zeno, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Pisa), and corporate donors (IKEA Pisa). The cooperative is a member-owned entity under Italian third-sector legislation, with no external institutional investors, no parent company, and no subsidiaries. Governance operates through a Consiglio di Amministrazione led by President Alberto Grilli. The cooperative is currently undertaking Gender Equality Certification (PdR UNI 125:2022) and participated in the international COMHOM project (Helsinki meeting, June 2026), indicating modest external engagement beyond its core Tuscan territory.

Name

Cooperativa Sociale Il Simbolo

Legal name

Società Cooperativa Sociale Il Simbolo

Website

https://ilsimbolo.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cooperativa Sociale Il Simbolo is an Italian social cooperative operating in Pisa and Livorno since 1996, delivering managed social services — including homelessness programs, residential communities for minors and families, and early-childhood education — under public-procurement contracts with municipal and health authorities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Housing Services (62422), Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Residential Care Facilities (623990)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA), Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

Keywords

• Social services delivery
• Homeless support programs
• Residential child care
• Early childhood education
• Community housing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Pisa

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Sector Social Service Contracts: Revenue generated through formal contracts with municipal governments (Comune di Pisa, Comune di Livorno), healthcare authorities (Asl 5 Pisa), and Caritas Diocesana for operating social services including homeless shelters, housing programs, residential communities for minors, and childcare facilities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Italian social cooperative (Società Cooperativa Sociale) operating a portfolio of community-based social services in Pisa and Livorno. Core offerings include Housing First housing programs, night shelters for homeless individuals, residential communities for minors and for mothers with children, early childhood nurseries and kindergartens, and pediatric oncohematology play support at Ospedale S.Chiara. Services are delivered through public contracts with municipalities, the local health authority (Asl 5 Pisa), and Caritas Diocesana di Pisa.

Product overview

Cooperativa Sociale Il Simbolo is a social cooperative operating a portfolio of interconnected social services in Pisa and Livorno, Italy. The organization offers housing support programs (Housing First, Progetto Verso Casa), residential communities for minors and families (Comunità Il Simbolo, Controvento, La Fenice, Casa di Fausta e Mirella), and early childhood education services (Nido Peter Pan, Scuola San Bartolomeo). Programs are unified by a mission to promote inclusion, support vulnerable populations including homeless individuals and families, and provide community-based care. The cooperative's services operate as distinct but complementary programs addressing different stages of social vulnerability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Progetto Homeless: Project addressing homelessness in Pisa, active since 1997, serving as lead organization with collaborations from Comune di Pisa, Asl 5 Pisa, and other cooperatives
• Housing First
• Progetto Verso Casa
• BinarioZero
• Casa di Fausta e Mirella
• Comunità Il Simbolo
• Scuola dell'Infanzia San Bartolomeo Apostolo
• Nido d'infanzia Peter Pan
• Ludoteca Tutti Giù per Terra

Products and services

• Housing First Pisa e Livorno Housing-first program providing intensive support to homeless individuals in Pisa and Livorno, offering permanent housing as the foundation for achieving personal autonomy and self-determination. Currently serves 14 homeless individuals across both cities.
• Progetto Verso Casa Night shelter for homeless people in Livorno offering 23 beds (6 dedicated to women), with access to showers, breakfast, and counseling services. Located at the S.E.F.A. center on Via Giuseppe Maria Terreni.
• BinarioZero Multipurpose space near Pisa train station serving diverse population groups including homeless individuals, offering educational and social integration activities. The Livorno Stazione di Posta 'L'Accoglienza' operates from Via Giuseppe Maria Terreni.
• Progetto Homeless Comprehensive project promoting citizenship rights for homeless people in Pisa, active since 1997 with collaborations including Comune di Pisa, ASL 5 Pisa, and partner cooperatives Alzaia and Arnera.
• Comunità Il Simbolo Family-sized residential community for minors, operating for 30 years (milestone celebrated in 2026).
• Comunità Controvento Family-sized residential community for minors, operating for 25 years.
• Comunità La Fenice Family-sized residential community for minors located in Castelnuovo della Misericordia.
• Casa famiglia Demetra Family-style residential community for minors operated by the cooperative.
• Casa di Fausta e Mirella Community house for mothers and children, providing a safe residential environment for families in difficulty, operational since 2017.
• Appartamento per l'autonomia ANEMOS Semi-independent living apartment supporting autonomy for young adults transitioning out of residential care.
• Nido d'infanzia Peter Pan Nursery service for young children providing early childhood education and care operated by the cooperative.
• Scuola d'Infanzia San Bartolomeo Apostolo Kindergarten school for children aged 2.5 to 5 years in Putignano, Pisa, operated in partnership with Parrocchia San Bartolomeo Apostolo since the 2015/2016 school year.
• Progetto l'Altalena Project supporting children in pediatric oncohematology through play and creative activities at Ospedale S.Chiara in Pisa.
• I Cappuccini Salute Health-related services and initiatives operated by the cooperative at the former Convent of the Cappuccini in Pisa.
• Abitare solidale Pisa Solidarity housing program in Pisa supporting community-based living arrangements for vulnerable populations.
• Sostegno all'abitare Livorno Housing support program in Livorno assisting vulnerable populations in maintaining stable accommodation.
• Centro Servizi Livorno Service center in Livorno coordinating social services delivery for the cooperative's Livorno operations.
• Servizi affidati dalla Caritas Diocesana di Pisa Social pastoral care services entrusted to the cooperative by Caritas Diocesana di Pisa for marginalized populations.
• Ludoteca Tutti Giù per Terra Play library offering educational games and creative activities for children aged 3 to 8 years, located near Corso Italia in Pisa.
• Centro Gioco Educativo Isola delle Farfalle Educational play center for children with and without disabilities aged 18 months to 11 years, featuring an equipped small gym.
• Spazio Famiglie 0-3 Support services and activities for families with children aged 0 to 3 years, including workshops and educational programs.

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Rotary Club di Rosignano SolvayminorOthers · 1 January 2025Provided a donation to transform an existing garden into a child-friendly space at the Casa di Fausta e Mirella, supporting mothers and children in the cooperative's residential program. The donation contributed to creating an outdoor play area for children.
• Associazione Gocce nel mareminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Volunteer association that regularly prepares and delivers gifts to children in residential communities and guests of the night shelter. Their ongoing presence demonstrates consistent support for the cooperative's beneficiaries.
• Banco Alimentare della ToscanaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing collaboration for food distribution to homeless individuals served through the Progetto Homeless. The partnership has enabled a convention with Metro Pisa for donating unsold food products.
• Cooperativa Sociale AlzaiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner cooperative in the Progetto Homeless initiative, collaborating with Il Simbolo which serves as the lead organization (capofila) of the project.
• Cooperativa Sociale ArneraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner cooperative in the Progetto Homeless initiative, working alongside Il Simbolo (as capofila) and Cooperativa Sociale Alzaia.
• Caritas Diocesana di PisacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiocesan Caritas is a key institutional partner that entrusts services to the cooperative, including services for marginalized populations. The partnership represents a longstanding relationship for delivery of social pastoral care services.
• Congregazione delle Figlie del CrocifissocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReligious congregation that has provided a loan for use (comodato d'uso) of the Casa di Fausta e Mirella property since 2017. The congregation had previously operated the facility for over 40 years.
• IKEA PisaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner that has supported various cooperative projects including food collection initiatives and donations for children in need, including a fundraising campaign for meals for those in difficulty.
• Parrocchia San Bartolomeo ApostolocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParish church that grants the cooperative management of the San Bartolomeo Apostolo school complex for children aged 2.5 to 5 years, inaugurated in 2015.
• Fondazione VismaraminorOthersFoundation that contributed funding for the purchase of a van for transporting children at the San Bartolomeo school.
• Fondazione San ZenominorOthersFoundation that contributed funding for the purchase of a van for transporting children at the San Bartolomeo school.
• Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di PisaminorOthersFoundation that contributed funding for the purchase of a van for transporting children at the San Bartolomeo school.
• Circolo Ricreativo Autolinee Toscane Cecina-Rosignano SolvayminorOthersRecreational association that has provided ongoing donations to support cooperative projects and the youth served by the organization.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Croce Rossa Italiana: Italian Red Cross, a large humanitarian organization operating emergency and social assistance programs including homelessness services, migrant support, and community health across Italy. Operates as a broader incumbent in many of the same service categories as Il Simbolo.
• Caritas Italiana: National Italian Catholic charitable confederation operating nationwide social services including homelessness support, refugee assistance, and community welfare. Il Simbolo is already a Caritas Diocesana di Pisa partner; Caritas is the much larger umbrella organization overseeing similar service delivery at national scale.

Direct peers

• Comunità di Sant'Egidio: Italian Catholic lay community organization providing integrated services to homeless people, the elderly, migrants, and children in difficult situations across Italy. Closely comparable to Il Simbolo in its multi-service model combining homelessness outreach, residential care, and community-based support.
• Cooperativa Sociale Arnera: Tuscan social cooperative also partnered with Il Simbolo on Progetto Homeless. Comparable in offering social services including support for vulnerable populations and minors in Tuscany, often in collaboration with municipal and regional governments.
• CeIS - Centro Italiano di Solidarietà: Italian social cooperative network providing residential and community-based services for vulnerable populations including youth, people with disabilities, and individuals in social difficulty. Comparable to Il Simbolo in service mix, target population, and cooperative structure.
• Cooperativa Sociale Alzaia: Italian social cooperative partner of Il Simbolo in the Progetto Homeless initiative. Both organizations operate residential and homelessness services in the Tuscany region under public contracts with municipal and healthcare authorities, making them directly comparable in service mix and operating model.
• Casa della Carità di Milano: Foundation in Milan operating residential and community-based services for people experiencing homelessness, social marginalization, and housing exclusion. Comparable to Il Simbolo in mission and service model, with comparable scale and similar funding mix from public contracts and philanthropy.
• Fondazione Casa di Carità - Arti e Mestieri: Italian foundation operating residential communities and social services for vulnerable populations including homeless and people in social difficulty. Comparable in service mix and cooperative-style operating model.
• Associazione San Marcellino: Italian non-profit in Genoa providing social services including homelessness support, residential communities, and assistance to migrants and vulnerable families. Comparable to Il Simbolo in multi-service social welfare delivery through public-private partnership.

Emerging players

• Associazione Bambini in Emergenza: Italian non-profit providing support services for children and families in difficult situations including residential care and educational support. Comparable in target population and minor-focused residential service delivery to Il Simbolo's children services portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ilsimbolo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cooperativa-sociale-il-simbolo

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

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 Cooperativa Sociale Il Simbolo