InOltre: a space for inclusion and care, a place for social entrepreneurism in the suburbs

The InOltre project has created a new “centre” in the city of Baranzate, dedicated to culture, services and social entrepreneurism. To sustain a new growth phase, in which the community plays a leading part and creates its own past the change, and project beyond the boundaries of the quarter a model of regeneration based on welcome, solidarity and a multicultural nature.

In 2018, thanks to a donation by Diana Bracco, the Associazione La Rotonda purchased an industrial shared in via Fiume that for eight years had been hosting activities in favour of the community of Baranzate: the distribution of essential goods, spaces for social activities and gatherings.

The space, restored thanks to the contribution of companies and private individuals, from 2021 offers a wide range of integrated services.

• • The Sala InOltre: a 130 m² polyfunctional space for events to produce culture and inclusion, stimulate debate and promote initiatives of participated citizenship. The space will host events, offer chances for study and conventions promoted by public and private bodies in the areas of sustainability and attention to individuals. A permanent laboratory to welcome ideas, projects and outside appointments that is set to become a point of reference for the entire Milan area: the space will in fact not be just with the community of Baranzate, but will be available for renting.
• • The social tailor’s shop "Fiori all'Occhiello": a social entrepreneurism project of the Associazione La Rotonda, created in 2014 to combine a high level of professionalism and job opportunities in the territory for men and women from far-off countries, which here has a much more spacious and suitable location. So far the tailor’s shop has produced more than 1700 items for about 200 customers, using a total of 11,600 km of thread and almost 7000 km of fabric.
• • The Solidarity Emporium in collaboration with Caritas Ambrosiana This offers help with food to families in difficulty who can do their shopping in the Solidarity minimarket, paying with the points card issued by the operators. A para-pharmacy Corner with free distribution of medicines managed in collaboration with the Fondazione Francesca Rava NPH Italia.
• • La Rotonda Association: a place of integration for promoting educational experiences and fieldwork to facilitate operations.

The first stone was laidon October 4, 2019 in the presence of Mons. Mario Delpini, Don Paolo Steffano, Diana Bracco, Paolo Barilla and the community of Baranzate.

The space was inaugurated during an event on May 7, 2021that followed the blessing by the Archbishop of Milan Mario Delpini of the Emporio della Solidarietà. Don Paolo Steffano, Don Vincenzo Barbante, President of Fondazione InOltre, Luca Mario Elia, Mayor of Baranzate , Don Luca Giudici, Diana Bracco, President of Fondazione Bracco, Giovanni Fosti, President of Fondazione Cariplo and Luciano Gualzetti, Director of Caritas Ambrosiana.

Bracco Foundation worked alongside the La Rotonda Association in the city of Baranzate, the most multiethnic in Italy, from 2016 developing various projects over time including “Beyond the margins”, focusing on health and work, “Kiriku - Inclusion school”countering lack of education, developed with a network of partners. InOltre is the latest intervention rooted in the fabric of the city. InOltre is the latest intervention rooted in the fabric of the city.