Some lessons from Italian social cooperatives: 1970–2020

The Italian social cooperative is the first form of social enterprise in Europe. The article explores social cooperative entrepreneurship in Italy through a discussion of the formation of social cooperative movement and the promotion of the innovation in the social services sector. Social cooperatives are an original form of social enterprise that meets people's needs through the work inclusion of disadvantaged people and the organization of social and other services of general interest. The article examines also how the social cooperatives looking to the future and to the new challenges of the social and environmental issues and the transformation of the welfare, investing in innovation and the sustainable economy.