Innovative partnerships for the utilization of confiscated assets previously owned by mafias

Abstract

Purpose The third sector is a producer of trust and positive social interactions, while the mafias destroy trust and social norms. Confiscation of assets and reusing confiscated assets are important tools from an economic and symbolic point of view for contrasting the mafias and promoting a sustainable and fair economy. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of the third sector for reusing confiscated assets. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a theoretical analysis of why a third sector role is utilized for reusing confiscated assets, thus focusing on the economic, social and cultural dimensions. Italian legislation and data are presented for showing the relevant and innovative role of the third sector for reusing confiscated assets. A case study of the city of Forlì, based in Northern Italy, is presented and is of particular interest because it is a part of Italy that does not have a historical presence of the mafias. The University of Bologna is now a partner of the project through the Observatory of Legality. Five hectares of confiscated, urban land have been given to two social cooperatives for organic agriculture and social gardening, which are managed by disadvantaged people working in the cooperatives. Findings The case study offers useful implications for other national and international situations. The results support that the third sector can be an effective partner in managing and restoring the goods to their community. Research limitations/implications A suggested focus on a European framework toward a more integrated approach for reusing confiscated assets. Practical implications An opportunity for policy decisions to be made toward a stronger approach for reusing confiscated assets via the third sector and civil society actors, starting from positive cases, such as the Forlì case study. Social implications Possibility of a stronger civic engagement for reusing confiscated assets previously owned by mafias. Originality/value Scaling up from a pioneering activity to a large-scale network of social enterprises and partnerships could make the difference.

Where Change Happens: Community-Level Phenomena in Social Entrepreneurship Research

“…“…in collaboration with the Watts Towers area residents, employ art as an economic and community development engine to promote and enhance the quality of residential life.” (Mazzanti et al , p. 26)…”

“…“The results support that the third sector can be an effective partner in managing and restoring the goods (confiscated assets) to their community.” (Mazzanti et al , p. 21)…”

“…Cieslik (2016) Korosec and Berman (2006) Mazzanti et al (2016) Nwankwo, Phillips, and Tracey (2007 Yusuf and Sloan (2015) Case studies: "[His] purpose in building the new town is to form a modern dwelling community for his employees and their families." (Koehn and Helms 2007, p. 13) [WaterHealth International on their mission:] "It's time for dramatic change-a revolution that will make potable water available, affordable, and accessible more rapidly, and on a wider scale than has been possible before."…”

Food “buycott” as an ethical choice against mafia in Italy

“…They can be profit or non-profit, and they operate in different sectors. In this framework, consistent with Mazzanti et al (2016: p. 22), the role of social co-operatives and enterprises is rooted in their “legal form, that allows for democratic decision making power based on human rather than financial capital and being participatory in nature”. The highest value of the reuse of these assets is to contribute to “revitalising” the economy and the culture of a territory where mafia-type organisations have inhibited growth and destroyed trust and social norms.…”

Blockchain in asset management: An extensive review of opportunities and challenges

“…In addition, partnerships in asset-based empowerment and the utilization of confiscated assets highlight the diverse applications of collaboration in asset management (Nainggolan et al, 2020;Mazzanti et al, 2016). These partnerships not only contribute to community development but also underscore the significance of collaborative efforts in leveraging assets for societal and economic benefits.…”