Economies and sustainability online: SMEs that bring value

Pathways towards an ethical and sustainable development model

What happens when businesses, institutions and civil society choose to walk together? In the Palermo area, the collaboration between Confesercenti Palermo and CESIE ETS has transformed a dialogue born out of questions about this collaboration into a constructive space for creation, discussion and shared vision, where sustainability, rights and decent work are not abstract words, but practices to be built together, step by step.

This collaboration has resulted in the creation of a network of ethical companies, ready to examine the common needs of the local area and the requirements of companies that want to stand out on certain issues on which they choose to take a stance.

This event stems from a deep conviction that real change only takes shape when skills are intertwined with the concrete needs of local areas. Being present together means recognising that economic development cannot ignore people, their stories, their fragility and vulnerability, but above all that it must aim to enhance their potential and protect the rights of all.

Therefore, on 17 and 18 February at Hotel Villa D’Amato, the founding values of sustainability, ethics and social responsibility will be expressed through dialogue between SMEs, local authorities, academia and the third sector. In this context, CESIE ETS brings a European perspective rooted in the local community, capable of interpreting social transformations and accompanying processes of change through authentic dialogue on decent work, inclusion, gender equality and the fight against inequality, offering tools, experiences and perspectives gained through years of work in the field.

This moment is not a finishing line, but a step along a longer journey. A journey that strengthens local networks, builds trust and opens up new opportunities for collaboration, with the common goal of promoting business models capable of generating not only economic value but also social value, both for those who work and for those who use the services. 

Four highly valuable European initiatives will be presented at the event:

Aware – Advancing Women’s employment in the Agri-food sector through Re-skilling and Empowerment

Reducing long-term unemployment among disadvantaged women with a focus on the agri-food sector, using a tailored approach that is sensitive to gender issues.

EMBRACE – Empowering Business Communities to Prevent Labour Trafficking

Preventing labour trafficking by improving companies’ response capacity and focusing on an approach based on respect for human rights.

Care Divide – Bridging the gender divide in informal long-term care

Address the gender gap in informal long-term care, particularly in the care of older people, which reinforces inequalities in the labour market. Create systemic changes to support carers, especially women, and promote gender equality in work and care through collaboration between employers, politicians, the media and civil society.

HOST – Tackling Human Trafficking in the Hospitality sector

Strengthen the implementation of the Anti-Trafficking Directive 2024 and the EU Strategy 2021–2025 through a pilot action specific to the hospitality and tourism sector, with a particular focus on the labour and sexual exploitation of third-country nationals.

How to join

Participation in the event represents a concrete opportunity to discuss strategies, tools and alliances capable of generating economic and social value for the region.

Participation is free but places are limited. Click here to register your attendance.