Dal Pil al Bil: un’altra condizione è possibile? Il modello Made in Carcere

The social brand Made in Carcere was founded in 2007 by Luciana Delle Donne, and is based on the philosophy that beauty exists and must be sought everywhere. The brand has succeeded in transforming the prison into a creative space where differently useful items are produced, including bags and accessories, all of which are original and colourful. These products are considered both useful yet frivolous and the result of the efforts of women on the margins of society. Consequently, they provide a valuable opportunity for the reuse of fabrics and items that would otherwise be discarded. This model of sustainable development is a radical departure from the conventional approach to philanthropy. This enterprise is a bona fide social enterprise, with the capacity to promote the wellbeing of people experiencing social disadvantage. The work carried out to date has helped to 'overcome' the fear of engaging with these marginalised places, so that we can finally take care of them. However, the assessment of work carried out in these areas remains a challenge. The extent to which the actions taken have resulted in improved wellbeing remains to be ascertained. The research project 'More Gross Internal Well-being, Less Gross Domestic Product' (launched by Made in Carcere) will seek to address these questions. The present essay aims to provide an overview of the current state of the art on the topic of Gross Internal Well-being, a conceptual framework now considered essential for analysing the scenarios and presenting the hypotheses underpinning the ongoing research.