The so-called "Third Sector and Alternative Economy" are part of the non-profit sector, whose aim is not profit. Beside that, it focuses on autonomy, practices of direct and democratic control, solidarity and inclusion, collective utility.


In the broad constellation of associations, cooperatives, mutualistic organizations and foundations which we call third sector, we distinguish two branches. On the one hand, the non-profit sector, which has undoubtedly grown as a consequence of the welfare system crisis and, despite this development, still finds it hard to maintain an autonomous role and to promote innovation. On the other hand, a number of organizations working at grassroots level, which are characterized by self-organization and the experimentation of fair economies.


Many of these organisations set up to promote people's rights and to find real alternatives to the neo-liberal economic system, which is not able to build on a sustainable economic, social and environmental growth. This is the reason why the number of organisations is increasing: they not only deal with social services and the defence people's rights, but they also work on culture and environment. Furthermore, such organisations urgently feel they need to find new ways of dealing with the economy: fair trade, ethical finance, organic agriculture, the development of renewable energies, and self-management. The common denominator is the attempt to overcome the logic of obsessive efficiency through participation and socio-environmental responsibility.


Lunaria works, through research, training, consulting and informative activities, for the development of the third sector and alternative economy.


One of our objectives is to support the small local activities and associations working at grassroots level, which are autonomous and innovative. They offer increasing efficiency and project-development capacity to meet collective needs and to expand rights.


The consulting activities consist in helping newly born organisations to find their way and supporting the already existing ones in projects of self training, which is essential for social enterprises’ project development, self-sufficiency, fundraising and resources management.


Training has a double value: firstly, on a cultural point of view, it fosters the principles of alternative economy and gives fresh momentum to the debate within the third sector. Secondly, the technical one transfers expertise to workers and organizations, through experts' classes, specific didactic materials and guided applications.


Our Research has been so far concentrating on work organization and financial-economic management, emphasising quality and innovation within the sector and the criticalities which experimentation of innovative forms may have to tackle with.