Stop Hunger and Fondazione Libellula: how to transform fragility into strength
A Collaboration that grows over time
Sodexo Italia and Fondazione Libellula have been united by a collaboration that began in 2020, grounded in shared values of respect for people and workplace safety. They share the belief that safe and inclusive work environments are both an ethical goal and a strategic lever—for the business as well as for the individuals who can express their talents and contribute to the well-being of themselves and the community. Over time, the partnership has expanded to include regular webinars and training programs for employees focused on raising awareness against gender-based violence, both at home and in the workplace, as well as sharing tools to identify potential critical situations and how to report them.
Additionally, in 2025, Sodexo decided to support Fondazione Libellula on the ground, contributing to projects at the Spazio Libellula in Milan, which welcomes local individuals and families from the Zona 2 neighborhood. The space offers training and job preparation, a library, a listening center, and after-school programs for children with activities free from stereotypes and prejudices (for example, books and coloring pages do not always depict girls in pink and boys in blue; the people represented come from diverse cultures and backgrounds and have different abilities and disabilities…).
In May of the same year, Sodexo also involved Stop Hunger, its own foundation active for over 30 years and a corporate volunteering network supporting more than 300 NGOs worldwide with the goal of fighting hunger. Together, they joined the RinaSHEta project.
The strength of Stop Hunger and the RinaSHEta Project
Stop Hunger’s mission is to guide individuals and communities toward autonomy in a transformative journey, avoiding forms of mere assistance, combining the fight against hunger with empowerment, and giving people back control over their future through tangible growth and independence. This vision intersected with Fondazione Libellula and the RinaSHEta project: fighting poverty and gender-based violence are complementary battles for a fairer society, where everyone has equal opportunities, especially the opportunity to know and express themselves.
Concretely, the RinaSHEta initiative, supported by Sodexo and Stop Hunger, aims to guide women who are victims of violence, at risk of violence, or socially excluded toward autonomy and economic independence. The project targets at least 50 women over three years and consists of three phases: personalized coaching to strengthen skills; psycho-pedagogical support to process trauma and regain confidence; and finally, opportunities for reintegration into the workforce through internships at Sodexo, its stakeholders, and companies within the Libellula network.
Through this project, the ambition is to contribute to the evolution of a culture of respect, turning awareness into concrete action, creating positive contexts and generative relationships based on listening. Communication and engagement of as many people as possible are essential: for this reason, Sodexo chose to present the project through a fundraising event for RinaSHEta, open to employees, clients, and suppliers. On May 8, the play Beauty and the Enchanted Castle, directed by Stefano Persico and performed by a local theater company of young enthusiasts from the area, took place at the Biavati Theatre of the Salesians in Rome. The performance moved the audience with a powerful message about the freedom to express oneself and mutual respect.
Beyond numbers: people make the difference
RinaSHEta aims to involve at least 50 women over three years, but behind the numbers are stories of rebirth and future. Since May 2025, it has already involved 11 women, two of whom have found part-time, temporary employment. The deepest results are seen in the words of the participants: “When I arrived, I didn’t even know how to write a CV. Now I have my CV, I know what I can do, and I’ve already sent two applications. I feel stronger,” says N., 36. “At Spazio Libellula, I spoke in front of other women for the first time. They listened to me, and I realized my story matters. Now I want to look for a job and think about my future,” says Z., 44. These testimonies capture the essence of RinaSHEta: transforming fragility into strength, restoring confidence, skills, and dignity through work.
Lucia Cariati, DE&I Lead at Sodexo Italia and Ambassador against gender-based violence, reflects on the project: “Every woman who regains confidence in herself is a collective victory. With RinaSHEta, we want to guide those who have experienced fragility toward rediscovering their strength because no story is permanently defined: from every wound, rebirth can emerge if someone extends a hand with respect and listening. When a company opens its doors to those who have experienced fragility, it not only welcomes stories that deserve a second chance, but also transforms its internal community: it creates an environment where solidarity becomes a shared value, motivation grows, and every employee feels that their work is not only useful but carries dignity. A project like RinaSHEta enriches the corporate climate, develops empathetic skills, and strengthens trust and pride in being part of something greater.”