The 14th edition of “The CSR and Social Innovation Fair” took place from October 6 to 8, 2026, at Bocconi University in Milan: “Going Beyond,” this year’s theme, provided a fertile ground for highlighting the commitment of MAIRE and its foundations to guiding and educating younger generations on sustainability issues. 
 

Looking beyond immediately visible connections; going beyond purely business principles to discover the deep connection between the CSR strategy of an industrial group and that of a third-sector organization. All of this and much more lies at the heart of the reflections that guide the actions of the MAIRE Group and its foundations: the Foundation MAIRE – ETS and the newly established Green Innovation ITS Academy (Green Innovation Foundation). 

A multi-approach, cross-cutting strategy, implemented by distinct entities working in synergy—this was the approach described by Valentina Grieco, Group Social Sustainability Manager at MAIRE Group, during the panel discussion “Educating and Guiding Young People: The Role of Businesses,” which brought together representatives from companies and nonprofit organizations. 

The circular economy doesn’t happen on its own; today’s professions—and especially those of tomorrow—are no longer linear: the world is changing, as is its climate; along with it, the job market and the underlying demand for professional skills are changing. There are sectors, such as energy transition, that require multidisciplinary skills—both hard and soft. In this context, it is more important than ever to address this mismatch through career guidance and training programs tailored to young people, so that they are informed, trained, and equipped to enter a market that needs their talents. 

Thus, the MAIRE – ETS Foundation reaches out to primary and secondary schools with its initiatives, which are primarily focused on combating educational poverty, providing equitable access to educational opportunities, and fostering inclusion through free training and career guidance courses, scholarships, and workshop activities—to name a few: MAIREmpower, Energie giovani, and Energy pathways. 

The Fondazione Green Innovation —founded through a partnership between MAIRE (lead partner), Acea, Q8 Italia, Orange Branded, IIS Piazza della Resistenza in Monterotond, IIS Via di Saponara in Roma, Università Campus Bio - Medico di Roma, Unindustria Perform and Associazione CNOS-FAP Lazio – through its ITS Academy (recently accredited by the Lazio Region and the first of its kind) offers highly specialized and entirely free training courses to young people on careers in the energy transition. The first course, “Energy Transition Specialist,” will begin shortly, last two years, and lead to a Higher Technical Diploma (EQF Level 5), recognized throughout Italy and Europe. 

The MAIRE Group, as a complement to and reinforcement of the activities of its foundations, engages with the academic, research, and innovation communities; it carries out cultural initiatives and makes use of art as a language to connect with people of all generations. 

“Going beyond” means looking at the big picture, opening up to dialogue with local areas and communities, fostering inclusion, and viewing the energy transition as the greatest opportunity of our century. 

To learn more about our educational initiatives: Education | Fondazione.  

For more information about the Fondazione Green Innovation's ITS Academy: Chi Siamo | Green Innovation ITS.