AGCI Sicilia is the Sicilian regional federation of the Associazione Generale Cooperative Italiane, an organisation representing and supporting cooperative enterprises across Sicily.5 Its first regional congress took place in Ragusa on 6 October 1963, providing a basis for identifying 1963 as the organisation’s founding year.5
The federation states that it supports the development of affiliated organisations and contributes to improving the social and economic conditions of their members.5 Between 2005 and 2017, 1,344 new cooperatives joined AGCI Sicilia, bringing its membership to more than 50,000 people, according to the organisation’s published information.5 During the same period, 334 cooperatives joined through the social sector, while 593 entered the production-of-goods sector.5
AGCI Sicilia’s activities cover a broad range of cooperative fields, including agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, social solidarity, production and labour, environmental and urban development, publishing, transport, credit and finance, culture, and youth and women’s coordination.5 It provides information on legislation, decrees, circulars and collective agreements, publishes guidance on creating a cooperative, and offers services and agreements for affiliated organisations.5 Its sectoral organisation includes AGCI Culturalia, which represents cooperatives working in culture, entertainment, tourism, cultural and environmental heritage, sport and leisure.7
The federation’s headquarters are in Palermo, while its territorial network covers all nine Sicilian provinces: Palermo, Catania, Messina, Trapani, Syracuse, Caltanissetta, Agrigento, Ragusa and Enna.25 Michele Cappadona has served as regional president since March 2005 and is also a member of AGCI’s national presidency.12 The official site does not identify a dedicated AGCI Sicilia LinkedIn company page or Instagram profile; search results identify Cappadona’s personal LinkedIn profile and AGCI’s...