| GOEL Cooperative Group

Community Enterprises
for the rebirth
of civil society

GOEL creates space
for the rebirth
of civil society
in one of the poorest
and most corrupt
regions of Europe

GOEL is a non-profit community movement in southern Italy challenging the mafia by building a legitimate economy based on ethically run social enterprises.

It is a viable alternative to the political corruption and violent oppression of the Calabrian mafia, ‘ndrangheta, which is now one of the world’s most powerful criminal organisations.

With its strong grass-roots support, GOEL is creating space for the rebirth of civil society in one of the poorest and most corrupt regions of Europe.

Internationally, it offers a model of change for states and communities where the rule of law has failed in the face of criminal or paramilitary violence.

About

The Need for Reform in Southern Italy. Largely as a result of mafia intimidation and corruption, Calabria remains one of the poorest regions of Europe. For decades, ‘ndrangheta has had a… [Read more]

The mafia has two weaknesses: wealth remains in the hands of very few and they invest outside Calabria. GOEL is working to build a new politics in Calabria based on ethical enterprise and community… [Read more]

How we work

Challenging 'ndrangheta by creating a legitimate and ethical economy. GOEL was set up in 2003 as a community movement determined to challenge the mafia by creating a flourishing economy based on… [Read more]

Our impact

To improve opportunities for all Calabrians GOEL needs to expand its reach and impact. The GOEL community co-operative movement is registered in Italy as a non-profit social enterprise. It includes… [Read more]

Our friends

Over time GOEL has gained the trust of large numbers in the local community who have participated in the establishment of GOEL and have seen that its methodology and strategy of empowering them to… [Read more]

Who we are

At GOEL’s core is a small group of committed human rights defenders who take substantial risks personally. In the management and administrative centre – home to finance, legal services, marketing,… [Read more]

Where we are

Calabria is the “toe of the boot”. Calabria is the most southerly region of the Italian mainland, the “toe of the boot”. Its largest city, Reggio Calabria, is a short ferry ride across the Straits… [Read more]

How to help

Get Involved

GOEL's ultimate goal is systemic transformation
to a legal and democratic state

In creating a viable alternative to the mafia, GOEL has proved it can build a transformational economy in Calabria based on sustainable and ethical social enterprise. It is creating space for the rebirth of democracy and civil society in one of the poorest and most corrupt regions of Europe. Its work has potential international importance in offering a model of change for failed states and communities around the world.

But to extend its reach and impact, GOEL needs to scale up significantly. It seeks transitional social impact investment to help the organization grow tenfold, creating a co-operative network with an annual estimated turnover of €70 million. In the long term, the group plans to become self sustaining through increased international sales.

GOEL’s ultimate goal is systemic transformational change in Calabria that will allow succeeding generations across the region to share openly in the benefits of a well functioning legal and democratic state

Our Friends

GOEL offers a beacon of hope, not just for the people of Calabria to free themselves from poverty, violence and corruption, but the group also lights the way... [Read More]

— Mrs. Jo Andrews
Social Impact EquileAp Co-Founder & Director

GOEL is one of the most exciting organisations I have come across in the world of human rights and social change. [Read More]

— Mr. Rien van Gendt
Van Gendt Philanthropy Services

The economic model of the future feeds in organization like yours: a sustainable model, able to welcome challenges with courage, valuing people, the territory and the communities [Read More]

— Mrs. Claudia Fiaschi
Italian Third Sector National Forum Spokeperson

Together we are organizing initiatives to improve managerial and entrepreneurial culture also in social sector. [Read More]

— Mr. Massimo Fiaschi
ManagerItalia General Secretary

Pierfrancesco Diliberto, PIF, Director, actor, tv and radio journalist

In GOEL there is the most concrete, effective and useful anti-mafia we need [Read More]

— Mr. Pierfrancesco PIF Diliberto
Director, actor, tv and radio journalist

Vincenzo Linarello and GOEL colleagues are an exemplary model of that. [Read More]

— Mr. Alessandro Valera
Ashoka Italy Director

I fully support the Cooperative Group's commitment to promoting legality through the defense of ethical principles. [Read More]

— Mr. Stefano Cuzzilla
Federmanager President

I am convinced that the “we” mentality is the most powerful antidote to mafia arrogance. And GOEL every day, in the field and for years, is the most effective confirmation... [Read More]

— Mr. Gianni Bianco
RAI Tv News Deputy Editor-In-Chief