U.Di.Con. – Consumers Defense Union – was founded in 2008 with the main purpose of protecting consumers and users of both private and public services.
We believe every citizen, regardless of their economic or social status, has the right to be given support and fair access to disputes for household, financial, e-commerce, tourism, food quality and environmental issues.
Since the beginning we have carried out the safeguard of consumers’ rights – regardless of their social and economic status -, the integration of the physically-challenged and the protection of the minors and elderly. Moreover, we are committed in fostering recognition for public-wide problems such as bullism, gambling addiction, food waste, sustainable and green economy.
We firmly believe citizen rights’ awareness can pave the way to a better society.
Driven by the spirit of initiative and attention, we run the monthly-issued UdicoNews, a magazine which collects the latest news and in-depth articles concerning what’s hot in the consumers world; furthermore, from 2018 we issue Capitan Udicon, the comic featuring the eponymous hero whose mission is to educate kids on the dangers of the modern world, from drug addiction to internet safety.
The project “Libera di conoscere”, carried out in collaboration with Banca Mediolanum S.p.A. and launched on 15 February 2026, aims to raise awareness among women about the importance of economic autonomy through the promotion of financial education.
Economic violence can be difficult to identify, as it does not always manifest through evident physical or psychological behaviours. Economic and financial gender-based violence is a form of domestic or gender-based violence that occurs through the control of a person’s economic and financial resources, generally within an intimate relationship. It is often perpetrated by a partner or former partner, but may also come from family members. According to ISTAT (Italian National Institute of Statistics), more than 26% of women who are victims of physical or psychological violence also experience forms of economic violence. Shelters and anti-violence centres report that nearly 1 in 3 women seeking help is economically dependent on a partner or former partner. Economic dependence is one of the main factors preventing women from leaving abusive relationships.
Economic dependence is a form of abuse consisting in controlling or limiting access to money and resources, preventing a person from being autonomous. It may include prohibiting employment, controlling expenses, accumulating debt in the victim’s name, or denying basic needs. It occurs most frequently in intimate or family relationships marked by economic dependence, gender inequalities, or situations of vulnerability, but it can arise in any social context. Economic violence is often less visible than other forms of violence, yet equally harmful. It can prevent victims from leaving abusive relationships precisely because they lack the means to do so.
Project objectives:
AREA OF INTERVENTION: National
DURATION: 12 months
Tu che ne sAI?
Safer Artificial Intelligence for everyone.
Artificial Intelligence is already part of our daily lives. It is a powerful and impactful tool. As such, it is essential to understand both its benefits and its risks in order to promote inclusive digital literacy, protect the rights of citizens, and ensure community participation in ongoing change.
The project
“tu che ne sAI? L’Intelligenza Artificiale più sicura per tutti” is the project promoted by U.Di.Con, ADOC, Cittadinanzattiva, Federconsumatori, and Unione Nazionale Consumatori, and funded by the MIMIT (Ministerial Decree of 12 May 2025). It supports citizens through a pathway of inclusive digital literacy, highlighting the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence while also addressing its risks and critical aspects.
Through in-depth analysis, training programmes, informational and educational activities on AI, awareness-raising campaigns, and immersive digital experiences, the project aims to empower citizens to become informed and active participants in their interaction with artificial intelligence, within an inclusive framework that engages people of all ages.
Civic Consultation
Artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly central role in many areas of everyday life, but how much do citizens and consumers really know about it? What opportunities and risks are associated with its use? Help us gather insights by taking part in our short online consultation.
Scientific and Technical Committee
A Scientific and Technical Committee (CTS) composed of experts from academia and the business sector has been established to support the Associations in analysing the opportunities and risks that the spread of AI presents for consumers. To this end, the CTS will produce a policy guidance document.
Events and Training
A training course will be delivered for the staff of the Consumer Associations (AACC) involved. This will be followed by a five-stop informational and educational tour for citizens, aimed at promoting greater awareness in the use of AI. The project will conclude with a final national event to present the project results.
Downloadable Materials
Throughout the project, free informational materials will be made available, including podcasts, infographics, short videos, and more, designed to facilitate citizens’ understanding of the world of AI.
Gaming Activities
Edutainment and gamification activities will be developed for digital natives. Through innovative methodologies and the creation of new educational tools, the project will also inform and raise awareness among younger audiences.
TRUFFE inSOSTENIBILI
Project Description
“Truffe inSOSTENIBILI – Senza inganni, un future più sostenibile” is a project funded by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT) and promoted by U.Di.Con. APS – Unione per la Difesa dei Consumatori, aiming to combat fraud and promote sustainable consumption through education, training, and digital inclusion initiatives.
The initiative addresses in an integrated way two major challenges for today’s citizens: preventing fraud, including scams disguised as sustainability, and promoting the circular economy and responsible consumption, fostering more informed, conscious, and safe consumer behaviour.
Project activities are aimed at all consumers, with particular attention to young people and individuals with disabilities, groups that are more exposed to the risks of digital fraud, greenwashing, and information exclusion.
Main Objectives
“Truffe inSOSTENIBILI” aims to:
Key Planned Activities
In line with the project objectives, the plan includes a series of innovative and participatory actions, including:
Project Duration
The project will have a duration of 12 months, engaging thousands of citizens across Italy.
Through interactive and inclusive formats, “Truffe inSOSTENIBILI” aims to:
CABLE – SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
In recent years, the growing focus on environmental sustainability and the fight against climate change has made it essential to adopt sustainable consumption practices and energy efficiency measures in our country. The climate emergency and the increasing demand for resources have made it necessary to rethink the way we consume and use energy. Previous initiatives by Consumer Associations (AACC) have often addressed this issue at a macro level, primarily focusing on the individual citizen as a consumer. However, while useful, this approach is no longer sufficient to meet today’s challenges. This project is based on the assumption that the citizen is not merely an isolated consumer, but lives and acts within a broader context composed of physical spaces, social relationships, and communities. Therefore, the promotion of sustainable consumption models and energy efficiency practices must take into account not only individual choices within the home, but also the dynamics that develop in squares, streets, and public spaces. In this way, the citizen becomes an active and aware subject, capable of influencing and transforming their living spaces and community, contributing to a change that goes beyond the personal dimension and extends to the collective one. Energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, and responsible consumption are the fundamental pillars of this project, which aims to raise awareness and provide citizens with concrete tools to adopt virtuous behaviours. The goal is to create a virtuous cycle in which individual choices positively impact the community, generating widespread and lasting effects. With the CABLE project, the proposing AACC intend to take a further step by expanding their scope of action, focusing on three main objectives:
While previous AACC initiatives operated at a macro level, focusing on the individual citizen/consumer, the CABLE project is based on the understanding that citizens live within a broader framework of physical and social spaces. Therefore, the promotion of sustainability and sustainable consumption choices must also consider this dimension, adopting an approach that sees citizens as active agents not only in their homes, but also in squares, streets, public spaces, and within their communities.
The actions to be implemented within the CABLE project are based on three interconnected pillars:
TRAINING – ADVISORY SERVICES – INFORMATION and EDUCATION
Training: of local operators belonging to the proposing AACC and of entities/associations/stakeholders active in the area, with the goal of creating a network of experts. This will make available, at the local level, a network of professionals providing free advisory services on building energy efficiency.
Advisory services: through a network of local help desks that will work concretely to provide energy audits and advisory services on the three main project themes, as well as to build a solid network of collaboration with entities/stakeholders and public administrations already present in the area. This will also cover topics related to sustainable mobility and responsible and sustainable consumption across various sectors.
Information and education: through targeted informational actions to be carried out in the identified territories and addressed to specific target groups.
5R- evolution: a green future
In Italy, policies for sustainable consumption are gaining increasing importance, through the implementation of initiatives that encourage responsible production and consumption, recycling, and green innovation. The green transition represents a fundamental shift in addressing the challenges related to climate change and environmental sustainability. In this context, the concept of the 5Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover, Redesign) provides an operational framework to foster a circular and sustainable economy, reducing waste and promoting the efficient use of resources.
Moreover, the green transition through the implementation of the 5Rs aims to reduce environmental impact by adopting sustainable and innovative practices. A key role in promoting this transition is played by young adults, who demonstrate a growing awareness of sustainability and an active role in the demand for environmentally friendly products and services; for this reason, they represent the project’s target group. Indeed, there is increasing discussion among them about conscious consumption: a growing interest has been observed in organic products, locally sourced goods, and those with environmental certifications, such as Ecolabel or Fairtrade.
Energy and transport: the use of renewable energy, such as domestic photovoltaic systems, is increasing thanks to government incentives; however, the transition towards more sustainable mobility, with electric or hybrid vehicles, remains slow compared to other European countries. Thus, the green transition in Italy, supported by the government and European policies, is progressing but requires continuous effort to spread awareness of the 5Rs and promote sustainable consumption. Only through the active involvement of all components of society will it be possible to achieve sustainability goals and contribute to a greener future.
For this reason, U.Di.Con., which protects and supports consumers, together with the partnership established for 5R-evolution, aims to reach as many consumers as possible in order to support the green transition. Thanks to the role that U.Di.Con. and its partners play as intermediaries between institutions and businesses, they can effectively contribute to achieving the objectives of the 2030 Agenda.
The project aims to promote awareness of the socio-economic benefits of sustainable and conscious consumption, reuse, and the value of the 5Rs, in order to support the objective of reducing inequalities by offering guidance and support to all consumers who wish to contribute to the green transition through their behavior.
In its initial phase, the project seeks to analyze the current state of the green transition in Italy by examining the preferences of the target group, the barriers to adopting sustainable habits, and the potential economic impact of their choices. In a second phase, the project focuses on conscious consumption practices among young adults, promoting the 5Rs to create more sustainable consumption models through practical training activities, that also include a playful component, information and awareness-raising campaigns, and exchanges of goods, clothing, and basic necessities.
Finally, the project reflects on the importance of a cultural and systemic shift involving not only consumers but also SMEs and institutions, in order to actively contribute at multiple levels to the green transition.
CIRCE – Circular Energy and CIrcular Economy
NOTICE NO. 2/2023 FOR THE FUNDING OF INITIATIVES AND PROJECTS OF NATIONAL RELEVANCE PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 72 OF LEGISLATIVE DECREE NO. 117 OF 3 JULY 2017, AS AMENDED – YEAR 2023.
UNC APS – Unione Nazionale Consumatori project leader together with the partners U.Di.Con. APS – Unione per la difesa dei consumatori, ADOC APS, U.Di.Con. REGIONALE CALABRIA APS AND U.DI.CON. REGIONALE LAZIO APS, UNC Comitato di Faenza APS and ADOC ABRUZZO APS are implementing the CircE project, whose primary objective is to help fragile families facing this condition, through the activation of a network of competent and trained experts, to get out of energy poverty or at least to reduce the risk of entering it as much as possible. To this end, a network of desks of the proposing AACCs, present in the territories involved, will be set up in 19 regions. Their task will be to provide assistance to families in difficulty and to create a network of subjects capable of intercepting this type of fragile families, and to intervene on the problem through various channels and tools. Through the action of the desks and the network, households in energy poverty will be able to become recipients of the activities and application of good practices to optimise their energy consumption. The network of experts that will be created, which will include operators of the partner AACCs, but also volunteers and operators of third sector associations in the area working with fragile families or communities, will be trained through a training course that will issue a certificate for ‘Home Energy Tutor’ to participants, enabling them to work on the problem in the long term and in different contexts. In this way, a model of services will be created to meet a growing social need, while at the same time creating new relationships and new partnerships and increasing possibilities for action for the communities themselves. Through targeted actions and ad hoc tools, the CircE project also wants to promote the formation of a culture of sustainability and sustainable and responsible consumption.
In fact, the proposing AACCs consider it fundamental to promote prevention in order to try to reduce the risk of incurring a state of economic precariousness and consequently energy poverty. With the CircE – Circular Energy & Circular Economy project, they intend to develop an awareness-raising phase on issues such as sustainable consumption and budget management, reuse and recycling of end-of-life materials, food waste and the promotion of ‘km0’ by setting up training laboratories and workshops open to all citizen-consumers in the territories involved, with the aim of activating the much hoped-for ‘energy transition’ of households, which among its benefits also includes that of reducing energy, food, consumption costs, etc. The implementation of the network of counters and operators trained on energy poverty (CircE network), working synergistically, will make it possible to intercept the largest possible number of users and households in difficulty, offering them the opportunity to improve their consumption behaviour and their socio-economic condition, and at the same time, to collect in-depth data on the phenomenon also at territorial level (data on the types of households affected, territorial distribution, consumption behaviour and patterns, etc.). These data, which will be collected by the desks open in the territory, will serve as monitoring and will be processed and made available thanks to a report that will be disseminated in the territories involved. Indeed, the activation of the network will make it possible to develop a monitoring and analysis of different territorial realities and to identify households in a state of energy poverty and vulnerability.
SAFE – Safe Food Advocacy Europe, together with a consortium of partners from across Europe including the Consumer Education
and Information Center (Croatia), the Lithuanian Consumer Institute (Lithuania), the Union for Working Consumers of Greece
(Greece), the Consumers Defense Union (Italy), Amici Obesi (Italy) and Promote Ukraine (Belgium), have developed a 3-year duration project entitled “Preventia” with the overarching aims to:
– Reduce health inequalities across the EU;
– Decrease the spreading of NCDs across the EU,
– Foster cooperation and exchanges between the EU Member States.
Through a set of relevant Work Packages and tasks, the project will unfold according to 3 main dimensions: Capacity-building and
training, Networking and cooperation and Campaigning and awareness-raising.
The project’s specific objectives are to:
– Enhance the cooperation and peer-learning of civil society across the EU in the fight against NCDs, with a special emphasis on
stakeholders from Ukraine;
– Encourage the exchanges and best practices and mobility opportunities of health and nutrition workforce across the EU;
– Improve health literacy of younger generations on NCDs prevention through training on healthy eating habits and childhood
obesity;
– Reduce health inequalities across the EU (and beyond) through inclusive activities for vulnerable groups;
– Raise awareness of citizens at large through participatory and interactive campaigns;
– Empower consumers to make better informed and more nutritious food choices through innovative digital tools;
– Analyse and assess national policies related to NCDs prevention;
– Advocate for new EU policy approaches based on the Member States’ needs;
– Widely and effectively communicate about the project and give visibility to its activities;
– To promote and disseminate the project deliverables among targeted audience across the EU.
ECONGUSTO – sapore sostenibile, futuro inclusivo
Project ‘Econgusto – sustainable taste, inclusive future’ was born from the collaboration between U.Di.Con. APS – Union for the Defence of Consumers National Headquarters and the project partners: U.Di.Con. Emilia Romagna APS; AVES Associazione Volontariato Europeo Solidale; U.Di.Con. Lazio Regional APS; U.Di.Con. Marche Regional APS; U.Di.Con. Regional Apulia APS; U.Di.Con. REGIONAL Sicily APS; U.Di.Con. REGIONALE CALABRIA APS financed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies with Notice no. 2/2023 D.G. of the third sector and corporate social responsibility Fund for the financing of projects and initiatives of general interest in the third sector art. 72 Legislative Decree no. 117/2017 as amended.
The project aims to reduce food and consumption waste while also minimising socio-economic inequalities. Econgusto responds to certain requirements and needs identified throughout the country such as:
Thanks to the vast experience of the project partners and U.Di.Con. Nazionale, it was decided to propose a project that would support the sharing, dissemination and promotion of sustainable development and consumption practices that are fundamental to reducing inequalities and improving people’s quality of life. The idea is to assess the level of knowledge among the population on the theme of circular economy with a focus on food waste and sustainable consumption, and then move on to offer information, training and support actions in the long term on the themes of food waste, reuse and recycling of materials, inclusion and marginalisation.
In addition,
Meetings will be organised in the territory through the organisation of food collection days, cooking and meal sharing with chefs and nutritionists who will prepare healthy and low-waste food; clothes collection days and exchanges will be organised to raise awareness on the issue of fast fashion; three episodes of the web series ‘Il condominio’ on the project theme will be produced; role playing will be organised to actively involve consumers as well as the recording of mini videos to inform the communication campaign throughout the territory.
SAFE ‘s Food4Inclusion Project strives to make healthy diets accessible through ground projects such as food redistribution or healthy accessible meals in restaurants for people in need. SAFE is also advocating for better affordability of food products across Europe and for the social inclusion of at-risk and disadvantaged population groups. The Food4Inclusion Project aims to generate a positive impact on European citizens, especially disadvantaged ones, by providing independent information, developing relevant training, and encouraging the adoption of a new legislation that will lead to a more inclusive food system.
The general objective of PeaSeNGO project is to combine the expertise of CNR as EEN partner and of U.Di.Con – Union for the Defense of Consumers- as NGO, to impact the environmental and social performance of three selected SMEs assisting them in their transition to more sustainable business model. The project scope is to enhance the interaction and improve collaboration between SMEs and NGOs/ CSOs, contributing to the achievement of the SDGs of United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with regards to the three following Goals: Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, with regard, Goal 10 – Reduce inequality within and among countries, Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities. To achieve these goals, PeaSeNGO provides the SMEs partner through CNR and Udicon, advisorsy services divided in three steps: 1) Company Needs Analysis – Preparatory visits (also remotely) and discussion with the SMEs to understand characteristics and needs of SME Partners in the domain of sustainability 2) Sustainability assessments – CNR and U.Di.Con will assess the current business model of the partner SMEs in collaboration with the EEN Sustainability Advisors and using proven, high quality methodologies/tool 3) Training/Workshop – In order to support SMEs in their sustainable transformation/evolution embracing the SDGs targets, U.Di.Con. will provide specific workshops and webinars both on green topics in which also customers will be invited to present to SMEs their requests and needs and on social issues in which the SMEs’ employees will be invited to discuss of the gender equality, fair internal procedures, privacy rules and other social topics with the SMEs’ management to improve the workplace. In addiction the project has the purpose to scale up further to reach other SMEs (already in EEN ecosystem), other NGOs/ CSOs, and other relevant actors/networks at regional/national/European level.
The project is a collaboration between U.Di.Con. and UNC and is funded by the Italian Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (pursuant to Art. 72, DD 03/07/2017 and subsequent amendments). The project aims at putting the consumer at the center, with particular reference to young and fragile people. Focus is on issues such as food education, circular economy, food waste and over-indebtedness. Information tools in this project involve a video game, webinars / meetings, web series, physical and virtual info points and a call center and two physical help desks. Project’s website provides information related to consumer services and to the project’s activities. Inclusivity is a key point, and information material and videos will be made available for the vision-impaired and for deaf people.
Project RI-FA-RE is a collaboration among six consumers associations and is funded by the Ministry of Economics (pursuant to Art. 388/2000 – 2021). Project activities involve the collaboration with institutional partners, and it aims at improving citizens’ and associations’ awareness in terms of reuse of material, waste management and circular economy topics. We are implementing activities such as workshops, online and in person events and questionnaires. Project activities are designed to reach everyone, including vision-impaired and deaf people, through the involvement of sign language interpreters and the production of Braille information materials.
The project was born from a collaboration between U.Di.Con. and Unione Nazionale Consumatori and is funded by DIVISION III – Protection and promotion of health and safety at work of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies pursuant to Article 72 of Legislative Decree 3 July 2017, n. 117 and subsequent amendments – year 2018. There were several general objectives that had been carried out; the activities concerned promoting the recovery of food surpluses and fostering food education programs and activities.
The project was funded by the Ministry of Economic Development (pursuant to the D.D. of 01/10/2018) and carried out in partnership by the fellow Associations Unione Nazionale Consumatori, U.Di.Con. and Movimento Difesa del Cittadino. It ended in March 2021 and intended to facilitate the relationship between consumers and consumer associations. Through initiatives throughtout the country and moments of discussion, we aimed to illustrate to citizens their rights and foster their awareness as consumers.
The project aimed to promote educational and awareness campaigns against drugs addiction. It went through doubts, questions, misguidance and feelings of teenagers which may lead to abuse. Furthermore, the project provided an in-depth reflection on the reasons why this phenomenon spreads out and takes roots. The specific objectives of the project were related to improve and provide a proper information on the consequences and physical and psychological damage caused by substances.
The project – proposed by the Consumer Associations registered to the CNCU, with funding from the Ministry of Economic Development – General Directorate for the Fight against Counterfeiting, Italian Patent and Trademark Office – intends to educate citizens on the phenomenon of counterfeiting and inform them about related problems to legality, economy and protection tools.
The project was granted by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies. It guaranteed, throughout 2018, social inclusion by developing actions to raise awareness, to inform and to support the physically-challenged and the elderly. One of the main activities of the project was the creation of playful-educational workshops for impaired children in seven municipalities throughout the country.
Since 2011 U.Di.Con. host the Civilian Service. The young are involved in projects related to e.g. social inclusion, environment protection, educational, rights and cultural promotion etc. Nowadays, the most recent projects aim to face the feeling of marginalization of young and elderly people, implementing actions and activities to involve the beneficiaries of the projects in the economic and social life.
The term Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) denotes a wide range of dispute resolution processes, used in lieu of litigation, to settle disputes among two disagreeing parties with the help of a third party. In most cases, resort to ADRs is compulsory before turning to a judge, thus resulting in lowering courts workload. Furthermore, ADRs have become popular among consumers as they come up with generally shorter resolution times and fewer costs.
U.Di.Con. endorses several ADRs concerning communication, postal service, energy, transportation and financial sectors, including agreements with Wind H3G, Vodafone, Tim, Fastweb, Poste Italiane, UniCredit, Intesa San Paolo, Acea, Enel, Eni, Trenitalia, TreNord, Netcomm and Autostrade per l’Italia.
