The cooperative “Non solo gadget” was set up on 19 Aprile 2002 as a limited liability company.

1. The cooperative “Non solo gadget” was set up on 19 Aprile 2002 as a limited liability company. It was established by 9 partner -students to create a small outlet selling stationery and textbooks.

2. “ Non solo Gadget” co-operatedwith the parents’ associationnamed “Liberi a Scuola” (free at school) The co-operation was important as the association helped them • look for suppliers • manage high sums of money

3. La liberi a scuola The association was established in 2001 by 5 parents Its main aim was the purchase of textbooks for most of our school students Families were able to get discounts and delay in payment The cooperative helped the association organize and manage bookings and delivery

4. The activities of “Non solo Gadget” • Development of the necessary software • Booking and checking of orders • Arrangement and despatch of orders to suppliers • Acceptance, checking and sorting of books • Getting payments and delivery of books • Monitoring of single students’ position (delivery of books, orders, payment) and dealing with problems. • Checking of the money received and of the sums to be paid • Management of simple administrative activities (invoices and banks)

5. The figures of the cooperative • 19 partners at the end of 2006; • 5/6 partner -students working every year; • 1,000 students availing themselves of the service; • 5,000/6,000 textbooks purchased every year; • 270,000 euros spent on books in 2006/2007.

6. Economic and financial aspects of the Cooperative Yearly proceeds:13,000 Euros Bureaucratic expenses : 5,000 Euros Gross salaries to working partners: 8.000 Euros Average working time: 3/4 months…

7. Mainreasonsforclosedown • Problems connected to university or work; • Technical problems with the information system; • High administrative costs; • Lack of new partners for a new management.