150th Anniversary Founding SUMS

Mutual Aid Societies are welfare institutions through which individuals, who are all exposed to the same risk of poverty, illness, or loss of work or income, pool regular contributions in order to provide mutual assistance when someone is struck by a misfortune covered by the scheme. The best system of assistance is one that enables the poor never to need alms – Mutual Aid Societies are the most effective means of achieving this aim; the moral principle that inspires them aims at the rule of reason over instinct, the will prevailing over the passions, and the triumph of personal dignity.

On 6 April 1874, the Società della Unione was founded in San Marino, “a society whose aim is harmony among citizens”. Two years later, on 28 May 1876, it was decided to combine the aim of the Società dell’Unione with that of Mutual Aid amongst artisans and workers, “so as to provide mutual support in the event of illness, and to promote morality and well-being”.