EQUAL NSdV 2004-2007 was an experimental research, training and implementation project funded by the European Social Fund, the Italian Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Policies and Regione Lombardia. Authored, proposed and managed by Alberto Brugnoni, the project split into three actions

In the national action, it aimed to tackle the issue of financial and social exclusion and help consolidating the networks of social economy (Reti di Economia Solidale-RES) located in Lombardy. It counted among its partners some of the most important Italian players of ethical finance and micrfinance, such as MAG2 Finance, Banca Popolare Etica, Consorzio Assicurativo Etico Solidale, Consorzio Sociale Light, Associazione Rete del Nuovo Municipio,BIC-La Fucina. It also made use, amongst others, of the following think-tanks: the Comitato promotore della Fondazione per la Moneta di Dono, for the study and implementation of complementary currencies, the Laboratorio di Politiche Pubbliche for social policies, the Laboratorio di Progettazione Ecologica for territorial added value policies

In the transnational action, NSdV participated in the project EUROSOL with 'SOL-Echanger autrement' of France, 'ERES-Sevilla - EQUAL para la Responsabilidad Social en Sevilla' and 'TESIS - Territorios Emprendedores para la Economía Social y Solidaria' of Spain; 'São Brás Solidário' of Portugal; 'Nuove Officine - La comunitá di pratica per l’economia sostenibile' of Sardinia. The project aimed to showcase the best practices for access to credit available in these countries and saw the involvement of more than 40 associations, cooperatives and NGOs

In the national mainstreaming action, NSdV aimed to disseminate its results and partnered with “Scie” - Torino; “Finanza In” - Milano; “Recoopera” - Chieti; “Espansione” - Puglia; “Ortinet” - Napoli; “Nuove Officine” - Bologna; “Dall’Associazionismo all’impresa Sociale” - Perugia

After its conclusion, NSdV has been showcased by the European Commission in Helsinki and Hannover and it is widely acknowledged as a reference tool by the European social economy networks