The event attracted a wide audience consisting of almost 50 representatives of regional and local public institutions, regional health authorities, managing authorities of environmental sites, Schools, start-ups and associations coming from both hinterland and coastal areas.
During the meeting dr Andrea Pellei, Head of National and EU programming Unit at Marche Region illustrated the “National Strategy for the Hinterland Areas” and in particular three regional target areas located in Marche: “Appennino Basso Pesarese e Anconetano”, “Alto maceratese” and “Piceno”. The importance and the relevance of this strategy is in line with the views of the European Commission that, through the InvestEU Programme 2021-2027, will dedicate a special ERDF fund to promote the sustainable development of urban, rural and coastal areas. For this reason, MADE IN-LAND can be an opportunity to strengthen this strategy and to build connections with the coastal areas.
UNICAM Professor Massimo Sargolini, head of the scientific project team, presented the MADE IN-LAND project by focusing on its objectives, actions and in particular on the stakeholder’s involvement, and so on how the project will bring benefit to the local area throught a participatory approach.
Some interesting speakers were invited to contribute in the discussion on the implementation of MADE IN-LAND by talking about their experiences. In particular, dr. Fabio Renzi, Secretary of Symbola Foundation, underlined the peculiar historical, cultural and environmental characteristics of Apennines as an unique example in Europe. In order to maintain and promote this special area, that is affected by an increasing population decline, it is necessary to develop regeneration strategies by considering the point of view of local community.
In addition, dr Francesca Pulcini, Head of Legambiente Marche organization, described the amazing activity of Legambiente volunteers of rescuing arts and artifacts in churches and other ancient buildings across the earthquake zone in 2016.
Dr. Carlo Birrozzi, Head of the Catalogue and Documentation Central Institute of Mibact (Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage), talked about the data availability and access. The lack of a rational, comprehensive and dialogic organization of data on cultural and natural heritage caused a partial knowledge of it. As results, to overcome this problem and to contribute to build a territorial identity MADE IN-LAND should guarantee a local and virtual access to these data by focusing on the relationship between hinterlands (the valleys of Chienti and Potenza rivers) and coastal areas in terms of redirection of tourism flows.
The last speech was delivered by dr Alberto Monachesi, representative of the UnicaMONTAGNA project, who illustrated its aims, progress, future and possible synergies with MADE IN-LAND. In conclusion, all the participants were invited to express their comments on the project and on how to contribute to its next steps.
In the video you can see the highlights of the event.
