On January 29th, the University of Naples Federico II (UNINA) hosted the Italian Stakeholder Roundtable of the NewEcoSmart project, bringing together municipalities, experts and key stakeholders to discuss strategies for enhancing rural areas through innovative approaches, in a packed room of people interested in the topic.
The roundtable centred on exploring opportunities to support sustainable innovation and growth for municipalities, with a distinguished group of speakers providing valuable insights. Giuseppe Chirico, Responsabile Relazioni Business PA Sud-Ovest Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, outlined financial strategies to support municipalities in promoting innovation. Annamaria Colao, UNESCO Chair at UNINA, gave an overview of disparities in Europe and their implications for sustainable development. Carina Dantas presented how SHAFE (Smart Health Age-Friendly Environments) initiatives can drive sustainable progress by integrating digital solutions and health-orientated policies. Representatives from AD ELO, AMUEBLA/CETEM and Ayto Yecla, including Almudena Muñoz and Mário Fidalgo, shared strategies for revitalising rural communities. Mayors and municipal officials, including Giuseppe Silvestri (Pacentro), Michele Di Gesualdo (Campo di Giove), Luca Malvestuto (Cansano), and others, discussed their local experiences and challenges.
Almudena Muñoz presented the NewEcoSmart project, while Vittorio Riponi discussed its main challenges and future directions. CTIC presented a set of tools for municipalities and Maddalena Illario presented the Dheal-Com Living Lab initiative, designed to promote collaborative innovation.
The debates emphasised the importance of strategic collaboration in developing rural areas, strengthening digital and ecological skills and promoting entrepreneurial growth. The NewEcoSmart initiative aims to create a sustainable and inclusive framework that empowers municipalities to effectively adopt the twin transition. With the active participation of key stakeholders, the event highlighted the urgent need to bridge regional disparities and implement innovative solutions that drive long-term progress. The fruitful exchange of ideas demonstrated a collective commitment to improving the well-being and sustainability of rural communities across Italy.