Ecosister: paths of territorial transformative innovation for Modena and Reggio Emilia
Unimore is committed, together with the Marco Biagi Foundation, to the realisation of territorial innovation paths in the field of ecological transition, as part of the ECOSISTER project, financed with NRRP funds. The pathways, based on collaboration and co-design between the several actors operating in the territory, started with two challenges: one for Modena and one for Reggio Emilia.
The challenge selected for the Modena area is ‘C4-Bio - Development of collaborative solutions to tackle Climate Change and conserve Biodiversity’, proposed by Foreste per sempre OdV, with Legambiente - Circolo di Modena ‘Angelo Vassallo’ APS and Gruppo Modenese Scienze Naturali APS.
Increasingly, there is concern expressed by citizens about extreme events and the inadequacy of cities to cope with climate events. However, there is a lack of awareness of the importance of individual and community choices to reduce the intensity of these changes and limit their consequences. The challenge aims to focus the attention of the local context on the importance of conscious and shared reflection on the impact of climate change. The challenge is also addressed to schools, as an opportunity to reflect on the scenarios that the new generations will face.
‘Ecosister is one of the most important NRRP programmes at national level. It deals with supporting the transition in the Emilia-Romagna region towards a more sustainable economy and society. In this programme, Unimore is involved in various actions to support our territories, such as this challenge launched by associations and groups operating in the province of Modena, which aims to address the issues of climate change and the defence of biodiversity. The objective is to develop a collective effort to raise awareness among citizens, starting with schools, to inform and educate, creating a context where it is easier to understand the challenges posed by climate change and its increasingly evident impact on daily life,' comments Prof. Gianluca Marchi, the Rector's Delegate for the Third Mission for the Modena campus.
The challenge selected for the Reggio Emilia territory is ‘Inclusive circular economy hub: from ecological transition to social transition’, proposed by Legacoop Emilia Ovest with Fondazione E35 and Fondazione Reggio Children.
In order to foster an ecological transition that supports social transition, inclusion, cohesion and the creation of public spaces for relationships, the challenge aims at the creation of a circular economy Hub. The Hub would become a tool for systemic and synergetic action, maximising impact and creating innovative processes with broad social impact.
‘The challenge selected for the Reggio Emilia area is also very interesting, as it captures one of the fundamental characteristics of the sustainable development objectives, namely the strong interconnection between environment, economy and social aspects, from which derives the importance of an integrated approach in the development of actions aimed at achieving them’. Prof. Giovanni Verzellesi, Rector's Delegate for Third Mission for the Reggio Emilia campus, continues.
At this stage, the participants in the challenges are engaged in the creation of an innovation portfolio, i.e. the identification of a shortlist of suitable areas of intervention to address the challenge in a systemic way, which will be the result of collaboration between territorial stakeholders and representatives from the world of research and innovation.
Operational meetings, open to various legal entities (non-profit associations, companies, institutions, schools) involved in the pathways, are taking place in these very weeks.
At the beginning of 2025, a competitive procedure will be launched to select two solutions, one for each of the challenges, and both will be developed in the months to follow, until the end of the Ecosister Project, always thanks to the contribution deriving from the territorial context and always with an Ecosystem perspective.
Those wishing to participate may contact the Public Engagement and Relations with Society Office of Unimore by writing to: terzamissione@unimore.it
Categorie: International - english, Notizie_eng
Articolo pubblicato da: Ufficio Stampa Unimore - ufficiostampa@unimore.it