UmbriaSostenibile podcast

<p><strong>Umbria Sostenibile – Episode 1</strong></p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>We live in a time when words like development, future, environment, and participation are at the heart of public debate. But how often do we really stop and ask ourselves what they mean today? And above all, who are they addressed to?</p><p>This podcast was created within the Umbrian Network for Sustainable Development, a project initiated by the Umbria Region to promote more coherent and sustainable public policies.</p><p>Together with ARPA Umbria, the University of Perugia, the University for Foreigners with the WARREDOC center, ANCI Umbria, FELCOS Umbria, Sviluppumbria, and the Umbria Technology Park. This initiative aims to build more effective and integrated governance, connecting regional institutions, municipalities, local areas, and stakeholders around a common goal: sustainable development.</p><p>But that's not all. This journey aims to genuinely foster the active participation of new generations, entrusting young people with the creation of innovative, inclusive communication tools capable, above all, of addressing present-day challenges. The University for Foreigners of Perugia supports this vision, having contributed to the development of this podcast by offering a space where memory meets experience, and present meets future vision.</p><p>My name is Italo Carmignani. I have been a journalist all my life. I have seen cities grow and forests disappear. I have written about progress, but also about its costs.</p><p>And today, more than ever, I reflect on a word I hear everywhere, often even overused: sustainability. But what does sustainable development really mean? Is it just a trend or a real direction for the future?</p><p>Above all, how do young people imagine it—how do the new generations envision it? And precisely to understand how the new generations envision it, I will not be alone on this journey. By my side is Sofia, a university student, who gives voice to a generation eager to be heard and to play a leading role.</p><p>Because they have a lot to say—indeed, very much to say.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Hello, Italo. My name is Sofia Abategiovanni, and I am a graduating student in International Studies for Sustainability and Social Security at the University for Foreigners of Perugia.</p><p>Today I speak as a student, but also on behalf of many young people who, like me, find themselves living in and having to build their future in a time full of uncertainties: anxiety about climate change, increasing inequalities, and wars that seem never-ending. For us, sustainability is not a fad.</p><p>Nor is it just a slogan: instead, it is a hope and therefore a necessity—a responsibility, I would say. We are not content with half-measures: we demand consistency, inclusion, transparency, and above all, we demand to be present, to participate, and to contribute.</p><p>Often, in the midst of all this, we feel overwhelmed: the problems seem too big, too complex, too fast.</p><p>And above all, out of control. But precisely from this awareness arises a new drive, an energy born of frustration and the will to change direction.</p><p>Personally, I dream of a tomorrow radically different from today: a future where decisions regenerate rather than jeopardize, include rather than exclude, and where the three dimensions of sustainability are not separate spheres, but where the environment, social justice, and economic balance are interconnected under a single vision—a sustainable one.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>This is quite a challenge for our generation as well. But let's start from the past and set a definition—a kind of baseline, a cornerstone. And let's go all the way back to 1987, when a United Nations document, the famous Brundtland Report, gave a strong and positive definition of sustainable development.</p><p>It meant the capacity to meet the needs of the present without compromising those of future generations. And so, in some way, it implied a double commitment: to protect the environment now, but also to safeguard it for the future.</p><p>Of course, back then, it was almost a radical idea, given that we were in an era of full industrial growth and new energy developments. But now, we must recover this noble and valuable idea. But do you think it is still relevant?</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Absolutely. If we are here discussing it, it means we need to ensure that this idea—which unfortunately often remains just a definition—is truly implemented. It's been almost forty years since that document, and meanwhile, the world has changed drastically: the climate has become more unsustainable, resources scarcer, and inequalities more visible. We find ourselves dealing with the consequences of choices made by others in the past, often without having been able to participate in those decision-making processes.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>In that sense, you make us feel a bit responsible.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Well, clearly, the current generation feels the impact most. We have many responsibilities: at times, it seems as though the fate of the world depends on our generation. And that, as I mentioned before, gives us a certain amount of anxiety. Yes, we continue to believe in development that does not compromise the future, but we also question what the meaning of "needs" is today compared to when that report was written.</p><p>And above all: whose needs? We still see people living in abundance, alongside others who are still struggling for access to clean water, decent employment, or clean air. And I find myself questioning what it really means not to compromise the future—because in some respects, that future has already been damaged, and it’s my generation that is paying the price.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>I understand that, in your generation. Certainly, we come from a hundred years of economic and industrial development, building delicate balances in economics, employment, and energy sources, and it becomes complicated to shut everything down overnight, to abruptly halt the industrial process. There are many things that, in our minds, are simply unacceptable.</p><p>Just think, for example, of the difficulties facing electric transportation as opposed to conventional engines: there is resistance to disrupting this way of life, this system, and so we must look for a different solution.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Well, solutions do exist, and in fact, my impression is that the problem is not so much the complexity involved in implementing new technologies—which, in many ways, break away from everything that came before—but rather the lack of will to do so. And, perhaps more importantly, the lack of trust in the new generations, who have divergent, unconventional thinking that has not always been embraced.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>You are certainly right, because we have to change ways of thinking, change our mindset, and that's central. But do you know what scares me most? That we keep talking about it.</p><p>We keep discussing, debating, and even politically fighting over the various solutions, but time keeps passing. The climate is changing, the environment too, and so this passage of time forces us to make decisions as quickly as possible.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Obviously, we need to talk about these issues, but, as you said, we need to act. So first of all, we must listen to each other across generations—not just me speaking to my generation and you to yours, but finding ways to connect and propose solutions that are genuinely applicable to both our generations. Most importantly, we need to find ways to innovate, regenerate, engage communities, and above all, to educate and prepare those who will work tomorrow. So I think that now, more than ever, real collaboration between us is needed to make a word that, unfortunately, remains a bit too abstract—sustainability—more concrete.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>Well, we have laid some fairly practical foundations, both from a technical perspective and in terms of the questions that must be asked of those who are already working to protect the environment and shape the future. In our next episode, we will turn to those who are already on this path, those making decisions—experts, administrators, professors, and institutional representatives. We will try to seek out those who make decisions for today and for the future.</p><p>So that sustainability is not, as you said, merely an abstract concept but instead a real challenge—because it does not concern only those who govern, but every citizen, young and old, every family. Therefore, we are all waiting for answers—decisive ones.</p><p>STEFANIA PROIETTI</p><p>I am Stefania Proietti, President of the Umbria Region. Umbria is the green heart of Italy, and for Umbria, sustainability is much more than a word or a concept: sustainability in Umbria means a way of living and relating to the environment and to others. For Umbria, sustainability means fraternity, social justice, environmental justice.</p><p>For Umbria, sustainability means building the future by considering today what tomorrow will bring, putting the new generations at the center of our daily and political activity. For the people of Umbria, sustainability means starting from our identity—welcoming, solidarity, peace, the values of fraternity—to build together a more equitable society, open to sharing, striving to ensure the full dignity of those living today, and laying the foundations for a better life for those who will come after us. Sustainability and Umbria are one and the same: sustainability in the green heart of Italy is a lifestyle, a cultural attitude, an identity we want to share beyond our magnificent region. Umbria is sustainability; sustainability is Umbria.</p><p>FRANCESCO ASDRUBALI</p><p>I am Francesco Asdrubali, Vice Rector of the University for Foreigners of Perugia and Director of the Master's in Urban Regeneration. Cities represent one of the main challenges for sustainability: integrating socio-economic considerations with environmental ones shows us how much the model for urban growth and management must change. And change must happen now.</p><p>MAURA MARCHEGIANI</p><p>I am Maura Marchegiani, Rector's Delegate for Sustainability Policies at the University for Foreigners of Perugia. Our goal is to offer the opportunity to learn about, understand and analyze the complex challenges of our era through an innovative educational model, combining cutting-edge research on various aspects of sustainability with interdisciplinary teaching that integrates diverse and complementary perspectives, generating a constantly evolving learning environment through the cross-fertilization of knowledge, disciplines, and expertise.</p><p>LORENZO LUCARELLI</p><p>I am Lorenzo Lucarelli, President of FELCOS Umbria, and I believe our territory must increasingly engage in dialogue with the world to address, together with other countries, the challenges of sustainability through international cooperation, while at the same time working to localize the development objectives of the 2030 Agenda with concrete policies and initiatives at the local level.</p><p>GIOVANNI ROCCATELLI</p><p>I am Giovanni Roccatelli, technical manager of the Umbrian Network for Sustainable Development project of the Umbria Region. For me, the challenge is to define and implement regional policies focused on sustainable development, and to support local areas in building and practicing sustainability.</p><p>SILVIO RANIERI</p><p>I am Silvio Ranieri, Secretary General of ANCI Umbria. Thanks to their close relationship with citizens and the local area, municipalities play a crucial role in translating regional strategies into concrete actions: it is in the regions where the future is shaped—an equitable, resilient, and sustainable future for our communities.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>The perspectives we've just heard are important and filled with vision and responsibility. But now the real challenge is to transform these visions into real change, and above all, to address how to overcome real obstacles—from bureaucracy to fragmentation—in order to truly make our cities, our policies, and our lifestyles sustainable.</p><p>Of course, we do not have all the answers, but what we want is to ask the right questions.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>And we will ask the right questions next episode to President of the Umbria Region, Stefania Proietti. With her, we will discuss public policies and the hurdles in their way, the possibilities, and the everyday challenge of turning words—which so many of us, including ourselves, have used so far—into concrete actions: the projects and commitments that administrators must undertake.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>This is because the future does not wait—it must be built. And it begins now. Stay connected with us.</p>

<p><strong>Umbria Sostenibile – Episode 2: Interview with Stefania Proietti</strong></p><p> </p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>There is a thread connecting all generations: the fear of not being heard. Parents think their children are too impatient; children think their parents are too slow.</p><p>And so time passes, while the problems remain. But there is one problem that does not allow for delay: environmental sustainability. I am Italo Carmignani, journalist and podcast host, and today I won’t be alone: with me is Sofia Abategiovanni, a student at the University for Foreigners of Perugia, who brings the perspective of those who will not only imagine the future, but will live it first-hand.</p><p>Together, we will meet the President of the Umbria Region, Stefania Proietti, to understand how politics can address not only today’s needs but, above all, the questions of tomorrow. Because the truth is simple.</p><p>Young people ask to be heard, and so does the planet. But this time, we really cannot pretend not to listen. President Proietti, there is widespread talk about the ecological transition to be completed by 2030: what real changes do you hope to see in our region?</p><p>STEFANIA PROIETTI</p><p>The changes Umbria will undergo from now to 2030 will go hand in hand with our programmatic guidelines for Umbria through 2029. Every policy guideline, including those outlined in the economic and financial document currently being finalized in the Legislative Assembly, is characterized by one or more of the 2030 Agenda’s objectives. This should show you what sustainability means to us: it is present in every mission—this is the technical term—entrusted to the Umbria Region. Regions are responsible for the territory, urban planning, and urban regeneration.</p><p>They are responsible for protected areas, including those at the European level: think of our natural parks and Natura 2000 areas. They are responsible for the lakes, watersheds, and, above all, for people. If I had to identify the first visible change, I would say that sustainability will become an integral part of the document that will define the health policies for the citizens of Umbria, following a One Health approach, meaning our health is intrinsically linked to the health of the environment, other living beings, and that everything is interconnected.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Madam President, we young people are often accused of being a somewhat lazy generation. In your opinion, what issues should we really be taking to the streets for today? What do you see as the most urgent environmental and social battles in Umbria, those truly worth mobilizing for?</p><p>STEFANIA PROIETTI</p><p>Far from lazy: young people are our energy, our source of strength. The key battle is against climate change because it is paradigm-shifting: climate change is caused by the wealthy, but it affects and kills the poor, be they countries, people, or innocent children. We talk less about it now, as a wave of crises, including wars, takes center stage.</p><p>Unfortunately, we see that many wars—what Pope Francis called a "piecemeal World War"—often take place where fossil fuels are found, or where pipelines pass or are planned to pass, right up to the latest events in the Middle East, where fossil fuel energy is not just a background factor but one of the main drivers of these crises and wars. Why fight against climate change?</p><p>Because energy emancipation through renewables brings more peace and more democracy. This is a battle that young people now feel deeply: they have a "green heart," which is something of a symbol of our Umbria, and which your generation possesses, Sofia. When I started my research on sustainability and sustainable energy, some twenty-five years ago, climate change denialism was very strong.</p><p>Today, there is a tendency to avoid talking about climate change; however, too often, environmental issues are at the root of many social tragedies and injustices.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>Umbria has always been described as Italy’s green heart, but how green is it today? Could you give us real figures on land consumption?</p><p>STEFANIA PROIETTI</p><p>Umbria’s territory is highly fragile, and this is closely linked to land consumption and years of mismanagement of our river systems: the two are deeply connected. Land consumption triggers problems that, together with climate change–induced heavy rainfalls at a global level, can become potentially life-threatening. All too often, we now witness torrential rains turning into floods or river overflows in our region.</p><p>So, Umbria is still a green heart in many respects: consider our forest heritage, and the fact that our towns are truly jewels, beautifully set in this wonderful landscape. But there is also this fragility. How can we address it? Through adaptation measures to climate change, always aiming for climate change mitigation: making Umbria carbon neutral, with zero carbon footprint.</p><p>This is not an impossible dream, if we consider that our ecosystem services—our growing and well-managed forests—can store CO2. We can achieve this dream: to be the first region to calculate its carbon footprint and completely offset it.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>In Umbria, unfortunately, many young people choose to leave because they see no future here. We’d like to ask what the Region is doing to create new job opportunities, especially in the fields of sustainability and innovation, that are genuinely capable of reversing this trend and convincing us to stay.</p><p>STEFANIA PROIETTI</p><p>I would answer in one word: Umbria is building networks. Networks between whom? Among productive enterprises, which in our region excel in various fields: from fashion to precision engineering, to aerospace—areas where, regionally, we are highly advanced with clusters and networking methods among businesses, right through to the food sector, which is increasingly striving to foster virtuous processes throughout its supply chain. So, production, circular economy, and local products, even in the food industry.</p><p>All of this requires you—requires the specialization I hope to see developed in a truly cross-disciplinary way, thanks also to the digital revolution that can’t be ignored: we can’t pretend AI or digitalization don’t exist. Let’s embrace the positives. This multidisciplinarity—that is, being trained not just in one field, but across fields—enables you to be ready for the demands that companies are now making.</p><p>What are we doing for you? We are building these networks: not just at universities, but starting even in middle school, which should introduce you to a world of work that doesn’t just await you, but is full of success stories, begun when our entrepreneurs were themselves very young. So we seek to instill hope and confidence, naturally using all the tools at our disposal: with EU structural funds we are not only supporting job stabilization—and thus fighting precarious employment—but we are also working to attract young talent</p><p>and give them the right to stay. We are also financing start-ups, because you can become entrepreneurs yourselves, for your own sake and for others—I did so myself, twenty-five years ago, driven by these very sensitivities, as my work was focused on sustainability.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>Renewable energy plants are strategic for clean energy generation, but if not properly designed and integrated, they can significantly impact the landscape—a vital environmental asset for the Umbria Region. So, what is the Region’s current status regarding the identification of suitable areas for renewable energy installation?</p><p>STEFANIA PROIETTI</p><p>We are ahead, among the leading regions, as we have already passed the law identifying suitable areas, which was even praised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy, to whom we presented our legislation: these are known as "acceleration areas" at the European Commission. The goal in mapping suitable areas is precisely to speed up renewable energy production without negatively impacting the environment or the landscape. So, the Region identifies areas suitable for renewable installations, as opposed to those not suitable. And this also plays a major role: administrative simplification.</p><p>For those wishing to install a renewable energy plant, or invest in such a facility, knowing exactly where it is permitted—and where it is not—by way of a map, is a mark of excellence.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Madam President, you truly are an inspiration: you come from a scientific background and now lead the Region. In your view, what is needed to encourage more girls to pursue STEM careers, including reaching leadership positions? Do you think gender stereotypes still present barriers for women?</p><p>STEFANIA PROIETTI</p><p>We need to share our stories. Until I began this mission, this political service, I used to visit schools to talk to students about the beauty of being a researcher, a university professor, or an engineer leading an engineering company that, since the early 2000s, saw sustainability not just as a research topic, but as an ethical response: work as an ethical answer to global environmental crises. After telling my story in schools, I would always see a line of boys and girls saying, “We’d like to have a job like that too”—a job where your talent, even in scientific fields, becomes a way to do good, to contribute to others. By sharing our experiences with passion, we can foster dreams in our boys and girls. And, as a mechanical and energy engineer, I can confirm that our talent and charisma in this field are invaluable.</p><p>And, as is often recalled, President Draghi once said in a famous speech: our talent in this domain also contributes to the nation’s GDP, as we truly have a lot to give. Sharing the life and professional experience of a STEM researcher or professional with students can open new possibilities for them, and for girls, it can help break down prejudice.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>President, here is the final question. If you could choose a single radical and unpopular measure in favor of the environment in Umbria to implement immediately, what would it be?</p><p>STEFANIA PROIETTI</p><p>I would cover all the industrial zone rooftops with photovoltaic panels, creating a regional renewable energy community.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>That was Stefania Proietti, President of the Umbria Region. All that’s left is to bid you farewell—and to Sofia as well.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Goodbye, everyone.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>And see you at the next episode of our podcast dedicated to Sustainable Umbria, where we will feature Professor Francesco Asdrubali, Vice-Rector of the University for Foreigners. So see you soon for a new episode.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Because the future is not to be awaited, but built. And it starts now. Stay tuned with us.</p>

<p>And how can it deliver this? It can do so with new technologies: for example, small modular reactors (SMRs), which are state-of-the-art, very small reactors that are nothing like, in terms of size, Chernobyl or Fukushima. They are equipped with intrinsically safe systems, as they use passive safety mechanisms, require low initial capital investment, and are of a small scale—making them more easily disseminated and feasibly implemented across regions. There is great interest in nuclear energy among many countries: currently, 24 countries around the world are building nuclear power plants.</p><p>Among these, some countries have never had nuclear power before, such as Egypt, Turkey, or Bangladesh; other African countries, such as Rwanda and Nigeria, are now beginning to explore it. And even in Europe, some countries, like Belgium, are reconsidering nuclear energy. Therefore, it is certainly a technology that can support us in the decarbonization process. It should not be solely relied upon for the entire energy transition, but can play a complementary role within a complex, diversified energy mix, also providing greater energy security for those who adopt the technology.</p><p>Research into nuclear fusion, which could provide humanity with practically infinite and unlimited energy, must of course continue, and work is ongoing in Italy as well.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Professor, in twenty years, when I’ll be in my forties, what kind of city, what kind of world will I be living in? And above all, will it still be livable or should I already start looking for a home on Mars?</p><p>FRANCESCO ASDRUBALI</p><p>My hope is that in twenty years there will truly have been a turning point and that we will have embarked on a path toward an energy transition on a global scale. Once again, there are both positives and negatives: on the one hand, Trump pulling out of the Paris Agreement; on the other, China—which, whether out of ideological commitment to sustainable development or simply for economic gain, is making a significant shift toward renewable energy sources.</p><p>So my hope is that in twenty years, you and all young people of your generation will be able to live in a better world, starting with the absence of today's conflicts. These days, COP30, the Conference of the Parties, is being held in the Amazon: I hope and wish that in twenty years the international agreements being drawn up now, which will update the commitments made by all states in Paris ten years ago, will finally be well on their way to full implementation.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>Thank you to Professor Asdrubali. All that's left for me is to say goodbye, and to bid farewell also to my now-colleague, Sofia.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Goodbye, everyone.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>See you in the next episode, where we will be joined by another professor from the University for Foreigners, Maura Marchegiani, with whom we will discuss topics relating to international law. All in a new episode of Umbria Sostenibile.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Because the future doesn’t wait—it’s built. And it starts now. Stay connected with us.</p>

<p><strong>Umbria Sostenibile – Episode 4: Interview with Maura Marchegiani</strong></p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>It may sound strange, but all generations are connected by a common thread: the pursuit of a possible future. In previous episodes, we heard from the world of politics and from science.</p><p>We have understood that without vision and research, no transition is possible. But there is another fundamental pillar required to build a sustainable tomorrow: education.</p><p>Who is preparing the new generations to face the complexity of the world to come? Are universities truly ready to embrace this change, or are they still anchored to models of the past? And what are today’s sustainability professions? It’s a transition that concerns so many young people, in terms of employment.</p><p>Today, we will try to answer these questions through an intergenerational dialogue. As always, I am joined by Sofia Abategiovanni, a student at the University for Foreigners of Perugia, who will vocalize the questions and doubts of her generation. And our guest today is Maura Marchegiani, Professor of International Law at the University for Foreigners of Perugia, Rector’s Delegate for Sustainability Policies, and President of the degree programme in Social Sciences for Sustainability and International Cooperation. Professor, we will try to understand how university education is changing, which new skills the country will need, and how sustainability is increasingly also a matter of rights and global justice.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Good morning.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>Good morning, Professor, welcome to the Umbria Sostenibile podcast, and thank you for accepting our invitation. You have a privileged perspective on sustainability: you are the Rector’s Delegate for these policies and head a degree course dedicated precisely to these topics. Everybody talks about sustainability, often in generic terms. From your academic and institutional perspective, what does sustainability education really mean? And why does it sometimes risk being merely a label?</p><p>MAURA MARCHEGIANI</p><p>Thank you for the invitation. Sustainability education is, first and foremost, a great responsibility: it means educating people to understand the complexity of the world and the interdependence between environment, economy, rights, and cultures. Sustainability entails a paradigm shift: if we treat it simply as a label, we risk betraying our role as scholars and educators.</p><p>Sustainability is not—and cannot be—simply about learning how to do sustainable things, but about understanding why certain choices are right and what their consequences are at the individual, local, and global levels. Educating for sustainability, therefore, requires a political vision: that is, it is necessary to see reality as a whole. Learning how to measure carbon emissions or understanding the rules of the circular economy, while fundamental, are not enough. Educating for sustainability means providing the tools to comprehend complexity, to foster interdisciplinary connections, to develop critical thinking and apply it to reality. Thus, at our university, sustainability is first a cultural project and a journey, even before it is a technical one: our aim is to shape citizens and professionals who are able to think critically, connect knowledge, and act responsibly.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>I also wish you good morning, Professor. I am living proof that young people believe in education linked to sustainability, not only of a technical nature but also in the social sciences. When I enrolled in this degree course, many did not understand my choice, considering it risky, not very useful, or even activist.</p><p>So I would like to ask you: what does the future hold for those who choose this path, and why, in your opinion, is it worth pursuing despite the prejudices and pessimistic opinions we often encounter in our daily lives?</p><p>MAURA MARCHEGIANI</p><p>Sofia, thank you for your question, which touches on a crucial aspect and indeed reflects the breadth of horizons towards which your generation is moving. I do not think your choice was risky: those who, like you, choose social sciences for sustainability are making a far-sighted investment in their own future and that of society as a whole. Sustainability is not a niche sector: it is about transforming the way we build society and envision the future. And to do so, we need new professionals: future experts who will acquire transversal skills in social analysis, conflict mediation, international cooperation, cultural and scientific diplomacy. Professions related to sustainability include urban planning, circular economy, international cooperation, resource governance, and the protection of environmental rights. These are precisely the skills most in demand by new business models, local authorities, European institutions, and international organizations.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>Let’s now discuss the degree programme you lead: Social Sciences for Sustainability and International Cooperation. It’s an innovative path, but also a challenging one.</p><p>Why was it created in Umbria? And what skills does it aim to provide to the young people who choose it?</p><p>MAURA MARCHEGIANI</p><p>This programme was established in Umbria for a strategic reason, combining the predominantly humanistic tradition of the University for Foreigners with the unique characteristics of this territory. Umbria is an ideal laboratory of widespread sustainability: the relationship between landscape, community, small enterprises, and the third sector is very strong, as is its ability to attract international students, perhaps also thanks to the ongoing role played by the University for Foreigners.</p><p>This degree was created to provide concrete tools to those who wish to take an active role in the profound transitions and transformations underway. It is therefore primarily focused on developing legal and constitutional skills—that is, the ability to understand and apply laws at national, European, and international levels; on project design and management—that is, knowing how to plan cooperation and development initiatives, managing resources and partnerships. Importantly, it aims to provide a global and intercultural perspective: this is a distinctive skill, fostered by the context of the University for Foreigners, and is essential for cooperation. We train professionals who can combine analysis, mediation, responsibility, and a global vision, so they are able to design and lead the transition in a fair and effective manner.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>We young people often feel that the world is changing at an incredible, almost staggering, pace: with artificial intelligence advancing, the climate crisis, global instability. Yet study programmes often seem to remain static and slow to adapt. In your view, what is the right balance between innovation and tradition in university education?</p><p>MAURA MARCHEGIANI</p><p>You have pinpointed a crucial issue, Sofia. The university has inherited a tradition of methodological rigor and critical depth that we must not lose: it is a valuable tradition, but one that must also be updated and reinvented. Perhaps the balance lies not so much in changing what we teach, but rather how we teach.</p><p>We probably need to innovate our methodologies. Classical disciplines such as history, law, philosophy, and sociology remain fundamental, yet they can be taught in new ways, directly connecting them to real-world challenges like climate change, inequality, artificial intelligence, and international cooperation.</p><p>Innovation, therefore, does not mean replacing cultural knowledge, but making it alive and relevant for the future.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>Professor, I find it both strategic and far-sighted that at the University for Foreigners, the sustainability portfolio has been entrusted to a professor of international law. Not only for the content, but for the global vision that this discipline brings: we are talking about fundamental rights, cooperation between countries, but also the gulf that often separates theoretical principles from their real-world application. So I would like to ask: how important is it today to keep sustainability and international law together?</p><p>And above all, how can we bridge the gap between what is written in treaties and what actually happens in reality? Is this the same gap that exists in academia, between merely imparting skills and instead taking an active role in transition policies?</p><p>MAURA MARCHEGIANI</p><p>It's true, my perspective is somewhat partial, but I believe that sustainability and international law are not only indispensable today—they are inseparable. International law was created to build a balance between states, but today it is also the language of global justice and the normative framework that defines every possible future: international law is about protecting fundamental rights, the climate, biodiversity, water, food security, and peace.</p><p>The gap between principles and reality is certainly evident, but it is not a predetermined fate: it can be bridged through education and the responsibility of institutions. When we educate lawyers, economists, mediators, or communicators who understand global connections, we are building the foundations for a body of law that can truly affect people’s lives. The crucial role of academia is precisely this: to look beyond its own walls and take an active part in the transition, to bridge the gap between theory and reality, and become an instrument for social, political, and institutional transformation.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Unfortunately, in today’s world, half of the population still does not have access to fundamental rights: clean water, education, freedom, health. Like many of my peers, I feel the need to make a concrete contribution, but, in some way, we would like to save everyone and yet feel that in reality we cannot save anyone. So my question is: is it utopian to think that sustainability professionals can truly change people’s lives, even in the most fragile contexts?</p><p>MAURA MARCHEGIANI</p><p>It is not a utopia; it is a clear responsibility, Sofia, a duty for each of us. Sustainability is not only about protecting the environment; it is also about social justice, dignity, access to resources. Of course, the complexity is enormous, but we must not be discouraged.</p><p>Every time a project fosters inclusion, every time a project reduces inequalities, ensures education or health, sustainability is translated into concrete action. This is exactly the field of work for those sustainability professionals whom we aim to train at our university: professionals who may not solve global poverty on their own, but who will certainly lay the groundwork for building more equitable systems, for resilient planning, for conflict mediation.</p><p>This is the kind of sustainability we aim to promote in our university.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>Let’s talk now about Umbria in a global context. Can a region like ours, small yet rich in expertise and vision, contribute, even in a small way, to international cooperation and equitable development with its sustainability policies?</p><p>MAURA MARCHEGIANI</p><p>I would say absolutely yes. Small communities have extraordinary strength: they can serve as laboratories for best practices. Umbria is a region with strong cultural roots and a great capacity for dialogue among institutions, research, and the community. Moreover, our university, with its humanistic and strongly international focus, acts as an ambassador not only of languages and cultures, but also of sustainability and Umbria’s cultural excellence in the world.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Professor, in your view, is climate change also a matter of violated rights? Should we expect future wars over resources and new climate-induced migrations?</p><p>MAURA MARCHEGIANI</p><p>Absolutely. Climate change is no longer just a technical or environmental issue; it is increasingly becoming a matter of justice and fundamental rights. There are both rapid and slow-onset phenomena related to climate change that affect the right to life, health, housing, water, and food; and these phenomena disproportionately affect the poorest, most vulnerable communities—those who have also contributed the least to the climate crisis. All of this generates deep social imbalances, which lead to tensions and can even force entire populations to abandon their lands, with all that this implies in terms of the loss of customs, traditions, and identity. It is therefore essential to identify appropriate tools to manage a future in which climate migrations, resource conflicts, and the protection of common goods will be central themes for law and cooperation.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>This is certainly interesting, because climate migrations are somewhat at the root of our modern civilization. But let’s return to another critical topic, that of young people and employment. If you had to give one direct piece of advice to a young person wanting to build a career in sustainability, which skill—if we allow you just one—should they absolutely work to develop starting today?</p><p>MAURA MARCHEGIANI</p> <p>I would probably choose the ability to perceive things in an interconnected way. I believe this is the most important aspect: being able to bring together technical expertise and humanistic sensitivity, reading problems not in isolated sectors but through their connections.</p><p>Sustainability requires minds capable of imagining scenarios, building interdisciplinary paths, and translating values into concrete actions. So, vision—the ability to envision—is definitely a key skill.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>It is truly fascinating to listen to you, but unfortunately we have to conclude. I would like to do so with a personal question. Are you optimistic about the future? And, more importantly, can we young people still allow ourselves to be optimistic?</p><p>MAURA MARCHEGIANI</p><p>I am decidedly optimistic. However, what is needed is conscious optimism: not naïve optimism, but one based on responsibility and collaboration.</p><p>You young people are demonstrating an incredible amount of creativity and courage. You are aware of the complexity of the challenges, but you are also aware of your potential. Our role, as academics, is therefore to provide you with solid knowledge and transversal skills to face the future—a future that, as is evident, is not something that happens to us, but something we build together, day by day, turning our hopes into concrete projects through knowledge, cooperation, mutual trust, creativity, and ingenuity. And if we continue to believe that sustainability is a project of justice, well, then I would say yes: we can and must allow ourselves to be optimistic.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>Thank you, Professor Marchegiani, for sharing with us not only your expertise, but also a clear vision. Sustainability is not a slogan; it is a cultural project that involves education, institutions, and people.</p><p>Today we have once again understood that the future will not be built only by engineers and energy specialists, but also by new professionals able to interpret society, mediate conflicts, defend rights, and foster cooperation.</p><p>In short, sustainability is not just about the environment and green energy: it is responsibility, justice, and above all, knowledge. Now it is also time to take stock.</p><p>Sofia, what are you taking away from this episode?</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Thank you, Italo. Honestly, the Professor’s words gave me new hope, even though there is a slightly bitter aftertaste, born of the awareness that we all must work together and truly take concrete action. This is thanks above all to education and the learning that come from these wonderful—indeed, extraordinary—new programs.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>And thank you all for joining us today. If you enjoyed this podcast, this episode, share it and perhaps send us your questions. We will continue this journey to discover an Umbria that wants to grow without leaving anyone behind.</p>

<p><strong>Umbria Sostenibile – Episode 5: Interview with Luca Ferrucci</strong></p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>There is a thread that connects all generations: the search for a possible future. In previous episodes, we have listened to the voices of politics, science, and education.</p><p>We have learned that without vision and research, no transition is possible. But there is another fundamental pillar for building a sustainable tomorrow: economic development.</p><p>Who truly supports businesses in their transformation? Are regional industrial policies ready to meet the challenge of sustainability? And how can we achieve growth that does not deplete the future? Today, we try to answer these questions through an intergenerational dialogue.</p><p>I am Italo Carmignani, and with me, as always, is Sofia Abategiovanni, a student at the University for Foreigners of Perugia, who brings the questions and concerns of her generation to the table. Today, our guest is Luca Ferrucci, sole director of Sviluppumbria, the regional agency for the economic development of Umbria: a regional agency that has supported competitiveness and economic growth in the region for 50 years, accompanying businesses, innovation, and investment. With him, we will try to understand if and how it is possible to combine development, sustainability, and Umbrian identity. Good morning, Professor Ferrucci, welcome to the Umbria Sostenibile podcast, and thank you for accepting our invitation.</p><p>Your responsibility is strategic: leading an agency that has been supporting Umbria’s economic growth for half a century. Everyone talks about sustainable businesses, but often more as a buzzword than as real practice. From your perspective, what does sustainable development truly mean in a region like ours?</p><p>And what risks do you see when sustainability becomes simply a label to put on projects?</p><p>LUCA FERRUCCI</p><p>First of all, thank you for the invitation. This is truly an excellent opportunity to express some of my thoughts on a topic of great and extraordinary importance for the future of humanity, not just our region. In Italy, for some decades now, we have had a slogan: Umbria, the green heart of Italy.</p><p>Do we really feel like the green heart of Italy? Are we truly that? This is the first provocative question we must ask ourselves. When we created this slogan, it had an extraordinary appeal, not only for tourism but also for the image and reputation of our region. But today, can we really still identify with that slogan?</p><p>So let's start with some brief analyses comparing a few environmental sustainability indicators: how does our region rank compared to other Italian regions? I say this because we made a big bet in this region.</p><p>We are the green heart of Italy, but if things are not as we present them, the credibility and reputation of our region would be undermined. So, the facts, numbers, and indicators tell us that, in comparison to the 20 Italian regions, Umbria now, unfortunately, also faces challenges from a sustainability perspective. I am referring to a recently published report that conducted this analysis using many environmental indicators.</p><p>Let’s consider per capita greenhouse gas emissions: out of 20 regions, we are the ninth worst. Final energy consumption per capita: we are the fourth worst region.</p><p>Consider the number of energy communities established in our region: we are the second to last. Consider the industry, in terms of energy consumption per value added: we are fourth from the bottom. And I could go on about public and private mobility, the emissions generated by transport, and so forth. So there is a significant risk for our region: calling ourselves the green heart of Italy while, unfortunately, on sustainability, we still have a long journey ahead.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Good morning, Professor. I often talk to young people who would like to stay in Umbria, but fear there are few opportunities here; yet organizations like Sviluppumbria work precisely to create the conditions for businesses to grow. So, let me ask you directly: what future do you see for young professionals who want to work in innovation, sustainable tourism, and the green economy? And above all, can Umbria truly become a place to stay rather than just a place to leave?</p><p>LUCA FERRUCCI</p><p>Umbria must become a region of opportunities for young people, not for the elderly. We do not need to build a silver economy in our region, that is, an economy based on older people. Of course, older people have their rights, and quite rightly, their demands for public and private services, but a silver economy would only worsen the region’s economic, social, and cultural decline. So how do we create opportunities for young people?</p><p>Today, in the Western world, one thing is clear: young people—especially those with higher education and advanced degrees—are often called upon to start their own businesses. Frequently, in existing companies, they do not find enough space to make the most of their abilities, skills, entrepreneurial drive, and freedom to decide. We see young people, now numbering in the millions in the West, who leave the company they work for after just a few years to become self-employed and pursue their own entrepreneurial ventures. And we find that this generation of young people is especially mindful of sustainability issues: if we analyze new businesses started by young people, they are based on business ideas that do not have the goal of “I want to become a billionaire.”</p><p>No one will become a billionaire anymore. Instead, it's “I want a dignified job, one that fulfills me, and that matches my skills.” And these new businesses pay close attention to sustainability, the reuse of materials, recycling, and the reemploying of natural resources.</p><p>These new businesses founded by young people are truly the first to focus on sustainability. And it is these we should believe in, and to which we must offer the opportunities available in our region, also leveraging the full toolkit that regional institutions can deploy.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>Professor, let's focus on the work of Sviluppumbria, which has transformed over the years: more digital, closer to businesses, more oriented toward sustainability. In your view, why was this change necessary? And in which sectors is Umbria showing the most dynamism: innovation, manufacturing, tourism, culture? What are the real engines of growth?</p><p>LUCA FERRUCCI</p><p>Let’s touch first on the topic of sustainability. Two and a half years ago, there was a regional call for proposals managed by Sviluppumbria, specifically focused on sustainability. At the time, I was not at Sviluppumbria, but there was certainly an expectation of success. Yet, of the 2 million euros allocated for that call, only about 800,000 euros were used by businesses, covering just 88 companies—that is, around 10,000 euros each.</p><p>It was quite clearly a poorly designed call, because imagining that companies can achieve sustainability with just 10,000 euros each is unrealistic. But we must also be concerned about something else: only 800,000 euros were used out of the 2 million available. So the first thing is to ensure that calls for proposals on sustainability themes actually match the needs of Umbrian businesses in order to seize new opportunities.</p><p>Today we have a business community that, unfortunately, must either act alone or has not found adequate support in that sole call for proposals issued two and a half years ago by the previous regional government. The inability to address the actual needs of businesses is evident.</p><p>So, what should we focus on? Of course, everyone knows that the global geopolitical and economic landscape has changed, and changed in ways that are cause for concern: the automotive industry is a key concern regarding our exports both to the United States and Germany. On the other hand, we have an agrifood sector that, over the past thirty years, has undergone extraordinary transformations in terms of production quality and today is capable of competing in international markets, even though Trump-era tariffs and the rise of protectionism in the West have unfortunately made things harder for our agrifood businesses.</p><p>But let's not forget the great strengths and excellence we have in the fields of mechanics, micromechatronics, electronics, and logistics: these are high-quality sectors that, with the right industrial policies in support, can shift from the automotive industry to aerospace, to the nautical sector, and others. I believe that these paths of sectoral diversification are essential.</p><p>Alongside this, there is also a need for diversification in internationalization strategies, because, unfortunately, protectionism in the West—starting from Trump—as well as ongoing conflicts, have broken ties between peoples and countries. We need to rebuild and reconnect ties, to explore new geographic markets.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>We young people live in a world changing at lightning speed: between artificial intelligence, the climate crisis, and new work models, we often feel like businesses struggle to keep pace. In your opinion, are Umbrian companies truly innovating, or are we at risk of falling behind? And what should a region do, for example, to help them accelerate?</p><p>LUCA FERRUCCI</p><p>Innovation is a manifestation of new capabilities, and of course, new capabilities are primarily found in emerging sectors of the economy. The sectors offering new opportunities are those related to ICT—information and communication technologies—to sustainability, and to digital: these are the fields young people are entering, and for that reason, they are among the best ways to leverage their abilities. However, there are also businesses operating in seemingly traditional sectors—such as agrifood and micromechatronics, as I mentioned earlier—which may seem to produce low value-added components, but in reality, these incorporate a lot of research, many engineers, physicists, and chemists working on advanced materials, and can offer truly new opportunities. Even the bolts used in aircraft today are made of highly innovative materials, backed by extensive research and patented technologies. In fact, it is interesting to note that at this moment, there are around 90 patents registered with the European Patent Office from Umbria, and many of them are dormant patents—that is, they have not yet been commercialized or led to innovative applications or new businesses.</p><p>This, I believe, is an area with potential in the coming months and years, to create new businesses by capitalizing on these dormant patents currently sitting in the drawers of our Umbrian inventors.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>There’s an aspect that fascinates me greatly: Umbria is small, yet it has a diverse production system, made up of districts, supply chains, and many small businesses. This makes the role of a public agency complex: it must support but also guide.</p><p>So I ask: how do you balance the need to be competitive with the obligation to also become sustainable? And are companies ready to take on this responsibility?</p><p>LUCA FERRUCCI</p><p>The market alone cannot drive a transition towards sustainability. This is clearly demonstrated by the worldwide automotive industry, especially in the West, which has been reluctant to adopt new technological innovations that would also change car usage models. So there are conservative sectors resistant to change.</p><p>What, then, is the role of innovation policies and industrial policies for innovation? Two things: first, setting regulatory standards—something Umbria or even Italy cannot do alone; this must be done at the European level or, better yet, the Western level. What is the standard within which competition should occur? For example, in the global automotive industry, even today in the West, we do not see the desired standards in place. Second, in these sectors, we must support the transition through appropriate incentives, rather than sanctions: in other words, between the stick and the carrot, transitions work better with incentives. And these incentives should not be given to industry as a whole, but to two key groups: either to industry for research, development, and innovation, or to consumers—to the market that chooses to buy sustainable products—thus rewarding companies with these characteristics. So, industrial innovation policies should target research and development, or consumption, not simply provide subsidies to companies that may ultimately be unconvincing in terms of sustainability.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Now I’d like to address a topic that is very close to my heart: the vulnerabilities of our territories—remote areas, mountains, villages experiencing depopulation. In your opinion, can sustainable development become a lever to revive these places, or is that just wishful thinking?</p><p>LUCA FERRUCCI</p> <p>Umbria is not made up of large cities, nor metropolitan areas—fortunately, from certain points of view. Instead, it is composed of medium-sized towns: think of Perugia, Terni, Foligno; or in some cases, of villages scattered throughout the region, of inland areas such as those along the Apennine ridge. Now, these inland areas and villages are experiencing a structural decline that goes well beyond the consequences of the earthquake, for those parts affected by it.</p><p>This decline had already begun earlier, characterized by the exodus of young people from these territories, an aging population, the cessation of economic activities, and the closure of public and private services: schools, transport, healthcare, and more. Therefore, the issue is understandably complex and multifaceted. However, I believe that the revitalization of these villages is essential for the overall sustainability of the region. There are successful examples—right here in our country and not just in Umbria—which teach us that a village is not irreversibly doomed to die. There are small towns—let us consider some models—that have been reborn thanks to immigrants, and to the social capital developed by immigrants. We have villages that discovered that water was a valuable resource and a tourism attractor. We have villages, in Tuscany for example, that have been revitalized through the management of thermal parks.</p><p>I won’t mention specific names. In these villages, the Region owns a substantial property portfolio, including farmhouses and thousands of hectares of land, which could become the basis for new jobs and new homes for young people who are able to imagine innovative crops in the agri-food sector. Let me give some apparently simple examples: throughout Umbria and nearby areas, there are companies that are leaders in their sectors and could serve as drivers for new businesses founded by young people introducing innovative farming methods.</p><p>I will not name specific companies, but perhaps all our listeners can imagine them. If young people want to start an organic goat milk production business and produce cheese, why not provide them, for instance, with a farmhouse, some land, or woodland—since goats graze on undergrowth—and give them the opportunity to live in these inland areas? But these businesses cannot be left on their own: perhaps they could benefit from mentoring or guidance from a medium or large company, maybe from Umbria, specializing in the dairy sector. If other young people from the Alta Valle del Tevere wanted to grow medicinal plants—which is a key interest for another company located near Umbria—why not give them land and farmhouses in the inland areas to produce these plants, with the opportunity for the company to purchase directly from them?</p><p>I could give many more examples. We need to change Umbria also by providing new opportunities for young people, starting again from inland areas and villages.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>Professor, let’s talk about tourism, an area where Sviluppumbria plays a central role. Tourism is a great opportunity, but it can also become a risk if not managed in a balanced way: land consumption, pressure on villages, unsustainable models.</p><p>So my question is: how can truly sustainable tourism be developed in Umbria, able to generate value without compromising the local identity? And, above all, what strategies are you implementing to internationalize the region and make it more visible in global markets?</p><p>LUCA FERRUCCI</p><p>The topic of tourism is extremely important for Umbria. I would highlight three key concepts around which policies should be built: accessibility, hospitality, and attractiveness. These are the three pillars of a tourism strategy. The first: accessibility.</p><p>Tourists come to Umbria if they can get here quickly. We can of course value slow tourism, but there needs to be quick access to Umbria. As things stand, due to regional infrastructure, accessibility is a major issue, especially from foreign countries but also from many parts of Italy. Railway and road infrastructure typically depends on Rome more than on Perugia, meaning that financial resources are allocated by the state. However, we must not overlook or ignore the fact that we have an airport, and this falls under regional jurisdiction. I believe our airport is essentially the only infrastructure for international accessibility that is directly under regional control. "Control" is meant metaphorically here.</p><p>It needs to play an exceptional role. Let’s say the airport has reached 600,000 passengers, which is a great achievement. But the first question is: how many of these passengers are from our target tourism markets, or from export markets benefiting our companies? For instance, if our tourists come from Germany, France, the UK, and the United States, how many flights from our airport go to French or German destinations? Fortunately, we now have flights to London, and that is a great result. But many flights go to destinations like Romania, Albania, and Malta, from which we don’t see many tourists coming here.</p><p>So, if the airport truly is our gateway for international access, and if it is intended to serve our exporting businesses to Germany, France, and the US, I believe it is time for a new approach. Then there is the issue of hospitality; we have just closed a funding call offering about 20 million euros, specifically dedicated to the renovation of accommodation facilities. As for hospitality, we have many establishments, and some now aspire to deliver high standards,</p><p>bringing significant transformation to our cities and villages, especially when highly qualified facilities are established that attract high-spending tourism. Finally, there is the issue of attractiveness: we are not only about large festivals. We certainly have religious tourism, as well as landscape and nature-based tourism; but we must also enhance our appeal to further strengthen these sectors.</p><p>For example, I’m thinking of the walking routes, which have seen decent success but still present ample opportunities for development; or cycling tourism, which is growing across Europe and for which Umbria could be a natural destination. We often say that Umbria is well suited for cycling tourism, but in reality, I believe we are only at the beginning of this journey.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Let me ask you a very direct question now, as a young person looking for my place in the world: if I wanted to work in the field of sustainable development, what is the one skill—just one—that I should start developing today?</p><p>LUCA FERRUCCI</p><p>First of all, my hope is that every young person in this region is able to create their own opportunity. And in order to build, think about, and envision one’s opportunity: opportunities arise at the intersection of two things—passion and skills. The best advice for a career is to align your personal vocation or passion with your skills. Sustainability is not only a matter of economics, energy, renewables, or green plastics: in reality, it is a transversal theme relevant to all sectors. Just think about food product packaging, which, also due to European directives, is set to change radically over the next five years.</p><p>Think about any object we handle today, which will soon be transformed. My answer is: don’t focus on a single product, but rather on your own passion and skills. And if you have a passion for music and skills in archaeology, you might even combine archaeology and music in a way that is sustainable.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>Professor Ferrucci, let’s conclude with a question we ask all our guests: are you optimistic about Umbria’s economic future? And, above all, can young people afford to be?</p><p>LUCA FERRUCCI</p><p>Young people have a duty to believe in the future, because they will be the ones to build the paths ahead. There is an entire generation which still wishes to dictate the rules for the future, but hopefully opportunities will be opened up for our young people, allowing them to become key players in all sectors, both public and private.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>Thank you to Professor Ferrucci for guiding us through this reflection on the economic and sustainable future of Umbria. Today, we’ve learned that sustainability is not a barrier to development but its most powerful engine: it drives business innovation, enhances our region, creates new opportunities, and above all offers young people a tangible perspective. Sofia, what are your takeaways from today’s episode?</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Thank you, Italo. Our conversation has once again given me much to reflect on, and an intriguing question: if the future is not only elsewhere, how can we help people understand that it is also built through our actions today, especially those in politics and governance?</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>We will continue this journey to discover an Umbria that seeks to grow without leaving anyone behind.</p>

<p><strong>Umbria Sostenibile – Episode 6: Interview with Federico Gori</strong></p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>Words like development, future, environment, and participation are constantly present in public debate. But how often do we actually stop to consider what they mean today?</p><p>Our aim is to bring out visions, choices, and responsibilities regarding how such crucial topics will be addressed by the regional government and local institutions. This podcast was created within the Umbrian Network for Sustainable Development, a project promoted by the Umbria Region together with universities, institutions, and local stakeholders, to foster more coherent, integrated, and above all sustainable public policies. It is an initiative that aims to build governance capable of connecting institutions, local areas, communities, and above all the new generations around a shared goal: sustainable development.</p><p>The process puts young people's active participation at the center, entrusting them with new languages and tools to narrate the present and imagine the future. Young people who will challenge administrations and decision-makers with their questions. I am Italo Carmignani, journalist, and joining me is Sofia Abategiovanni, a student at the University for Foreigners of Perugia: two generations meeting, exchanging views, questioning each other openly.</p><p>Because sustainability is no longer an abstract concept: it is a necessity, a shared responsibility. In this episode, together with Sofia, we meet Federico Gori, mayor of Montecchio, president of ANCI Umbria and former coordinator of the association's small municipalities. A direct exchange between two different perspectives: Sofia embodies the urgency of a generation demanding answers now—jobs, future, real participation, environmental and social justice.</p><p>A candid interview in which the visions, priorities, and concrete intentions of those representing Umbrian municipalities and working daily with local communities will come to light. Because the truth is simple: young people want to be heard. And so does the planet.</p><p>Welcome, President. It’s a pleasure to have you on the Umbria Sostenibile podcast. The first thing I’d like to ask is if you could briefly explain to our listeners what ANCI Umbria is and what its role is.</p><p>FEDERICO GORI</p><p>ANCI, first and foremost, is the home of the municipalities: it is the place where the institutions closest to citizens—the municipalities—come together, where we tackle problems but, above all, where we try to plan the future of our communities. So we aim to turn problems into opportunities, to deal with the issues that concern our communities using different perspectives and, above all, multiplying the impact of the experiences—or rather, the sensitivities—that each of us brings.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>You have both the burden and the honor of protecting and promoting the interests of municipalities and their communities at the local level, interacting with the Region, public administration bodies, and other institutions. Do these interests also include sustainability goals? And how?</p><p>FEDERICO GORI</p><p>Absolutely, yes. But for us, sustainability is not only about the environment: it is also social sustainability and ensuring an adequate quality of life in our communities, whether large or small. It translates most simply into social relations, into life within our communities, aiming to guarantee truly all-round sustainability—encompassing the environmental aspect as well, but especially focusing on the social side.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>Earlier, we spoke to representatives from research, government, and the economic sector. But we know that Italy is above all made up of small municipalities, like Montecchio, of which you are mayor. How difficult is it to make the concept of sustainability concrete, a topic so often discussed at the highest levels?</p><p>FEDERICO GORI</p><p>It is extremely challenging, regardless of the size of the municipality, because local administrators operate in a climate of urgency: solving problems related to infrastructure, helping families in need, ensuring the provision of key services. This often means losing sight of long-term planning. So our daily challenge is to reason, in parallel with urgent needs, also in terms of planning—seeking convergence among all mayors and local administrations within ANCI on a shared vision, and transforming that vision into sustainability.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>As both administrator and president, in your opinion, what is the real lever today to make our region more sustainable?</p><p>FEDERICO GORI</p><p>The key is to strengthen our communities so that everyone feels they are part of them, feels called to action, so that citizens themselves defend everything that revolves around our communities. Clearly, we must invest in services: that is what we are working on, especially in a region predominantly made up of internal areas—at risk of depopulation and with an ageing population. Investing in services, starting from the three crucial pillars—healthcare, transport, and education—right through to supporting even the smallest local businesses, which, especially in our municipalities, are essential services themselves.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>Mayors are often the first point of contact between citizens and institutions. How difficult is it, in the daily life of a municipality, to balance people’s immediate needs with a longer-term vision tied to sustainability?</p><p>FEDERICO GORI</p><p>The citizens we typically interact with bring us the problems they are facing today, not those they might have in a year or ten years. So the real challenge is to address current issues without ever losing sight of our mission: planning, and envisioning the future of our municipality, whether in the medium or long term. We must—and do every day—that important work of projecting ourselves into the future and understanding how to shape services and indeed our community itself.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Speaking of looking to the future: we young people talk a lot about participation, but in practice, how much real room do young people have in municipal decision-making processes? And what could be done to involve them?</p><p>FEDERICO GORI</p><p>It’s true, we still involve them too little. This is something I have worked on from the start in my own municipality, and also as ANCI president: we have dedicated significant attention to ANCI Giovani, precisely because we know the future depends on the new generations, and that their involvement is now essential. I must say that today, more than ever, there are many tools, particularly for engaging with younger generations—whether they are majority or minority administrators, associations, or individual citizens—so they can share their perspective with us. That could take place through youth municipal councils, or a young person simply stopping you in the street to ask how they can contribute to the municipality. Involvement through schools is fundamental: we must absolutely involve schools, which we already do through major projects, for example, for sustainability. We promoted “Bee-Friendly Municipalities,” for example, and we implement projects focused on schools in terms of sustainability and environmental education. That is the real challenge for the future: passing on the passion for, and the need for, involvement to young people.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>You have also coordinated the small municipalities for ANCI Umbria. Are small towns more vulnerable to environmental and economic challenges, or on the contrary, can they become laboratories for best practices? Perhaps you could give us a specific example.</p><p>FEDERICO GORI</p><p>Small municipalities are, in a way, emblematic of vulnerability: for example, depopulation means there is no one left to maintain the land, which leads to issues such as hydrogeological instability and abandonment. But at the same time, they also represent a model—a human scale on which to experiment with projects, to engage the community—because, especially in smaller municipalities, every single citizen feels they are an integral part of this extraordinary mechanism.</p><p>Implementing projects in smaller communities therefore means these can truly serve as laboratories, with more direct and honest feedback.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>You just mentioned depopulation, referring to the many young people who leave small towns in search of opportunities elsewhere. So my question is: in your view, can sustainability also be a key to restoring life, jobs, and a future to these inland areas?</p><p>FEDERICO GORI</p><p>Up to now, especially regarding strategies for inland areas, we have focused a great deal on services. However, it must be understood that without employment, there is no future: to ensure people stay in these areas—especially young people—jobs must be available. We must provide young people, who want and need to stay in our communities, with prospects. For this reason, we must reimagine workplaces and work itself, linking it to green tourism, innovation in services, and the green economy. Of course, as local administrators, we are not solely able to create employment: we need to implement initiatives jointly with the regional and national governments, so that jobs can be provided, because jobs are what ultimately ensure people remain in the area.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>We talk a lot about the green transition: from the perspective of municipalities, what is the greatest challenge today? Is it financial resources, bureaucracy, technical skills, or resistance to change?</p><p>FEDERICO GORI</p><p>We often talk about financial resources, which is perhaps a bias we local administrators have. But we must realize that the real challenge, on top of bureaucracy, is a cultural one: changing mindsets, understanding how to bring everything together, and above all, being proactive in this complex, complicated, and fragile phase, where we are all united toward the ultimate goal—sustainability.</p><p>Sustainability has many facets, and inevitably passes through local administrations, which are the linchpin holding communities together. At the same time, we must try to understand those processes that at times seem distant from us, but actually involve us directly, every day.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Is there a project, an experience, or an administrative decision that made you truly feel you were on the right path to greater sustainability?</p><p>FEDERICO GORI</p><p>One of the most rewarding projects I took on as mayor was making my municipality a “bee-friendly town”: together with schools, associations, and municipal councilors, we organized training initiatives, both for students and ourselves, all united in the effort to protect biodiversity and the environment that surrounds us daily and is all too often taken for granted. For me, this sense of awareness was truly a defining aspect of my experience as a municipal administrator.</p><p>ITALO CARMIGNANI</p><p>In recent years there has been much talk about institutional collaboration. Does the relationship between municipalities, the region, and the state truly work when it comes to sustainability, or is there still too much distance?</p><p>FEDERICO GORI</p><p>The relationships we have as ANCI with the various levels—most significantly with the Umbria Region—have always worked and continue to do so, because we share a common goal and above all because we understand that, as institutions, we must work as a network: we cannot afford parochialism or division. There are projects that inevitably must be carried forward together, taking into account all the sensitivities each territory brings, but above all, we must never lose sight of the common horizon we have spoken about.</p><p>So yes, I can say that for me, this mechanism works. Of course, sometimes we have demands to make, sometimes we have thanks to express, but this is exactly how functioning communities are built, communities that truly feel a part of a system.</p><p>SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI</p><p>Now, a slightly tougher question: looking to the future, what Umbria do you imagine in ten or fifteen years’ time, if you were able to successfully pursue a path of truly sustainable development?</p><p>FEDERICO GORI</p>