UmbriaSostenibile podcast

Sustainable Umbria – Episode 1

ITALO CARMIGNANI

We live in a time when words like development, future, environment, and participation are at the centre of public debate. But how often do we really stop to ask ourselves what they mean today? And above all, who are they addressed to?

This podcast was created as part of the “Rete Umbra per lo Sviluppo Sostenibile”, a project promoted by the Regione Umbria to advance public policies that are more coherent and sustainable.

Together with ARPA Umbria, the University of Perugia, the University for Foreigners with the WARREDOC centre, ANCI Umbria, FELCOS Umbria, Sviluppumbria, and the Umbria Technology Park. An initiative that aims to build more effective and integrated governance, able to connect and bring together regional institutions, municipalities, local areas, and stakeholders around a shared goal: sustainable development.

But that’s not all. This project also seeks to concretely enhance active participation from the younger generations, entrusting young people with the creation of innovative, inclusive, and—above all—contemporary communication tools. Supporting this vision is the University for Foreigners of Perugia, which has contributed to the making of this podcast by providing a space where memory and experience, present and future vision, come together.

My name is Italo Carmignani, and I have been a journalist my whole life. I have seen cities grow and forests disappear. I have written about progress, but also about its costs.

And today more than ever, I reflect on a word I hear everywhere, often misused: sustainability. But what does sustainable development really mean? Is it merely a trend, or is it a genuine direction for the future?

Above all, how do young people imagine it, how do the new generations imagine it? And precisely to understand how the new generations view it, I will not be alone in this journey. By my side is Sofia, a university student, the voice of a generation that wants to be heard and to play a leading role.

Because they have plenty to say: in fact, they have a great deal to contribute.

SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI

Hello, Italo. My name is Sofia Abategiovanni, and I am about to graduate in International Studies for Sustainability and Social Security at the University for Foreigners of Perugia.

Today I speak as a student, but also on behalf of so many young people who, like me, find themselves living and having to build their own future in a time full of uncertainty: anxiety about climate change, growing inequalities, and never-ending wars. For us, sustainability is not a trend.

Still less a mere slogan: rather, it is a hope, and therefore a necessity—a responsibility, I would say. We do not settle for half-measures: we demand coherence, inclusion, transparency, and above all, we seek presence, participation, and the opportunity to put forward our ideas.

Often, in the midst of all this, we feel overwhelmed: the problems seem too great, too complex, too rapid.

And above all, beyond our control. But it is exactly from this awareness that a new drive is born, an energy that comes from anger, from the will to change direction.

And personally, I dream of a tomorrow radically different from today: a future where decisions restore and do not compromise, where they include rather than exclude, in which the three dimensions of sustainability are not separate spheres, but where the environment, social justice, and economic balance are interconnected within a single vision—one that is sustainable.

ITALO CARMIGNANI

This is a significant challenge for those of us from a different generation, too. But let’s start from the past and set a definition, a kind of milestone, a cornerstone. Let’s go back to 1987, when a United Nations document, the famous Brundtland Report, gave a very clear, very positive definition of sustainable development.

In essence, it meant the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising those of future generations. So it’s a double commitment: to save the environment now, but also to safeguard it for the future.

Of course, back then it was an almost far-fetched idea, as we were in the midst of industrial development and a surge in new forms of energy. But now, we need to recover that noble and widely shared idea. In your view, is it still relevant?

SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI

Absolutely. If we’re here talking about it, it means we need to make sure that this idea—which unfortunately often remains just a definition—is actually put into practice. Nearly forty years have passed since that document, and in the meantime the world has changed dramatically: the climate has become more unsustainable, resources scarcer, and inequalities more severe. We have found ourselves living with the consequences of decisions made by others in the past, often without being able to participate in those decision-making processes.

ITALO CARMIGNANI

In that sense, you make us older generations feel somewhat responsible.

SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI

Well, clearly, the current generation feels the impact most. We carry significant responsibilities; it feels as if the world depends on our generation. And, as I mentioned earlier, that brings a sense of anxiety. So yes, we continue to believe in development that does not compromise the future, but we also ask ourselves what the word “needs” means today, compared to back then.

And more importantly: whose needs? We continue to see people living in excess and others who, even now, struggle to gain access to safe drinking water, to decent work, or to clean air. I also question what it truly means not to compromise the future, because in many ways that future has already been damaged, and it is my generation that is paying the price.

ITALO CARMIGNANI

This is something I understand, in your generation. Certainly, we come from a hundred years of economic and industrial development that created delicate balances when it comes to the economy, employment, and energy sources, and it’s complicated to shut it all down overnight or to end the industrial process abruptly. There are many things that remain unaccepted, both in people’s minds and culturally.

Think, for example, about the challenges electric transport faces today compared to combustion engines; it’s difficult to break with this way of life, this system, so we need to find a different solution.

SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI

Well, the solutions do exist, and to me, the issue is not so much the complexity of applying these new technologies—which, in a way, break with everything that’s come before—but more the lack of will to implement them. And perhaps, most importantly, a lack of trust in the new generations, who think differently and outside the established frameworks that have been used until now.

ITALO CARMIGNANI

You’re certainly right; we need to change our frameworks, we need to change our mindsets, too, and that’s a central point. But do you know what worries me most? That we continue to talk.

We keep discussing, we keep debating, even arguing politically about possible solutions, but time is running out. The climate continues to change, and the situation is not only different in terms of climate, but also in terms of our local environments. And as time passes, we are increasingly compelled to make decisions as quickly as possible.

SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI

Well, we certainly need to continue talking about these issues, but above all, as you said, we need to act. So we must first listen to one another across generations—not just me talking to my generation and you talking to yours, but finding ways to connect, to develop solutions that are genuinely practical for both generations. Above all, we must find ways to innovate, to regenerate, to involve communities, and, most importantly, to educate and train those who will be the workforce of tomorrow. So, in my view, what is needed more than ever today is collaboration between us, to make tangible a word which, unfortunately, still remains a bit too abstract—sustainability.

ITALO CARMIGNANI

Good, we have set some fairly concrete premises from a technical perspective, as well as some important questions we need to pose to those who are already working to protect the environment and shape the future. In the next episode, we’ll be giving a voice to those who are making this journey, those who take decisions, with the contribution of experts, administrators, lecturers, and representatives of institutions. In some way, we’ll try to challenge those making decisions for today and tomorrow.

So that sustainability is not merely, as you said, an abstract concept, but becomes a tangible challenge: because it’s not just the concern of those in office, but concerns all citizens—young people, older people, families. We are all waiting for decisions that really make a difference.

STEFANIA PROIETTI

I am Stefania Proietti, President of the Regione Umbria. Umbria is the green heart of Italy, and for Umbria, sustainability is much more than just a word or a concept: in Umbria, sustainability is a way of living and a way of relating to the environment and to others. For Umbria, sustainability means fraternity, social justice, and environmental justice.

For Umbria, sustainability means building the future by looking today at what tomorrow will be, placing the new generations at the centre of our daily and political actions. For the Umbrian community, sustainability begins with our identity, made up of hospitality, solidarity, peace, and the values of fraternity, so as to build together a fairer society, ready to share and committed to ensuring the full dignity of those living today, laying the foundations for a better life for those who come after us. Sustainability and Umbria are one and the same: sustainability in the green heart of Italy as a way of life, as a way of culture, as an intrinsic identity that we want to share beyond the borders of our magnificent region. Umbria is sustainability, and sustainability is Umbria.

FRANCESCO ASDRUBALI

I am Francesco Asdrubali, Vice Rector of the University for Foreigners of Perugia and director of the Master's in Urban Regeneration. Sustainability presents some of its greatest challenges in cities: integrating socio-economic aspects with environmental ones allows us to understand how the model for urban development and management must be transformed. And the transformation must happen now.

MAURA MARCHEGIANI

I am Maura Marchegiani, Rector’s Delegate for Sustainability Policies at the University for Foreigners of Perugia. Our goal is to provide opportunities to understand and analyse the complex challenges of today’s world through an innovative educational model that combines cutting-edge research on different profiles of sustainability with interdisciplinary teaching that integrates varied and complementary perspectives, generating a constantly evolving learning environment through an exchange of knowledge, disciplines, and expertise.

LORENZO LUCARELLI

I am Lorenzo Lucarelli, Chair of FELCOS Umbria, and I believe our region must increasingly engage with the world in order to face the challenges of sustainability together with other countries, through international cooperation. At the same time, we need to work to localise the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, with concrete policies and initiatives at the local level.

GIOVANNI ROCCATELLI

I am Giovanni Roccatelli, technical coordinator of the “Rete Umbra per lo Sviluppo Sostenibile” project of the Regione Umbria. For me, the challenge is to design and implement regional policies that focus on sustainable development, supporting local areas in building and implementing sustainability.

SILVIO RANIERI

I am Silvio Ranieri, Secretary General of ANCI Umbria. Thanks to their close connection with citizens and local communities, municipalities play a crucial role in translating the regional strategy into real action. It is at local level that the future is built—a fairer, more resilient, and sustainable future for our communities.

SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI

The perspectives we’ve just heard are important, marked by vision and accountability. But now, the real challenge is to turn these visions into tangible change, and—above all—to address the real obstacles, from bureaucracy to fragmentation, so that our cities, policies, and lifestyles can truly become sustainable.

We clearly do not have all the answers, but we want to ask the right questions.

ITALO CARMIGNANI

And in the next episode, we’ll ask these questions to President of the Regione Umbria Stefania Proietti. With her, we’ll discuss public policies and obstacles, opportunities, and that daily challenge of moving from words, which so many of us—including ourselves so far—have focused on, to concrete actions: the projects and commitments that administrators must take on.

SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI

Because the future does not wait: it must be built. And it starts now. Stay tuned with us.

Sustainable Umbria – Episode 2: Interview with Stefania Proietti

ITALO CARMIGNANI

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.

And so time passes, but the problems remain. Yet there is one problem that cannot afford delays: environmental sustainability. I am Italo Carmignani, journalist and podcast host, and today I am not 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 have to live it firsthand.

Together, we will meet Stefania Proietti, President of the Region of Umbria, to understand how politics can address not only today's needs, but above all tomorrow's questions. Because the truth is simple.

Young people are asking to be heard, and so is the planet. But this time, we can no longer pretend not to listen. President Proietti, people often talk about the ecological transition, to be completed by 2030: what real changes do you hope to see in our region?

STEFANIA PROIETTI

The changes that Umbria will undergo between now and 2030 will go hand in hand with our strategic guidelines for Umbria until 2029. Every strategic guideline, including in the economic and financial document that we are currently adopting in the legislative assembly, is aligned with one or more of the Agenda 2030 goals. This illustrates what sustainability means to us: it is embedded in every mission—technically speaking—that the Region of Umbria must pursue. Regions are responsible for territory, urban planning, and urban regeneration.

They are responsible for protected areas, including those under European designation: consider our natural parks, as well as the Natura 2000 sites. They are responsible for lakes, hydrographic basins, and for people. If I were to identify the first change we will see, it’s that sustainability will be integrated into the document that sets out the health agenda for Umbria’s citizens, from a One Health perspective—meaning our health is inseparably linked to that of the environment and of other creatures; a holistic approach where everything is connected.

SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI

Madam President, we young people are often accused of being an apathetic generation. In your view, what should we really take to the streets for today? In other words, what are, in your opinion, the most urgent environmental and social battles for Umbria, the ones truly worth mobilising for?

STEFANIA PROIETTI

Far from apathetic: young people are our energy, our source of energy. The critical battle is that against climate change, because it is paradigmatic: climate change is caused by the rich, but hits and kills the poor—countries, individuals, or innocent children. Currently, little is said about this, as crises seem to be accelerating, not least wars.

Unfortunately, we see that many wars—what Pope Francis called a piecemeal world war—often take place where there are fossil fuel resources running through or expected to run through, including the most recent events in the Middle East, where fossil fuel energy is not just a bit player, but sadly a main actor in crises that manifest as wars. So, why fight climate change?

For energy independence achievable through renewables, as this brings more peace and more democracy. This is a cause that young people now feel deeply: they have a green heart, which symbolises Umbria, and your generation embodies this, dear Sofia. When I began my research journey on sustainability and sustainable energy, around twenty-five years ago, climate change denial was widespread.

Today, there’s an attempt to cover up or avoid talking about climate change; yet environmental issues are often the root cause of many social tragedies and injustices.

ITALO CARMIGNANI

Umbria has long been described as the green heart of Italy, but how green is it really today? Could you give us some actual figures on land use?

STEFANIA PROIETTI

There is considerable fragility in the Umbrian territory, especially related to land consumption and the failure to properly manage the hydrographic network in recent years: the two are intimately linked. Land consumption triggers problems that—together with the intense rainfall fuelled by global climate change—can endanger people’s lives. Too often now, we witness heavy rainfall turning into floods and overflowing rivers in our region.

So Umbria is the green heart in many respects: think, for example, of our forest resources and of how our towns are picturesque pearls set into this beautiful landscape. But there is this fragility. How can we address it? Through adaptation interventions to climate change and always focusing on mitigation: making Umbria carbon-neutral, an Umbria with zero carbon footprint.

It’s a dream within reach if we consider that so-called ecosystem services—our woodlands, which grow and are maintained—can sequester CO₂. We can achieve this dream: being the first region to calculate its carbon footprint and neutralise it.

SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI

In Umbria, many young people sadly decide to leave because they don’t see a future here. We’d like to ask what the Region is doing to create new employment opportunities, particularly in the areas of sustainability and innovation, capable of reversing this trend and convincing us to stay.

STEFANIA PROIETTI

I would answer with one word: Umbria is creating networks. Networking between whom? Productive enterprises, which in our region represent absolute excellence in various fields: from fashion to precision engineering to aerospace, where at a regional level we are highly advanced thanks to clusters and networking approaches, all the way to the agri-food sector, which is increasingly seeking to trigger a virtuous cycle along its supply chain. So, production, circular economy, locally-sourced products—even for food companies.

All this needs you; it needs the specialisation I hope you will achieve in a truly cross-disciplinary way, also thanks to the digital revolution, which cannot be ignored: it is impossible now to pretend that artificial intelligence or digitalisation do not exist. Let’s focus on their positive aspects. Being multitasking today, with a multidisciplinary, indeed cross-disciplinary, background enables you to meet the demands companies have right now.

What are we doing for you? We are building this network: universities and not only universities, but also schools, starting with middle schools, which should guide you towards a world of work that not only awaits you, but is rich in success stories, starting from when our entrepreneurs were very young. So, instilling hope and trust, with the tools available to us: using European structural funds, we not only finance job stabilisation—in other words, combatting precarious work—but we also strive to attract young talent

and give you the right to stay. We are also funding start-ups: you can even think about becoming entrepreneurs yourselves and creating jobs for others. I did it twenty-five years ago, motivated by these same values, and specifically in the field of sustainability.

ITALO CARMIGNANI

Renewable energy plants are strategic for clean energy production, but if not properly designed and integrated, they can have a significant impact on the landscape, which is a valuable environmental asset for the Region of Umbria. So, where does the Region stand on identifying suitable areas for the installation of renewable energy plants?

STEFANIA PROIETTI

We are at the forefront, among the leading regions, as we have already enacted legislation on suitable areas—with praise from the European Commission, especially the Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy, to whom we presented our law: these areas are known as “acceleration areas” in the Commission. The purpose of designating suitable areas is to accelerate renewable energy production without impacting the environment or landscape. The Region, therefore, identifies areas suitable for hosting renewable energy plants and areas that are not. This also serves another important function: administrative simplification.

Those wishing to install or invest in renewable energy plants benefit from knowing—thanks to a map—where it is permitted and where it isn’t. This is a clear point of excellence.

SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI

Madam President, you are a genuine source of inspiration: you come from a scientific background and now lead the Region. In your opinion, what is needed to encourage more girls to choose STEM careers and to attain leadership roles? Do you believe there are still gender stereotypes holding women back?

STEFANIA PROIETTI

We need to share our experiences. Until I entered this mission, this public service, I would visit schools to tell students about the beauty of being a researcher, a university professor, an engineer leading an engineering company that, from the early 2000s, saw sustainability not only as a research topic but as an ethical response—and therefore, a career lived as an ethical response to global environmental crises. Sharing these stories at schools, I always saw lines of boys and girls saying to me, “We’d also love a job like that”—a job where your talent, even in science, becomes a response to your desire to do good, to help others. By sharing these stories enthusiastically, we can create and inspire dreams in our young people. And as a mechanical and energy engineer, I confirm: our talent and charisma are needed in our field.

In fact—and as we always recall, President Draghi famously said—the country’s GDP also needs our talent in this sector; we can truly contribute so much. Illustrating one’s life experience as a researcher or professional in a STEM field can open young people’s minds to new ambitions, and for girls, it can help break down prejudice.

ITALO CARMIGNANI

President, the final question. If you could choose one single, radical, and unpopular measure to benefit the environment in Umbria, what would you implement immediately?

STEFANIA PROIETTI

I would cover all industrial rooftops in photovoltaic panels, establishing a regional renewable energy community.

ITALO CARMIGNANI

That concludes our interview with Stefania Proietti, President of the Region of Umbria. All that’s left for me is to say goodbye to all of you and to Sofia.

SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI

Goodbye, everyone.

ITALO CARMIGNANI

And to invite you to the next episode of the podcast dedicated to a sustainable Umbria, where we will be joined by Professor Francesco Asdrubali, Vice-Rector of the University for Foreigners. So, see you soon for a new episode.

SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI

Because the future is not something to wait for—it is something to build. And it starts now. Stay connected with us.

And how can it provide it? It can provide it through new technologies: for example, small modular reactors—these are state-of-the-art reactors, very compact, and completely different in scale from Chernobyl or Fukushima. They are equipped with inherently safe systems, as they employ passive safety mechanisms, require low initial capital investment, are small in size, and thus can be deployed and implemented widely and efficiently. There is significant international interest in nuclear energy: currently, 24 countries around the world are building nuclear power plants.

Some of these countries, such as Egypt, Turkey or Bangladesh, have never before had nuclear power; other African nations, such as Rwanda and Nigeria, are now exploring it. Even in Europe, some countries like Belgium are reassessing nuclear energy. It is undoubtedly a technology that can support the decarbonisation process. While it should not be the sole means of driving the energy transition, it can play an important role as part of a complex and diversified energy mix—offering greater energy security to those who adopt it.

Research into fusion energy—which could potentially provide humanity with virtually infinite and inexhaustible energy—must of course continue, and is also underway in Italy.

SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI

Professor, in twenty years’ time, when I’ll be in my forties, what kind of city and world will I be living in? Above all, will it still be liveable, or should I already start looking for a home on Mars?

FRANCESCO ASDRUBALI

The hope is that in twenty years’ time there will have been a real change of course, with the world embarking on a large-scale energy transition. Again, there is a mix of progress and setbacks: on one hand, Trump withdrew from the Paris Agreement; on the other, China—if not out of ideological commitment to the principles of sustainable development, at least out of economic self-interest—is making a substantial shift towards renewable energy sources.

Therefore, the hope is that in twenty years’ time, you and all of your generation will be able to live in a better world—one in which the conflicts of today’s world no longer exist. The COP30, the Conference of the Parties, is currently being held in the Amazon. I hope that, in twenty years, the international agreements being discussed now to update the commitment made by all states in Paris ten years ago will finally be on the path to full implementation.

ITALO CARMIGNANI

Thank you to Professor Asdrubali. All that remains for me is to say goodbye—and also to bid farewell to my colleague, now officially, Sofia.

SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI

Goodbye everyone.

ITALO CARMIGNANI

See you for the next episode, when we will be joined by another lecturer from the University for Foreigners, Maura Marchegiani, with whom we will discuss issues of international law. Stay tuned for a new episode of Umbria Sostenibile.

SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI

Because the future does not wait, it is built—and it starts now. Stay connected with us.

I would perhaps choose the ability to see things in an interconnected way. This seems to me the most important aspect: being able to combine technical skills and humanistic sensitivity, to read problems not by sector but by connections.

Sustainability requires minds capable of imagining scenarios, constructing interdisciplinary pathways, and translating values into concrete actions. Vision, the capacity for vision, is certainly a key competence.

SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI

Listening to you is absolutely fascinating, but unfortunately we need to wrap up, and I’d like to do so with a personal question. Are you optimistic about the future? And above all, can we young people still allow ourselves to be optimistic?

MAURA MARCHEGIANI

I am definitely optimistic. However, we need mindful optimism: not naïve optimism, but optimism grounded in responsibility and collaboration.

You, the younger generation, are showing incredible creativity and courage. You are well aware of the complexity of the challenges, but you are also aware of your own potential. And our role, then, as academics, is to equip you with solid knowledge and transversal skills to face the future—a future that is evidently not simply something that happens to us, but something we build together, day by day, transforming our hopes into concrete projects through knowledge, cooperation, mutual trust, creativity, and ingenuity. And if we continue to believe that sustainability is a project based on justice, well, then I would say yes: we can and indeed must allow ourselves to be optimistic.

ITALO CARMIGNANI

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 individuals.

Today we have once again realised that the future will not be built only by engineers and energy experts, but also by new professionals capable of reading society, mediating conflicts, defending rights, and building cooperation.

In short, sustainability is not just about the environment and green energy: it is about responsibility, justice, and above all, knowledge. Now it is also time for a little reflection.

Sofia, what will you take away from this episode?

SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI

Thank you, Italo. Honestly, the words of the Professor have given me new hope, even if with a slightly bittersweet aftertaste, coming from the awareness that we all need to work together, concretely, and take real, tangible action. This comes about, above all, thanks to education and the outstanding new study programmes—extraordinary, in fact.

ITALO CARMIGNANI

And thank you all for joining us today. If you enjoyed this podcast, this episode, please share it and send us your questions. We will continue this journey, discovering an Umbria determined to grow without leaving anyone behind.

Umbria is not made up of large cities, nor metropolitan areas, as we know—fortunately, from certain points of view—but is instead composed of medium-sized cities: think of Perugia, Terni, Foligno; or, in some cases, of towns scattered throughout the region, of internal areas such as those along the Apennine range. Now, these internal areas, these towns, are experiencing a structural decline that goes far beyond the consequences of the earthquake, for those regions affected by it.

This decline had already begun beforehand and was characterised by the exodus of young people from these areas, an ageing population, closure of economic activities, and the discontinuation of both public and private services—schools, transport, healthcare, among others. The problem is therefore complex and multifaceted. Yet I believe that revitalising the towns is essential for the overall sustainability of this region. There are valuable experiences, including some from within our own country and not just in Umbria, that show us that a town is not inevitably doomed to disappear. There are small towns, let us take some as models, that have been revitalised thanks to immigrants, due to the social capital immigrants have built. We have towns that have discovered that water is a resource and an attraction for tourism. In Tuscany, we have towns that have been revitalised by the management of thermal parks.

I will not name them here. In these towns, there is an estate owned by the Region—landholdings made up of farmhouses and thousands of hectares of land—that can become the foundation for new jobs and new homes for young people capable of designing innovative crops in the agri-food sector. Let me provide some seemingly simple examples: everywhere near Umbria we find enterprises that are leaders in their fields and could help foster new businesses founded by young people engaging in innovative cultivation.

I will not name any companies, but perhaps all our listeners can imagine them. If young people want to engage in organic goat milk production and cheese making, why not offer them, for example, a farmhouse—some land or forested areas, given that goats graze under the trees—and thus provide the opportunity to live in these internal areas? Yet these companies cannot be left unsupported: perhaps they could benefit from mentoring or training provided by medium or large companies—perhaps based in Umbria—specialising in the dairy sector. And if other young people from the Upper Tiber Valley wanted to cultivate medicinal plants, which is a vital area for another company located near Umbria, why not grant them land and farmhouses in internal areas to grow medicinal plants, enabling this company to purchase their produce?

I could give ten more examples. We need to change Umbria, also by creating opportunities for young people, starting anew from internal areas and towns.

ITALO CARMIGNANI

Professor, let us talk about tourism, an area in which Sviluppumbria plays a central role. Tourism is a great opportunity, but it can also become a risk if not managed appropriately: overuse of the territory, pressure on small towns, unsustainable models.

So I ask: how can truly sustainable tourism be developed in Umbria—tourism capable of generating value without undermining the region’s identity? And above all, what strategies are you implementing to internationalise the territory and increase its visibility in global markets?

LUCA FERRUCCI

The issue of tourism is crucial for Umbria. I would point to three key concepts around which policies should revolve: access to Umbria, accommodation in Umbria, and the attractiveness of Umbria. These are the three pillars of a tourism policy. The first: access.

Tourists come to Umbria if they can get here quickly; of course, we can also embrace slow tourism, but people must be able to reach Umbria easily. To date, due to infrastructural challenges, access to Umbria is a taboo subject—not only for tourists from abroad but also from many regions within our own country. It is clear that the rail and road infrastructures often concern Rome more than Perugia, in the sense that financial resources are at the national level. Yet we must not overlook the existence of an airport, which falls under regional responsibility. I therefore believe that our airport is, so to speak, the only infrastructure for access to Umbria—particularly from abroad—that is within the remit of regional authority. "Authority" here is a metaphorical term.

So, it should play an extraordinary role. Let us note that the airport has reached 600,000 passengers and we are pleased with this result. But the first question is: how many of these passengers come from our tourist markets, or from the export markets for our businesses? If, as we know, our tourists arrive primarily from Germany, France, the UK, and the United States, how many flights operate from our airport to French or German locations? Fortunately, we have London, which is a great achievement. Alternatively, there are destinations such as Romania, Albania, and Malta, from which, I don’t believe we receive many tourists.

If the airport is indeed our gateway for international access—and also serves our companies exporting to Germany, France, and the United States—I think a new chapter should open for the airport. Then, of course, there is the matter of accommodation, for which we have just completed a call for applications worth about 20 million euros, specifically for the renovation of accommodation facilities. On this front, we can say that we have a wide range of establishments, some of which now aspire to very high standards,

bringing a significant transformation to our cities and towns, as high-quality facilities attract luxury tourism. And then there is the issue of attractiveness: we are more than just major festivals. Certainly, we welcome religious tourism, landscape and nature tourism, but we must also enhance our attractiveness to develop these areas further.

I’m thinking, for example, of walking trails, which have achieved reasonable success but still need further development; or of cycle tourism, which is growing throughout Europe and for which Umbria could be a natural destination. We often tell ourselves that we have a lot to offer in cycling tourism, but in reality, I believe we are just at the beginning of this path.

SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI

I have a very direct question, now, as a young person seeking her own place in the world: if I wanted to work in sustainable development, what is the one skill—just one—that I should start building today?

LUCA FERRUCCI

First of all, I sincerely hope that every young person in this region will succeed in creating their own opportunities. And to build, conceive, and envision your opportunity: opportunities arise from the intersection of two things—passion and competence. The best wish for employment is to unite your passion with your skills. The subject of sustainability is not limited to economics, energy, renewables, or green plastics: in reality, it cuts across all sectors. Consider just the packaging of food products, which, due to European directives, will radically change in the next five years.

Consider any object we handle today, which will undergo change. My answer is this: do not focus on one specific product—focus on your passion and your skills. And if you discover a passion for music and expertise in archaeology, you can even imagine combining archaeology and music in a sustainable way.

ITALO CARMIGNANI

Professor Ferrucci, let us end with a question we ask all our guests: are you optimistic about the economic future of Umbria? And above all, can young people afford to be?

LUCA FERRUCCI

Young people have a duty to have faith in the future, because they will be the ones to build the paths ahead. There is an entire generation that still wants to dictate the rules for the future, but I hope opportunities will be opened to our young people and that they will be placed at the heart of all fields, from public to private sectors.

ITALO CARMIGNANI

We thank Professor Ferrucci for guiding us in this reflection on the economic and sustainable future of Umbria. Today, we have learned that sustainability is not an obstacle to development, but its most powerful driving force: it sparks innovation in enterprises, enhances the value of the region, generates new opportunities, and—above all—gives young people genuine prospects. Sofia, what will you take away from today’s episode?

SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI

Thank you, Italo. As always, our conversation has given me much food for thought and a challenging question: if the future is not only elsewhere, how can we help people understand that it is also built through actions we take today, especially in politics and governance?

ITALO CARMIGNANI

We will continue this journey to discover an Umbria that seeks to grow without leaving anyone behind.

I envision an Umbria that leaves no one behind, an Umbria that mobilises all its institutions, associations, the third sector, and all those who play a social role in our region, so that opportunities can be offered without ever losing our identity, yet at the same time striving for a high quality of life. This must take shape above all through relationships, through services, through all those connections that have brought us together over the years and that must inevitably grow stronger, to ensure that Umbria becomes one of the model regions in terms of relationships, first and foremost.

ITALO CARMIGNANI

Let’s go into more detail and give some examples. Regarding alternative energy sources, for instance, which ones are best suited for Umbria? Regarding water, which resource should we deploy to safeguard Umbria’s water sources?

And, most importantly, what should the Region’s policy be to ensure environmental sustainability becomes a reality and not just an intention?

FEDERICO GORI

This is also a crucial issue, involving municipalities as well. We know that we must act, because energy resources are not infinite, and we need to understand what impact alternative energies will have in our region. At the same time, as I mentioned earlier, we must safeguard our identity, and this is where connections, dialogue, and a comprehensive vision must help us navigate potentially risky situations, such as those involving large-scale facilities, or certain plants that could potentially impact our environment but are, at the same time, essential.

Therefore, we need to find a balance, as we are currently doing with the Region of Umbria and the responsible department, through meetings and, above all, the development of regulations that ensure the protection of municipalities, while also encouraging us to take bold steps in imagining a future that includes alternative energy sources.

ITALO CARMIGNANI

In a previous Umbria Sostenibile podcast, the Regional President, Stefania Proietti, spoke mainly about solar energy, with all due caution. Do you consider this a viable path?

FEDERICO GORI

On this topic, I am open to a more modern approach. The reality is that Umbria consists of municipalities that are often subject to various restrictions. While it is true that we should probably consider the possibility of installing photovoltaic panels on industrial warehouses, factories, or industrial areas, it is also true that in most cases, in historic centres or protected areas, it’s simply not feasible, even if we wanted to; something I personally would advise against, because we have beautiful, extraordinary historic towns that—even with new technologies—would likely not receive the approval of heritage authorities, for example.

Certainly, irrespective of the percentage of suitable areas for renewable sources, we should focus on how we can modernise existing facilities, perhaps considering photovoltaic solutions. And if the President of Umbria has said she wants to invest in photovoltaics, I assume that the Region’s strategy or vision is much broader than that of any individual municipality. We are aware of being part of this process: we want to participate and we definitely do not want to hinder this transition. At the same time, however, we are the custodians of our territory, our towns and our communities—being guardians of the will of our communities also means protecting the landscape, historical, and cultural heritage that make each place unique.

SOFIA ABATEGIOVANNI

Alright, now the final question, President: What, in your view, is the most courageous decision a local administrator should make today to leave a positive legacy for tomorrow?

FEDERICO GORI

The most courageous decision for any administrator, first of all, is simply going to the Town Hall each morning. That said, we must consider that today’s real problem is time scarcity. We no longer have time; we lead hectic lives, we are always chasing events and meetings, both online and in person. True courage lies in stopping, in dialogue, in putting people—regardless of whether they are members of the town council with whom we interact daily—at the centre again: taking time, and doing so with all members of our communities who wish to engage. Unfortunately, I am seeing this happen less and less, precisely because of this hectic pace, which seems to be increasing rather than diminishing. Restoring value to time, I believe, is an act of courage.

ITALO CARMIGNANI

We thank the President of ANCI Umbria, Federico Gori, for this interview, which has provided hope, guidance, and aspirations in support of sustainable development. And we thank our listeners for joining us along this journey, to better understand the path towards an ever more sustainable Umbria.