Italian citizens discuss on the Cohesion Policy in mountains

The Ente Regionale per i Servizi all’Agricoltura e alle Foreste (ERSAF) hold three workshops with citizens in the Lombardy Region, Italy. On the table: what the Cohesion Policy achieved in the region, how actors perceive it and how they would use the funds for the future.

The Cohesion Policy goes to Italy!

In September 2022, ERSAF organised three workshops to speak about the Montana174 project in Galliate Lombardo, Valfurva and Chiesa Valmalenco

Overall, approximately 80 people participated to these workshops, including representatives from local and regional administrations, journalists and tourists.

What do Italian people think about the Cohesion Policy?

Most of the participants did not know well what the Cohesion Policy is, except citizens working in territorial administration. The workshops organised by ERSAF were an opportunity to promote the benefits that Cohesion Policy brings to the region, since these events featured stakeholders from Interreg projects, who presented the actions they carry out.

Moreover, most participants believed that the Cohesion Policy brings direct and concrete impacts but is not promoted enough among the population. Many of them believed that more workshops like these ones should be organised, as well as more information through mass media disseminated, to better advertise the Cohesion Policy.

How would Italian people use the Cohesion Policy funds in the mountains?

During the workshops, participants were encouraged to reflect on how they would like to use the funds of the Cohesion Policy in their mountainous region.

Participants underlined that particular attention should be given to:

• improve tourism structures in mountain areas, invest in slow tourism and find solutions regarding the impact of ski stations and tourism on climate change
• encourage behaviour change in order to limit the increase of temperatures
• develop strategies for more living and vibrant mountain areas
• create more spaces dedicated to young people
• support vulnerable groups, such as children, vulnerable families and homeless people