Ecological Networks and Cultural Itineraries as a Driving Force for Community Development and Resilience

Between 13 and 16 July, the Province of Potenza had the honour of hosting a delegation from the Council of Europe, interested in learning about our main places of cultural, historical and environmental importance with a particular focus on their enhancement for tourism purposes.

This initiative is part of the rich program of enhancement of the provincial territory carried out by the MCR2030 Resilience HUB of the Province of Potenza and in particular of the CIBIOGO project, aimed at promoting activities for the mitigation of climate change and enhancement of the local environmental and cultural heritage by supporting and encouraging a broader active participation of citizens, associations and operators in the sector.

The delegation was composed of Arnold Klingeis, President of HISTORIC CAFÉS ROUTE, also representing the Secretariat of Cultural Routes and the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes, the Council of Europe, Karin Hann, delegate of the Mayor of the city of Cluj Napoca (Romania) and head of the Cluj-Napoca Tourist Information and Promotion Centre, Lucian Nastasa-Kovaci, historian of international importance and General Manager of the National Museum of Art located in the historic Banffy Palace of Transylvania, ⁠⁠Ștefan Farell, president and artistic director of international importance of the Fashion Week & Lifestyle of the city of Cluj Napoca.

During their stay, the representatives of the Council of Europe had the opportunity to visit some of our most renowned destinations with significant historical-cultural and landscape-environmental presences ranging from Maratea, Pearl of the Mediterranean, to Vulture with the lakes of Monticchio, ending in Melfi, Acerenza, Pietragalla and Potenza city.

During the intense 4 days, an important moment of discussion was also held in which, in addition to the Province represented by Councilor Michele Giordano and the staff of the Planning Office led by the director Alessandro Attolico, promoter and coordinator of the MCR2030 Resilience HUB, professors from the University of Basilicata, CNR researchers, officials and managers of the Basilicata Region, representatives of the Professional Orders and Cultural and Environmental Associations as well as internationally renowned experts in the field of protection and enhancement of cultural and environmental assets, including Pierpaolo Campostrini representing the city of Venice, Prof. Heck Peter of the Umwelt-Campus Birkenfeld and Andrew Bower, representing the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction for Europe and Central Asia, participated.

In-depth thematic meetings were also held, in the places selected for the short visit, with the President of the Vulture Park Francesca Di Lucchio, the Mayors of the Municipalities of Melfi, Giuseppe Maglione and of Acerenza, Ferdinando Scattone,with the museum directorates of Melfi and Potenza and with some historic companies producing local products typical of the area concerned.

The Province of Potenza, which has 9 protected areas, 2 Regional Parks and 2 National Parks and an immense historical-cultural heritage, demonstrates that it has a lot to offer in the combination of history-environment-landscape-tourism, trying to pursue the increase in the trend linked to slow and responsible cultural tourism.

We are certain that this short but intense visit and the partnership and collaboration protocol started between the MCR2030 Resilience HUB of the Province of Potenza and the Council of Europe will contribute to making the treasures guarded by our Province known at an international level, drawing attention to our artistic and naturalistic riches.

A precious opportunity to promote a strategic enhancement action focused on sustainable tourism development in harmony with the environment. On these issues, the MCR2030 Resilience HUB of the Province of Potenza has already started an intense planning process with stakeholders and associations interested in the topic, constantly sharing progress with the representatives of the Council of Europe and the United Nations.