26 February 2021

The new national project “Mountains: Living Labs of innovation for ecological and digital transition” and attribution of a specific rectoral delegation for the enhancement of mountain areas

Two important new acquisitions to enhance research, teaching and the third mission of the UNIMONT Centre in favor of the development of mountain areas.

Mountain territories can only overcome marginality by developing new development models, based on competence, the ability to innovate and network, reducing distances and isolation factors as much as possible through the use of technology, while protecting the environment. Mountains can seize extraordinary opportunities from the ecological and digital transition promoted by the EU. UNIMONT, which has been promoting this process for over 20 years – from the mountains and successfully – has been assigned an important new project and significant institutional recognition.

UNIMONT – the Center of Excellence of the University of Milan located in Edolo, in the heart of the Alps, which has been involved for over 20 years in training, research and third mission activities specific to mountain areas through innovative methodological and operational approaches, research and the qualification of young enthusiasts, as well as the continuous training of local operators, is launching a new project: “Mountains: Living Labs of innovation for ecological and digital transition” in partnership with the Ministry of University and Research.

In line with the path taken to date with the Ministry, the project intends to capitalize on the significant experiences acquired by UNIMONT at a national and international level, enhancing the many synergies and networks responsible for governance and the creation of value in mountain areas, in order to implement new educational, research, technology transfer and institutional support initiatives to facilitate ecological and digital transition processes within the new European policy framework.

Also the attribution of a specific rectoral delegation of the University of Milan for the enhancement of the mountain territory is the result of the constant commitment of UNIMONT in activities regarding training, research, promotion of collaborations, ideas and projects to address, at a national and international level, the theme of the development of mountain areas in an effective and innovative way. UNIMONT has thus become an increasingly broad and open platform, serving the territory at a local, regional, national and European level thanks to a methodological and operational approach that views mountain areas “from within” and as a “system” at the center of specific attention, to reduce distances and differences, both physical and as regards opportunities, between “central” and “peripheral” areas, favoring exchange, comparison and the definition of win-win operational alliances.

Anna Giorgi, Full Professor at the University of Milan, Director of the Ge.S.Di.Mont Research Center of the UNIMONT pole of Edolo, Coordinator of the Degree Course in “Conservation and Sustainable Development of Mountain Areas”, Leader of Action Group 1 – Research and Innovation – of the European Strategy of the Alpine Region (EUSALP) and member of the board of Euromontana, has been entrusted with a rectoral delegation for the promotion of the didactic development, research and third mission project connected to the enhancement of mountain areas.

“After a long and continuous process of discussion, creation of alliances and promotion of cooperation between universities and the territory, UNIMONT is now a very active platform, recognized as an effective “model” and good practice for the enhancement of mountain areas, which in addition to specific training and research activities, is increasingly strategic for the capitalization of national skills and experiences and the union and coordination of forces and interventions for the mountains, even more valuable in the perspective of the ecological and digital transition promoted by the new European reference framework,” comments Prof. Anna Giorgi.