In the framework of the EnCLOD Project, on Saturday, 13 June, the Province of Vicenza and ALDA+, in close collaboration with the IUAV University of Venice, organised an event titled “Open Data in Vicenza: Results of the EnCLOD Project and Innovation for Territorial Governance”. Over 50 participants, including local administrators, researchers, private companies, students, and key stakeholders, gathered to explore how open data can support highly effective territorial governance, promote digital innovation, and stimulate dynamic new partnerships between the public and private sectors.

The conference was opened with the welcome remarks and greetings from Andrea Nardin, the President of the Province of Vicenza. In his opening address, President Nardin strongly emphasised the vital role of innovation and of public-private collaboration in enhancing sustainable territorial governance. 

Following the opening remarks, the morning sessions shifted focus to the practical achievements of the local pilot action in Vicenza, developed under the framework of the European EnCLOD project. Among the primary successes presented was the optimisation of winter road salting operations. Furthermore, the pilot successfully introduced a real-time environmental monitoring network. This was achieved by deploying a weather sensor network across four highly critical points along mountain road arteries throughout the Province of Vicenza. Crucially, all information gathered through these sensor networks has now been published transparently on the official institutional portal of the Province of Vicenza. By making this valuable information fully accessible, the project establishes highly replicable data models and provides citizens with open and transparent information.

Another central highlight of the day was the official awards ceremony for the EnCLOD Open Data Hackathon. Organised in partnership with the Digital Innovation Hub of Confargianato Imprese Vicenze, this intense hackathon challenged four teams of talented innovators to develop creative, practical digital solutions based entirely on the reuse of available public open data. The final projects clearly illustrated the immense potential of open data to generate substantial economic value and provided concrete ideas for enhancing territorial governance. 

Beyond the project-specific results, the conference also provided an expert deep dive into the strategic importance of the information assets held by the Chambers of Commerce. Speakers demonstrated how detailed data regarding the regional socio-economic context could serve as a crucial asset for both private enterprises and public authorities. However, it is crucial to effectively transform raw data into long-term development strategies.

The successful event concluded with a strong, shared commitment to continuously advance the local open data ecosystem by strengthening collaborations between public institutions, private businesses, academic research bodies, and civil society. 

European programmes, local initiatives and active participation: these were the key themes of the meeting titled “Rural development: from the European perspective to local practices”, held on Friday 24 April at the “Enrico Narciso” Cultural Centre in Santa Croce del Sannio. Organised by ALDA+ in collaboration with the Municipality of Santa Croce del Sannio, the event brought together local authorities, the scientific community and civil society organisations to reflect on opportunities for revitalising rural areas.

The day began with a welcome address by the Mayor of Santa Croce del Sannio, Antonio Zeoli, and a presentation of the initiative, which forms part of the local cultural and social regeneration project “Tracce”, promoted by the Municipality of Santa Croce del Sannio and the Municipality of Circello and funded under Misura PNRR M1C3 – Intervento 2.1 – Attrattività dei borghi storici. 

The first session provided an overview of rural development policies and best practices in the European Union. Serafín Pazos-Vidal of AEIDL opened the conference by describing his organisation’s approach to participatory local development. Next, Elyse Lebreuilly, Secretary-General of Leader France, highlighted the role of local networks in strengthening community-led strategies. To conclude the session, Eriberto Eulisse, Executive Director of WAMU-NET, outlined the role of eco-museums and extended museums in sustainable local development through community involvement.  

The second session focused on local regeneration initiatives. Academic representatives gave presentations, including Claudia De Luca, from the Department of Architecture at the University of Bologna, and Pasquale De Toro, from the “Alberto Calza Bini” Interdepartmental Centre for Research in Urban Planning at the University of Naples Federico II. These were complemented by contributions from the Popoli e Territori foundation and the Ru.De.Ri. association, represented by Valentina Anzoise, who provided concrete examples of community involvement and the promotion of local resources, including Rural Design Week. 

In the afternoon, the focus shifted to the challenges of the Alto Tammaro area. Utilising a participatory focus-group methodology, the attendees collectively delved into the topic, co-designing shared strategic pathways for sustainable rural development in the region. 

The event proved to be a success, with over forty people in attendance and more than twenty joining remotely. This outcome confirms the growing interest in the topic of rural development.