Events

On October 15, 2025, the University of Insubria, Como Sant'Abbondio campus, will host the second Italian edition of the Doughnut Economics Festival, dedicated to the theme "Rethinking Tourism for Shared Well-being." The event will bring together scholars, institutions, professionals, and citizens to reflect on the challenges of overtourism and the opportunities for sustainable and inclusive tourism. The goal is to promote a new model that combines social well-being and respect for environmental constraints.   Event Session 1 The morning session will be dedicated to laying the conceptual foundations and initiating dialogue on the most pressing issues. Following institutional greetings, two introductory talks will alternate: the first on ethical finance, the second explaining the principles of the Doughnut Economics. This will be followed by a broad discussion of tourism in light of sustainability and inclusiveness, along with its critical issues. Professor Colangelo will offer reflections on lake tourism, while Professor Galmarini and a group of students will present a work-in-progress on their field research. Professor Cortelezzi will then analyze the problem of overtourism, and Professor Pozzo will focus on the relationship between tourism and environmental constraints. The morning will conclude with the presentation of a pilot film tourism project on Lake Como, proposed by the Sentiero dei Sogni association, the Como Chamber of Commerce, and the Volta Foundation, and a roundtable discussion featuring direct exchanges between representatives of local institutions and local entrepreneurs on the aforementioned topics.   Second Event Session The afternoon session will offer a look at the role of the third sector and social enterprise in tourism, with a presentation of the TOPUp project by Antonella Cuppari and presentations by EURICSE researchers Giulia Galera and Giulia Tallarini. This will be followed by a presentation of Villa del Grumello, described by Chiara Bignami as an example of a place of culture and creativity open to the world. Finally, the final part of the day will be dedicated to the theme "Governing Tourism: Strategies and Proposals at the Local Level," facilitated by Vanessa Vaio and featuring presentations of concrete experiences such as the Volta Project in Brunate, the Girasole Project in Lecco, and the activities of Viaggi e Miraggi, an organization committed to responsible tourism.   The event is open to all; to register, scan the QR code on the poster.    

On Monday, October 13, 2025, from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM, the conference titled "Gender Pay Gap and the New EU Directive. New Challenges for Equity in Varese Province" will be held in the Villa Recalcati Conference Hall - Piazza Libertà 1, Varese.   The event is organized by the Office of the Equality Councilor of the Province of Varese and the University of Insubria, in collaboration with CGIL Varese, CISL dei Laghi, UIL Lombardia, CNA, Confapi Varese, Confartigianato Varese, Concommercio Varese, Confcooperative Insubria, Confesercenti Lombardia, and Confindustria Varese.   The meeting aims to present the innovations introduced by EU Directive 2023/970, which imposes new obligations on employers regarding pay transparency and introduces specific methods for determining the criteria for salary progression, including interventions during the employment relationship in order to promote better implementation of the principle of equal pay for men and women.   The analysis of the innovations introduced by the directive will be placed within the broader framework of European policies on gender equality and non-discrimination, and will be contextualized in the local context of the province of Varese.   The workshop is organized as part of the NODES (Nord Ovest Digitale e Sostenibile) project, funded by PNRR funds, which aims to support the sustainable growth and digital transition of businesses. The aim is to help local businesses understand the new regulatory framework for pay transparency and support them in developing effective strategies.   The meeting is aimed at entrepreneurs/administrators and company managers of relevant functions (management systems managers, sustainability managers, HSE managers, etc.), consultants, professionals, students, and researchers. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the promotion of a culture of equality in the workplace by actively supporting companies, especially small businesses, which may face greater difficulties in adapting to the new directives. See the program flyer.   Subscribe here

On Friday, October 3, 2025, from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm, the seminar entitled: “Walking with Open Eyes/Balader les yeux ouverts” will be held at the University of the Aosta Valley - Via Monte Vodice, Aosta. Lower Aosta Valley (ITA) and Burgundy (FRA) compared.   Conceived as part of the research activities of Spoke3 (Flagship Project TOEP-Tourism Open-ended Experimentation Platform) and the collaboration of the Aosta unit with the University of Burgundy/Dijon on the topic of itineraries for cultural tourism, the training seminar will offer local cultural and environmental tourism professionals a comparison between the proposals developed within the Spoke (toponymic itineraries and olive growing itineraries) and those that UniBourgogne/Dijon has developed in recent years (viticulture, forestry, outdoor and sports tourism, agri-food).   The goal is to provide Aosta Valley cultural and tourism professionals with interesting insights into a region (Burgundy) that, due to its rich identity in terms of not only historical and cultural assets but also environmental and economic ones (just think of its wine and the famous mustard), can truly represent a European benchmark in The theme of slow tourism is one that the University of Burgundy has fully embraced, becoming one of the four French national centers for agri-food.   The seminar will be held at the University of Aosta with a series of presentations by six speakers (see program below) who will alternate between 2:45 PM and 5:30 PM, followed by a final question time. Speakers/trainers will include members of the UniVdA group: Professors Gianmario Raimondi, Anna Maria Pioletti, and Aline Pons, and guests from the University of Burgundy/Dijon: Professors Laurent Gautier, Anne Parizot/Florian Kock, and Giuseppe Bisogni.   Participation in the event (also for the purposes of NODES certification as a training activity) is subject to registration. For registration, please visit the University of Valle d'Aosta website: www.univda.it/eventi-univda/   PROGRAM 2:30 PM Greetings (Rector, Councilor, NODES Spoke3 Coordinator). Introduced by G. Raimondi Start of the scientific sessions: Moderated by Consuelo Nava 2:45 PM G. Raimondi, Walking with your eyes wide open: the DE-TOURS project 3:05 PM L. Gautier, Agri-food itineraries in Burgundy 3:25 PM A. Pons, Why places speak: ten hiking itineraries in the Lower Aosta Valley 3:45 PM Question time 4:15 PM Break (15 min) 4:30 PM F. Koch/A. Parizot, Forest trails in Burgundy 4:50 PM A. Pioletti, Olive growing as a resource for outdoor tourism 5:10 PM G. Bisogni, From research to the territory: the role of the Forestiers of Burgundy 5:30 PM Question time time and conclusions

Rewind & Grow, the matchmaking event dedicated to agrifood An unmissable opportunity, promoted by Spoke 7 NODES, to connect teams and investors focused on sustainable innovation in the food sector. Discover innovative projects and engage with those who are fueling the future of the sector.   Meet startups ready to share successes and lessons learned in the field: a stimulating environment where critical thinking and openness to change are key.   For investors, it's an opportunity to discover high-potential agrifood initiatives, evaluate growth strategies, and diversify their portfolio with sustainable solutions.   For project teams, the event is a showcase to showcase their progress, receive direct feedback, and build partnerships capable of accelerating the journey to market.   Register now here to reserve your place: REGISTRATION HERE   The event is held in Italian.   The event is organized by SPOKE 7, with the support of the Italian Research and Development Institute, *beeco, and ToSeed & Partners. Institutional partner: InnovUp.

Given the resounding success of last year's edition, the University of Insubria, the leader of Spoke 3, has organized the second series of three conferences, titled "Fashion Tuesdays 2025," in collaboration with the Como Silk Museum. The events, which will be held at the Como Silk Museum, Via Castelnuovo 9, will focus on three women active in the fashion world who bring messages of female emancipation. The first meeting will be held on September 30, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM and will be dedicated to Luisa Spagnoli, "The Genius of an Entrepreneur."   Luisa Spagnoli began her entrepreneurial career in 1907 when, together with Francesco Buitoni and Leone Ascoli, she opened a small confectionery company in Perugia called Perugina. She joined the board of directors in 1922 and immediately proved to be a visionary woman, attentive to the well-being of her employees. Over the years, she distinguished herself by implementing social projects aimed at improving the living conditions of workers, such as the construction of a nursery in the Fontivegge factory.   Her adventure in the fashion world began at the end of World War I, when she decided to dedicate herself to raising poultry and Angora rabbits. Spagnoli proved extremely sensitive and attentive to the animals' welfare; she chose not to inflict any kind of torture on the rabbits, which were not killed or sheared, but rather combed to obtain the angora wool needed for yarn. From this insight, the Angora Spagnoli company was founded in Santa Lucia (PG), which would go on to create stunning creations including shawls, boleros, and fashionable garments. A company that stands the test of time and has become a leading name in the fashion industry thanks to the innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit that Luisa Spagnoli demonstrated at a time when women struggled daily for emancipation.   Subscribe here   The second event will be held on Tuesday, October 14th from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM and will be dedicated to Cora Slocomb di Brazzà: "an American in Friuli."   Cora Slocomb was born in New Orleans in 1862. From a wealthy family, she acquired the title of countess in 1887 through her marriage to Detalmo Savorgnan di Brazzà. After her marriage to the count, she arrived in Friuli, where she found a land wracked by poverty and misery. She decided to make her talent available to the local population, especially women. She aimed to provide women with tools for emancipation and independence through work, thanks to the innovative projects of the Cooperative Lace Schools. She taught the art of bobbin lacemaking to Friulian peasant women, providing them with refined models of what she called "design applied to industry"—our industrial design.   In addition to the lace schools, Cora Slocomb di Brazzà undertook other projects: the creation of toys using Nuremberg porcelain; the marketing of Brazzà violets, cultivated by her brother-in-law Filippo, which reached the markets of Alexandria, St. Petersburg, and New York; and the promotion of the Delser biscuit factory. The establishment of the Agricultural Emulation Fairs was particularly important. Recognition of Cora Slocomb's entrepreneurial skills was formalized with her appointment as President of the Italian Women's Industries.   Subscribe here   The third event will be held on Tuesday, November 18th from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM and will be dedicated to Emmy Schoch.   Hermine Emilie Schoch-Leimbach, known as Emmy Schoch, was born in Lichtenau, Germany, in 1881. She was a German fashion designer and entrepreneur. She designed artistic reform dresses and promoted them through lectures and exhibitions. She was actively involved in the Association for the Improvement of Women's Dress.   In 1903, she abandoned her piano studies after an illness and began an apprenticeship as a craftswoman in Pauline Winker's studio in Berlin.   From an early age, she stood out for her innovative ideas, which helped change the German fashion landscape. While still an apprentice, she designed dresses and exhibited them in Berlin. In 1906, Schoch rented space in Karlsruhe and opened a workshop for new women's costumes and artistic embroidery. The magazine "Frauenkleid und Frauenkultur" (Women's Clothing and Women's Culture) of the Association for the Improvement of Women's Clothing presented the Schoch company in 1911 using dress patterns. Schoch contributed to the magazine for 25 years. Photos and patterns of her dress designs were printed. For the association, she undertook speaking tours in the Rhineland, the Ruhr area, northern Germany, and Saxony. At these events, she spoke about the health and hygiene benefits of reformed clothing and even demonstrated it. For Emmy Schoch, the aesthetic demands of clothing were as important as the demand for comfort. She saw the qualities of German craftsmanship as a counterweight to French fashion.   Subscribe here

The University of Eastern Piedmont has organized an event entitled: Creativity in Progress! Creative Paths Through Visions, Practices, and Territories on September 27th, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Omegna (VB), at the Fondazione Parco - Forum, Parco Maulini 1.   In a world that invokes creativity but struggles to define it, this conference aims to open a space for dialogue between diverse voices—journalists, curators, scholars, designers—to explore the possible paths of creative competence. It's an opportunity to explore, together, some of the geographies of contemporary creativity. A journey through practices, stories, and visions. Without predefined maps, but with a great deal of curiosity. As Rodari said, "Creativity is intelligence having fun."   From industrial museums to publishing, from itineraries to businesses—including cultural ones—to explore stories, perspectives, and creative paths. The aim is to continue the debate that opened during and alongside a PNRR advanced training course held in Omegna at the PARCO Foundation in 2024; to the resulting volume; to the Creativity Manifesto it contains; and to the desire to always challenge oneself.   The aim of the event, organized by Professor Stefania Cerutti of Upo, is to provide a framework for debate on the topic of creativity in support of territorial and business innovation.   REGISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION: Registration via the link provided by the PARCO Foundation; free in-person participation (at the FORUM facility, OMEGNA VB) CONTACTS: comunicazione@rodariparcofantasia.it      

On the occasion of the European Researchers' Night 2025, the University of Insubria, leader of Spoke 3 Industry, Tourism, and Culture, has organized two meetings entirely dedicated to civil society and the academic community.   On Thursday, September 25, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm, at the University of Insubria - Sant'Abbondio campus – Aula Magna S.1.8, a conference will be held, coordinated by Professor Laura Facchin and Dr. Alessandra Casati of the DISUIT (Department of Human Sciences and Innovation for the Territory) entitled: Women's Artistic Practices on Lake Como.   The meeting, supported by images, archive testimonies, and videos, aims to take stock of the role of women as artists and patrons and to explore how the female figure has entered the world of work, particularly in the textile sector. Beginning with women artists and patrons from the early 19th century to the contemporary era in the city of Como: from the last visit to the city of the internationally renowned painter Angelica Kauffmann, who spent her youth on the lake, to the women textile designers who worked for Como firms in the 20th century, such as the abstract artist Carla Badiali, a textile artist and entrepreneur, who was both an artist and a designer, and Andrée Brossin du Méré, a Swiss designer who, after World War II, launched Como silks onto the international fashion scene. The event will include historical presentations and moments of reflection and discussion with scholars and professionals in the production and creativity sectors.   On Friday, September 26, from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM, a conference will be held at the University of Insubria - Sant'Abbondio campus - Aula Magna S.1.8, coordinated by Professors Roberta Minazzi, Valentina Jacometti, and Deborah Toschi of DIdec (Department of Law and Economics). The conference will be entitled: Augmented Reality and the Valorization of the Larian Territory.   During the first part of the event, there will be a brief presentation of the two Academic POCs created as part of the PNRR Nodes project: ITM (Immersive Textile Museum) and CERR (Cultural Extended Reality Routes).   After the presentation, participants will be able to enjoy an immersive experience rediscovering Como's textile culture through augmented reality. This will be a special opportunity to discover how culture, tourism, and digital innovation can intertwine in engaging and future-oriented experiences.   Finally, the tour will move to the Como Silk Museum, where participants will be able to rediscover Como's great textile heritage with the help of special headsets and augmented reality.   Register for the Augmented Reality and Promotion of the Larian Territory event   N.B.: THE SEPTEMBER 25 EVENT: "WOMEN'S ARTISTIC PRACTICES ON THE LARIO" AND THE SEPTEMBER 26 EVENT: AUGMENTED REALITY AND PROMOTION OF THE LARIAN TERRITORY HAVE BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO BAD WEATHER AND WILL BE RESCHEDULED.   Spoke 2 - Green Technologies and Sustainable Industries will also participate in the Uninsubria Researchers' Night 2025 with the presentation of the academic PoC "T2T: Trash to Treasure," the blockchain that generates value from industrial waste.   The presentation will be held on Friday, September 26th in Busto Arsizio (VA), in Piazza Santa Maria, during the event entitled "Science in the Square." The event, which will run from 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM, will feature interactive scientific experiences designed to spark curiosity and wonder in both adults and children, showcasing the surprising wonders that science can offer.   Contacts: Marzia Gariboldi marzia.gariboldi@uninsubria.it; Emanuela Marras emanuela.marras@uninsubria.it   OTHER SPOKE 3 EVENTS   On the occasion of the European Researchers' Night, the University of Valle d'Aosta has organized an event entitled: Flavor of the Future. It will be held on Friday, September 26, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM at the University of Valle d'Aosta - University Campus, Via Monte Vodice, Aosta.   During the event, Spoke 3 - Tourism and Culture Industry will present a talk entitled: "Tourism and Culture between Sustainability and Digitalization," from 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM.   The talk "Tourism and Culture between Sustainability and Digitalization," organized by the Spoke 3 – Tourism and Culture Industry (NODES-PNRR) research group, addresses the role of digital innovation in promoting the sustainable development of tourism and culture. The presentation will introduce the new online platform for thematic itineraries, conceived as a tool to enhance territorial identity, connect heritage and narratives, and foster inclusive forms of cultural tourism. The integration of sustainability and digital technologies supports the rediscovery of fragile territories and offers new opportunities to communities.

On September 19, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the ComoNext Innovation Hub will host the event "Textile Research: Universities and Businesses for Innovation" in Lomazzo (CO), at Via Cavour 2.   The meeting, promoted as part of the NODES project by researchers from the University of Insubria, will be held in collaboration between Spoke 2 - Green Technologies and Sustainable Industries and Spoke 3 - Tourism and Culture Industry. The event brings together academia and businesses to strengthen strategic collaborations and stimulate new opportunities in the textile sector.   During the morning, researchers from the University of Insubria and businesses will discuss innovative research, ongoing collaborations, and funding opportunities, and will present innovative projects already underway in the textile sector. The initiative will conclude with a networking opportunity to foster further synergies between universities and businesses and explore potential future collaborations.   The event aims to be a concrete opportunity for technology transfer and sustainable innovation, enhancing the integration between academic research and manufacturing. The primary objective of the meeting will be to strengthen the innovation ecosystem in manufacturing supply chains, specifically the textile sector, with a focus on sustainability and the green transition, and enhancing the heritage of excellence for the Nodes region. Subscribe here

On September 18 and 19, 2025, the workshop "Green Investments and Environmental Risks: Banks, Firms, and Public Policies" will take place at Villa Toeplitz, Via Giovanni Battista Vico 46, Varese. The workshop is promoted as part of the PRIN and NODES projects by researchers from the Department of Economics at the University of Insubria.   The event brings together academia, businesses, and international institutions to strengthen strategic collaborations and stimulate new opportunities in productive sectors.   Initiating a transition to environmental sustainability is a complex challenge, requiring significant investments and profound changes in production processes and management models for both businesses and banks. This workshop aims to empirically analyze the link between the intensity of green investments in the economy and environmental risks at the local level, examining the efforts made by banks, businesses, and public policies to support the transition to a green economy.   The workshop will explore how sustainability choices can represent strategic value for businesses, particularly in the textile and tourism sectors. It will also explore the role of ESG assessments and new ways to activate credit and financing solutions, both traditional (such as banking support) and innovative, to support sustainable innovation.   The event is open to everyone—citizens, businesses, public administrations, and researchers—and registration is not required.  

On Wednesday, September 10, from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Thursday, September 11, from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, a workshop entitled "Tourism Degrowth and Sustainable Transportation: Challenges and Perspectives" will be held at the University of Insubria, Sant'Abbondio campus, Como, room S.2.7.   This interdisciplinary workshop explores tourism degrowth as a transformative approach for developing more responsible, equitable, and sustainable tourism models. Highlighting the need to counter the effects of tourism overcrowding and environmental degradation, the workshop focuses on how transportation systems interact with degrowth strategies. Furthermore, beyond reducing transportation emissions, tourism degrowth also contributes to sustainability claims from a socio-cultural perspective. It promotes authentic, community-based experiences, rather than mass tourism, and encourages tourists to explore nearby destinations and use bicycles or walking for slower travel. This aims to foster deeper connections between travelers and locals, preserving cultural heritage and identity, and reducing pressure on communities and residents.   Workshop Objectives   1. Promoting slower, localized, and low-impact travel 2. Rethinking traditional transportation infrastructure and policies 3. Promoting community-based tourism and preserving cultural identity 4. Encouraging cooperation between policymakers, industry, and local communities   Key Topics   1. Sustainable transportation in urban and suburban tourism 2. Effects of degrowth on accessibility and public transportation 3. Sociological perspectives on tourism and mobility 4. Destination management and new business models 5. Transport-based services in the hospitality sector 6. Behavioral and experimental approaches 7. Regenerative tourism and planning 8. Community-based tourism strategies 9. Transportation solutions for mass tourism areas 10. Market impacts on the transportation sector 11. Methods for measuring tourism degrowth   The event is open to researchers, doctoral students, and civil society.   To learn more about the topics of the two-day workshop, please see the attached program.  

he exhibition Cultivating the Future: Agriculture, Energy, Community originates from the work of Research Module 1 of the flagship project FORMIDABILÆ, within Spoke 6. Curated by Carlo Berizzi and Nadia Bertolino (Architecture and Urban Design Research Lab, University of Pavia), the exhibition presents drawings and models that explore the role of the contemporary farmstead as a laboratory of innovation, sustainability and energy, bridging tradition and the future of the Po Valley rural landscape. The project, the result of the joint work of the research teams in Architectural Design and Electrical Engineering, proposes a reflection on the reactivation of Cascina Vialone, a traditional Lombard farmstead reinterpreted as an experimental model of the farm of the future—capable of combining environmental sustainability, energy autonomy, and community relations. The preview will take place at the former rice mill of Tenuta Vialone, during the 2025 Rice Festival, and will be accompanied by a roundtable discussion and a guided tour with the curators. Programme At 3:00 pm, before the guided tour, the roundtable “The Sustainability of the Farm” will open with institutional greetings by Ivana Maria Cartanì, Mayor of Sant’Alessio con Vialone. This will be followed by contributions from Stefano Lamberti (Tenuta Vialone) and Daniele Campari (Pro Loco Sant’Alessio con Vialone), who will illustrate the transformation of the former rice mill into a space returned to the community thanks to the PNRR. Carlo Berizzi and Nadia Bertolino will discuss architectural strategies and design scenarios for rethinking the farmstead as a community hub, while Norma Anglani (Laboratory of Electrical Energy, University of Pavia) will present an experimental approach to the use of clean energy in rural contexts. The roundtable will conclude with Marta Sempio, President of Confagricoltura Pavia, who will introduce the Spighe Verdi programme, promoted by Confagricoltura and FEE Italia, which recognises rural municipalities committed to sustainable land management policies. On this occasion, the Municipality of Sant’Alessio con Vialone will receive the Spighe Verdi 2025 Award, a recognition of the good practices implemented in the territory. At 4:30 pm, the guided tour of the exhibition will follow, led by the curators. Next dates After the preview in Sant’Alessio con Vialone, the exhibition will be open from 23 to 27 September 2025 at the Palazzo del Broletto in Pavia. The event is part of the Sharper Night Pavia programme and will be accompanied by a week of initiatives promoted by the research team, including meetings and public discussions on sustainability, agro-industry, and new energies.