If, as Coldiretti has studied, the turnover of the circular economy is worth 88 billion euros, it must be said that Operate Foundation, the City of Prato and the City of Trento have seen far by signing a manifesto on the Circular Economy for Italy with an eye to Europe. Three institutions together with the aim of applying the 12 key principles for the transition towards the new way of producing and consuming.
The signed manifesto, not binding itself to the fate of government decisions, envisages a transnational network between institutions that support multi-sector cooperation, citizen education on the "rethinking of the concept of waste", the promotion of circular products that are easy to share, reuse , support research, innovation and professional qualification, promote smart grids and renewable energies. In short, everything that can bring about a real change without ideological impulses.
Why Prato and Trento? Because both have acquired qualifications and credibility in the organization of services and in the management of the local economy. “Prato has been representing Italy for 3 years in the partnership on the circular economy within the urban agenda for Europe programme”, says Valerio Barberis, Councilor for the Environment of the City of Prato. Significant economic and sustainability results for the entire textile district which nonetheless look to the 55 billion euros promised by the Conte bis for the green economy. Trento, in turn, as also reported by the techeconomy 2030 website, has been recognized by Legambiente as the best urban ecosystem, building relationships and networks together with Italian and European cities. Together they share the best practices of sustainable development. “Hence the importance of the exchange between administrations, as we are doing with the GreenCycle project” explains Corrado Bungaro, Councilor in Trento.
The Operate Foundation trained experts in various disciplines, works within the Alpine Space and Green Cycle Program, a transnational cooperation project for the Alpine region, in which Slovenia also participates with the City of Maribor and within the framework of the agreement acts as a glue . "The 12 principles of the Circular Economy Manifesto represent for us an important point of reference for creating culture, raising public awareness and encouraging good practices", explains Luca Moretti, President of the Foundation.
The team of experts assumes that the world is mobilizing towards greater awareness on the issues of environmental sustainability, climate crises and ecosystem protection. They worked on the PAYT toolkit project, foreseen by the "Urban Agenda for The EU", they are ready to give technical and scientific support, but it is clear that it is the governments and local administrations that have to give strength to national or European programs on environment and new ways of producing. Because it's not enough just to announce them.
