ELBA 2035
What future for Elba?
Elba 2035 is a project aimed at listening to and engaging the territory in order to launch specific initiatives to make Elba even more attractive and sustainable by 2035.
The project started in 2019 and as of this year has been enriched by the prestigious partnership with EY (a global network of professional management consulting, audit, tax and transaction services), which is coordinating the activities.
This is a unique initiative for Elba: a highly innovative and participatory project that aims to gather ideas directly from the territory and to create a shared pathway between the island's most important stakeholders for the future of Elba, from politics to culture, tourism, environment and education. The ultimate goal is to raise present and future quality of life on the island and of its inhabitants and to draw up the first Elba Sustainability Manifesto: a planning statement summarising the inhabitants' vision of the future of their island and focused on sustainability and on the implementation of the UN’s 2030 Agenda goals.
Participants include the most important stakeholders from various sectors such as politics, the environment, territorial resource management, infrastructure, business associations, culture, tourism and education.
The project is structured around three main topics:
Sustainable tourism: first, trying to answer one question "How can we create a tourism model that nurtures the benefits of the local community and the offer for visitors while respecting the island's resources?”. Hence the link with mobility and transport: public and private transport, external mobility to/from the island with ferries, as well as the issue of the island's supply chain and railway and air services.
Culture, identity & lifestyle: this section focuses on the development and enhancement of territorial identity, consisting of culture, education, health and history; moreover, it promotes the redevelopment of urban centres in order to generate opportunities and attractiveness both in terms of capitals and young talents, and to protect the rights of every citizen.
The environment and the charm of the territory: "How to enhance the landscape? And above all, how can we maintain its charm while considering a sustainable revolution in energy, water and waste collection systems?”. These questions will be the starting point for a wide-ranging discussion on water purification, waste management, plastic-free and paper-free strategies, renewable energies and possibly carbon neutrality.
The project is divided into the following steps:
- 19th October 2020: Kick-off meeting involving stakeholders;
- 10th December 2020: Mid-project review meeting;
- 26th March 2021: Wrap-up meeting and completion of the Sustainability Manifesto;
- 30th June 2021: official presentation of the Manifesto during the third edition of Seif, scheduled between 30th June and 2th July 2021.
"Elba2035 is a project that witnesses a great commitment to the growth and evolution of Elba and of the people of Elba," commented Fabio Murzi, president of Acqua dell'Elba, the company promoting the initiative. " We feel this is our duty to a territory that has inspired us and to which we are grateful. We hope that it will lead to a shared vision and be a driver of growth for a better future".
This year #ELBA2035 is also officially included in the event calendar of the Sustainable Development Festival promoted by the Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development (ASviS). It gathers more than 270 of the most important institutions and networks of Italian civil society and it is a reference point for every political and institutional initiative focused on sustainability and the promotion of the UN’s 2030 Agenda. Specifically, the project was recognised as a model for the implementation of Goal 11 - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Elba2035 welcomes ideas and proposals from all residents and lovers of Elba.
Email us at elba2035@acquadellelba.it
