Press release: Project meeting in Pieve di Soligo
Between 21 and 22 November 2023, the VIADUCT project partners and stakeholders met in Pieve di Soligo, Italy for the second Interregional Study Workshop and third Interregional Study Visit.
What is Viaduct?
VIADUCT is an Interreg Europe project aiming promote the creation and development of technology-based spin-offs based on smart specialisation strategies by tackling main barriers related to spin-off creation and consolidation through the improvement of Policy Instruments.
The project is set to roll out between 2023 and 2027 and involves seven main partners, lead by the University of Zaragoza (Spain): the Municipality of Pieve di Soligo (Italy), the Western Romania Development Agency in Timisoara (Romania), SATT CONECTUS, a Technology Transfer Acceleration Company in Strasbourg (France), the Science and Technology Park of Kaunas (Lithuania), the Western Regions Development Commission of Ireland, the Tampere Region Council (Finland) and ASTP (the Netherlands).
Who was there and what was discussed?
Hosted by one of the project partners, the Municipality of Pieve di Soligo, the meeting took place across various historical venues in the area. On the first day of the meeting, the partners and their respective stakeholders met in Villa Brandolini in Solighetto. Following a warm welcome by the mayor of the Municipality of Pieve di Soligo, Stefano Soldan, all participants had a chance to introduce themselves and network during a coffee break. The rest of the day brought inspiring presentations of good practices across partner countries: from an Innovation Exhibition/Contest „Technorama“ (Kaunas, Lithuania) to the PInK (Promoting Innovation and Knowledge) unit at the University of Venice, the participants showcased a variety of measures, aimed at fulfilling the project objectives. The presentations ignited fruitful discussions and will certainly play an important role in policy developments across participating regions.
Study visits: what was learned?
The second day of the Interregional Meeting was dedicated to two study visits: the first, to the woollen mill of Lanificio Paoletti in Follina and the second, to winemaker consultant, Giotto Consulting in Farrò.
Lanificio Paoletti, founded in 1795 in Follina is a manufacturer of wool fabrics, whose aim is to safeguard traditional materials and techniques while sustainably using local resources. The study visit gave participants an insight into the workings of the wool industry and history of this craft in the region.
Following the woollen mill visit, the project partners and stakeholders visited Giotto Consulting: an oenological (winemaking) consulting, research and training company. Its research is aimed not only at improving the quality and production of wines but aspires to combine various disciplines to gain oenological knowledge. The visit included a showcase of different soil types and explanations of how they influence grapes and later wine, a wonderful wine tasting and an insight into the oenological lab. These two study visits showed regional stakeholders who have been able to combine tradition with research and innovation, becoming reference points in their sectors.
After saying goodbye to all stakeholders, the afternoon of the second day of the Interregional Workshop was dedicated to an internal project partner meeting to reflect on the project so far and establish some further steps.
All in all, the two days were filled with inspiring exchanges, a welcoming atmosphere, possibilities to network and learn from each other, and delicious Italian food and wine! A big thanks to all the project participants and of course, to the hospitable hosts at the Municipality of Pieve di Soligo.