Innovation services

The European project POSIDON PCP (POlluted SIte DecontaminatiON Pre-Commercial Procurement) recently secured the prestigious second place in the “Innovation Procurement Initiative” category at the 2025 European Innovation Procurement Awards, presented by the European Commission. The POSIDON pre-commercial procurement, led by the Port System Authority of the Eastern Adriatic Sea in Trieste, represents a significant and pioneering example of public procurement with tangible impact. Area Science Park played a central role in coordinating the project and its technical-scientific activities related to the procurement procedure for developing innovative decontamination solutions for two complex industrial areas: the Noghere site in Trieste and the Zorrotzaurre peninsula in Bilbao, the latter at the heart of an ambitious urban regeneration plan designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. Acting on behalf of the Municipality of Bilbao and three other key contractors—SPAQUE (Belgium), CEA–City Council of Vitoria Gasteiz (Spain), and Baía do Tejo (Portugal)—the Port Authority of Trieste, supported by project partner and innovation procurement expert Sara Bedin, acquired innovative research and development services through a pre-commercial public procurement. The focus was on in situ soil decontamination at sites heavily contaminated by hydrocarbons and heavy metals. “POSIDON, characterised from its inception as a highly innovative project, is a concrete example of transferring research outcomes to the market with the goal of addressing real needs, such as developing and field-testing innovative technologies for the decontamination of soils in polluted industrial areas,” comments Caterina Petrillo, President of Area Science Park. “The effective collaboration among diverse stakeholders, the scouting of technological and innovative solutions in research laboratories, and the use of pre-commercial public procurement have been key ingredients in the project’s success, making it a European benchmark”. By initiating a competitive process from the earliest stages—conceptual design, initial development, through to large-scale field tests—POSIDON enabled the emergence of new in situ technologies that not only surpass the current state of the art (and have indeed been patented), but are also market-ready or prepared for wide commercial dissemination. In particular, the solutions selected for the field trial phase have demonstrated promising results. The Soil-Omic solution using BIOflushing® technology, already on the market, is an advanced protocol combining biological and physico-chemical treatments, integrating metagenomics with environmental engineering to decontaminate soils and aquifers from organic and inorganic pollutants. Developed by TESECO, BIOflushing utilises specialised hydraulic plants and systems for biostimulation, bio-amplification, and chemical washing of saturated and unsaturated soils. Results have confirmed the effectiveness of the process and dedicated plant in degrading petroleum and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, as well as removing heavy metals from both saturated and unsaturated soils. Erase, developed by the consortium led by HCP ITALIA, is a modular patented solution currently in final refinement and pre-market development, which reduces organic and inorganic pollutants via electrodes and injections. POSIDON has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 776838. The content of this press release reflects only the authors’ view, and the European Research Executive Agency (REA) is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

The sixth edition of Startup Marathon is now underway and is an initiative dedicated to startups, innovative SMEs and university spin-offs, promoted by Area Science Park, UniCredit Start Lab and Fondazione Comunica. Over the years, this project has established a network of dozens of incubators, accelerators, universities and other organisations supporting business development throughout Italy, which have made it possible for more than 200 of the best startups across Italy to meet and make themselves known to leading SMEs, corporations and Italian and international investors who are partners in the event. In fact, the format requires the supporting organisations themselves to “present” their best startups, innovative SMEs or spin-offs by nominating them to participate in Startup Marathon. This approach makes it possible to bring together the most promising innovative proposals on the national scene in two distinct programmes: a startup competition and a targeted B2B matching programme. Confirmed following the first edition last year, the Open Innovation B2B programme is designed to allow the event’s partner companies to present their innovation needs, to which the startups will respond and these startups can, in turn, be directly nominated to intercept them. Those offering the most suitable solutions will have the opportunity, during the autumn, to engage in one-to-one meetings with corporations, in order to present their innovation projects directly. Registration for the contest follows a similar but separate process, detailed on the startupmarathon.it website. Once nominations close in September, a group of startups will be selected to present their video pitch to an audience of investors and entrepreneurs during the Startup Marathon Digital Day on 23 October, as part of the DIGITALmeet event. During this digital event, 10 finalists will be chosen to compete in a pitch competition on 20 November at UniCredit’s Tower Hall in Milan. The projects will be evaluated by a panel of judges comprised of representatives from Startup Marathon’s partners and a Scientific Committee of experts from the world of entrepreneurship, innovation and specialised press, chaired by Mariarosa Trolese, board member of the Italian Business Angel Network. The winning startups will be accompanied along a path focused on seeking grants and funding, as well as developing products and services capable of generating revenue and employment. The startup in first place will be offered participation in the UniCredit Start Lab acceleration programme and, along with the startups in second and third place, will be included among those pre-selected to take part in the national mission to CES in Las Vegas, the world’s most important trade show dedicated to innovation and new technologies. A special prize will be awarded to the best startup, innovative SME or spin-off with a female-majority ownership structure, which will be able to participate in the international BoostHerUp acceleration programme, organised by Area Science Park. There will also be a ranking for the organisations that support and nominate startups and they will be assigned a score based on the positioning of their companies. The top three will receive privileged access to the Executive MBA in Business Innovation offered by the MIB Trieste School of Management. This recognition will also be extended to all 10 finalist startups. “In six years, Startup Marathon has grown, while retaining its original practical spirit: today it represents a solid meeting point between those who develop technology and those seeking it to innovate. Last year’s introduction of the Open Innovation B2B path added a direct collaboration channel alongside the contest, which is already showing concrete results and confirming how the two souls of the initiative strengthen each other. The true value of this initiative lies in the consolidated network formed over the years between support organisations, startups and industrial partners: creating the conditions for the best technologies that emerged in Italy to find markets, capital and collaboration opportunities, generating impact and new growth for the local economic fabric”, says Roberto Pillon, Head of the Business Generation office at Area Science Park. “We are proud to support this year’s Startup Marathon once again, through UniCredit Start Lab, our business platform dedicated to startups and innovative SMEs, which, for over ten years, has accompanied hundreds of high-tech ventures on their growth paths. We consider Startup Marathon a valuable opportunity for promoting Italian entrepreneurial talent towards a more sustainable future. It’s a team game we strongly believe in, based on the shared goal of creating national and international connections between the best Italian tech companies and those who can turn their ideas into concrete solutions”, adds Francesca Perrone, Head of ESG & Start Lab Italy, UniCredit. “Startup Marathon continues to stand out as a reference point in the Italian innovation landscape, involving participants from various regional contexts, from the most developed to the most disadvantaged areas. The initiative fits perfectly into the national ecosystem of incubators, accelerators, technology parks and universities, with the aim of promoting the best Italian entrepreneurial ideas”, says Gianni Potti, President of Fondazione Comunica and founder of DIGITALmeet. “In a country where the presence of investors in the startup sector remains limited, events like Startup Marathon are vital for supporting projects that might otherwise struggle to develop without concrete backing. We have always committed to promoting dynamic and innovative enterprises, creating growth opportunities for businesses and jobs for young people”. Founded in 2020, Startup Marathon has, over the years, selected and rewarded innovative companies active in fields such as artificial intelligence, diagnostics, IoT and sustainability. Winners of past editions include Soundsafe Care, a spin-off of the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna in Pisa that combines robotics and ultrasound for the non-invasive treatment of tumours; Katakem, a spin-off of the University of Catanzaro, that accelerates the development of new molecules; CAEmate, a company that developed software for the predictive maintenance of infrastructures; Aisent, which provides services based on AI, machine learning and computer vision, and M2Test, a spin-off of the University of Trieste that created an innovative diagnostic method for osteoporosis.

The Bernardo Nobile Award celebrates its 20th anniversary. Promoted by Area Science Park, it aims to promote the use of scientific and technical information contained within patent documentation as part of research and innovation pathways. With the 2025 edition, the Award is renewed, offering six prizes and addressing highly topical themes. The 20th edition of the Award, dedicated to the memory of Bernardo Nobile — founder and first head of the Area Science Park PatLib Centre — has been updated to recognise studies and methodologies for the analysis of data and information, both related to intellectual property and concerning potentially high-impact technologies. In particular, the main innovations include: studies that enhance the use of patent documentation and information, including through Artificial Intelligence (AI) analysis of data, information, and processes related to Intellectual Property (IP); studies and/or scenario analyses and/or technological foresight focusing on “deep-tech” technologies, with particular attention to their impact and/or valorisation. The initiative, organised with the involvement of the Italian Association of Patent Documentalists (AIDB), will award six cash prizes of €2,500 each to as many graduates and/or PhD holders who have been selected as winners in the following three categories: Category 1 and 2: respectively for Master’s theses and doctoral dissertations that explicitly use patents as an information source, possibly also analysing opportunities arising from the use of AI techniques in the research, processing and analysis of data and information, or in managing processes related to IP; Category 3: for Master’s theses and/or doctoral dissertations that have explored the impact and/or valorisation of “deep-tech” technologies, possibly including foresight, forecast, or anticipatory analyses in the following sectors: a. Life Sciences b. Materials Science c. Advanced Digital Technologies d. Green Energy Supply Chains The deadline for submitting applications is 30 June 2025. All details and the full call for applications are available here.

The European LIFE IN-PLAN project’s efforts to develop territorial plans integrating energy, climate, and mobility aspects are beginning to bear fruit by encouraging virtuous planning practices among municipalities aimed at achieving climate neutrality. A notable example is the municipality of San Vito al Tagliamento (PN), with which IN-PLAN is actively collaborating, supporting its team of experts alongside local officials in the integrated drafting of the Municipal General Urban Plan, the General Urban Traffic Plan, the Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan, the Green Masterplan, and the Plan for the Removal of Architectural Barriers. “We warmly welcomed the IN-PLAN project because, as a municipality belonging to the Sustainable Municipalities Network, we recognise the importance of integrated and systemic planning involving multiple stakeholders with diverse sensitivities and expertise. This approach ensures a comprehensive vision and coherence that can only be achieved through dialogue, comparison, and collaboration, as we have already experienced during an initial meeting with all the planners supporting us in drafting the various plans,” states Federica Del Frè, delegated councillor for the municipality of San Vito al Tagliamento. Very useful tools in this direction include the IN-PLAN Practice, the IN-PLAN Checklist, and the Guidelines for a Data Management Plan, which provide concrete support for public administrations and sector operators in implementing multilevel governance. “The IN-PLAN Practice offers a comprehensive guide with examples of good practices and a step-by-step approach to effectively integrate energy, climate, and territorial planning policies,” explains Fabrizia Salvi of Area Science Park. “The IN-PLAN Checklist provides a structured reference framework in the form of guiding questions to improve existing or developing plans by assessing the coherence of measures envisaged in various plans, as demonstrated by the ongoing work with the municipality of San Vito al Tagliamento. The checklist is designed to foster reflection on developing integrated measures that also consider the effects—both positive and negative—that these may have on sectors other than the primary focus. It can also be used in a preliminary phase of plan drafting to consider different aspects of an issue and choose to address them in a multidisciplinary way”. The importance of these tools, with a particular focus on the “data-driven” approach, alongside experiences of various local authorities, universities, and research centres, was central to the event held on 2 April 2025 in Padua, within the framework of the Forum Duezerocinquezero, in collaboration with the LIFE NECPlatform project and the Coordination of Italian Local Agenda 21. The event, attended by experts and stakeholders, was not only an opportunity to present the IN-PLAN methodologies and tools but also a chance to discuss the challenges of integrated planning within the National Coalition Group (NCG) of IN-PLAN. This national discussion platform offers various stakeholders the chance to exchange views and formulate proposals and recommendations on integrated planning to be subsequently shared with national policymakers. The group involves several entities, including Area Science Park, the Coordination of Italian Local Agenda 21, and the municipalities of Padua, Prato, and Narni. During the event, proposals for the NCG were presented, focusing on the importance of “data-driven” integrated territorial planning and addressing barriers to integrated design, data management, and governance forms. The LIFE IN-PLAN project, co-financed by the European Union, will continue its work until March 2026. There is still an opportunity for municipalities and provinces to join as pilots and receive support from Area Science Park experts in integrating plans by testing the methodology and tools developed by the project.

The aim is to strengthen the competitiveness of Italian businesses and promote the growth of a dynamic and future-oriented entrepreneurial ecosystem through the co-creation of innovative solutions developed by startups, spin-offs and innovative SMEs in response to the needs of medium and large enterprises. With this ambitious goal and as part of the activities and services of IP4FVG – EDIH, Area Science Park, in collaboration with ELIS Innovation Hub, is launching the Open Innovation@IP4FVG, programme through two calls: Call 4 Need, for medium and large enterprises, and Call 4 Solution, dedicated to startups, spin-offs and innovative SMEs. Thanks to the programme, the selected companies will work together, for 12 weeks, on the co-development of a Proof of Concept (PoC), a pilot project or prototype that makes it possible to test the innovative solutions and assess their effectiveness, applicability and scalability. Every stage of the approach will be guided and supported by experts from Area Science Park and ELIS Innovation Hub, through to final validation of the solution. Thanks to PNRR funds from the IP4FVG-EDIH project, selected medium and large enterprises will have access to subsidised funding of up to 80% to develop their PoC with a value of €40.000 each. The co-innovation approaches must focus on advanced digital technologies for optimising processes across the entire value chain, for reducing environmental impact and for cybersecurity. The programme includes a first local service event on 15 April at 3 p.m. in the Pasolini Room of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region in Udine, during which companies and startups can join the programme, meet, delve deeper into the topic of Open Innovation and take part in networking sessions aimed at fostering long-term collaborations. The programme is part of the IP4FVG-EDIH services, an initiative funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) – Mission 4, Component 2 (M4C2) – Investment 2.3, subsidised by the European Union – Next Generation EU, which aims to encourage the adoption of digital and green technologies. More information on the areas and the approach is available at this link. To register for the presentation event on April 15 in Udine, click here.

The Welcome Office FVG confirms its crucial role in supporting the international mobility of students and researchers in Friuli Venezia Giulia. The data contained in the 2024 Report highlights a significant increase in activities and continuous evolution of the services offered. Throughout 2024, the Welcome Office FVG— a help desk giving assistance and advice on the main mobility-related issues for students, researchers and their families, both before arrival and during their stay in the region— provided a total of 5.982 consultations to 655 users. Among the most frequent requests received at the Trieste help desk, managed by Area Science Park, were matters related to residence permits, entry and residence conditions and health insurance. At the Udine help desk, which operates within the university, the main focus was instead on the pre-arrival phase, with a greater demand for advice regarding departure formalities and conditions, insurance and healthcare and the search for accommodation. One of the Welcome Office FVG’s strengths is its collaboration with local and national institutions. In 2024, 11 agreements on personal data processing were signed between Area Science Park and the partners who took advantage of the appointments at the Police Headquarters. The relationship with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) Visa Centre was also fundamental, leading to the organisation of a training and refresher event. One of the most significant results was the organisation of 10 collective appointments with the Trieste Police Headquarters, allowing around 300 students, researchers and family members to obtain their residence permits more quickly. The Welcome Office FVG web portal continues to be a reference point for international mobility. In 2024, it recorded 35.689 users and 48.954 sessions, with visitors from 158 countries. The Welcome Office FVG also took part in several promotional events, including the “Welcome Conference for International and Mobility Students” at UniUD and the Welcome Days organised by the University of Trieste, the University of Udine and the Tartini Conservatory. The level of user satisfaction remains high: 94% of respondents to the questionnaire stated that they would recommend the service.

China is the most attractive market for patents in the rare earth element (REE) recycling sector, with a significantly higher number of patent applications compared to other countries. This is what emerges from the study “Innovation in rare earths recycling: A quantitative and qualitative analysis of patent data”, which, through a meticulous analysis of patent data, offers an in-depth examination of innovation in the Rare Earth recycling sector. Rare earth elements are fundamental for the digital transition and decarbonisation and are used in key technologies such as batteries, wind turbines and electronic devices. However, their extraction has a significant environmental impact and the supply chain is highly concentrated in just a few countries, making recycling a strategic solution to ensure sustainable access to these resources, reduce dependence on imports and limit the environmental impact of mining activities. According to the study, published in Resources Policy and conducted by Area Science Park (Riccardo Priore and Marinella Favot) and the University of Milan-Bicocca (Marco Compagnoni), China remains the most dynamic market in the REE recycling sector and Chinese universities are the main players in innovation, demonstrating a strong commitment to research and development of new technologies for the recovery of these materials. However, the United States and Japan emerge as technological leaders, with patents that are more frequently mentioned and with greater international protection of their inventions, indicating more advanced and globally relevant technological innovation. Europe, on the other hand, shows signs of stagnation in both the number and quality of patents. To bridge the gap with the main players in the sector, greater support for innovation is needed through public investment, business incentives and international collaborations. Moreover, revising policies for managing waste of electric and electronic equipment (WEEE), which is rich in critical raw materials, is crucial to making the circular economy more effective, by improving waste collection, enhancing recycling facilities and incentivising the use of secondary raw materials. Riccardo Priore of the Patlib Centre, at Area Science Park, states that “This study represents an innovative type of support, through statistical analysis of patent documents, to various issues related to academic research activities. The study of innovation dynamics in the rare earth recycling sector provides an important starting point for developing more effective strategies in the REE recycling sector, with significant implications for the strategic autonomy of importing countries and for the future of the global circular economy.” In a context of increasing demand for rare earth elements, recycling capacity will become increasingly crucial in reducing dependence on imports and mitigating the environmental impact of extraction. The results of the study suggest that, in order to remain competitive, Western countries should intensify their efforts in the recycling sector by promoting high-quality innovations and investing in the transition to a more sustainable economy. Link to the paper 

To achieve the “zero emissions” target, emerging technologies such as green hydrogen are essential. However, the production of green hydrogen through electrolysis depends on critical raw materials (CRM), for which the demand is increasing, while supply remains concentrated in just a few countries. The study was presented at the “IRTC25: From Raw Material Policies to Practice” conference held in Ljubljana, supported by EIT RawMaterials (European Union) and the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (Switzerland). The research, conducted by Area Science Park (Riccardo Priore and Marinella Favot) and the University of Milano-Bicocca (Marco Compagnoni) within the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley project – NAHV, explored two key aspects: technological innovation in green hydrogen through the analysis of patents and the assessment of the criticality of the raw materials necessary. To identify global trends in green hydrogen innovation, patents related to key technologies such as fuel cells and electrolysers were analysed. Additionally, the criticality of the raw materials necessary for these technologies was assessed based on the EU’s list of critical raw materials. Thanks to the PatLib Centre at Area Science Park, the study used a patent database (PATSTAT) covering the period from 2000 to 2023, focusing on: temporal trends in patents for fuel cells and electrolysers countries with the strongest interest in intellectual property protection on these topics the most used critical raw materials and their trends over time. The picture that emerged is the following: patent applications for hydrogen technologies have increased significantly, reaching 5,380 applications filed in 2022 (a figure that may continue to grow), making a total of over 45,600 applications from 2000 to 2023 (noting that the publication secrecy period for applications is 18 months); China, Japan and the USA are the territories most interested in the legal protection (via patents) of the production or commercialisation of key green hydrogen technologies; 13% of patents mention at least one critical raw material, with Nickel, Platinum and Lithium as the most important for both technologies (fuel cells and electrolysers). The researchers conclude that while the increase in patent applications highlights a global push towards green hydrogen-based solutions, the dependency on critical raw materials such as Nickel, Platinum and Lithium raises concerns about supply risks, price volatility and geopolitical dependencies. To ensure the sustainable growth of hydrogen technologies, it will be crucial to develop new research into alternative materials and, at the same time, effective recycling strategies and supply chains.

An innovative solution for the recovery and reuse of yttrium, a rare and critical chemical element, from electronic waste, has emerged from research conducted by Area Science Park and the University of Udine, presented at the “IRTC25” conference in Ljubljana. The study, conducted by Marinella Favot, Roberta Curiazi and Antonio Massarutto, demonstrates how Yttrium Triflate (Y(OTf)₃), a widely used catalyst in the pharmaceutical industry, can be produced in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way from waste materials. Yttrium and its compounds play a crucial role in numerous chemical and technological processes within the pharmaceutical sector. This element is used as a catalyst in key reactions for the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates, such as hydrolysis, condensation and oxidation-reduction reactions. Thanks to its high efficiency, yttrium triflate, in particular, makes it possible to reduce reaction times and improve chemical process yield, making it indispensable for the production of complex molecules that form the basis of many medicines. As well as its use as a catalyst, yttrium is used in advanced technologies such as solid-state lasers, used in medical devices for surgery and diagnostics (YAG – Yttrium Aluminium Garnet lasers), in medical imaging techniques (including positron emission tomography – PET) and in biocompatible materials used in medical devices. Additionally, yttrium is used in the production of ceramics, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and plasma screens, cathode ray tubes (CRT), automotive catalysts, fluorescent lamps, permanent magnets and metallic alloys for batteries, as well as in fuel cells and electrolysers (key green hydrogen technologies), primarily in the form of yttria-stabilised zirconia (YSZ).   Recycling Yttrium from Electronic Waste: A Sustainable Solution The research presented at the “IRTC25” conference focuses on recovering yttrium oxide, which is present in small quantities in electronic waste, and transforming it into yttrium triflate through a three-stage process: catalyst synthesis, filtration and water removal. Although the final product is not 100% purified, it has proven to be effective and economically sustainable compared to purchasing pure yttrium triflate on the market. “The recycling process not only reduces dependence on virgin raw materials but it also represents a cost-effective solution”, explains Marinella Favot of Area Science Park. “In fact, recovering yttrium from electronic waste is more cost-effective than traditional disposal methods, especially when the price of the recovered material exceeds the costs of collection and treatment.” This research has been selected for a pitch at Apple and McKinsey’s “Talent meets Industry” event and represents a significant step towards a more sustainable circular economy, reducing the environmental and social impact linked to rare earth extraction and improving the resilience of supply chains. However, some challenges remain, such as the volatility of the prices of pure materials and the need to develop infrastructures for the treatment of electronic waste in Europe. In a global context where the demand for critical materials such as yttrium is constantly increasing, the recycling of electronic waste is confirmed as a key strategy for ensuring a more sustainable future and reducing environmental impact, also in pharmaceutical production.

A guideline to support European local and regional authorities in drafting, implementing and monitoring territorial plans that integrate aspects of energy, climate and mobility, aimed at achieving climate neutrality in a multilevel governance perspective. It was drawn up by the IN-PLAN project team, co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE Programme, to support local authorities who often struggle to convert climate objectives into concrete actions. The IN-PLAN methodology suggests an integrated and collaborative approach combining sectoral plans (e.g. renewable energy, sustainable mobility and climate adaptation) and urban plans in a single spatial planning strategy. It also encourages collaboration among local, regional and national levels of government, fostering greater coherence and the allocation of adequate resources for climate actions. All this is in line with European initiatives, such as the Green Deal and the EU Climate Law, in support of the objectives of reducing emissions and achieving climate neutrality. There are several key elements in the IN-PLAN Guidelines, co-created, developed and tested with 15 local authorities in Italy, Croatia, Ireland, Romania and Sweden, and now being implemented and spread to another 30 European municipalities: Integrated planning: it incorporates energy and climate objectives in spatial development plans, addressing key issues such as sustainable mobility, renewable energy and climate adaptation; Political commitment: it ensures collaboration among local, regional and national governments to obtain long-term support and dedicated resources for sustainable initiatives, with a view to multi-level governance; Skill building: it provides a two-phase training programme first for energy and climate agencies and consultants, who will then assist local and regional governments in developing their own spatial plans, thus guaranteeing knowledge transfer and replicability of the IN-PLAN model across Europe; User-friendly checklists: The checklists guide municipalities in the process of integrating energy and climate objectives into their spatial plans, making sure that effective measures to achieve climate neutrality are planned and implemented. “As climate change continues to present unprecedented challenges, it is crucial that local governments have tools available that are not only aligned with national and EU policies, but that also respond to the specific needs of their territories,” explains Fabrizia Salvi of Area Science Park. “Despite ambitious climate neutrality goals, many local and regional authorities face persistent challenges in converting these goals into concrete actions.” As the European Union strives to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, a tool like the IN-PLAN practice provides towns and regions with the tools they need to actively take steps towards a sustainable future, ensuring that climate goals are not only set, but also achieved through concrete and integrated actions. This support tool is already being tested with 15 local and regional authorities, called “Lighthouses”, and 30 more municipalities will be involved as “Pilots”, making it possible to adapt and replicate the methodology all across Europe. The Municipality of Prato, which is taking part in the European mission “100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030”, is working on the harmonisation of the new Municipal Structural Plan with the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan according to the measures indicated in the Climate City Contract. “In 2022, a governance structure was defined to coordinate urban planning, mobility and energy that developed policy measures for drafting the Climate City Contract – explains architect Riccardo Pallini, manager of the Mobility and Infrastructure Sector -. These indications were also the basis for drafting the new Structural Plan and a new Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP); in this way, the theme of sustainable mobility was already present in the guidelines for the drafting of the new Structural Plan, and the new SUMP of the Municipality of Prato can thus be developed in close relation with the indications of the Structural Plan and the Climate City Contract”. Interdepartmental collaboration has begun in Narni to deal with the challenges of complexity. “It is important for medium-small municipalities to have the opportunity to learn good practices, even if implemented in large municipalities, which then need to be adapted to the local situation, striving to remove some administrative barriers,” says Giovanni Rubini, Council member for Environmental Policies. There is a need for cultural change and simplified regulations; we need skills, a long-term vision, the possibility of establishing contacts with the Regions and Ministries, and a central coordination role for the provinces. The availability of resources is also a problem and if we want to encourage the development of monitoring plans, rewards should be provided that favour the most virtuous Municipalities.” The city of Padua is also committed to implementing ambitious integrated plans to achieve climate neutrality by 2030. “Data and a cross-sectoral approach are needed in order to address the challenges of implementing these plans,” says Giovanni Vicentini, technical official with the Environment and Territory Sector. The Municipalities do not have all the data and usually, even within these municipalities, each departmental area has data that could be useful to others. Data is essential for developing a detailed overview, and the barriers are not technological.” The Guideline will also be further explored within the National Round Table for Discussion (National Coalition Group) of the IN-PLAN project, an activity launched in December 2024, offering a unique opportunity for various stakeholders to exchange views and make recommendations on integrated planning to be subsequently shared with national policy-makers. Participation in the Round Table, which does not require any formal membership, is conceived as an open space for discussion and debate and foresees further online meetings during 2025. The IN-PLAN Guideline is available here. Further information about the IN-PLAN project is available here.

The Area Science Park national public research organisation is returning to CES in Las Vegas in 2025 – the largest and most important technology industry fair in the world, scheduled for 7 to 10 January – accompanying the 46 Italian startups gathered in the pavilion organised in collaboration with Agenzia ICE. This is an opportunity for the institution to anticipate some new strategic directions in support of innovative companies, particularly in the deep tech sector. The objective: to enhance even more significantly the internal expertise and research infrastructures of the science and technology park, offering important support to research and development activities. For this edition, as in past participations in the national mission at CES, Area Science Park organised an academy dedicated to the startups in the pavilion. Through a series of training sessions with experts in the sector, the startups were able to prepare for the experience in Las Vegas in the best way: from advice on how to create the perfect pitch, to training on how to approach technological and industrial partners and the media present at the fair, with the aim of maximising business opportunities and visibility. The institution will also be the protagonist of one of the thematic panels that will be held in the arena set up inside the pavilion, where in-depth meetings with national and international stakeholders from the world of innovation will alternate, pitches by Italian startups and presentations of some of the most interesting innovative companies present in the pavilions of the other countries present in Eureka Park.   Upcoming deep tech initiatives For Area Science Park, the event will be an opportunity to delve deeper into the role of scientific research in the path leading to the commercialization of deep-tech technologies. A strategic line of development for the institution, which during 2025 will structure a new path to support innovative projects with enormous scientific value in the fields of materials science, advanced digital, green energy supply chains, and life sciences. With a radically different project with respect to traditional research activities on the one hand and support for the entrepreneurial system on the other. For the first time, in fact, the infrastructures, laboratories and related scientific expertise of the researchers at the Trieste campus will be made available to the startups supported by Area. “The goal is to offer concrete resources for R&D in the context of high-tech entrepreneurial projects, accelerating their entry into the market”, explains Fabrizio Rovatti, technologist manager of Area Science Park. “As an institution, we are evolving from a supporting agency focused mainly on managerial and entrepreneurial development to a model that also integrates high-level technological and scientific skills. This allows us to support startups in their innovation processes with this added value: access to advanced infrastructures and the know-how of our researchers”.   Activities in support of Businesses The research institution’s continued support for the national mission at CES in Las Vegas and, even more so, the upcoming initiatives dedicated to deep tech innovation represent the evolution of a strategy in support of innovative businesses that leverages, on the one hand, the consolidation of a national ecosystem of open innovation, and on the other, the generation of research and business opportunities at an international level, particularly across the Atlantic. In 2024, Startup Marathon reached its fifth edition, an initiative by Area Science Park, UniCredit and Fondazione Comunica that, with the formula of competition among young innovative companies, stimulates the creation of synergies among the organisations that support them, the world of research, industry and venture capital. An initiative in constant growth that in the last edition gathered support from more than 30 incubators, accelerators, universities and other research institutions that help startups in their creation and growth. Institutions that, in turn, nominated more than 60 of their most interesting organisations to the contest, which had the opportunity, through the various stages of the event, to come into contact with large companies and investors. An initiative enriched this year also by a dedicated open innovation programme, which brought together some corporate and SME partners of Startup Marathon with the startups that were best suited to respond to specific technological needs expressed by the partners themselves. Among the initiatives to promote the internationalization of innovative Italian companies, especially those led by women, Area Science Park created the BoostHerUp programme, which took place in 2024 in partnership with Prospera Women, a Silicon Valley organisation that brings together programmes in support of female-led startups around the world. Two startups that distinguished themselves in recent editions of the Startup Marathon participated in an acceleration programme in the United States.   Italian Startups at CES 2025 The Italian pavilion will be located in Eureka Park, the CES exhibition area dedicated to startups and national delegations organised by different countries around the world, with their respective organisations supporting the development of innovative businesses. For this edition, Italy is represented by 46 startups coming from 14 regions. Among the innovations made in Italy in Las Vegas, there are numerous advanced computer vision sensor technologies, predictive factory maintenance, intelligent waste management, but space tech is also represented. And also intelligent mobility: from solid supercapacitors for high-performance electric vehicles to a self-driving robotaxi that can be used in a fleet that can be driven remotely. Again this year, the Italian pavilion will pay great attention to clean-tech, that is technologies for environmental sustainability: from the production of energy mobility, with light, portable and foldable solar panels, to a system of sensors that monitor the presence of polluting gases in large areas, also providing the possibility of preventing the spread of fires; however, there is also an IoT solution to reduce the energy costs of operating industrial machinery without replacing them, and a new technology for additive manufacturing that makes the mass production of components obsolete. And also, health, with technologies mainly based on AI that support doctors’ interventions, in the anamnesis and diagnostic phase, in the clinical evaluation in veterinary visits, or support post-operative patients in following correct rehabilitation. There are also numerous technologies aimed at the mass public, such as the “virtual concierge” for hospitality and the robot that accompanies visits to the museum.   The Startups 221e, 3dnextech, AI4IV, Apogeo Space, Certy, Coderblock, Èlevit, EMC Gems, Enphos, Eye2Drive, Friendz, Ganiga, GeniAi, Icarus, In Quattro, Innova, Kintana, Laika, Levante, Lieu.city, Mathclick, MIA, Novac, Pinpoint, Planybuild, PopulaRise, Proke, Radoff, Rem Montenapoleone, SeismicGuard, Sensor ID, SLY, SnapAll, SpaceVerse, The Thinking Clouds, TokNox, ToMove, Travel Verse, Truesense, TUC, Viber Alert, Viralba, Volumio, WiData, WhoTeach, Zephorum.

Friuli Venezia Giulia continues to show a positive post-pandemic recovery trend in terms of the flow of foreign researchers and lecturers within the institutions and incoming mobility. This is what emerges from the annual “Mobility of Knowledge” survey conducted by Area Science Park, which has been collecting the main data on students, researchers and lecturers from the research institutions partnered with SiS FVG since 2005. The survey reveals that a total of 36,925 students were enrolled in the 2022/2023 academic year, 7% of whom were foreign nationals (compared to 36,459 students in 2021/2022, 6% of whom were foreigners). Female students represent 56% of the total enrolled (a 1% increase from the previous survey) and they mainly attend degree courses in the field of Humanities or related to Social Sciences. The number of incoming students, 707 in total, is now approaching pre-pandemic levels. Of these, 75% have European citizenship, 53% are female and 47% are enrolled in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Earth Sciences and Sciences of the Universe. There are a total of 1,104 outgoing mobility students, with 93% of them choosing destinations within the EU and 53% of them enrolled in courses in Human and Social Sciences. “Friuli Venezia Giulia is confirmed as an attractive destination for international students,” remarked Alessia Rosolen, Regional Councillor for Labour, Training, Education, Research, Universities and Families. “This is thanks to the good reputation of the regional university and research system, which draws thousands of talented individuals to the Region’s scientific and innovation system, and to the system of measures and incentives for the right to study, as well as opportunities for PhD students and researchers. It should also be noted that in 2022, the Region adopted a law to attract and retain expertise, offering benefits, contributions and solutions to balance work-life commitments for young individuals and their families who choose to build their life projects in Friuli Venezia Giulia. With a new draft law on social innovation, we intend to strengthen this package of measures and offer better conditions to those who choose our region for work and study. Attracting talent,” Rosolen concluded, “means attracting investments, supporting development with a high innovation content and creating quality employment.” As for researchers and lecturers employed by the scientific institutions that are part of the Scientific and Innovation System (SiS FVG), their numbers reached 3,641 in 2023. Although this is an increase of approximately 280 compared to 2022; the overall figure remains significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels (6,960 in 2019). The gender ratio remains unchanged, with women accounting for just over one-third of the sample (35%). When cross-referencing gender data with scientific disciplines, it becomes evident that the fields of Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, ICT, Earth Sciences and Sciences of the Universe continue to be strongly male-dominated. Lastly, concerning foreign personnel working within the SiS FVG institutions, 2023 saw the largest increase in the past four years, rising from 636 to 804 individuals, although the numbers are still far from pre-pandemic levels. Conversely, incoming mobility for researchers and lecturers has increased by almost 4,000, reaching 7,854 individuals. Of these, 89% belong to the scientific areas of Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, ICT, Earth Sciences and Sciences of the Universe, while 27% have European citizenship. Outgoing mobility also increased in 2023, with 75 trips abroad, primarily to EU countries (43%), but also to Asian countries (20%, excluding India and China). Overall, the total number of foreign personnel within the SiS FVG Scientific and Innovation System institutions shows a marked increase compared to the previous year, from 7,597 to 11,934, a figure approaching pre-pandemic levels (approximately 14,000). The complete survey, available in Italian and English, can be downloaded here.