Municipality of Arco

(ANCI) Enhancement of abandoned/underused mid-mountain areas in the municipality of Arco - Alto Garda area in Trentino. The project activity is carried out in (in)formative moments or indications to the technical staff of the municipality or local stakeholders on specific activities in the livestock sector, such as the valorisation of meadows/pastures, minor crops /organic agriculture, enhancement of the beekeeping sector and restoration of chestnut trees. The main aim is the recovery of that part of the public heritage - which belongs directly or indirectly to the Municipality of Arco - currently in a state of decay/abandonment. In particular, these are terraced, hilly or high-altitude land allotments where there are also huts that the Municipality would like to analyze, in order to understand how to revitalize and consequently assign management to young farmers.

The project is realized in the municipal area of Arco in a natural context characterized by a Mediterranean microclimate. This has meant that tourism, and all related industries, have become, since the second half of the last century, an economic component of particular importance and generaing impact on the territory. In recent years, both in the administrators and in the citizens, the awareness of considering new models of tourism and a greater protection and promotion of the environment and the landscape has matured. Linked to this, the municipal administration, aware of the fundamental role that local authorities have in protecting the environment and promoting sustainable economic development, launched and obtained in 2009 EMAS Certification. Thus committing itself to protecting its territory and the people who live there, and then has joined the group of the municipalities that in Trentino obtained the PEFC Certification since 2015, for the sustainable management of forests.

The project aims to involve young residents in the Trentino and is aimed for them to looking for innovative employment opportunities linked to the promotion of the area. Participants will be accompanied on a participatory process of identifying innovative solutions for the recovery of abandoned rural areas. In this purpose, meetings, seminars and workshops will be organized and managed by experts, which will give indications on the possible activities that can be implemented. The topics considered are related to agricultural sector, new forms of promotion of the territory and of eco-sustainable tourism, how to starting an economic activity and what the different forms of financing could be accessible to young people, how to manage an economic balance of a company and how to create a network between the various actors of the local socio-economic context.

Forms of land cultivation and management of abandoned structures that favor multifunctionality and integration in ecological terms (recovery of native species, biodiversity) and socio-economic (product chain, innovative forms of hospitality) will be favored during the project. The training course and the tender will also be open to young people who have already started a business in the area, but are interested in adopting different management and business models.

Productive recovery of abandoned land and buildings for the cultivation of fruit species, medicinal herbs and breeding in order to support the creation of new farms.

Support in innovative territorial mapping and animation activities with the provision of specific technical skills in the beekeeping, pastures, chestnut growing and minor crops sectors both through support activities for local officials and training.