ITALIAN MOUNTAIN LAB – Research and Innovation for the environment and the mountain areas

The training activities will consist in an inter-university training offer and will be mainly oriented towards the promotion of entrepreneurship and the governance of mountain areas.

ACTION 1. SERIES OF FREE ACCESS CONFERENCES (CONNECTION WITH ANTENNAS PROJECT)

Elaboration of a joint calendar of at least 2 cycles of conferences on issues relevant to the development of mountain areas (national and international best cases, innovative techniques and methods, cultural and methodological aspects, etc.), provided by the various partners involved and shared via virtual classroom (“Antennas” system), promoted through the UNIMONT network, the respective UNIMONT portals and the academic partners involved, and available free, on demand, through the UNIMONT portal.

The calendar of conferences will be decided and promoted at the beginning of the academic year, according to, and in line with, specific priorities and emerging interests.

ACTION 2. MASTER’S AND ADVANCED COURSES,  SUMMER SCHOOLS (ADVANCED TRAINING)

1. Organization of at least 3 joint advanced training courses, on 3 themes chosen by the three partners, of which at least 1 at an international level:
   A) Production, processing, ownership, legislation and areas of use of medicinal plants
   B) Organizer for territorial development (in collaboration with local administrations and authorities)
   C) Sustainable Tourism for Mountain Areas (international)
2. Activation of 3 summer schools for PhD students and young researchers, one for each partner’s area of reference.
3. Planning of a joint international master’s course, involving the main public and private institutions and organizations operating in Italian and European mountain areas. The course must provide the specific employment-relevant contents and tools required for young people interested in working in mountain areas. The project should be evaluated according to appropriate European and/or national calls.

ACTION 3. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE “ANTENNAS” PROJECT

Each University partner undertakes to:

1. activate their own “Antenna”
2. convey contents and activities of interest for the development of mountain areas through the Antennas
3. involve other universities and institutions to become “Antennas” as well.
4. define a specific joint work plan for the upgrading and diffusion of the Antennas and of the contents to be conveyed through the Antennas.

The Antennas will be promoted and perceived as territorial declinations (local nodes) of a single national project and platform, which will enhance the brand of the “Italian Mountain Lab” initiative at a national and European level with a strategy coherent with the UNIMONT network activated by the University from Milan. UNIMONT will continue to coordinate the activities of the Antennas implemented and enhanced by the project partnership.

Antennas Target: CONTACT

• Among students from different courses/departments/ universities – establish a calendar of meetings, define a strategy of involvement and promotion of the activity.
• Between students and teachers from different departments/disciplines/backgrounds – collaboration via Antennas.
• With third parties and European and international actors
  – from the business world (companies, start-ups, investors, chambers of commerce, trade associations, technology centres, clusters, local schools, etc.)
  – from institutions (local and national)
  – from the third sector – fundamental elements to enrich the training experience