Season 2: NanoValbruna Mini Series Episodes

Tania Vanzolini, coordinator of NanoPiçule and lecturer at the University of Urbino, shares how this unique educational program makes complex sustainability concepts accessible and engaging for children. The program's name itself reflects its deep connection to the local community – combining "Nano" (meaning little) with "Piçule" (meaning little kids in Friulano, the local language of the region). As one of the original "souls" of NanoValbruna, NanoPiçule embodies the principle of learning by do...

Duccio Travaglini, Co-founder of Greencome Media, shares his innovative approach to environmental communication and his mission to transform how we discuss climate change. Rather than contributing to climate anxiety through catastrophic messaging, Duccio and his team focus on solution-oriented storytelling that mobilizes people to action. He discusses the importance of finding relatable stories of "normal people" making change and combining these narratives with data in engaging ways - what he c...

Lorenzo Cercelletta is the director of Regenerative Design for ReGeneration Hub Friuli and founder of the Quiet design studio. He explores the profound impact of design on sustainability. He challenges the individualistic tendencies in the design world, urging a shift towards a more community-focused and socially responsible approach. Lorenzo emphasizes the importance of circular design thinking, considering a product or service's entire lifecycle. He discusses his own design journey, from his e...

Annamaria Tartaglia, CEO of TheBrandSitter and founder of Angels4Women, brings a wealth of experience in fashion, investment, and sustainability. Annamaria shares her lifelong commitment to sustainability, emphasizing the importance of valuing resources, repairing and repurposing items, and making conscious purchasing decisions. She discusses the challenges of educating younger generations about sustainability in a culture of overconsumption and offers practical advice for consumers, such as che...

Francesca Cercelletta, creative director for ReGeneration Hub Friuli and graphic designer for Zegna, brings a unique blend of artistic vision and sustainability passion to NanoValbruna. As the organizer of "Frame The Change," a short film festival within the forum, she champions the power of visual storytelling in communicating complex environmental issues. Francesca shares her journey into the world of filmmaking, recounting how her participation in a workshop in Naples inspired her to bring...

Nihat Akin Ercan, co-founder of PiKARE SKYSOURCE and recent winner of the NanoValbruna innovation contest, is turning humidity into a valuable resource. His innovative system generates water from the air, offering a sustainable solution to water scarcity and contributing to a greener future. Nihat shares the story behind PiKARE SKYSOURCE, a system that generates water from humidity using concentrated solar panels, while also producing electricity and providing climatization. He discusses the ...

Paolo Licata is a tech and impact entrepreneur and an example of the impact of NanoValbruna. A former winner of the forum's innovation contest, he returned this year as a speaker, judge, and mentor, inspiring the next generation of sustainability champions. Paolo shares his unconventional journey from organizing events as a teenager to founding CO2NVERT, a startup focused on converting CO2 into valuable chemicals. He discusses how NanoValbruna played a pivotal role in his success, providing a...

Stefano Cercelletta is the coordinator of the BAITE Award, an innovation contest held at NanoValbruna, a sustainability forum in the Italian Alps. He shares his passion for bringing tangible solutions to the forefront of the sustainability conversation. Stefano describes how the contest has evolved from its humble beginnings, where he personally sought out startup teams, to receiving over 50 applications this year. He explains the selection process, the unique opportunity for international te...

Sara Molinari, Coordinator of External Relations for ReGeneration Hub Friuli, the organization behind NanoValbruna, shares her perspective on the forum's impact and evolution. With a background in international law and human rights, Sara brings a unique perspective to the world of sustainability. She discusses how her passion for making the world a better place led her to NanoValbruna and the importance of connecting seemingly disparate fields like human rights and environmentalism. Sara desc...

Francesca Milocco, Vice Chair of ReGeneration Hub Friuli and Global Sustainability Program Manager for Forbo Flooring Systems, shares her insights into the magic of NanoValbruna, an international event bringing together scientists, entrepreneurs, young people, and changemakers to discuss innovation, environment, and regeneration. She describes the forum's origins, its rapid growth from a small gathering during COVID to a week-long event with hundreds of attendees, and the passionate team of youn...

About This Mini Series This is our mini series about NanoValbruna. We are highlighting an international forum that brings scientists, entrepreneurs, professors, professionals, journalists, science communicators, and especially young people to the heart of the Julian Alps to talk about innovation, environment, and regeneration. Enjoy conversations with climate changemakers in Valbruna, Italy. Picture this: stunning mountain scenery, a charming Italian town, and passionate conversations about c...