“freedom of expression, openness to ideas, and aiming high”

Bergamasca, a graduate in Public Relations at the IULM University in Milan, snowboard teacher, Michela worked for ten years at the European Parliament in Brussels, dealing first with women and research, then followed by immigration, anti-mafia and islands in the commission of industry minors. She has also been an evaluator for tourism for the Sicilian region for two years.

“Starting from scientific research to test new products and applications on alternative energies”

Vincenzo deals with research and development in the field of renewable energies, in particular aerodynamic design and vehicle supervision. He is co-founder of the Archimede project, born from a team of people, formed in the Association, who want to make their skills and experience available in the field of scientific research. The members of Archimede work on the realization of prototypes of alternative energy vehicles, Vincenzo in particular, inside the Association, experiments how to apply renewable energy to light-vehicle traction.

“Commitment to justice understood as opportunity and law”

Giampietro is an economist, an expert on microfinance and inclusive finance, responsible for projects for financial inclusion and business start-up. He is President of Microfinanza Srl, Vice President of the European Microfinance Network (EMN) and President of the Italian Microfinance Network (RITMI) Economist.
He has worked extensively on micro-credit and rural finance in Africa and Latin America, developing, thanks to these international experiences, listening skills, curiosity about what happens, in the world, passion and commitment to justice understood as opportunity and law.

«Creative development networks based on innovation»

Emanuele is a territorial planner and researcher of tourism psychology and relationship marketing. A native of Palermo and a great lover of travel, he has carried out participatory planning activities in numerous Sicilian realities and he has been an expert in the subject “Urban planning”. He currently works as a freelancer and is involved in research, innovation, European design and urban design.
Research and the profession allow us to face daily the difficulties of the territory and its development prospects: its objective is to succeed in contributing to the formation of creative development networks based on innovation, local resources and resilient, integrated and intelligent.

“Spreading the culture of innovation”

Fulvio has been dealing with technological innovation for several years with particular attention to the issues of management and enhancement of intellectual property and social innovation (digital social innovation). Graduated in Political Science and Master in Intellectual Property Management, Fulvio worked as an expert in technology transfer at the ENEA Technology Transfer Unit and as a consultant for the Enterprise Europe Network.
He is currently the regional representative in Sicily for the INNOVA group (INNOVA S.p.A.), carries out specialist assistance activities for SMEs and EPRs in the management of Research & Innovation projects and is an ICE trainer and coach in the fields: internationalization and intellectual property.
In recent years he has founded a local association dedicated to spreading the “maker” culture and he is co-owner of an entrepreneurial project of social innovation in the field of e-health.

“Sharing my knowledge and my skills in a collaborative and positive perspective”

A multifaceted and innovative Software Engineer, he graduated as an Industrial Computer Engineering Technician and graduated in Computer Engineering in Catania. In short, he has been working in the I.T. sector since he was 16 years old, dealing with practically all aspects: installation, cabling and network configuration, server and pc maintenance, personal and small business software development, development of websites and web applications. To the technical aspect he adds the consulting one and, among his passions beyond IT, philosophy, psychology, art in general and music in particular.

“Creating, developing and enhancing the culture of accessibility. At the bottom is a virtuous circle that when it starts self-feeding”

Valentina has always been involved in computer science, first only for others and now also for herself and for her project: Guidabile – free time accessible to all – with which she wins Startup Weekend in Catania in 2014. To spread and enhance the culture of accessibility through a web and mobile platform, a game of missions and an active community on the territory, this is Guiding. Together with Paolo, her life companion and partner, she is mapping Sicilian cities to create an accessibility database. Guidable wants to set in motion a virtuous circle that rewards accessible places and places, also connecting people sensitive to the subject and people with specific needs. Overall this creates value for everyone. She is member of Sicilia Turismo per Tutti and AISM (Italian Multiple Sclerosis Association). She is a new mother who in her free time turns into a black belt in judo 1′ dan!

“Through Respect for things, animals, people … and the unknown”

Chiara is a Sociologist and Consultant in Sustainable Development, always ready to work for a better world! She is graduate in Sociology, she has worked in the non-profit sector for a couple of years and in the Content &Project Management later. Her interest in sustainability led her to study this topic in the Netherlands. Today, more than ever, her mission is to contribute to the sustainable development of local contexts, with a view to particular emphasis on citizen involvement.

“I work with ideas and with people, broadening their views and inviting reflection”

A graduate in philosophy, Marco is in charge of teaching and publishing: while waiting for less imperialist times in which to concretize his political commitment he is writing a book called “life projects”, in which he addresses the topic of globalization and his political and economic impact. His approach moves between philosophical, economic and sociological categories: he is interested in confronting the subject with those who live it or face it from similar or above all different points of view, and he is particularly interested in deepening the concept of cultural mediation

“Eco-innovation and networking for the implementation of environmental sustainability projects”

Paola is an environmental biologist and project manager, she deals with project management and consultancy, both in the field of environmental analysis and assessment and in the field of corporate organization. The skills and experience gained in both contexts have allowed her to merge the eco-systemic vision, typical of the biological approach, with organizational and technical tools to create and implement ideas of sustainable business development.
She believes in networking and in the importance of bringing together and combining different professional skills and competences, to put them at the service of the territory. Passionate about coaching, sustainable innovation and green economy, she is interested in scouting and dissemination of best practices for eco-innovation, to promote environmental, social and economic sustainability in small local realities.