The leap into the unknown

Joining the Urb-En Pact project for the municipality of Palma di Montechiaro was a leap into the unknown. The municipality had never taken part in just an ambitious project and the idea of initiating an energy transition path was not a priority in the municipal agenda. The thought was to deal with what could be considered the essential needs and energy transition was not one of them. Participating in the Urb-En Pact project brought a change in the mindset, the awareness that the essential needs and energy transition can be complementary. If schools need to be renovated why not do them as sustainable as possible, if streets need to be made why not consider a bicycle path.

For a small municipality such as the one of Palma di Montechiaro, located in the Southern part of Sicily, being part of the Urb-En Pact project has a special meaning. It has been an opportunity to show that change can happen everywhere and every municipality, regardless of its size, has to do its part in the energy transition. It has been a journey through Europe visiting cities (even though digitally), learning through good practices, taking inspiration from partners, stakeholders, and guests. At the same time, the journey was happening inside the municipality developing actions, creating plans, increasing the green conscience among the municipal government and the citizens that will enable the creation of a more sustainable planning attitude already started with the creation of the Urb-En Pact Integrated Action Plan.

Starting from beach cleaning, the working group for the project, thanks to the support of the municipality, is now able to pursue more concrete and impactful actions: installation of water purifiers, green awareness campaign, rebuild of green area for sustainable urban regeneration.

This is the start of the journey, the first step towards the green transition, the spark for new ideas that will create a new, sustainable future for the whole municipality.

We also hope that the example of Palma would be followed by the nearby cities so to advance in the green transition together. Perhaps, one of the next steps of Palma should be to spread the Urb-En Pact experience and inspiration in its area.