In the stunning setting of the Val Resia, one of the magnificent valleys of the Transboundary Julian Alps Biosphere Reserve, the ITINERANT project was officially launched on July 15, 2025. The kick-off meeting was held at the headquarters of the Julian Prealps Nature Park, bringing together over 20 representatives from all project partners and associated partners, hailing from both sides of the border.
This was a moment rich in meaning, reaffirming the strength of a cross-border collaboration that, for years, has united communities, institutions, and territories with a shared goal: to enhance and promote the Julian Alps as a place where nature, culture, and sustainable development converge.
The official opening was led by Anna Micelli, President of the Park and Mayor of the Municipality of Resia, who emphasized that the synergy among all stakeholders is key to shaping a project capable of leaving a tangible mark on the territory and its local communities.
During the meeting, each Work Package leader presented the challenges and milestones to be achieved over the next 30 months of joint work, outlining the first strategies to forge a path that bridges innovation and tradition. The ensuing discussion sparked a lively exchange, full of ideas and insights that already pave the way toward concrete results for the Biosphere Reserve.
The technical and financial aspects, presented by the Lead Partner, rounded off a meeting that was not only the operational launch of the project, but also an opportunity to strengthen ties, share visions, and boost collective motivation.
With the ITINERANT project, the Transboundary Julian Alps are poised to embrace new challenges and opportunities, reaffirming their role as a bridge between people and nature, and as a living laboratory for development that respects and enhances the unique heritage of these mountains.
The meeting concluded with a convivial lunch in a truly unique location: an old railcar, now converted into a restaurant along the Alpe-Adria Cycle Route — itself a symbol of cross-border connection and cooperation.
