GENERAL AIMS:

1. Giving citizens the opportunity to interact and participate in constructing an ever closer Europe, which is democratic and world-oriented, united in and enriched through its cultural diversity, thus developing citizenship of the European Union;
2. Developing a sense of European identity, based on common values, history and culture;
3. Fostering a sense of ownership of the European Union among its citizens;
4. Enhancing tolerance and mutual understanding between European citizens respecting and promoting cultural and linguistic diversity, while contributing to intercultural dialogue.

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SATED – SMALL ANCIENT TOWNS AND THEIR PLACE IN THE EUROPEAN DEBATE

Action 1 Active citizens for Europe
Measure 1.1. Town Twinning Citizens’ Meetings

APPLICANT
City of Vernole (Italy)

PARTNERS
Kunsill Lokali Rabat Malta (Malta)
Jaunpils novada dome (Latvia)
City of Sostis (Greece)
City of Mdina (Malta)

PROJECT ABSTRACT
SATED project aimed at examining the social, economic, cultural and infrastructural elements of ancient towns and their connection with the contemporary world, so to allow the full participation of such urban areas into the current European debate. Through the analysis of their functioning in different sectors, such as politics, architecture, education, health, culture, transports, geology or environmental protection, the project sought to identify the areas and modalities of possible improvements, and the potential solutions and strategies to bring issues and problems on the agenda of European debate.
The cluster of meetings and events entailed by the project on the participation of small historical towns in the European Union has allowed local experts, citizens and external visitors to bring their own contribution to the European debate. The project has contributed to the achievement of the general objectives of the “Europe for Citizens” programme by establishing closer relations between different European cities and national and foreign stakeholders; the active participation of citizens has also been ensured through the involvement of local associations and residents in the preparation of the events, the direct participation and the formulation of opinions and recommendations; the horizontal characteristics of the Programme have been held in account as well, through opportunities for informal learning of the main historical steps of the European Union, as well as its main social, cultural and economic challenges. Within the events a number of topics have been discussed, including: urban planning; intercultural dialogue between different ethnic groups; the acceptance and understanding of different cultures present in the European society and the fight against racism, prejudice and discrimination, the sharing of abilities and talents of individuals and associations, the promotion of active participation, the overcoming of social, cultural and economic disparities, and the promotion of the role of small towns in the European Union.
The three main events have taken place: in Acaya (LE – Italy), where the opportunities for exploiting the historical sites of small towns have been discussed; in Vernole (LE – Italy), concerning the active participation of citizens in overcoming cultural and economic disparities in small urban contexts; in San Cataldo (LE – Italy), in relation with the current European debate and the appropriate participation of small towns to it. Each of these events has foreseen, among other activities, a guided tour of the area, presentations aimed at illustrating the themes of the meetings – realized by experts from Vernole or from partner cities – brainstorming sessions and the drafting of a series of recommendations addressed to the European Union.

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