The System Ecomuseum of Rocca di Cerere UNESCO Global Geopark represents a strategic territorial enhancement project that brings together culture, communities, and landscape within an integrated and sustainable vision.

Between March and August 2025, BIA managed the project redesign, development, and implementation of the Si.M.Geo intervention – System Ecomuseum of Rocca di Cerere UNESCO Global Geopark, promoted within the GAL Rocca di Cerere Geopark area.

The main objective was to strengthen the ecomuseum system by creating a cultural and educational offer capable of enhancing, in a coordinated way, the geological, natural, historical, and social heritage of the territory.

Rocca di Cerere Geopark: a heritage of nature, history, and communities

The Rocca di Cerere UNESCO Global Geopark extends across the heart of Sicily, in the province of Enna, on a plateau characterized by gypsum, sulfur deposits, and sandstone outcrops.

It is a complex and layered territory where geology, culture, and local identity are deeply interconnected. The project involved the municipalities of Enna, Aidone, Assoro, Calascibetta, Leonforte, Nissoria, Piazza Armerina, Valguarnera Caropepe, and Villarosa, territories united by a valuable heritage with still untapped potential.

In this context, the ecomuseum system was conceived as a tool to interpret and narrate the territory by connecting landscapes, traditions, and communities.

Cultural empowerment and community involvement

One of the key elements of the project was the cultural empowerment of the local community.

BIA activated a participatory process involving local administrations, associations, cultural operators, and citizens, with the aim of building a shared and lasting vision for the territory.

Main activities included:

– community workshops and laboratories

– training programs for tourism and cultural operators

– production of bilingual educational materials

– organization of local and national geo-events

The project generated concrete and measurable results:

– 8 community maps

– 8 geotourism itineraries

– 18 geo-events

– over 120 hours of training

These tools now represent a solid foundation for the development of an integrated educational and cultural offer.

Communication and promotion: an integrated cross-media strategy

A central role was played by cross-media communication, designed to enhance the Geopark’s heritage and strengthen its positioning at both national and international levels.

BIA developed:

– the strategic communication plan

– the editorial plan

– multimedia content production (photos, videos, storytelling)

– social media management

– advertising campaigns and influencer marketing

Among the most significant results:

– over 200 published social media contents

– around 150 photographic contents and 20 videos

– more than 50 pages of multilingual editorial content

A key element was the development of the project’s official website, conceived as a digital platform for collecting and sharing content, with sections dedicated to territories, itineraries, and visitor experiences.

Storytelling and innovation: the “Stories of Staying” podcast

Among the most innovative activities was the production of the podcast “Storie di Restanza”, a narrative series dedicated to entrepreneurship and social regeneration experiences in Sicily’s inland areas.

The project led to the production of 20 episodes (in Italian and English), helping to tell the story of the territory through authentic and contemporary voices.

Events and Geopark’s Week: experiencing the territory

The project also included the organization of the Geopark Week, a multidisciplinary cultural festival dedicated to promoting geological and cultural heritage.

The program featured conferences, educational activities, guided tours and excursions, exhibitions, and workshops, an opportunity to actively involve communities and visitors while promoting a participatory experience of the territory.

Tools for discovery: geotourism map and guide

Among the main outputs was the creation of an illustrated map and a geotourism guide of the Geopark.

Designed in both print and digital formats, these resources allow visitors to explore the territory through geolocated thematic itineraries, offering an accessible and autonomous travel experience.

A project for the future of the territory

The System Ecomuseum of Rocca di Cerere UNESCO Global Geopark represents a model of integrated cultural planning, capable of connecting heritage, communities, and development.

Through educational tools, communication strategies, and participatory processes, the project contributed to building a shared vision of the territory, strengthening its identity and creating new opportunities for sustainable development.

A path that demonstrates how cultural heritage enhancement can become a concrete driver of growth, innovation, and social cohesion.