On Thursday, March 12, at ITIS Biella, the second meeting of the capacity building project promoted by Regione Piemonte and the Municipality of Biella took place, in collaboration with the other UNESCO Creative Cities in Piedmont: Turin and Alba.

The initiative is part of the broader process of enhancing Biella within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, with the aim of actively involving younger generations and making them key contributors in shaping the future vision of the territory.

The project engaged students from textile and fashion-oriented schools, along with a group of ITS TAM students, in a workshop focused on creating a “Creative City pattern”, a concept designed to be translated into tangible outputs such as gadgets, prints and textile materials, capable of expressing Biella’s identity.

The workshop was preceded by a meeting with representatives of the organizations that make up the Biella Creative City Association, offering students a valuable opportunity to engage directly with those who contribute daily to the development of the territory.

Following an introductory session, the speakers included:

– Sara Gentile, Deputy Mayor of Biella and President of Biella Creative City Association

– Michele Colombo, President of Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Biella and Vice President of Biella Creative City Association

– Lorenzo Pozzo, Fondazione BIellezza

– Stefano Sanna, Young Entrepreneurs Group – Unione Industriale Biellese

– Danilo Craveia, DOCBI – Centro Studi Biellesi

– Alessandro Ciccioni, Chamber of Commerce Monte Rosa Laghi Alto Piemonte

– Luca Deias e Cecilia Laabidi, Cittadellarte – Fondazione Pistoletto and Accademia UNIDEE

Among the key topics discussed, the importance of collaboration and networking between institutions, businesses and organizations emerged as central: working together means sharing ideas, skills and responsibilities, transforming tradition into a solid foundation for the future.

The UNESCO designation is not just a recognition, but a strategic tool to rethink and reinterpret the territory, enhancing its identity and building new development perspectives.

The goal is to train new generations of territorial ambassadors, capable of promoting and contributing to the development of their local context.

Fostering a deep connection with the territory is essential: immersive experiences, educational paths and field activities become crucial in creating a sense of belonging and encouraging future engagement.

The capacity building project represents a key element in the development strategy of Biella as a UNESCO Creative City in Crafts & Folk Art, demonstrating how collaboration between schools, institutions and businesses can generate real value and build a shared vision where creativity, culture and industry continuously interact.