Events and Missions

About this Milestone

The kick-off meeting marked the official beginning of the H-SMA-CE project. The research teams from the University of Messina (RU1) and the University of Naples "L'Orientale" (RU2) gathered at Palazzo Giusso for three intensive days of planning and coordination.

Key Activities

• Presentation of research objectives and expected outcomes
• Definition of work packages and task assignments
• Introduction of team members and role assignments
• Planning the first field visit to Taurasi
• Agreement on communication protocols and reporting structure
• Definition of recruitment procedures
• Journal Special Issue planning
• Identification of relevant Conferences for dissemination of intermediate results

Presentation

The dissemination week meetings focused on topics related to the phase: a) UNDERSTANDING (RQ1 – RQ2) of the First Year period (1st Semester), specifically regarding RA 1) Context Analysis.

The fundamental objective was to identify operational actions with an in-depth analysis for the attribution of each of the four functional-operational dimensions. The UNIME Research Unit (RU1), also serving as the lead for the technological-innovative and environmental dimension, invited international guest speakers.

During the four days of work, the focus was on: evaluation of technological distribution, mapping of digital flows, data collection methods for small smart cities, identification of digital services, mapping of human-less processes, and related topics.

Expected Contributions

• Metabolic Mapping: Environmental dimensions analysis of USS contexts through documentary data collection for the construction of a representative (static) functional schema/model. (Prof. Giuseppe Ioppolo, Prof. Grazia Calabrò, Prof. Katarzyna Szopik-Depczyńska, Dr. Carlotta D'Alessandro)
• Empirical Analysis: Socio-relational methods and tools — the quantitative approach for defining a questionnaire and survey criteria. (Prof. Giuseppe Caristi, Prof. David Barilla)

Programme

The dissemination week meetings consisted of working groups, dissemination activities, and discussion sessions, from Monday to Thursday, 09:00 - 13:00 and 14:30 - 17:30.

Speakers

• Prof. Giuseppe Ioppolo — PI – RU1, Department of Economics, University of Messina
• Prof. Grazia Calabrò — Member RU1, Department of Economics, University of Messina
• Prof. Giuseppe Caristi — Member RU1, Department of Economics, University of Messina
• Prof. Katarzyna Szopik-Depczyńska — Department of Corporate Management, Institute of Management, University of Szczecin, Poland (Guest Speaker)
• Prof. David Barilla — Guest Speaker, Department of Economics, University of Messina
• Dr. Carlotta D'Alessandro — Guest Speaker, Department of Economics, University of Messina
• Prof. Roberta Arbolino — Co-PI and Head of Local Unit (RU2 – University of Naples "L'Orientale") via online connection

About this Milestone

A comprehensive three-day research mission bringing together the H-SMA-CE project team with local stakeholders and municipal representatives to advance the circular economy transition framework for Historical Small Towns.

Programme

• Wednesday, 29 January
  Workshop on project progress status at Palazzo Giusso, Naples. Presentations by Prof. Arbolino, Prof. Ioppolo, and Prof. Lopes with participation from Taurasi municipal representatives.
• Thursday, 30 January
  Field visit to Taurasi. Meeting with municipal administration to discuss circular economy implementation strategies and data collection activities.
• Friday, 31 January
  Follow-up workshop at Palazzo Giusso, Naples. Discussion of findings from Taurasi visit and planning of next research phases.

Presentation

The dissemination week meetings focused on topics related to the previous phases: a) UNDERSTANDING (RQ1 – RQ2) – Intermediates of EVALUATING (RQ3). The primary objective was to highlight the results achieved and the current status of the project.

The UNIME Research Unit (RU1), also serving as the lead for the technological-innovative and environmental dimension, invited Professor Katarzyna Szopik-Depczyńska, PhD DSc, from the Department of Corporate Management, Institute of Management, University of Szczecin, Poland, as an international guest speaker and expert in innovation management.

Scientific Results Presented

During the three days of work, the focus was on presenting the scientific results produced, with particular emphasis on the paper accepted on June 16, 2025:

• sustainability-3676172: "Unveiling Taurasi's Hidden Potential: A Framework for Sustainable Development and Circular Economy Transition in Historic Small Towns"
  Authors: Cristina Ciliberto, Grazia Calabrò, Giuseppe Caristi, Roberta Arbolino, Giuseppe Ioppolo

Furthermore, the results presented in 2025 at FEMIB-PORTO, RIFORUM-BARCELONA, and DTS-PARIS were discussed.

Programme

The dissemination week meetings consisted of working groups, dissemination activities, and discussion sessions, from Tuesday to Thursday, 09:00 - 13:00 and 14:30 - 17:30.

Speakers

• Prof. Giuseppe Ioppolo — PI – RU1, Department of Economics, University of Messina
• Prof. Grazia Calabrò — Member RU1, Department of Economics, University of Messina
• Prof. Giuseppe Caristi — Member RU1, Department of Economics, University of Messina
• Prof. Katarzyna Szopik-Depczyńska — Department of Corporate Management, Institute of Management, University of Szczecin, Poland (Guest Speaker)
• Prof. Katarzyna Cheba — West Pomeranian University of Technology Szczecin, Faculty of Economics, Poland (Guest Speaker)
• Prof. Agnieszka Brelik — West Pomeranian University of Technology Szczecin, Faculty of Economics, Poland (Guest Speaker)
• Prof. David Barilla — Guest Speaker, Department of Economics, University of Messina
• Prof. Roberta Arbolino — Co-PI and Head of Local Unit (RU2 – University of Naples "L'Orientale") via online connection

Note: Light lunches and dinners were provided for speakers only.

About this Milestone

Mid-project workshop designed to verify the progress status of the H-SMA-CE project, present results from Research Activities RA2 (Understanding-Evaluating) and RA3 (Evaluating), and define the approach for RA4 (Simulating). The mission included direct engagement with the Taurasi municipal administration and local stakeholders.

Main Objectives

• Assessment & Dissemination
  Verify project progress and present results from RA2 and RA3 research activities.
• Research Units Coordination
  Joint meeting between RU1 (Messina) and RU2 (L'Orientale) to define RA4 (Simulating) approach.
• Territorial Dialogue
  Meeting with representatives of the Taurasi municipality to discuss implementation strategies.

Speakers

Prof. Giuseppe Ioppolo, Prof.ssa Grazia Calabrò, Prof. Giuseppe Caristi, Prof.ssa Roberta Arbolino, Prof. Antonio Lopes, Dott.ssa Luisa De Simone, Dott.ssa Ilaria Russo, and representatives from Taurasi Municipality.

About this Milestone

A key milestone of the H-SMA-CE journey: presenting the Decision Support System prototype and research findings on circular economy transition in Historical Small Towns.

Programme

• 14:30 — Opening Session: Institutional greetings
• 14:45 — RA4 - DSS Development: Preliminary results of the electronic spreadsheet-based support for decision-making
• 15:30 — Applying the DSS: Testing the tool to simulate circular scenarios in the Taurasi Borgo
• 16:30 — Roundtable: Circular villages - sustainable development strategies for Italian inner areas
• 17:00 — Closing remarks and greetings

Speakers

Prof. Giuseppe Ioppolo, Prof.ssa Roberta Arbolino, Prof.ssa Grazia Calabrò (online), Prof. Giuseppe Caristi (online), Prof. Antonio Lopes