Da tempo i giovani abbandonano le montagne in cerca di migliori opportunità nelle città vicine, dando vita allo spopolamento della Valle Stura. Sono in atto diverse iniziative per promuovere il turismo, tutelare il patrimonio della valle e valorizzarne le risorse stimolando un nuovo senso di appartenenza. L’iniziativa è promossa da Confartigianato Liguria, in collaborazione con il Parco Naturale Regionale del Beigua e con i Comuni di Masone, Campoligure e Rossiglione, e ha una duplice finalità: mostrare ai giovani del territorio alternative e opportunità che permettano di “restare” e coinvolgere chi abita “in città” facendogli conoscere le bellezze e le opportunità dell’entroterra.
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- Cohesion | Education and culture | Industry, entrepreneurship and SMEs (enterprise/ startup/ business) | Jobs and Employment | Local and regional | Rural | Territorial | Tourism and Heritage | Youth and citizens engagement
- Code: Side252794
- Teatro Auditorium, Via Convento 4 , Campo Ligure, Italy
Practical information
- When
-
Sat 18/10/2025, 10:30 - 13:00 CET
- Where
- Teatro Auditorium, Via Convento 4 , Campo Ligure, Italy
- Type of partnership
- EURegionsWeek close to you
- Format
- Side
- Theme
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The Right to Stay: unlocking the potential of every territory
- Language
- English
Partner
Reporting
Session summary
The event “Stay to Innovate” brought together over 130 students, teachers, entrepreneurs and local authorities to discuss how young people can build a future in their communities.
Local craftspeople, farmers and small businesses, from filigree makers to cheesemakers and traditional knife makers, showcased how innovation can coexist with tradition, demonstrating that even small, remote towns can generate value, cultural identity and opportunities for young people.
Officials emphasized the importance of shared development strategies to counter depopulation and support youth retention. Confartigianato’s research highlighted Liguria as one of the few regions showing positive demographic trends in mountain communities (+0.2% population growth in 2024) and strong youth employment growth (+9.4% from 2021–2024), illustrating the potential for sustainable local development.
The event also launched activities for youth engagement, such as a treasure hunt exploring local crafts and businesses, under the broader “Stile Artigiano” initiative supported by the Liguria Region and Genoa Chamber of Commerce, which promotes local excellence and entrepreneurship.
Overall, the discussions reinforced that the right to stay is not only a principle but a strategy for territorial cohesion: supporting local businesses, fostering innovation, and maintaining vibrant communities are essential for sustainable regional development.
Quotes
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"The stories we heard today show that even inland areas can create excellence and future opportunities. Our role is to support micro and small enterprises and those who choose to stay and invest in their territory."
"Staying means believing in the potential of our communities. Initiatives like this help build trust among young people and businesses."
"The right to stay is a strategy requiring investment, services, and collaboration. Valle Stura can be a model for this approach."
