Exploring Puglia: A Journey with the LOTTI Project
From April 8–9, 2025, the region of Puglia welcomed partners and stakeholders of the LOTTI project for its fifth Interregional Meeting (LIM5), marking another key milestone in the pursuit of local identity-led innovation.
The meeting opened at Palazzo Guerrieri in Brindisi with a warm welcome from regional leaders, including Gianna Elisa Berlingerio, Director of the Economic Development Department; Deputy Mayor Teresa Giuliana of Brindisi; and Vittorio Rina, President of ASI Brindisi. Their remarks underlined the importance of interregional cooperation in fostering innovation rooted in local culture.
The morning featured an Exchange Workshop: Partners’ Introduction and Policy Change. This began with introductions, including a special welcome to newly joined partners, followed by Working Session 1, where each partner delivered a five-minute presentation on the current state of their policy change efforts.
Following a coffee break, the second half of the workshop continued with Working Session 2: Good Practices and Policy Improvements. Here, partners and stakeholders shared brief elevator pitches presenting one good practice each, with a focus on evaluating their potential for future bilateral exchange visits. Discussions also delved into the Policy Change Reports or Action Plans, addressing key questions around implementation strategies.
Partners assessed tools designed to drive policy change, such as the Survey on Capacity Needs and the evolving High Road Map, fostering a dynamic dialogue around their practical use and effectiveness.
These sessions laid the foundation for rich cross-regional exchange and offered actionable ideas for capacity building and policy innovation across the LOTTI network.
Participants then explored Palazzo Guerrieri’s Certified Incubator, guided by Salvatore Modeo, founder of The Qube—a space where innovation and tradition converge to support emerging entrepreneurs and startups.
In the afternoon, the group visited Oasi del Cillarese, a serene reservoir and green space managed by ASI Brindisi. Giuseppe Solito shared insights into the site’s ecological and infrastructural significance, adding a sustainable lens to the discussion.
A formal dinner at La Nassa capped off the day, providing an ideal setting for informal exchange and culinary discovery.
The second day brought a focused Steering Committee session at Palazzo Guerrieri, where partners discussed communication, reporting, and strategic planning.
The delegation then traveled to Castello Aragonese in Taranto, a historic fortress overlooking the sea. Here, Silvia Visciano and Elio Sannicandro (Director of ASSET Puglia) introduced Taranto Futuro Prossimo, a visionary project revitalizing the city through culture, sustainability, and urban regeneration.
In the afternoon, the final visit led participants to Valle Fiorita srl in Ostuni. Hosted by R&D Manager Andrea Minisci, the visit highlighted innovative food production practices and introduced other partners from the Innotipico Project. Attendees toured the facilities and explored opportunities for transregional cooperation.
As LIM5 drew to a close, the consortium reflected on two days filled with dynamic exchange, inspirational sites, and deepened partnerships. The journey through Puglia reaffirmed the LOTTI Project’s mission: celebrating local identity while advancing inclusive, sustainable industry transformation.