Rising sea levels are a global phenomenon that endangers not only the environment and the economy, but also the very identity of coastal communities. Coastal areas are among the most densely populated regions on the planet, hosting 11 of the world’s 15 largest megacities. Over 600 million people currently reside less than 10 metres above sea level, a number that is projected to double by the end of the 21st century. These territories, which serve as nerve centers for many human activities, require adaptation strategies. 

In this scenario, Venice appears as an international model of resilience. 

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Venice has already experienced the consequences of sea level rise and is currently developing innovative solutions to protect its cultural heritage. For these reasons, it has been recognised as a Resilience Hub as part of the “Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030)” campaign promoted by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). 

How, then, can we safeguard our cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, in the face of this challenge? How can we ensure the resilience of coastal cities while preserving the link between urbs (the physical city) and civitas (the community)?

Aligned  with the programme of Biennale della Sostenibilità 2025, which is dedicated to the balance between urbs and civitas, Venice Sustainability Foundation is organising a day of reflection and international dialogue on the theme of resilience.

The event is structured in two parts:

1. International conference “Coastal cities, climate resilience and cultural heritage protection”

9.30 am – 1.30 pm (admission from 9.00 am), Teatro Piccolo Arsenale

This meeting, organised by VSF in collaboration with UNDRR, aims to create a space for discussion among coastal cities worldwide, to develop concrete initiatives and foster a lasting network of relationships.
The event aims to promote constructive dialogue between experts, public administrators, and citizens to define adaptation strategies that take into account both the urbs – with its physical vulnerabilities – and the civitas – with its capacity for resilience and its deep connection to the territory.
At the end of the conference, a new publication by VSF will be presented: “History of Venice’s resilience. Economic, social, and urban challenges and transformations over the last two centuries” (“Storia della resilienza di Venezia. Sfide e trasformazioni economiche, sociali e urbanistiche degli ultimi due secoli”, currently only available in Italian). 

A light lunch will be served (1.30 pm – 2.30 pm).

2. Closing event of the exhibition “Intelligent Venice: the oldest city of the future”, Special Project of Venice Sustainability Foundation (VSF) for the Biennale Architettura 2025

2.30 pm – 4 pm, Tesa dell’Isolotto, Darsena Grande dell’Arsenale

The exhibition tells the story of an extraordinary millenary project, a history of medieval inventions and contemporary technologies, of interventions on nature and anthropisation, of survival and resilience strategies, through which the city’s ability to survive a hostile environment has unfolded over centuries, thanks to the constant exercise of intelligence.

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The transition to a climate-neutral economy requires systemic action in the energy and mobility sectors. In this context, clean hydrogen (H2) is a decisive factor in the decarbonization of heavy transport and industry, the integration of renewable sources, and strengthening cooperation between territories.

“The Evolution of Clean Hydrogen. Perspectives from production to use in mobility and industry” is the final event of the European project H2MA – Green Hydrogen Mobility for Alpine Region Transportation, co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg Alpine Space Program. H2MA aims to accelerate the development of hydrogen infrastructure for public transport and freight. Among the results achieved are a shared tool for planning hydrogen refueling networks, pilot strategies for developing H2 corridors, a Green H2 Route Masterplan, and Roadmaps for H2 Valleys to guide investments, financing, and synergies. These outcomes pave the way for sustainable hydrogen mobility that is truly extended to the entire Alpine area.

The conference, co-organized by Venice Sustainability Foundation (VSF) in collaboration with Codognotto and included in the official program of Biennale della Sostenibilità 2025, offers a forum for institutions, businesses, and research centers to share experiences, findings, and new opportunities for the large-scale dissemination of hydrogen applications in Europe and the Alpine region.

The event program includes a session organized by VSF on ongoing initiatives in the Venice and Veneto areas, with contributions from institutions, operators, and businesses. Developments in hydrogen production and pipeline infrastructure, transport solutions, and sustainable mobility will be presented, along with projects for the port and airport of Venice related to sustainable logistics. The local focus will show how clean hydrogen can serve as a lever for ecological transition and territorial development, connecting innovation with real applications in transport, logistics, and industry.

The event was held in English with simultaneous translation.

On Wednesday, October 29, AVM provided free hydrogen-powered vehicles for all participants, subject to availability (the capacity for each bus is 70 passengers).

Departure for Venice Heritage Tower (Via dell’Azoto, 4)

• from Piazzale Roma (lane A8)
  • first departure at 8:15 a.m.;
  • second departure at 9:00 a.m.;
• from Mestre railway station (Piazzale Favretti)
  • first departure at 8:15 a.m.;
  • second departure at 8:45 a.m.;

Return from Venice Heritage Tower

• to Piazzale Roma
  • first departure at 2:00 p.m.;
  • second departure at 2:30 p.m.;
• to Mestre railway station
  
  • first departure at 2:00 p.m.;
  • second departure at 2:30 p.m.;

45.4653604,12.2392602

Once again this year, VSF – within its Energy Transition and Environment (ETE) thematic area – is collaborating with the Veneto Region to organize the Veneto Green Procurement Forum (Forum Acquisti Verdi Veneto).

The 2025 edition features a renewed format: no longer a single meeting, but a series of events dedicated to policies, projects, goods, and services for Green Public Procurement (GPP). The forum brings together key stakeholders involved in procuring sustainable goods and services and in the ecological transformation of production and consumption patterns, fostering dialogue and connections among institutions, businesses, and organized civil society.

Now in its ninth edition, the forum aims to promote a widespread culture of green procurement, serve as a platform for exchanging best practices, and connect supply and demand for environmentally friendly goods and services.

The initiative will launch with an opening event on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 – supported by Fondazione di Venezia – at the “Cesare De Michelis” Auditorium of the M9 - Museo del '900 (Via Giovanni Pascoli 11, Venice Mestre), running from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (registration opens at 9:00 AM).

The day will open with the awards ceremony for businesses and contracting authorities that applied for the 2025 "Compraverde Veneto" award. Drivers of change will share the achievements of nine years of Forum-led initiatives: several past award winners among businesses and contracting authorities will present how their daily commitment to sustainability continues to evolve.

In the afternoon, a training session will focus on GPP topics and green innovations, with an emphasis on CAM (Minimum Environmental Criteria) and key projects under the Regional Action Plan on GPP. This session is designed to highlight recent updates on CAM regulations that entered into force in 2025, specifically: the CAM for Roads (approved by Ministerial Decree on August 5, 2024), the CAM for Energy Services (approved by Ministerial Decree on August 12, 2024), and the CAM for Events (approved by Ministerial Decree on October 19, 2022).

By leveraging the cross-cutting nature of GPP, the seminar aims to trigger lasting change that aligns across regional policies and resonates in the actions of local authorities – consistently prioritizing the integration of environmental and social criteria into public procurement procedures, regional planning tools, and the overarching culture and conduct within public administration.

The event will also offer company members of trade associations and professional bodies (architects and engineers) the opportunity to earn continuing education credits.

The series of meetings will continue with additional local stages dedicated to the same themes: 

• September 19: Vicenza, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Palazzo Thiene Bonin Longare, headquarters of Confindustria Vicenza
• October 8: Belluno, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Villa Doglioni Dalmas, headquarters of Confindustria Belluno Dolomiti
• October 14: Verona, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, headquarters of the Verona Chamber of Commerce

For updated information and registration details for the local events, please visit the official page: https://www.layx.it/veneto-acquisti-verdi/

Please note: All training sessions and program materials will be conducted and provided in Italian.

45.4916689,12.2405992

Developing a knowledge cluster in Venice represents one of the most significant strategic challenges for the city’s future: a concrete opportunity for socio-economic regeneration and for rebalancing a productive and community framework currently heavily reliant on tourism. Thanks to its role as a crossroads of cultures, the historic presence of leading academic institutions, and a globally recognized territorial profile, Venice has the key prerequisites to become an urban hub dedicated to research, innovation/co-innovation, and education.

This seminar aims to explore the potential of this development perspective by sharing visions, experiences, and insights from local stakeholders already engaged in the process. It will also present successful international models and gather viewpoints from some business partners collaborating with VSF.

45.4354304,12.3533364

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