POSITION AND CLIMATE

Marche region is in central Italy, framed between Appennino Umbro-Marchigiano on the west side and Adriatic Sea on the east side. River Foglia on the Northern and river Tronto on the Southern side are the two additional natural borders of Marche Region territory.

Marche Region has a Mediterranean climate in the coastal and middle-hill zone. Moving inward, climate becomes gradually sub-Mediterranean, while mountain areas can be considered as oceanic even though there are still Mediterranean influences.

HISTORY AND CULTURE

In ancient times, Marche region was Picenum territory. After 295 BC, it became a Roman colony that was connected to Rome through the Via Flaminia and the Via Salaria. 

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the region was invaded by the Goths, falling under Lombards domination and then conquered by Charlemagne in the late eighth century. In the ninth to eleventh centuries the marches of Camerino, Fermo and Ancona were created, giving the origin to its modern name.

Later on, Marche was part of the Papal States; however, the commune of Ancona became an autonomous maritime republic, resisting both to Frederick Barbarossa and to the Republic of Venice. After 1631, Marche was firmly part of the Papal States except during the Napoleonic period. In November 1860, it was annexed by plebiscite to the Kingdom of Italy.

Marche region expresses cultural pluralism established throughout the course of history. Many painters, sculptors and architects passed through the region, leaving a deep mark in its cultural development. Masterpieces of great artists, historic theatres, Roman roads, amphitheaters, historical libraries and renowned pottery manufacturers are one of the major cultural point of interest of the region. In addition, the Rossini Opera Festival (ROF) in Pesaro, the Opera Festival in the Sphaeristerium Arena of Macerata and the Pergolesi Spontini Festival in Jesi and Vallesina are one of the most interesting cultural events. Marche cultural heritage includes also important religious structures such as abbeys, monasteries and churches.

ECONOMY

Without repudiating its rural tradition, the economy of the region had a significant change in the 1980s. Many small craft became small businesses, including also famous brands. This evolution created specific industrial areas: footwear and leather goods in the provinces of Macerata, Ascoli Piceno and Fermo; furniture in the Pesaro area; household appliances and textile industry in the province of Ancona, including ship building, paper, as well as consumer durables.

TOURISM

Tourism is the second economic sector of the region, showing a continuous growth. “Sea” cluster has a fundamental influence on tourist flows during the year, with peaks in July and August. The majority of presences are linked to summer season. Furthermore, Marche region hosts beautiful castles, walled towns and fortress; the most famous destination is Urbino, a UNESCO City and a capital of the Renaissance, where Duke Federico da Montefeltro commissioned the Palazzo Ducale, one of Europeʼs most sumptuous noble residences.

SVIM - Sviluppo Marche SpA - is the Development Company 100% owned by Marche Region. SVIM, in its role as Life Sec Adapt coordinator, pursuit the implementation of the regional development policy, being Marche Region center of competences to transform programs for local and sustainable development into concrete projects. In particular, SVIM implements a wide regional and transnational strategy to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainable growth of the region by raising awareness of Local Communities on the importance of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability in all economic and social sectors.

Within Life Sec Adapt framework, SVIM upgrades the SEC (Sustainable Energy Communities) based approach, key element in order to create synergies that facilitates also the transferability of project results, facing climate change challenges that severely affect local territories.

Through capacity building, best practice exchanges and thematic territorial table, SVIM guides municipalities in increasing the awareness of local and regional decision makers on the urgency to adopt climate change adaptation strategies, reducing the knowledge gap on vulnerability and risks of territories. With this aim, 11 Marche Region Municipalities and 6 Istrian Municipalities join, under Svim coordination, the New Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, adopting climate change adaptation strategy through the integration of existing sustainable energy plans (SEAPs). Svim implements the SEC Adapt monitoring tool, as an open source application that help local communities to check the progress of adaptation and mitigation options and reorient them, if needed.

Svim analyzes climate change also at regional level, providing medium and long term scenarios on climate change trends as well as risk and vulnerability assessment reports.

As project coordinator, Svim acts to ensure the effective visibility of Life Sec Adapt, representing the partnership at European events to guarantee the networking and capitalization of project results.

In addition, Svim is responsible towards the Executive Agency for Small and Medium sized- Entreprise (EASME) for the smooth implementation of project activities, including financial and administrative procedures. Svim monitors project implementation, being the intermediary for all communication between the project partners and the Agency, providing guidance and assistance to the partnership.

Lucia Catalani- Project Coordinator

Telephone: +39 0718064525

E-mail: lcatalani@svimspa.it