Prestigious Award for “Morbegno 2020”

Morbegno 2020, a strategic sustainable community project in the Italian Alps, has been awarded the Sodalitas Social Award (website is in Italian) for 2008-2009 in the category “Special Prize for Public Sector Initiatives”. The prize, in its seventh edition, is one of the most important awards in Italy in the fields of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility.  In an official ceremony on May 28th, 2009, the systemic approach of the 2020 project was recognized as winner among 240 projects for its innovation, effectiveness and widespread involvement of a diverse set of stakeholders. Morbegno 2020 has been indicated as a national benchmark and role model for broader national diffusion.

The "2020" association has emerged from the project, co-founded by The Natural Step with multiple local stakeholders. It has now joined the local Business Development Agency and the Cariplo Foundation to mobilise the entire alpine region of Valtellina towards a national innovation laboratory for sustainability.  

The business world is rapidly learning how crucial a strategic approach to sustainability is, and the Morbegno 2020 project has been rewarded for its focus on creating innovative economic models.  The project had previously been awarded the “Five Stars Municipality” prize by the “Association of Innovative Municipalities” in 2008 and was selected as a national pilot by the Italian National Association of Municipalities. 

For more about our work in Italy, visit www.thenaturalstep.org/italy or contact Eric Ezechieli.