The ENSEMBLE project goes to Imatra (Finland) to discuss the topics of European citizenship and regenerative travel

The ENSEMBLE project continues with events related to the topics of European citizenship and regenerative travel that have been held in Imatra (located on Lake Saimaa, Finland) in the months of April, May and June 2024.

On April 26^th, 2024, a daily event aimed at promoting local products and services and enhancing cooperation among citizens has been organized in Imatra’s City Hall. Activities included presentations, tastings, games, discussions, workshops, and a lottery. Participants from Finland, Estonia, Ukraine and Chine attended the event.

During the month of May, a cycling event for Imatra City Board has been the occasion to talk about the European Union’s impact on local infrastructure in the area, while an open discussion about the Union’s role in everyday life has attracted 82 participants, including local stakeholders and European elections candidates. The main positive aspect of being part of the EU that was underlined by the participants are freedom of movement among Members States, both for people and goods and services. Imatra’s position, near the Finnish border to Russia (currently closed), has proven to be the right location for such discussions. Compared to events organized in the past, attendees had no particular complaints about the fact of being part of the European Union; this might be an effect of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. In the year of the 30^th anniversary of the Maastricht Treaty, these can be considered as positive outcomes.

After the European elections, at the end of June, delegations from Lake Iseo (Italy), Manzanares El Real (Spain), and Bohinj (Slovenia), joined Imatra’s local authorities for the main event of this part of the ENSEMBLE project. Starting from what emerged from the above-mentioned events and workshops, members of the consortium got together to discuss possible future developments in their regions, mainly from the touristic point of view, since free movement and travel appeared to be crucial points of the discussion about European citizenship.

The conference “Towards Regenerative Travel” has represented a great opportunity to confront with different cultures and habits, with one common goal: create the basis for a more sustainable and unite Europe. Speakers from Finland, Estonia and Sweden pointed out some interesting points about regenerative travel, ecotourism, and even the possible use of AI in the tourism industry (click here to view the presentations).