Call for Ideas, time until 27 July to collect ideas and projects

The nomination process for Bassano del Grappa as Italian Capital of Culture 2029 continues. A project that, through the progressive involvement of institutions, the production system, cultural entities and citizens, aims to build a shared vision for the future of Bassano and the entire Pedemontana Veneta area.

During two intense days of work, the municipal administration, supported by the advisory firm PTS, promoted meetings and moments of discussion dedicated to the different characters of the territory. The objective is to link skills, experiences and projects, transforming the nomination into a true opportunity for long-term cultural, social and economic development.

The program was opened in the afternoon of Wednesday, 1 July 2026, by a meeting with the municipal administrations of the area and municipal councillors, hosted in the Chilesotti Room of the Civic Museum.

The discussion allowed to expand the scope of the nomination and to lay the foundations for an institutional network capable of crossing the administrative boundaries of Bassano del Grappa. At the centre of the dialogue were the widespread cultural, environmental and landscape heritage, the relationships between the different cities and the link with the production system of the Pedemontana area.

“The meeting with the administrations has been fruitful, highlighting how cultural design represents one of the most solid ties of our Pedemontana area and can become an important strength of the nomination forma that we will present in Rome next 23 September – says the mayor of Bassano del Grappa, Nicola Finco –. Bassano is running for the nomination together with a territory rich in identity, skills and relationships, where culture can be a further element of cohesion and growth”.

Alongside the dialogue with the institutions, the path is also open to the economic world. On Thursday, 2 July 2026, the premises of Videndum Media Solutions S.p.A. hosted the first of a series of meetings dedicated to companies, with the involvement of Confindustria members.

The discussion explored the relationship between culture, business and economic development, highlighting the capacity of investments in the cultural and creative sectors to produce value for the entire territorial system. Culture, in fact, not only generates knowledge and participation, but can also promote employment, innovation, attractiveness and positive repercussions for trade, accommodation and services.

“Quality cultural initiatives represent a strategic investment for the development of the territory. The recent exhibition dedicated to Giovanni Segantini is a clear example: in addition to its scientific and cultural value, it has generated an important turnover for trade, accommodation and services, confirming how culture can be a driver of growth and attractiveness. The nomination for Italian Capital of Culture was born precisely with the aim of turning these experiences into a stable and shared project, ” says Barbara Guidi, manager of the Culture Department and director of the Civic Museums of Bassano del Grappa.

On the same day, the community participation process continued with the second co-design workshop, which gathered ideas, visions and contributions from citizens, associations and local stakeholders.

The initiative is part of the participatory process launched in May, with the aim of building a nomination capable of representing the different energies of the territory. Starting from the ideas that emerged during the previous meetings and summarized in the graphic tables prepared by the facilitator, the participants returned to discuss in four working panels:

“Bassano Futuro: Youth, Contemporaneity and Appeal”;

“Bassano Patrimonio: History, Memory and Identity”;

“Bassano Paesaggio: Territory, Environment and Community”;

“Bassano Officina: Enterprise, Training and Production”.

The panels were coordinated by the PTS work group with the support of the members of the TAG – Tavolo Agenda Giovani, officially presented at the beginning of the meeting.

Segen Desalegen Atewebrhan, Giovanni Campagnolo, Luca Fasoli, Manuel Gamba, Riccardo Gugole, Alessia Indiani, Marcello Pagliantini, Anna Scremin, Elena Silvestrini, Ettore Visentin took part in the work.

“The participation recorded in these first events confirms the strong interest of the territory in this path – claims the councilor for Culture of the Municipality of Bassano del Grappa, Giada Pontarollo –. We are building an open nomination, based on dialogue, listening and co-design. The value of Bassano 2029 will lie above all in the ability to network people, skills and energy. This is the most important heritage we want to leave to the city and the entire Pedemontana Veneta area”.

The workshop made it possible to transform the reflections collected in recent months into draft projects, which can be further developed and presented through the Public Notice for the call for ideas. The Notice is the only official tool provided to contribute to the construction of the nomination format.

The expression of interest, published on the institutional website of the Municipality of Bassano del Grappa, is aimed at public bodies, cultural institutions, companies, associations, foundations, schools, Third-Sector parties, informal groups and all the players interested in participating in the nomination.

The proposals must be consistent with the strategic objectives of the nomination, including urban and social regeneration, innovation, accessibility, participation, strengthening the cultural and tourist offer, sustainability and the enhancement of cultural heritage.

Particular attention will be paid to projects developed in partnership and supported by forms of co-financing. Both existing initiatives, to be enhanced or networked, and new projects or ideas still in the embryonic phase can be submitted, as long as they are characterized by a clear vision and consistent with the aims of the nomination.

Proposals must be sent by noon on Monday, 27 July 2026, by filling out the form available, together with the Public Notice, on the institutional website of the Municipality of Bassano del Grappa, at www.comune.bassano.vi.it.

Submit documentation to bdg2029@comune.bassano.vi.it and protocollo.comune.bassanodelgrappa@pecveneto.it. For information and clarifications, please contact the Europe Office on 0424 519368, 0424 519367 and 0424 519366, or write to progetti@comune.bassano.vi.it.