Quartu Sant’Elena is increasingly greener: the municipal administration has decided to join the Network of Sustainable Municipalitiesa non-profit association founded in 2021 to facilitate the process of transition of local levels towards the main sustainability objectives in all sectors: environmental, social and economic.
The Municipality of Quartu is already committed, from a local perspective, to setting government policies by leveraging the principles of sustainability, to contribute to improving the quality of life of citizens through a balanced development of the local economy, the efficiency of infrastructures and services, the strengthening of opportunities linked to stable and quality work for the new generations.
The Network of Sustainable Municipalities is the largest national association in Europe of Municipalities, Provinces, Metropolitan Cities and Regions that are dedicated to sustainable development and the territorialisation of the 2030 Agenda Objectives. The horizon is also aimed at the 2050 Objectives of the European Commission of climate neutrality. The Network includes among its founding members ALI (League of local autonomies), Association of Organic Cities, Leganet Srl. The association adheres to ASviS, the Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development.
The Association has among its members main objectives measure, through reliable and updated indicators, developed in collaboration with ASVIS, the effect of municipal government policies on the areas considered by the BES – the 12 dimensions of Fair and Sustainable Wellbeing adopted by the Italian system – and by the 2030 Agenda.
Another objective is to stimulate the drafting of “Action plans for the sustainable municipality” (Local Agenda 2030) and other planning tools aimed at improving indicators and, therefore, the quality of life and the environment; and finally to accompany Municipalities and Unions of Municipalities in participating in European, state and regional tenders relating to sustainability policies, also in view of the implementation of the new lines of intervention defined by the European Union and the Italian Government.
The Association makes available to its member municipalities professionalism and tools useful for achieving objectives described above. Among these basic services, the following are particularly important:
- the development and management of quantitative and qualitative indicators at municipal level;
- sharing good practices;
- the possibility of relating and collaborating with other participating local authorities;
- the communication tools useful for increasing the visibility of local projects implemented and therefore awareness among citizens of the importance of policies for environmental, social and economic sustainability;
- the drafting of an annual report to be used as a knowledge base for municipal planning tools.
Furthermore, the Association can make available to its members other useful services such as consultancy for participation in regional, national or community tenders, assistance in the drafting of “Action Plans for the Sustainable Municipality” and other planning; finally, it is possible to take advantage of a professional refresher course in the sector dedicated to Municipality employees, in order to provide a dashboard of knowledge capable of giving the reference bodies full autonomy in the management of strategic planning policies oriented towards sustainability in the medium-long term .
