Dominique: ​[00:00:00] Hello, welcome to another episode of Green Champions.

Adam: Thanks for joining us in a conversation with real people, making real environmental change in the work that they do. I'm here with Dominique, our sustainability expert.

Dominique: And I'm so glad to be here alongside Adam, our social enterprise extraordinaire. We bring you guests who saw the potential for impact in their job or community and did something about it.

Adam: Green Champions is a platform to share sustainability success stories, and plant new ideas.

What is NanoValbruna?

Dominique: This is our mini series in Val Bruna, Italy, highlighting an event called NanoValbruna.

Adam: NanoValbruna is an international forum that brings scientists, entrepreneurs, professors, professionals, journalists, science communicators, and especially young people, to the heart of the Julian Alps, to talk about innovation, environment, and regeneration. Dominique had the chance to attend NanoValbruna and capture the stories of their accomplishments, and so as you're listening, I'm also [00:01:00] here equally excited to hear this episode.

Dominique: Today I am joined by the Francesca Milocco She is the vice chair for an organization 

called Regeneration Hub Friuli, 

which puts together this NanoValbruna event. 

Outside of this event, Francesca is 

the global sustainability program manager for Forbo 

flooring systems, which is located in Amsterdam.

I like adding just what else you're 

working on 'cause I think that it's really interesting how else you're 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: contributing 

Dominique: sustainability in the broader world. But today we're gonna talk about 

NanoValbruna, 

it's growth and Francesca's perspective on 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: of these topics 

Dominique: like regeneration, and sustainability.

So thanks for

joining me today, Francesca. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: Thank you for 

writing me. 

Dominique: I wanna spend most of our time on 

NanoValbruna. 

I know I wanna talk to you about probably everything, . but can you first explain what it is from your perspective? 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: Yes, sure. 

Francesca: And you already gave a great but 

NanoValbruna 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: indeed 

Francesca: the international forum. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: For young people 

Francesca: and also organized by young people. So 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: youth is, 

Francesca: really at the center 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: [00:02:00] this event 

Francesca: where innovation but also a tradition And sustainability meets to actually drive a 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: global change. And maybe 

Francesca: first let's talk why it's called

NanoValbruna

which is quite a, peculiar name. And, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: nmo, we

believe that 

Francesca: from the small 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: nano community can really contribute also for a global change.

Francesca: So let's 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: start from the small one to actually make 

Francesca: it happen in a 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: global scale. 

Francesca: And our motto is indeed, think global, act local. So that's also refers to that. And 

Valbruna 

is a beautiful village mountain that is hosting This event as you said in the heart of the 

Julian 

Alps. 

And, it's 

a yeah, very 

small 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: mountain village.

A hundred 

Francesca: peoples living here. And, 

it's 

the venue 

of the event.

Dominique: How did this get started? Yeah, that's a good question. It started five years ago, so our edition was in the middle of Covid. So not great idea 

Francesca: to start an event. but nevertheless, we did it anyway. and of course the first, edition was, quite smaller than the one here also indeed, because of all the restrictions. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: so the idea 

originated from the south of [00:03:00] Italy, 

Francesca: where 

in 

NanoGagliato they 

do, an event where they bring nano technologies.

also a small village, 

Gagliato. 

but in a case, indeed, is more, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: the focus is on on the technology. 

Francesca: And, nevertheless, what was 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: absurd is that, bringing 

Francesca: scientists, entrepreneurs in a 

small village

like 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: that really helped also the community to actually get 

news 

Francesca: new ideas

nv-01-francesca_milocco: drives change in this places that 

sometimes are bit.

Forgotten or at least less connected to this type of event. so we wanted to, reproduce this because, Annaa, the organizer of this 

event, went there and 

she thought was very interesting to reproduce it in, 

Francesca: Friuli. 

And 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: I think what was an additional drive also 

is that we really, from 

Francesca: the first year got a big 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: of young people that really started to 

Francesca: organize this, event. So it was not 

anymore 

one person thinking about this, but our whole team of young people. And so really 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: growing, a lot in that sense. And 

we, put the topic, 

the 

Francesca: focus 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: uh, sustainability 

Francesca: and environmental, sustainability and [00:04:00] social sustainability 

The Growth of the NanoValbruna Team

Dominique: How 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: many people are on the team 

Dominique: and How. 

big was the team when it first started? Tell us the 

evolution of the 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: team. 

Francesca: Yeah. 

So 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: So the first year, actually maybe I'll tell you also 

how 

Francesca: I arrived 

here. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: I 

know Valbruna 

because my family have a holiday house. And I saw on social media, or I don't know,

Dominique: So you learned about 

NanoValbruna 

through social media and just word of mouth of people you know in the community?

Francesca: Exactly. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: And when I 

heard it 

was 

Francesca: in 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: Bruno, and an event about science, because there told you before, 

it is 

Francesca: it's 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: sustainability, but also really focusing also on the science. How. can that, help us on sustainability? 

Francesca: And I'm a scientist. I have a background in 

chemistry 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: and I live in the

Netherlands, as you 

Francesca: mentioned before, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: so I was like, I need to be there, it sounds super 

Francesca: interesting. and so I just subscribed 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: volunteer actually. 

Francesca: And we were, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: I think, like 

Francesca: 8, 

10 volunteers the first year, 

most 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: which was, yeah, 

Francesca: the 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: that organized the event and few others like me that 

just joined to help. 

Francesca: because of Covid there 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: was

maybe 30 [00:05:00] participant, because we couldn't promote it because we 

Francesca: to keep the number very low. so that's 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: how we started. 

Francesca: And this year, we have .a seven days event 50 volunteers. and 

during 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: whole week, 

Francesca: I think more 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: or less 450 people 

Francesca: passed 

by

nv-01-francesca_milocco: on Yeah. More or one days. So that's 

how it grew. . 

That's incredible. And that I think 

Dominique: speaks to why. 

This 

is fitting into this podcast because we really focus on showcasing sustainability success stories, And I just think that there's so much amazing work 

happening 

in NanoValbruna 

that like a whole season's worth was needed.

To talk through, like What that success looks like and how you've managed to put it together as a team and 

just all the components that make . 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: A really beautiful event together. 

That's very sweet.

Dominique: Well, 

A Week at NanoValbruna: Activities and Experiences

Dominique: what does the week look like? So paint some of that magic people who aren't here. Can't see the 

beautiful mountains can't meet you guys.

What does the week 

look like And what does it feel like? Yeah. And indeed it's also something that changed a lot because the first year, and it's also how I will start 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: you our weeks, uh, look 

Francesca: [00:06:00] like We 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: start with, 

Francesca: NanoPičiule, 

which is 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: a format. For kids 

Francesca: between 

6 

and 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: 14 years 

Francesca: old. And is 

our 

scientific 

workshop designed 

for them are very interactive, very playful. where they can learn 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: science 

Francesca: and sustainability at the same time, because we really want to 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: empower them also in realizing that they are the future and 

they can also really bring 

Francesca: transformation. And it's amazing to 

see also how much they already know about sustainability, actually. So I 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: feel that they are 

Francesca: teaching us more 

than the 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: way around. 

Francesca: And that's 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: Also, how we started the first year, because that was actually the focus really, of the first 

Francesca: year.

instead we added 

over the 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: many other formats, which 

Francesca: which I'm going to 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: you now.

Dominique: Yeah. 

and I'll say that, Tanya will be on later in another episode, to share about 

NanoPičiule

and what that means, what it looks like. And you'll get to feel the energy, of the volunteers who put that together. because I think A big takeaway for me was how 

much 

they care about 

these little 

kids And 

sharing about sustainability.

nv-01-francesca_milocco: Yes. and then another part 

Francesca: is also the BAITE 

award 

It's 

a

contest for 

startup or [00:07:00] for innovative ideas of startups. So Also, students from university or PhDs or younger

workers that have an ideas, but maybe 

don't 

know 

yet also how to really, if it's 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: or not, they can participate to this contest 

Francesca: Because 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: compared to other contests, the main, Goal is also really 

Francesca: to, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: teach them 

Francesca: also what it 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: takes make a startup So they can also check in an early 

Francesca: stage 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: if 

Francesca: the idea is 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: good and worth it to go on and spend their time and money on or not. 

Francesca: And I think also this, there 

will be 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: episode,

we'll 

Dominique: have 

another

episode, 

Stefano will share about,

that innovation contest, how it works and the cool things that 

have 

come out

of it. 

And 

we 

have a few highlights 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: of innovation teams. 

Dominique: sharing 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: they're doing to help give some examples

Dominique: of how 

far 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: they travel 

Dominique: to connect 

with 

NanoValbruna 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: and also just the things they're doing. . 

Francesca: And 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: what 

Francesca: good is that, also 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: for the, 

Francesca: contest, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: we organize 

Francesca: workshops that are, yes, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: tailored for 

the, 

Francesca: startup, participant, but actually are 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: open for everybody.

Francesca: So What happens here is that 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: also all the 50 volunteers and all the young people coming 

coming 

around the forum, [00:08:00] they, actually can join 

Francesca: this workshop. So 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: even if they don't ever start 

Francesca: themself. that's also 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: how the entrepreneurial minds 

Francesca: starts to shape 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: a young 

Francesca: generation. And 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: I think that's 

Francesca: quite unique '

nv-01-francesca_milocco: cause 

Francesca: free and you know, you 

can 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: always learn something if 

you 

Francesca: attend 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: these 

Francesca: workshops.

nv-01-francesca_milocco: Can 

Dominique: Can you give 

an 

example 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: workshop topic? Yes. They go from a, 

Francesca: speaking, which is very useful if you do a podcast, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: also on, 

Francesca: for example, this year we're a 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: a lot also on AI 

Francesca: since it's 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: quite new.

So I have to 

say also 

for

me, I learned 

Francesca: so much because it's of 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: course very difficult 

Francesca: to stay 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: on top of everything. So 

that's also, you hear a lot of innovation 

Francesca: here 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: also on how to use social media for your work. 

Francesca: So for example, on LinkedIn, but also how to make a business plan or 

on 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: patent.

So 

there 

Francesca: it is quite 

diversified. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: And, 

Francesca: to have also some other moments that are 

for 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: a broader 

Francesca: audience. This year actually we initiate, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: the regeneration panel, which are 

Francesca: also panel where, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: general topics are discussed. And the focus of this year, was

Francesca: was regeneration. 

Dominique: can you share, so 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: like 

Dominique: I I wanna just clarify.

So 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: every year is a different 

Dominique: focal [00:09:00] point. It's 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: still on sustainability, 

Dominique: but. You 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: build around 

Dominique: theme. and last year was food. This 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: is 

Dominique: regeneration

Francesca: Yes, exactly. And also I think this is also 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: part of our growth process to indeed try to 

Francesca: have some, specific 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: Because also then it makes easier also 

Francesca: for 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: the people 

Francesca: to follow what is happening. And the regeneration is 

indeed, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: quite broad. 

Francesca: Maybe we'll come back to this later. I have 

the 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: feeling.

but indeed, 

Francesca: yeah, there was a topic of 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: year, but 

Francesca: with this four panels, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: we had 

first one that was very indeed more 

general on what is regeneration compared to sustainability and what 

Francesca: it means. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: and also then we tried to still put it into more specific topics like urban regeneration. so also what is the 

role of 

cities, how

they can have 

Francesca: positive impact. 

Francesca: And, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: Also

on, 

Francesca: connected to the 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: impact of our clothes. 

Francesca: So there was a 

 panel on fashion and regeneration, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: and then also an international panel, which instead was more focused on also 

what is being invested. 

Francesca: yeah, so the international 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: where we adding, uh, guest that 

Francesca: are [00:10:00] connected from the United Nations and for us it's 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: also very nice 

Francesca: to see how people that come 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: very far away, they keep 

Francesca: on traveling back to come to our event also like you .

nv-01-francesca_milocco: and every year they bring also something new because you already seen also what is happening 

Francesca: here. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: very

very then you also 

Dominique: have.

Dominique: An incorporation of local experiences because of the location. that this 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: all takes 

Dominique: place. Can you 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: share more about what that is 

exactly? So, while there is all this program or 

Francesca: and 

panel, if you 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: are tired 

Francesca: and you don't 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: want to spend all your day sitting and listening to people, also because we are in a 

Francesca: a beautiful place 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: surrounded by mountains 

Francesca: And, 

woods, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: you can 

take a walk 

Francesca: and actually regenerate your mind 

to 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: stay in the regeneration topic. 

Francesca: and we offer 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: a variety of local 

Francesca: experience. thanks to, a collaboration with 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: the guides from, 

Francesca: this territory. 

And 

they go 

from, doing a 

e-bike

tour 

on 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: the mountains 

Francesca: or going to some lake nearby or 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: a walk in the woods. And I think this is very important because that's also what makes [00:11:00] this not a conference, but a 

completely 

Francesca: different event.

nv-01-francesca_milocco: you combine also 

Francesca: like the 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: more serious part with also 

Francesca: more like 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: breathing interactive. And actually these are very important 

Francesca: moment of 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: because 

Francesca: You 

happen to 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: walk in the woods next 

to a very important guest 

Francesca: that probably was speaking the day before, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: and you can have a just a 

Francesca: chat.

So I think this is, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: works very, very well to make lifelong 

Francesca: connection between the young people 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: our guests. 

Dominique: Absolutely. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: bring such,

Dominique: Such amazing guests And speakers, to the event people are coming from all over the world who are specialists and experts at different topics. 

And they 

come to share their thoughts on whatever the panel is focused on.

But yeah, I definitely just wanna like 

echo that visual of you get to 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: go on 

Dominique: rides alongside these really interesting people and, 

get precious time 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: just build connections 

Dominique: because

there is something very unique about that experience that you don't get that at a '

cocktail hour or in 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: the 

Dominique: few minutes after a 

panel where everyone's

just

small talking in an [00:12:00] auditorium. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: on a bike 

Dominique: ride and feeling like 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: people who are connecting I think is amazing. 

Dominique: And 

there 

also are no 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: good enough words. 

Dominique: there's 

not good enough language for articulating how beautiful the mountains are and where this hotel is located, where all the events are taking place.

And 

I think that's 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: inspiring 

Dominique: to

share.

Just my take as 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: a guest, I think 

Dominique: you're 

just reminded how precious and beautiful nature is and, 

how 

much

we need to be doing our, part to be good stewards. 'cause you, feel simultaneously very small. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: here in this environment. Yeah. Correct. Um, 

Dominique: but you also feel like there's a 

lot of potential 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: of us together. 

and I think 

Francesca: indeed also the setting really help us also 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: the more 

Francesca: formal . 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: format that 

Francesca: just discussed, like workshop and panel, to 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: feel that 

Francesca: belong 

to an ecosystem because we 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: have the tent really in the middle of this 

Francesca: ecosystem, natural 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: So you can really feel it. 

What is ReGeneration Hub Friuli?

Dominique: What is ReGeneration Hub Friuli and how is that relate to Nanovalbruna?

Francesca: Yeah, that's a great question. We actually started ReGeneration Hub Friuli after [00:13:00] starting the event. So Nanovalbruna started in 2020, and then after two years we realized that we were getting bigger and bigger and we decided to fund our non-profit organization. Again, funded actually from the young people that were already involved in organizing the event.

And the reason why it's called with a different name is because also we wanted to have a broader organization that potentially could also do other things besides this forum, which is a yearly forum. And, ReGeneration is because we believe in the power of regeneration. And also, sustainability is a word that is very used, but we think that regeneration is the step further where you actually want to make a positive impact and not only, let's say 'do less bad,' but actually 'do more good.' 

And Hub because we want to make connection between people. So we want to get inspired by others, but also be an inspiration for others.

And Friuli-Venezia Giulia is actually the region where we are. And so, Friuli, we put it because we want to have it local so that we can act in the [00:14:00] local territory. And basically the main role of this organization is actually to, for 90% of our time, we actually are busy organizing this forum. But we also more and more engaged with in other activities. And especially because we don't have much time to organize other events, what we do a lot is collaborating with other initiatives in the region, but also, in all Italy and also international. And to find also the synergy together to actually make the change happening together.

And that could be, for example, by contributing to their event with maybe one piece of our format. For example, last year, we contribute to another event bringing just the Data Café on their event. And, yeah, so that's a bit of who we are.

Dominique: So to recap, regeneration to you and then, and the importance of that being a part of the organization name and the theme this year is a focus on progress as opposed to sustainability might be looked at more as like maintaining what we have?

Francesca: Yes, exactly. That's also why we decided the name for the [00:15:00] organization. Indeed and this year theme also to, yeah, let the people understand more what is this regeneration.

Dominique: Great. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: just to recap what 

Dominique: this 

forum includes. You 

have NanoPičiule 

for little 

kids to get involved with experiments around sustainability and seeing science in

action. 

You 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: have workshops 

Dominique: where 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: are learning more 

tactile 

Dominique: skills and all different things about sustainability and professionalism and startups and 

then speaker series where experts come And show their thoughts.

Panels where we get to hear a variety of conversation 

actively on topics, 

local 

experiences where you bike around, today they went hunting for 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: fungi? 

Francesca: Yeah. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: Yes. For mushrooms. Yes. 

Yeah. 

Dominique: Yeah. Like 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: that's amazing. 

Dominique: It's such a 

great cultural experience. And 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: then, 

Dominique: we 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: didn't ..even get to frame the change, 

Dominique: which we'll have an episode about.

Frame the change and what it looks like to make 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: films with just 

Dominique: your 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: phone. 

Dominique: and 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: an innovation 

Dominique: contest where international contestants that were selected and brought to 

the event.

 Bring 

their ideas and make them stronger 

while they're here. 

Francesca: Correct. 

And let's 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: not forget also [00:16:00] 

Francesca: the 

data 

Café, 

which also, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: I think that was very 

Francesca: interesting, was an activity 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: that came from the volunteering also, because one of the biggest challenge of this event is how to bring 

Francesca: complex topic 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: to a very 

Francesca: broad

audience. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: so we have 

Francesca: audience from like 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: all backgrounds 

Francesca: and also . 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: Even if the major targets are young people, 

Francesca: we still have also, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: from 

Francesca: family to 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: older people that, uh, join our, uh, 

Francesca: event. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: data 

Francesca: Café 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: was really born like that because we want to bring in a very simple way 

Francesca: some what we call hot data, like the coffee that 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: serve after a lunch 

Francesca: break 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: in this busy program. 

Francesca: you 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: know, those volunteers are maybe not expert in that topic, 

Francesca: but they just take some time to do some research on that because they find it interesting. ...And So 

also 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: the way they're presented is really 

Francesca: bottom up. So you don't have maybe an expert 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: knows all the answer about 

Francesca: the topic, but it's much easier to engage in a conversation 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: everybody can follow because. it's 

really 

Francesca: said 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: and presented 

Francesca: in simple terms 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: and 

Francesca: yeah, very engaging. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: also the, [00:17:00] meeting 

Francesca: with actually, because 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: we have several 

moments where we like need to break this, 

Francesca: big program. so the 

data 

Café as I've 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: mentioned, but also 

Francesca: immediately after the 

workshop 

and panel we are in 

Italy.

We 

are 

in Friuli, 

We love our 

aperitivo, 

happy hour . 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: And so that's where is our moment 

Francesca: of networking. with a glass of wine 

while you 

look at the beautiful 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: mountains. So 

Francesca: that also compared 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: maybe other networking moments is very informal. 

Francesca: And I think that similarly to What you said before about the local experience and riding on a 

bike, it's a 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: different way to 

Francesca: to interact with people.

And also the people are in a very easy mindset, . 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: So that's also, 

Francesca: yeah, where 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: magic is created, let's say . 

Yeah. 

Dominique: And actually was my next question was like this. all 

feels very magical, . And I think the 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: way that 

it's been 

Dominique: successful, 

from 

the details that you 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: all ensure 

Dominique: are together from like just the 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: amount that you manage 

Dominique: as a team 

all week long, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: planning one day of 

Dominique: of a conference is difficult, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: you do a 

Dominique: week 

long 

event. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: what is 

Dominique: [00:18:00] magic 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: like? What do you think 

Dominique: has 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: made this possible for you all, 

Dominique: in a, way that others could 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: learn from or 

Dominique: just.

nv-01-francesca_milocco: The reason that you think you've able to do this 

this? 

I think sometimes we also 

Francesca: still are, trying to 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: realizing ourself 

Francesca: how we do it, because 

over the year we do this as a 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: volunteering work, 

Francesca: so it means 

also 

that, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: in a week 

Francesca: we 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: are starting again 

Francesca: talking about the next 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: forum 

Francesca: for 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: next 

Francesca: year. 

Dominique: So you start right now,

to plan 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: year, right now, 

Dominique: year? 

Francesca: yes. 

Immediately 

after. Basically, maybe there 

is one week of, okay. we don't want to talk with 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: other anymore 

for one week,

No, 

Francesca: No, I'm just kidding. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: But yeah, we really start immediately because indeed 

Francesca: is a lot of, work to 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: do, especially indeed, because most 

Francesca: of us.

nv-01-francesca_milocco: All of us do it in 

Francesca: free time. So 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: need to plan ahead for that. and I think 

the magic is 

Francesca: really also that 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: you asked me at the beginning, the 

Francesca: progress also from 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: the first 

Francesca: year to now, and I think 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: year we manage more and more

Francesca: also 

because 

the people come back also the volunteering and the organizer and everybody's speaking 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: one [00:19:00] part and really 

Francesca: organizing that. 

And in the end, we 

managed to

Put all together because indeed we collaborate along during the whole year. And this also help us to grow because, and I feel that also every day, every 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: year, more more, 

it's clear who is doing what also. And 

Francesca: actually, yeah, managing to 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: all these events in one week.

I think overall really is having a team of motivated 

people that really want to bring the change Yes, we talk a lot also during this week, but we also 

really want to do something. So we really 

Francesca: want to 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: bring the people here 

Francesca: and together, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: find also a way that 

Francesca: each 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: us can contribute

in our own life 

Francesca: to bring the change.

And 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: we have a very small community, but 

Francesca: but as I said at the

beginning, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: that the, our idea that.

Francesca: You 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: can start small and if you think global and act local, you can bring 

Francesca: the change from a 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: community, but inspiring 

Francesca: others. And indeed, I think 

that's 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: also our 

Francesca: ambition to inspire others as 

well. 

And also to, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: bring this forward. 

when 

NanoValbruna by the Numbers

nv-01-francesca_milocco: thinking about 

Dominique: NanoValbruna, 

can you [00:20:00] give us a sense of 

scale and 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: the numbers that you have tracked so far? 

Francesca: Of course. So this 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: we have seven 

days, of event. 

Francesca: We 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: had the 

first two 

days 120 

Francesca: kids participate in the laboratory 

to 

the NanoPičiule 

workshops, 

where in two 

days 

they did 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: 25 

Francesca: experiments. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: Wow. 

We have 50 volunteers, 

Francesca: as I mentioned 

previous before, during the whole week. 

we 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: 11 

Francesca: team of startups that 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: were selected because we get many more application, 

Francesca: but we have 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: a pre-selection. So those 

Francesca: are the ones joining 

the team. As 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: well as 14 

young

video makers for 

Francesca: frame The Change. So we 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: had 16 

Francesca: local experience 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: and more than 

50 hours of, 

Francesca: experience out 

there 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: and more than 200 kilometers 

Francesca: of, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: people that walked or

cycled 

Francesca: in this experience. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: And overall, 450 people 

Francesca: participating. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: and for 

data 

Francesca: Café, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: which means, definitely 

Francesca: than 

200 

coffees 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: uh, given , . 

Dominique: Only 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: an

Italian event would measure, 

Dominique: impact 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: Coffee. 

Coffee. Yes, that's true. 

Francesca: Luckily, we don't measure also the 

wines 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: the, [00:21:00] in the 

happy hour.

Dominique: Yeah.

nv-01-francesca_milocco: I'll tell you that next year. Yeah.

How many glasses 

Dominique: of wine will 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: be 

next?

Francesca: exactly. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: I think a number. I'll the meals. 

Dominique: are

like a reflection of Either the 

culture 

of 

Valbruna 

or the nearby areas 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: and there's so 

Dominique: story and sustainability embedded in the 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: meals. Can you share anything about just 

Dominique: like,

Dominique: the intentionality with the meals that are served? 

Francesca: We have 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: a great chef here at the hotel, a 

Francesca: young chef of 27 years who is really surprising 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: with a lot of the local, 

Francesca: dishes. And local is really the key actually, of also the 

menu. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: And, uh, 

Francesca: for the 

people from us who don't know, 

actually 

Valbruna 

is 

a 

really 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: close 

Francesca: at the border. so 

we 

are 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: close 

Francesca: Italy, Slovenia, and Austria. 

And 

actually that reflect also in the, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: menu because 

Francesca: this year we proposed 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: one evening where we had, local dishes from the Slovenia side, one other evening from Austria one, other evening from 

Francesca: Friuli, 

which is the 

region in Italy where we are. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: So really also they're [00:22:00] 

Francesca: going from 

Like local food and local tradition. 

As I 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: mentioned before, the whole ambition of 

Francesca: festival is to merge. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: tradition, 

Francesca: innovation and 

sustainability 

So 

it's 

also here in the food tradition 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: innovation, because 

Francesca: also this young chef always propose them 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: in a quite, how 

Francesca: say, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: revisiting the dishes. Also the traditional dish. And one very special things also that happened for 

Francesca: first time this year is actually 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: we invited also other 

Francesca: chef from nearby here.

They have just a 

Baita which 

is 

untranslatable. 

It's a little house in a mountain 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: and there is no word in English, I think 

Francesca: actually. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: Um, and, uh, chef came, 

Francesca: actually to collaborate with this other chef.

And they 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: never did that before. Even if they are actually 

Francesca: very close by to each other. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: And so I think this is also the beauty that sometimes you need 

Francesca: event that comes a bit maybe if you want, from outside to also make 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: stronger the connection of the people that are already here. 

And What do you think the average 

Dominique: people, Don't understand 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: sustainability and you wish they did 

Francesca: Yeah. 

This is a very

difficult 

question. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: I [00:23:00] think 

Francesca: is possible. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: Sometimes 

maybe 

Francesca: we are, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: scared to change 

Francesca: because we 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: don't know really whether will be

possible to have 

Francesca: a sustainable 

world. 

And 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: I think.

Francesca: that's really also, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: stop our imagination 

to make it happen. 

Francesca: So I think also 

really 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: believing that we can actually make it, 

is for me, maybe the, the most 

Francesca: important 

thing.

And 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: that's what we really 

Francesca: try also with this 

event

is bring 

awareness. 

Awareness 

not 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: only of 

the problem, but also that there are already 

Francesca: solution. 

and, build 

community so 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: that people feel less lonely also in trying 

Francesca: to make it 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: happen So, that also this feeling of we will not happen goes away. I love that. 

Francesca: Yeah.. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: Thank 

you 

Francesca: you

nv-01-francesca_milocco: it also speaks to 

Dominique: to the heart of

all that you shared and the power of why you focus so much as a team 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: on bringing 

Dominique: people together and 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: this such like a 

Dominique: happy. Diverse activities, you know, and, just like engaging place 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: for so 

many people 

Dominique: come

together.

So

that 

speaks a lot to where you 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: [00:24:00] think the gap is. 

Dominique: awesome. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: Well, my last 

Dominique: question for you is how people can find out more about 

NanoValbruna and 

support you 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: the team. 

Francesca: Sure. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: So, first of all, we have a website where you 

Francesca: find and stay updated 

and 

it's 

nanovalbruna.com 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: also we are present 

Francesca: on 

social 

media. 

So 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: on Instagram and 

Francesca: Facebook, you can find us with

nanovalbruna. 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: we have an association that organizing this, which is Regeneration Hub Friuli

And that's where we are present on LinkedIn under the name of the association. So Regeneration Hub Friuli. 

also all our members 

Francesca: of the team 

are 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: present on LinkedIn. So 

Francesca: also if you 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: to connect with 

me, 

Francesca 

Francesca: Milocco, 

you can find me a LinkedIn. And yeah, just ask us also, if 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: need more information and if you want to visit us. 

Thank 

Dominique: you so 

much, 

Francesca 

You

nv-01-francesca_milocco: really kicked 

us off for this little mini series and you shared 

Dominique: so much about the amazing 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: that are happening. 

Dominique: I think we probably could have 

spent. Four 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: hours going into more depth on every piece. 

Dominique: But hopefully the other, individuals that will give a chance to share 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: their story and their [00:25:00] perspective 

Dominique: will 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: help to contribute to 

kind of 

understanding the fabric 

Dominique: of 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: this really wonderful forum 

Dominique: and will, I think, 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: very inspiring to hear 

Dominique: about and to get some 

nv-01-francesca_milocco: of a glimpse into the humans behind this wonderful event. Thank you. Thank

you for having me.​

Adam: Wow, that was really fantastic. I loved hearing about NanoValbruna and just this conference bringing people together and not just focusing on sustainability, but on regeneration. I think.

Yeah. I think there's something to this of saying, "Hey, let's not just try to maintain, but how can we make a difference? And weaving that into the fabric of the conference". They weren't just talking about regeneration, they were doing it.

Dominique: Yeah. You know about organizing events and how hard they can be, and I that's why I think this was so special for us to dive so deeply in this miniseries into this event.

It's not just one activity or one organization. It really is this collaborative effort across a whole week and Francesca just started scratching the surface of that by giving us that big overview. But I think in [00:26:00] particular, there's a lot to come, but I'm excited for you to hear Stefano's episode about the innovation contest.

I think that's that's gonna hit a sweet spot for you.

Adam: I really love that, just hearing how they had people coming in pitching new ideas, but like even having bike rides and being able to talk to the speakers and so that you're interacting in different ways that was healthy and constructive. 

Dominique: Yeah. And Francesca's about the perspective of the organizing team. Our next episode will add more from that perspective. There's another organizing team member we have on next episode, and then we'll get a little more into the guests and some other individuals that kind of fill in the puzzle pieces of all the different sides of this event who comes together.

Adam: Well, as always, our guests have found a unique way to champion sustainability. We are here to put real names and stories behind the idea that no matter your background, career, or interests, you really can contribute in the fight against climate change.

Dominique: You can find our episodes at thegreenchampions.com.

If you wanna reach us or stay in the loop, give us a review and follow us on your favorite podcast platform. Our music is by Zane Dwe ik Thanks listening to another episode of Green Champions. We'll be digging [00:27:00] into another sustainability success story in our next episode.

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