UP2U

UP2U

by Luca Albrisi
photo Nicola Damonte

Environmental sustainability, climate change and the impact of our development models are certainly the issues at the center of current media attention.
But even if most of the time we find ourselves in agreement with many of the criticisms made towards these models, it is difficult for us to take that extra step that can lead us towards concrete actions.
The world of activism, on the other hand, is certainly rich of engaging proposals but despite this – I also speak from personal experience and from my point of view – it is often very fragmented and it is sometimes difficult to find associations or groups of activists with whom to share goals and interests.
In particular, I see the need to face environmental issues in a modern key and from the specific point of view of those who live the outdoors with perseverance and passion.
On this assumption we have therefore tried to create an event that can satisfy these needs and brings as close as possible some players from the environmental, outdoor and territorial development worlds.
“UP2U” was born from these needs, to launch the idea that “it’s up to you” to take a step towards a situation that can transform that “you” into a “we”. And act together.
In the 0 edition, born thanks to the precious collaboration with Adventure Days, we decided to involve some of the associations that recently stood out for their modern approach, they are in first line in the defense of outdoor spaces thanks to the excellent work carried out on specific topics. We asked them to organize workshops that could help other associations but also any activist or territorial institution.
Selva Urbana presented its excellent case history about networking while Io non ho paura del Lupo talked about communication linked to environmentalism.
Experts in the fields of fundraising and territorial development, such as Alessandra Tanas, and well-known ambassadors such as Zoe Hart, also addressed issues such as environmental awareness in the mountaineering environment.
But obviously the activities could not be limited between four walls, and so we allowed ourselves some “escapes” to run and clean up some forest trails that surround the amazing village of Canale di Tenno and its lake, to do yoga, to listen to music at sunset and so on.
Another activity we were very proud of was the Enviro Jam Session, a moment shared by all the participants that gave way to private companies, individual activists, agencies, event organizers, territorial institutions, documentarians and associations to present their own specific environmental projects with the aim, in fact, of establishing relationships and opportunities for collaboration between all the participants.
In the end, the great satisfaction of the results obtained during this first appointment not only gives us very a strong input in order to organize the next edition but it gives us hope, above all, in the possibility of moving the whole outdoor sector in defense of natural spaces.