The project «Citizens Debate for Zero Plastic Europe» was funded with the support of the European Union under the Programme «Europe for Citizens»

Measure 2.1 "Town-Twinning"

Participation
The project involved about 1539 citizens, notably 1500 participants from the city of Vimercate (Italy), 6 participants from the city of Riga (Latvia), 7 participants from the city of Suwalki (Poland), 13 participants from the city of El Boalo (Spain), 7 participants from the city of Svilengrad (Bulgaria), 6 participants from the city of Sacalaseni (Romania).

Location/ Dates
The event took place in Italy City of Vimercate from September 18 to September 22 2019.

Short description:

DAY 1 - Wednesday, Sept. 18 2019- ARRIVAL AND WELCOME
Arrival of foreign delegations - lunch;

CITY HALL - 15.00- work plan will be presented to the local press;

Visit to Palazzo Trotti (city hall);

Accommodation and dinner (in hotel for adults/in family for students).

DAY 2 - Thursday, Sept. 19 - EXCHANGE OF BEST PRACTICES
Conference: after the Mayor Sartini's welcome and Assessor Bertinelli's presentation, every delegation will show the best practices, projects, activities that lead to reduction of plastic waste.

LUNCH in a "plastic free" restaurant.

Visit to the local re-cycling Centre and meeting with the volunteers managing the activities. The place will be reached by bike.

Visit to museum MUST, to the historical city centre and to one of the "zero waste" gardens.

DAY 3 - Friday, Sept. 20 - TECHNICAL WORKSHOP - SIGNATURE OF THE TWINNING PACT
Workshop: the members of the six delegations worked together in order to define paths of cooperation inside EU programs - topics of the workshop: 1. plastic free challenge - policies and strategies; 2. information campaigns/communication initiatives for citizens concerning waste management; 3. upcycling: new artistic/design productions.

LUNCH in a little farm (tasting "km 0" local food).

Oreno - Visit to the neighborhood, including "Villa Gallarati Scotti" and "Casino di Caccia Borromeo" where the Mayors will officially sign the cooperation pact.

DAY 4 - Saturday, Sept. 21
School Auditorium - We Debate activities with the active involvement of the young students: topic: the role of young people in promoting correct environmental behaviors in plastic reduction and correct collection. Students from the foreign delegations and local schools took part to the debate.

LUNCH tasting typical local dishes.

Visit to Milan - Citysightseeing.

DAY 5 - Sunday, Sept. 22 - DEPARTURES