On 19 October, during a conference on the subject of "localising the European Green Deal" organised as part of the European Week of Regions and Cities, ECR member and President of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, Massimiliano Fedriga detailed a unique initiative being taken by the Italian region. Called the "Grandchildren" (nipoti) project, this innovative and multi-faceted strategy is designed to reduce carbon emissions steadily over the course of years in Friuli-Venezia Giulia so to ensure a progressively cleaner and more sustainable region in the future.

Speaking on the project, Mr Fedriga said: "we must commit ourselves to delivering a healthy environment for future generations, including young people. We will reduce our emissions by 4% annually through increased energy efficiency and targeted investments in renewable energy sources."

Mr Fedriga is also working on regional legislation that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote the circular economy through sustainable consumption of (especially) local resources. Moreover, the region is also looking for new ways to promote a sustainable bioeconomy.

In the conference, Mr Fedriga also underlined the importance of energy independence, reducing the amount of waste produced and increased recycling as well as the opportunity presented by using EU cohesion policy. Mr Fedriga said: "we can use cohesion funding to help revitalise urban areas as well as rural, mountainous and border regions."