ITINERIS Final Meeting: Results, Impacts, and Future Perspectives for the Network of Italian Environmental Research Infrastructures

Rome, March 26, 2026 — The ITINERIS project reached its conclusion with its Final Meeting, held on March 26, 2026, at the CNR Conference Hall in Rome. The event was an intense and engaging day, structured into plenary sessions and three thematic round tables. It brought together researchers, institutional representatives, private-sector companies, and international organizations to present the results achieved and to open a collective reflection on future directions.

Results of ITINERIS: a mature network and an operational HUB

After the institutional greetings from Dr. Michele Mazzola (Directorate General for Internationalization and Communication, Italian Ministry of Universities and Research) and Dr. Francesco Petracchini (Director of the Department of Earth System Science and Environmental Technologies, CNR), the project’s Scientific Coordinator, Dr. Gelsomina Pappalardo (CNR), opened the meeting by presenting the main achievements. These include the establishment of an integrated network of environmental research infrastructures, data standardization initiatives, training activities, and scientific production. This overall balance shows how ITINERIS has significantly strengthened Italy’s capacity to conduct environmental research in a coordinated and interoperable way.

Following this, Infrastructure Manager Giuseppe Gargano (CNR) presented the ITINERIS HUB, the online platform developed as a single access point to Italy’s environmental research infrastructures. Offering advanced discovery tools, data access, virtual research environments (VREs), and training resources, the HUB stands as a concrete tool serving researchers, stakeholders, and the wider national and international scientific community.

Round Table 1 — Land managers and policymakers

The first thematic table, chaired by Dr. Antonello Provenzale (CNR), brought together the needs of those involved in land management and environmental policymaking with the results and capacities of the ITINERIS network. Four case studies opened the discussion, showcasing concrete, high-impact applications:

• Angela Marinoni (CNR) — Actions by Research Infrastructures in the atmospheric domain relevant to the new Air Quality Directive

• Riccardo Martellucci (OGS) — Storm Harry and observational synergy: the added value of ITINERIS for forecasting and scientific advancement

• Paolo Sconocchia (CNR) — From ecological crisis to adaptive governance: the Castelporziano Estate as an operational model for integrated ecosystem management

• Rachele Franceschini (OGS) — New technologies for integrated monitoring of rock landslides: the Passo della Morte case

Participants included:
Amedeo Aristei (Civil Protection Department, Friuli Venezia Giulia Region)
Vanda Bonardo (Legambiente Alpi / CIPRA Italia)
Giulia Bonella (Castelporziano Estate)
Alessandro Ciccolella (Torre Guaceto Marine Protected Area)
Vanes Poluzzi (ARPAE Emilia-Romagna)
Salvatore Russo (MRCC, National Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre)

The discussion highlighted tangible opportunities for synergy between the data and services generated by the network and the operational needs of those managing protected areas, environmental emergencies, and territorial policies.

Round Table 2 — Enterprises and innovation

The second table, chaired by Dr. Carmela Cornacchia (CNR), explored the relationship between research infrastructures and the business world. Three case studies introduced the session, illustrating practical applications that connect environmental research infrastructures and the private sector:

• Ermann Ripepi (CNR) — Empowering Research Through Enhanced ICT Infrastructure: The ITINERIS Experience

• Daniele Lagomarsino (CNR) — RIs applications supporting society and productive activities in the marine domain

• Valeria Giampaolo (CNR) — Deep Electrical Resistivity Tomography: Advances and Perspectives for the Energy Transition

Participants included:
Guido Di Donfrancesco (ALA, Advanced Lidar Applications)
Simone Giannecchini (GeoSolutions)
Nicola Pajola (ENI)
Valeria Pizziol (ETT Solutions)
Matteo Rossella (Arista Networks)
Paolo Varrella (La Spezia Mussel Farmers Cooperative)

The dialogue showed how research infrastructures, operating at the technological frontier, generate highly specialized demand that stimulates innovation within companies. They also provide access to advanced facilities, innovative products and services, and contribute to developing state-of-the-art ICT solutions.

Round Table 3 — International organizations and initiatives

The third table, chaired by Dr. Rosalia Santoleri (CNR), broadened the discussion to a global scale, linking ITINERIS to major international initiatives in Earth observation, marine data, and biodiversity. Four case studies illustrated the network’s contributions to European and global programs:

• Lucia Mona (CNR) — Looking in the fires

• Marco Bellacicco (CNR) — Closing the in-situ gaps: from observations to satellite product validation

• Beniamino Gioli (CNR) — Optical remote sensing capability in RIs as an asset for satellite Cal/Val

• Gabriele Bucci (CNR) — Natural Science Collections (NSC) as a reference for assessing biodiversity across time and space

Participants included:
Fausto Barbagli (Museum System of the University of Florence / ANMS)
Luca R. Centurioni (Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego)
Bjoern Frommknecht (ESA — European Space Agency)
Alessandra Giorgetti (OGS / EMODnet)
Stefano Martellos (GBIF)
Simona Zoffoli (ASI — Italian Space Agency)

The discussion confirmed the strong international positioning of ITINERIS and its associated infrastructures as key players in the global environmental research ecosystem, actively connected with leading European and worldwide initiatives.

Looking ahead

The closing session concluded the meeting with reflections on the future trajectories of the network. Regarding sustainability, ITINERIS aims to ensure continuity of activities well beyond the project’s funding horizon — with a long-term perspective exceeding twenty years — thanks to the pivotal role of each Research Infrastructure, supported by its own long-term plan and coordinated national governance. The ITINERIS HUB will remain active and continue to evolve, ensuring continued visibility and access to the network’s resources, with the ambition to consolidate as a new national research infrastructure.

Looking to the near future, the ITINERIS community committed to maintaining the network’s cohesion through annual scientific meetings, regular board sessions, and coordinated participation in national and European projects. A first appointment is already on the calendar: ICRI Rome, December 2–4, 2026, where the network will play a significant role in the global landscape of research infrastructures.

For more information, please visit the event page.