"Slow" Initiatives and Characteristics of the Municipality of Castel San Pietro Romano

Environmental Protection and Energy: In 2024, the Municipality achieved a 70% rate for "door-to-door" separate waste collection, earning the title of "Comune Riciclone del Lazio" (Recycling Municipality of Lazio). Public lighting is entirely LED-based, and a 20 kWh photovoltaic system is operational on the Town Hall. Ongoing biodiversity conservation measures are being carried out in the Valle delle Cannucceta Natural Monument. Since 2002, the area has been designated a "GM-free municipality," prohibiting GMO experimentation and cultivation in agriculture.

Urban Quality and Resilience: Through the PNRR project "I Borghi maestri dei Monti Prenestini... isole di rigenerazione" (Master Villages of the Prenestini Mountains... Islands of Regeneration), the Municipality is implementing extensive redevelopment works. It is the only municipality in the Prenestini Mountains fully wired with FTTH fiber optics (Open Fiber). It has joined the "Oxygen Project" for planting new trees and established a co-working space at Palazzo Mocci (home to the *Museo Diffuso* or "Distributed Museum"), integrating cultural experiences with augmented reality technologies and dedicated apps (IO App, digital service desk).

Agriculture, Craftsmanship, and Local Products: A "Slow Food Shop" opened in December 2024, and a "zero-mile" school canteen service has been active since 2020, with supplies sourced within a 25 km radius. The Municipality supports the "Scuola del Giglietto" (a Slow Food Presidium), has officially recognized the traditional "Ciambella delle spose" pastry, and is a founding member of the GAL (Local Action Group) for the Castelli Romani and Monti Prenestini area. Infrastructure and Mobility: The medieval historic center is fully pedestrianized and restricted to resident traffic; shuttle services connect it to outlying parking areas that also facilitate goods loading and unloading. Three electric vehicle charging stations are operational, alongside an e-bike parking and charging station established through a partnership with "On Charge."

Slow Tourism and Hospitality: An "Albergo Diffuso" (scattered hotel) project, funded by the "Borghi" (Villages) grant scheme, is nearing completion (scheduled for June 2025). Tor Vergata University is overseeing hospitality staff training, supported by key partnerships with "I Borghi più belli d'Italia" (The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy) and the "Parchi Letterari" (Literary Parks) network (linked to Marguerite Yourcenar). A town-twinning arrangement is currently in place with the French village of Châteaufort.

Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion: A "Children's Municipal Council" has been active for nine years. The Municipality employs bottom-up decision-making processes—such as the "Ideas Lab"—to engage young people; it offers pre-school care services and free study spaces for families, and employs six young people annually through the Universal Civil Service program. The community demonstrates exceptionally high levels of democratic participation (87.28% voter turnout in the last municipal elections).