The 2026 Cittaslow International Assembly: The Future of "Good Living" and the New Institutional Framework in Greve in Chianti

From June 19 to 21, 2026, the splendid setting of Greve in Chianti hosted the annual Cittaslow International Assembly, marking a fundamental moment of gathering and renewal for our global network. Mayors, delegates, coordinators, and partners met in the heart of Tuscany to reaffirm their commitment to a local development model based on quality of life, respect for the environment, and the enhancement of territorial identities.

"A Pact for the Earth": Friday's Round Table

The Assembly's proceedings got to the heart of the matter on Friday with a profound reflection on environmental and social issues, which were the focus of the round table titled "A Pact for the Earth" – The commitment of Mayors and communities of the "Republic of Cittaslow" towards a new "Constitution of the Earth".

The meeting, moderated by Pier Giorgio Oliveti, Secretary General of Cittaslow International, opened with introductions by Giulio Saturnini (Municipality of Greve in Chianti) and was enriched by a Lectio Magistralis by Professor Fabio Corigliano from the University of Parma.

The debate featured highly insightful speeches and perspectives:

Guido Barlozzetti, historian, author, and TV critic: “Philosophy of the Earth. The point of view of an earthling”

Jacek Kostka, Vice President of Cittaslow International, Mayor of Górowo Iławeckie (Poland): “The threats posed by social media in small communities”

Col. Guido Guidi, Italian Air Force Meteorologist: “Climate crisis and effects on local government”

Nando Bertolini, Architect at INBAR (National Institute of Bioarchitecture): “The sponge city: how to act against floods”

Paolo Sottani, Mayor of Greve in Chianti: “How the Chianti Biodistrict was born”

Roberto Stucchi Pinetti, President of the Chianti Biodistrict: “A model of sustainable territorial development”

The conclusions of the day's work were delivered by Mauro Migliorini, President of Cittaslow International and Deputy Mayor of Asolo.

An Elective Assembly: Filippo Sacchetti is the New President

This year's event held particular historical importance, as it was an elective assembly called to define the new governance of the network. The Assembly unanimously elected Filippo Sacchetti, Mayor of Santarcangelo di Romagna, as the new President of Cittaslow International.

In the photo: on the left is the former President of Cittaslow International Mauro Migliorini, on the right the new President elected in Greve Filippo Sacchetti

Mayor Sacchetti's appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for the association, aiming to further strengthen the voice of small municipalities globally and implement new strategies to face the challenges of modernity while keeping the soul of our territories intact. Concurrently with the election of the President, the new members of the International Coordinating Committee were also appointed and introduced—a representative team of the network's diverse souls that will support the presidency in guiding future initiatives.

Deputy President

Jacek Kostka – Górowo Iławeckie (PL)

Vice-Presidents

Valter Bertani - Abbiategrasso (IT)

Büşra Özdemir - Antalya (TR)

Marco Moglia - Borgo Val di Taro (IT)

Joachim Coens - Damme (BE)

Manfred Dörr - Deidesheim (DE)

Jos Hessels - Echt-Susteren (NL)

Christian Deleja-Hotko - Enns (AT)

Alaitz Erkoreka Baraiazarra - Mungia (ES)

Bon Sohn - Seoul (KR)

Jens Olav Holven - Ulvik (NO). COORDINATING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Mauro Migliorini - Asolo (IT)

Mo Anderson-Dungar - Aylsham (UK)

Antonio Rusconi - Bellano (IT)

Jan Seton - Borger-Odoorn (NL)

Emanuele Ferrari - Castelnovo ne’ Monti (IT)

Luca Della Bitta - Chiavenna (IT)

Grzegorz Mrowiński - Działdowo (PL)

Mustafa Geyikçi - Finike (TR)

Kong Zhihui - Gaochun, Yaxi (CN)

Keith Parkes - Goolwa (AU)

Vera Rossi - Grumes-Altavalle (IT)

Nico Ritz - Homberg_Efze (DE)

Fatma Çimen Tuğlu - Mehmetçik - Büyükkonuk (TRNC)

Claudio Novoa - Mulazzo (IT)

David Wittner - Nördlingen (DE)

Robert Waraksa - Olsztynek (PL)

Roberta Tardani - Orvieto (IT)

Alberto Canepari - Pellegrino Parmense (IT)

Cihat Albayrak - Perşembe (TR)

Ming Chung Lu - Sanyi (TW)

Maciej Berlicki - Sianów (PL)

Stefania Mariagrazia Stoppani - Tirano (IT)

Marco Galiano - Trani (IT)

Angelica Motta - Turbigo (IT)

Luis Nobre - Viana do Castelo (PT)

GUARANTORS BOARD

Jacek Wiśniowski - Lidzbark Warminski (PL)

Raimonda Raggi - Castel San Pietro Terme (IT)

Lucia Alessi - San Miniato (IT)

AUDITOR

Marco Bartolini.

Central Themes and a Return to the Roots

Returning to Greve in Chianti, one of the symbolic places where the movement's philosophy took root, gave the meeting a unique energy. In addition to the topics addressed in the round table, the working groups touched upon the fundamental pillars of the Cittaslow manifesto: ecological transition, the defense of traditional agriculture as a bulwark against global standardization, slow and mindful tourism, and inclusion initiatives to keep historic centers alive.

An Increasingly United Network

The Assembly concluded with the approval of the new programmatic guidelines and great enthusiasm for the new institutional path undertaken. Special thanks go to the hosting administration of Greve in Chianti for their extraordinary hospitality and to all the staff who make the growth of Cittaslow International possible.

Under the guidance of the new President Filippo Sacchetti and the Coordinating Committee, the journey of "Good Living" continues, enriched by fresh energy and the awareness that our network represents an exportable and increasingly necessary model on a global scale.