On 16 October 2025, the Plenary Hall of Castellón de la Plana City Hall hosted the MED-Routes Forum, a high-profile event dedicated to promoting eco-itineraries within the framework of the European Cultural Routes.
Jointly organised by the City Council of Castellón de la Plana and the Unione della Romagna Faentina, the event was held in conjunction with the General Assembly of the European Route of Ceramics, bringing together its members, institutional representatives, and leading experts in sustainable tourism. The forum provided a valuable opportunity to highlight the achievements of the MED-Routes project, co-funded by the Interreg Euro-MED Programme, and to outline its future as a model of cooperation and territorial sustainability.
The session was opened by Benedetta Diamanti, Director of the European Route of Ceramics and representative of the MED-Routes project, who emphasised the strategic role of eco-itineraries as tools to foster a more responsible, innovative, and heritage-conscious form of tourism.
This was followed by presentations from sustainable tourism experts Lidia Marongiu and José María de Juan, who offered an overview of the new eco-itineraries of the European Route of Ceramics — outstanding examples of how the project has inspired participating territories to rediscover their local identity and to integrate sustainability into their tourism offerings.
Throughout their interventions, the speakers illustrated how the MED-Routes project has had a positive impact on each of the participating areas, generating synergies, promoting sustainable cultural tourism, and strengthening the international visibility of the Route.
One of the most memorable moments of the event was the screening of videos showcasing the eco-itineraries, which allowed attendees to experience, in an engaging and emotional way, the cultural, artistic, and environmental richness of the participating destinations.
The forum concluded with the signing of the Letter of Mutual Commitment and Support among project partners, reinforcing their shared determination to continue advancing towards a more sustainable and cohesive tourism model across the Mediterranean area.
The event closed with an engaging exchange session, during which the participants — all members of the European Route of Ceramics — expressed great interest in the presentations and materials shared, engaging with the experts and exchanging ideas on how to replicate and expand the project’s achievements within their own territories.
