On Thursday, 18 September 2025, the first Forum to promote the MED-Routes project and eco-itineraries within the European Cultural Route with focus on The Phoenicians’ Route, was held at the Municipal Library of Castelvetrano (TP) – Sicily/Italy.
The event was organised by the Phoenicians’ Route – Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, MED-Routes associated partner, at the municipality that is a member of the Route and the headquarters of the international management offices.
After the opening remarks by Mrs Rosalia Ventimiglia, Councillor for Culture, Municipality of Castelvetrano, Antonio Barone, Director of the Phoenicians’ Route, gave a brief introduction to the meeting.
Following this, Prof. Ksenija Keča, Head of the International Relations Office at Libertas International University, an official project partner, gave an overview of the objectives, partners, work packages, transferability guidelines and action plans of MED Routes, with a specific focus on Activity 4.2: Promotion of eco-itineraries and support for EU Cultural Routes.
Prof. Vlasta Klarić, external expert at Libertas International University, gave participants a detailed presentation of the Knowledge Transfer Guide and focused on the eco-itinerary ‘The Phoenicians’ Route in Cyprus: Wine, Food and Saints,’ with insights into sustainability features, cultural and natural points of interest, and expected benefits.
The participants, a mix of institutional members (including the Sicily Region), cultural and tourism stakeholders of the Phoenicians’ Route, as well as SMEs from the area, greatly appreciated the presentation and, above all, proposed the applicability of the MED-Routes results in an eco-itinerary to be developed in Sicily, along the ancient Selinuntina road.
This appreciation was also confirmed by the signing of the MED-Routes Letter of Mutual Commitment and Support by all participants at the end of the Forum.
