As part of the Capacity2Transform project, TEC4I FVG recently hosted two dynamic co-creation workshops aimed at tackling real-world sustainability challenges in the tourism and cultural sectors. Using a structured design thinking approach, these sessions brought together a wide range of stakeholders, from hoteliers and students to cultural event organisers and communications specialists, to co-create practical, user-centred solutions.
Far from being isolated events, these workshops reflect TEC4I FVG’s wider mission to support entrepreneurship and help students and businesses designers to structure their sustainable innovation strategies.
Workshop 1 – Challenge Green Certification&Communication for tourism and hospitality sector
The first set of workshops was held at TEC4I FVG and brought together four local hoteliers from Friuli Venezia Giulia with students from the Sustainable Tourism course at MITS (Malignani Istituto Tecnico Superiore). Facilitated by TEC4I FVG, the in-house team that manages design thinking processes, the sessions followed a structured path: from defining a clear problem statement, through analysis, brainstorming, prototyping and final pitches.
The focus was on two major challenges commonly faced by certified sustainable hotels:
- effectively communicating sustainability commitments to guests in an accessible, jargon-free way that helps build trust in a market still clouded by greenwashing;
- managing and monitoring the environmental data required for certifications such as GSTC or Green Key, a task that is often fragmented and time-consuming, especially for family-run properties.
Using a full range of design thinking tools, including empathy maps, user journeys, “How Might We” questions, concept posters and idea and stakeholder prioritisation maps, the students and hoteliers worked together to develop a range of innovative solutions. Key highlights included:
- a centralised sustainability management app to streamline data collection and certification reporting;
- a gamified guest engagement app that turns sustainable actions into interactive storytelling and rewards;
- a review of the user experience of the trash management;
- a complete website content redesign to better communicate each hotel’s sustainability values and practices.
The hoteliers, all women, responded enthusiastically to the students’ suggestions, especially those that introduced gamification and a sense of community, which they admitted they had never considered as tools to engage their guests more deeply.
Workshop 2 – Green transformation of international events: a challenge for the carbon footprint
The second series of workshops focused on the cultural sector and was held in collaboration with Centro Espressioni Cinematografiche (CEC) as part of the Far East Film Festival (FEFF) in Udine (Italy), one of Europe’s leading events dedicated to Asian cinema.
Unlike the first workshop, this one was specifically designed for organisational stakeholders and involved the CEC team, a university student, a communications expert, a design thinking facilitator and the TEC4I FVG team.
The aim was to reduce the environmental footprint of a major international cultural event without compromising its global reach and appeal. Two core issues were addressed:
- mobility and transport, with a focus on emissions associated with international guests and local travel;
- waste management, with a particular focus on raising awareness and encouraging responsible disposal behaviours among festival attendees.
Participants were divided into two focus groups, each tasked with designing innovative digital tools. The result: two high-impact app concepts:
- a sustainability companion app, providing recycling tips, refill station maps and a points-based system to encourage green behaviour throughout the festival;
- a smart mobility app, designed to coordinate travel logistics and encourage greener transport choices, ultimately helping to reduce the festival’s carbon footprint.
The workshop took place ahead of the 2025 edition of the festival and its impact is already visible: this year’s FEFF newsletter included a dedicated sustainability questionnaire sent to festival staff, an early step towards deeper community engagement and future integration of sustainability-focused initiatives.
Looking ahead: TEC4I FVG’s commitment to a sustainable future
These workshops are emblematic of TEC4I FVG’s growing role as a catalyst for sustainable change in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Through inclusive co-creation processes and the strategic use of design thinking, TEC4I FVG continues to bridge the gap between sustainability ambitions and real-world innovation.
These initiatives are part of a broader regional strategy to empower students, entrepreneurs and businesses – helping them move from ideas to impactful implementation with purpose, creativity and clarity.
The takeaway? With the right mindset, tools and collaboration, sustainability is not only achievable – it becomes a shared and inspiring journey.
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