The project “Biodiversity within the city: the Bergamo d’Astino Valley” promoted by Bergamo Misericordia Maggiore Foundation won this year’s Landscape Award of the Council of Europe.

The Astino Monastery and the natural environment that surrounds it had been in a state of neglect for years. Disadvantaged citizens and workers have contributed to its recovery programme which has restarted organic crops in the area and restored the monastery. Minister of Culture Dario Franceschini made the award announcement on the occasion of National Landscape Day.

The Landscape Award of the Council of Europe was launched following the signature of the European Landscape Convention by 39 member States, including Italy. It is held every two years since 2008.

The projects to which the prize or a special mention are awarded become part of the “Alliance du Prix”, an initiative which was created by the Council of Europe to highlight virtuous activities implemented by communities and at the same time to foster mutual exchanges of experiences at national and European level.