A new bill aims to enhance the Italian territories linked to the birth and development of Made in Italy. The bill (AS 1679), promoted by Senator Luca De Carlo, is expected in the Senate for the first reading. The objective is to establish the “Network of Mother Cities of Made in Italy”, a coordinated system of Municipalities that represent the places of origin of historical productions and important industrial supply chains. The network would be established at the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy and is part of the regulatory framework already defined by law 206 of 2023, which recognizes Made in Italy as a strategic element of the national economy.
The requirements for joining the network
The bill provides specific criteria for the recognition of Mother Cities. Among the main requirements:
- the pioneering use of the indication “Made in Italy” before 1925;
- a decisive role in the development of a production chain of national or international importance;
- the presence of museums, archives or documentation centers linked to the production tradition.
A previous version of the proposal also indicated a time requirement linked to presence on the market for at least one hundred years, with an opening to possible revisions to broaden the range of territories involved. The text formally recognizes Calalzo di Cadore as the first “Mother City of Made in Italy”. The choice is based on historical studies which have identified one of the first uses of the Made in Italy brand in this area already at the end of the nineteenth century. “The historical testimony represents the demonstration that the extraordinary scope of Made in Italy production was already perceived in 1897,” explained De Carlo. Cadore is in fact considered the cradle of Italian eyewear, a supply chain that over time has taken on a central role in the national industrial panorama.
The brand and enhancement initiatives
Among the innovations envisaged by the bill there is also the introduction of a distinctive “Mother City of Made in Italy” brand. The recognized Municipalities will be able to use it to promote the territory and local productions, also through cultural and tourist initiatives. The project also involves the involvement of the competent ministries to support valorization activities, including the possibility of issuing dedicated commemorative stamps.
One of the main objectives of the network is to strengthen the link between productive identity and economic development. According to De Carlo, “for small businesses tourism has become a necessity” and the creation of a network represents a way to face the challenges in a coordinated way. Aggregation between territories can facilitate access to funding, including European ones, and support shared promotion strategies. In this context, Made in Italy is used as a lever to attract visitors and enhance niche productions with high added value.
The valorization of artisanal archaeology
The proposal also introduces the concept of artisanal archaeology, understood as the recovery and promotion of historical production traditions. Museums, exhibition itineraries and local initiatives become tools for describing the evolution of industrial supply chains and strengthening the identity of the territories. This approach allows you to integrate culture, tourism and production, creating new economic opportunities.
