The curtain falls on the Erasmus Generation Meeting in Ancona after four days during which 1,200 students from 40 European and non-European countries, representing over 500 universities, transformed the Doric city into a stage for exchanges, study, and fun, under the slogan ‘Guiding the waves of change’. The event quickly became a social media sensation, shared across the continent and turning the young participants into ‘ambassadors’ of the port city of Marche. The invasion of cheerful and peaceful students left a lasting impression on the city, highlighting the university, particularly the Politecnica delle Marche, as a valuable asset for tourism promotion and brain attraction.
Aside from the joy brought by the presence of hundreds of European students, joined by local students from Ancona and Marche, the event also had a significant economic and touristic impact on the city. Thanks to the organizational efforts of Esn Ancona, which secured agreements with local businesses and hospitality services, hotels and B&Bs were fully booked. Commercial activities – such as bars, restaurants, hair salons, ice cream parlors, and bookstores – offered discounts. Esn’s budget for the event exceeded 350,000 euros, generating over 1 million euros in indirect economic benefits for Ancona.
Every hotel and train station welcomed the students with English-language welcome posters. Shop windows displayed the ‘We support Egm’ poster. The students were provided with a ‘Survival guide’, an interactive digital map with answers to all their questions, from transportation and cultural sites to affiliated venues, along with an app listing the training sessions. The hospitality extended to safety and health measures, including Safety points and checkpoints for HIV and Hepatitis B and C tests. Health and hydration were also emphasized, with water stations provided by Viva Servizi and Drink more water during events. National and international sponsors supported the students throughout the meeting.
The Mayor, Daniele Silvetti, expressed satisfaction, calling it a success for the city, which rose to the occasion and demonstrated its capability to host a major event that brought Europe to Ancona and Ancona to the world. Municipal councillor for the University, Marco Battino, stated, “We have achieved our goal: Ancona is a European university city. This success was the result of coordinated efforts between the municipality, organizers, and all citizens, starting with the Politecnica delle Marche.”
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