Como and Cantù join forces for Lake Como Creativity Week

Context

In brief

• The municipalities of Como and Cantù collaborate for the Lake Como Creativity Week
• Three-year agreement signed on May 7, 2026
• Autumn event in coordination with Cantù's Wood Festival
• Participation of Ticino municipalities such as Lugano and Mendrisio
• Estimated budget of €500,000 for the three-year period

Key facts

• What: Collaboration between the municipalities of Como and Cantù for the Lake Como Creativity Week
• When: Agreement signed on May 7, 2026
• Where: Como-Lecco Chamber of Commerce
• Who: Municipality of Como, City of Cantù, Como-Lecco Chamber of Commerce, Ticino municipalities
• Amount: €500,000 for the 2026-2028 triennium

The bond between the Municipality of Como and the City of Cantù strengthens in the name of creativity and know-how, following the virtuous experience of the previous year. The two administrations have defined the lines of a strategic collaboration for the 2026-2028 triennium, formalized in a council deliberation. The agreement will be officially signed on May 7 at the Como-Lecco Chamber of Commerce. The signing will take place during the Como Creative City UNESCO territorial plenary, the annual meeting that brings together institutions, bodies, and stakeholders of the Larian creative district.

The first concrete result of this agreement will concern the autumn of 2026. The Lake Como Creativity Week will indeed take place in close coordination with the event 'Cantù Città del Mobile – Festival del Legno'. The Lake Como Creativity Week is promoted by the Municipality of Como — UNESCO Creative City for Crafts and Folk Art — and realized in collaboration with the Como-Lecco Chamber of Commerce.

The Culture of Making

With the designation of 'Creative City for Crafts and Folk Art', UNESCO recognizes Como's role as a leader of a district dedicated to the Culture of Making. This district, which embraces the provinces of Como and Lecco, focuses on the integration between craftsmanship and creativity, in support of the international competitiveness of the Larian territory.

Operational Checklist

1. Signing of the agreement: May 7, 2026, Como-Lecco Chamber of Commerce 2. Event planning: Beginning of June 2026 3. Stakeholder involvement: July 2026 4. Promotion and marketing: August 2026 5. Main event: Autumn 2026

Comparison with Practical Scenarios

The collaboration between Como and Cantù represents a successful model for the promotion of made in Italy. In comparison, Ticino municipalities such as Lugano and Mendrisio have already launched similar projects, with an annual budget of approximately CHF 200,000. The main difference lies in the scale of the events and international participation, with Como aiming to involve over 10,000 visitors in 2026.

Regulations and Funding

The agreement between Como and Cantù is regulated by Italian legislation on inter-municipal collaboration agreements, with a three-year budget of €500,000. This includes funds for promotion, logistics, and the participation of artists and craftsmen. In Switzerland, Ticino municipalities benefit from local and federal funding, with a maximum ceiling of CHF 300,000 for similar projects.

Concrete Examples

In 2025, the Lake Como Creativity Week attracted over 8,000 visitors, with a 20% increase compared to the previous year. The Cantù Wood Festival recorded 5,000 attendees, with a turnover of €1.2 million for local craftsmen. The collaboration between the two municipalities aims to exceed 15,000 visitors in 2026, with an estimated economic impact of €2 million.

Ticino Participation

The Ticino municipalities of Lugano and Mendrisio have shown interest in participating in the Lake Como Creativity Week. Their experience in the field of craftsmanship and design could further enrich the cultural offer. The cross-border collaboration could also benefit from European funds, such as the Interreg program, which finances territorial cooperation projects.

Conclusion

The collaboration between Como and Cantù for the Lake Como Creativity Week represents a significant step towards the promotion of made in Italy and local craftsmanship. With the involvement of Ticino municipalities and the support of European funding, the event could become an international reference point for creativity and innovation.

Operational details

The collaboration between Como and Cantù for the Lake Como Creativity Week represents a significant step for the Larian creative district. This three-year agreement, signed on May 7, 2026, not only strengthens the ties between the two cities but also promotes the culture of making and local craftsmanship, key elements for the international competitiveness of the territory. The event, which will be held annually, involves an initial investment of 500,000 euros, equally divided between the two municipalities, with the aim of attracting at least 10,000 visitors per year.

Implications for the Territory

The integration of craftsmanship and creativity, supported by the UNESCO designation of Como as a Creative City for Crafts and Folk Art, offers new opportunities for local artisans and creatives. The Lake Como Creativity Week, in coordination with the Cantù Wood Festival, will be a major event that will attract visitors and professionals in the sector, contributing to the enhancement of the cultural and craft heritage of the territory. Furthermore, the proximity to Ticino, particularly to municipalities such as Lugano and Mendrisio, could favor cross-border exchanges, as provided for in the 2024 bilateral agreement between Italy and Switzerland for the promotion of cultural tourism, which includes tax incentives for cross-border cultural events.

Future Scenarios

With the agreement signed on May 7, 2026, new prospects open up for the Larian creative district. The collaboration between Como and Cantù could extend to other sectors, further promoting the culture of making and innovation. This agreement represents a model of inter-municipal collaboration that could be replicated in other regions, fostering the economic and cultural development of the territory. For example, the municipality of Lugano has already shown interest in participating in future editions of the Lake Como Creativity Week, with a contribution of 100,000 Swiss francs for 2027.

Operational Checklist

To ensure the success of the initiative, it is essential to follow a clear operational checklist:

• Planning: Define a detailed schedule of events and activities.
• Promotion: Use digital and traditional communication channels to reach a wide audience.
• Collaboration: Actively involve local artisans and cultural institutions.
• Monitoring: Implement a monitoring system to assess the economic and cultural impact of the event.
• Feedback: Collect opinions and suggestions from participants to improve future editions.

Comparison of Practical Scenarios

An interesting comparison is with the Milan Furniture Fair, which attracts over 300,000 visitors a year and generates a turnover of around 200 million euros. Although the Lake Como Creativity Week is smaller in scale, the goal is to create a niche but high-impact event, focused on enhancing the local craft heritage. Furthermore, the proximity to Ticino offers the opportunity to attract an international audience, thanks to ease of access and tax incentives provided by bilateral agreements.

In conclusion, the collaboration between Como and Cantù for the Lake Como Creativity Week represents a virtuous example of how synergy between local authorities can promote the economic and cultural development of a territory. With careful planning and effective promotion, the event has the potential to become a reference point for the creative and craft sector not only in Italy but also internationally.

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Key points

To participate in the Lake Como Creativity Week and the Cantù Wood Festival, it is necessary to follow some concrete procedures. First of all, it is advisable to visit the official websites of the two events to obtain updated information on dates, times and programs. Furthermore, it is possible to contact the municipalities of Como and Cantù directly to request further details on participation and the opportunities offered.

Procedure to Participate

1. Visit the official websites of the Lake Como Creativity Week and the Cantù Wood Festival to obtain updated information. For example, the Lake Como Creativity Week will take place from September 15 to 20, 2024, with a standard ticket costing 50 euros for the entire duration of the event. The Cantù Wood Festival, on the other hand, is scheduled for October 25 to 28, 2024, with a daily ticket at 20 euros.

2. Contact the municipalities of Como and Cantù to request further details on participation. For residents of Ticino, such as Lugano or Bellinzona, it is useful to know that the Municipality of Como offers a special package for groups of at least 10 people, with a reduced cost of 40 euros per person. The Municipality of Cantù, on the other hand, offers a translation service in Italian and German to facilitate the participation of foreign visitors.

3. Participate in the events and take advantage of the opportunities offered to promote your activity or discover new collaborations. For example, the Lake Como Creativity Week includes workshops on design and innovation, while the Cantù Wood Festival offers practical demonstrations of carpentry and meetings with experts in the field.

Useful Tools

To calculate the cost of participating in the events and plan your budget, you can use the cost calculator. For example, a participant from Lugano who decides to participate in both events will need to consider travel, accommodation and ticket costs. Assuming a train journey from Lugano to Como of around 50 Swiss francs and accommodation for 5 nights at 100 euros per night, the total cost could be around 700 euros.

To obtain updated information on funding opportunities and local regulations, consult the guide to incentives. For example, the Municipality of Bellinzona offers a contribution of up to 500 Swiss francs for participation in cultural events, while the Municipality of Lugano offers tax incentives for activities that promote creativity and innovation.

Operational Checklist

• Verify the dates and times of the events on the official websites.
• Contact the municipalities of Como and Cantù to request specific information.
• Plan your budget using the cost calculator.
• Consult the guide to incentives for information on funding and regulations.
• Take advantage of the opportunities offered during the events to promote your activity.

Comparison of Practical Scenarios

Scenario 1: Individual Participation

• Ticket costs: 70 euros (50 euros for the Lake Como Creativity Week + 20 euros for the Cantù Wood Festival).
• Travel cost: 50 Swiss francs (Lugano-Como).
• Accommodation cost: 500 euros (5 nights at 100 euros per night).
• Total: around 700 euros.

Scenario 2: Group Participation

• Ticket costs: 40 euros per person (group package for the Lake Como Creativity Week) + 20 euros for the Cantù Wood Festival.
• Travel cost: 50 Swiss francs per person.
• Accommodation cost: 500 euros per person (5 nights at 100 euros per night).
• Total: around 600 euros per person.

Regulations and Important Dates

• The Lake Como Creativity Week will take place from September 15 to 20, 2024.
• The Cantù Wood Festival is scheduled for October 25 to 28, 2024.
• The Municipality of Bellinzona offers a contribution of up to 500 Swiss francs for participation in cultural events.
• The Municipality of Lugano offers tax incentives for activities that promote creativity and innovation.

"Participation in these events can offer new business opportunities and international collaborations" - A participant from the previous edition.

By following these procedures and using the available tools, you can successfully participate in the Lake Como Creativity Week and the Cantù Wood Festival, taking advantage of all the opportunities offered.

Source: comozero.it