The Lugano Regional Development Agency (ERSL) has closed a year marked by shared planning, digital innovation, and concrete support for municipalities and local stakeholders. This was evident during the Ordinary General Assembly held on June 11 in Capriasca, where the results, investments, and strategic perspectives for the district in the coming years were presented.
The meeting brought together delegates from the region's municipalities to review the agency's activities and reflect on future challenges related to economic growth, sustainability, and the transformation of public services.
Before the assembly began, participants visited the Capriasca Bike Park pumptrack, a facility dedicated to cycling and mountain biking enthusiasts. The project benefited from the support of the ERSL in applying for funding under the New Regional Policy (NPR), through collaboration with the Cantonal Office for Economic Development.
A year of consolidation and new initiatives
Throughout 2025, the Authority continued its role in coordinating and supporting numerous regional initiatives, fostering dialogue between municipal administrations and local stakeholders.
Among the most significant projects is the pilot launch of the Punto digitale inRete (Digital Point inRete), a service developed as a supra-municipal extension of an experience already piloted by the City of Lugano. The initiative has provided residents of ten municipalities in the Lugano area with free access to support for basic digital skills, helping to reduce difficulties in using technology tools and online services.
At the same time, the Agency promoted in-depth discussions on the digital evolution of public administration. These included a morning study session focusing on the relationship between technological innovation and public services, with a particular focus on the opportunities and challenges associated with artificial intelligence.
New website and greater accessibility
Digitalization has also affected ERSL's institutional communications. Over the course of the year, the organization's official portal was updated, and can be found at www.ersl.ch.
The website has been redesigned both graphically and in terms of content structure, with the aim of simplifying access to information for citizens, public bodies, and businesses. Particular attention has been paid to highlighting the services offered, opportunities for supporting regional projects, and sustainability initiatives.
Lugano's strategy looks to 2031
One of the most important dossiers concerns the updating of the "Guidelines for a Development Strategy for the Lugano Area," a document intended to guide territorial policies for the period 2026-2031.
Following the socioeconomic analysis conducted in 2025, two participatory workshops involving municipal representatives and other regional stakeholders were organized in early 2026. The contributions collected will serve to define the district's future priorities, fostering a shared vision of economic, social, and territorial development.
Sustainability as a cross-cutting element
Among the achievements highlighted during the meeting was the publication of the institution's first sustainability report. This document represents a significant step forward in the ERSL's journey and demonstrates its commitment to integrating environmental, social, and economic objectives into its ordinary activities and strategic decisions.
Sustainability is in fact considered a cross-cutting criterion destined to influence both the evaluation of projects and the planning of future regional initiatives.
Over 650 francs to support local projects
The Lugano Regional Promotion Fund (FPRL) continued its activities in 2025, a tool through which the ERSL supports projects and initiatives capable of generating value for the region.
During the year, 27 projects were supported, with total contributions of 655,291 francs. The planned investments for the funded initiatives amount to approximately 5,5 million francs.
One particularly significant fact concerns the multiplier effect of the allocated resources: for every franc allocated through the fund, approximately eight francs of investment in the region are expected to be generated.
Positive accounts and trust in shared work
On the financial front, the assembly approved the institution's accounts, which show expenses of 597,583.05 francs and revenues of 599,198.29 francs. The financial year thus ended with a profit of 1,615.24 francs.
Commenting on the results achieved, the president of the ERSL, Franco Voci, emphasized how the work carried out over the year aimed to support the transformation of the territory through concrete tools, a long-term strategic vision, and growing collaboration between the various regional actors.
According to the Authority, the increasingly active participation of municipalities and the emergence of shared initiatives are encouraging signs for a coordinated approach to the challenges facing the Lugano area in the years to come.
The ERSL's 2025 activity report is available on the organization's official website. For information, please contact the director. Roberta Angotti Pellegatta through the contact details indicated by the organization.
