2024 ENCATC Research Award
Lecce, ItalyAlessandro Delli Noci
Puglia Region Councillor for Economic Development, Competitiveness, Economic Activities and Consumers, International Policies & Foreign Trade, Energy, Networks and Material Infrastructures for Development, Industrial Research & Innovation, Youth Policies
Alessandro Delli Noci graduated in Management Engineering from the University of Salento, specialising in innovation and research programmes in the ICT sector. Here, together with other young students, he joined the association La Sveglia and was elected to represent students on the Academic Council, Faculty Council, University Board of Directors, and Student Council.
He obtained an independent PhD in "Governance and Political Culture" from the Institute of Advanced Strategic and Political Studies and a Master's degree in Management and Governance of the Territory from the University of Salento.
He works as a consultant for the Casarano Technological Hub and the Institute for the Economy of Salento, participating as a project worker and project manager in significant national and international projects. He served for three years as president of "Officine Cantelmo Lecce University City."
Between 2010 and 2011, he launched four university spin-offs in the industrial, aerospace, and ICT sectors.
His passion for politics led him to stand for the Lecce City Council at just 29 in 2012. He became the City Councillor for Technological Innovation, EU Policies, Youth Policies, Employment Policies, and Professional Training in Lecce, as well as ANCI coordinator for the Italian Digital Agenda and Vice President of CIDAC, the Association of Cities of Art and Culture.
In 2016, through the "Primarie delle Idee" initiative, he founded the civic movement "Una nuova Lecce", which now brings together many energies and skills from a social and civil fabric that seeks to participate in politics.
In 2017, he ran for mayor of Lecce, and after forming an alliance in the second round with Carlo Salvemini, he became Deputy Mayor and City Councillor for Public Works, Strategic Planning, School Building, Sports Facilities, Energy Policies, Transparency, Legality and Administrative Organisation, Technological Innovation, and Digital Agenda.
After the 2019 elections, he confirmed his position as Deputy Mayor of Lecce, also maintaining the portfolios for Public Works, Strategic Planning, Personnel, Digital Agenda, Technological Innovation, Europe, and Cooperation.
