University of Naples Parthenope · Department of Business and Quantitative Studies
UNESCO Chair
A platform connecting higher education, the business community and public decision-makers to steer the transition towards resilient, inclusive and evidence-based local economies.
The Chair
A neutral and rigorous interface between higher education, advanced research, business ecosystems and decision-making processes.
To inspire and empower innovation ecosystems across the Euro-Mediterranean area and the MENA region, transforming academic knowledge and scientific research into lasting drivers of sustainable development, social cohesion and equity.
Established within the Department of Business and Quantitative Studies (DiSAQ) of the University of Naples Parthenope under the leadership of the Chairholder, Prof. Marco Ferretti, the Chair conceives its mission as a dynamic, multi-level platform for social, scientific and economic transformation.
Following its initial four-year term (2022–2026), in the 2027–2031 term the Chair evolves into a permanent infrastructure for teaching, applied research, policy learning and capacity building, in alignment with UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy 2022–2029 and the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024–2033).
La rete
Stable networks linking Southern Europe, North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, grounded in equal co-creation: Mediterranean and African partners hold a permanent role in shaping the Chair’s teaching and research agenda.
Hover over or tap the faces on the map to discover fieldwork, projects and local networks.
The Chair is established within the Department of Business and Quantitative Studies under the leadership of the Chairholder, Prof. Marco Ferretti. It is here that the international educational pathway unfolds: the Bachelor's Degree, the MEMI Master's Degree, the MEIM Master programme and the PhD programme.
SRM · Campania Region · Confindustria · Cosvitec · Marea
In January 2026, hands-on seminars on the TEEG simulator were held at Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University in Fès, together with the Quadruple Helix Workshop at ENSA, involving 94 participants including students, faculty and policymakers. The formalisation of a cooperation agreement is planned.
USMBA Fès · Université Hassan II Casablanca · EMSI Rabat
Through INSAF-FEM (2020–2023), the Chair strengthened the entrepreneurial and digital skills of Tunisian women, in dialogue with universities and civil society. TEEG workshops are scheduled at the Universities of Sfax and Gabès by the end of 2026.
Université de Sfax · Gabès · Monastir · Kairouan · Jendouba · UNFT Sfax · Association Féminine pour la Protection de la Famille
The University of Cádiz coordinated the INSAF-FEM project, which involved the University of Naples Parthenope, the Tunisian universities of Sfax, Gabès, Kairouan and Monastir, and Galatasaray University.
Universidad de Cádiz
Bilateral agreements and cooperation frameworks with universities in the MENA region, including institutions in Algeria. An initiative to develop the digital, managerial and institutional skills of young people and public-sector representatives is currently under development.
Université de Boumerdès
In 2024, the FOODCHASE mission to Portugal brought together project partners and local stakeholders from the agri-food sector.
Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo (IPVC)
In 2025, the FOODCHASE mission to Turkey fostered knowledge exchange and dialogue on the needs of local territories. Galatasaray University also took part in INSAF-FEM.
Galatasaray University · Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University · Pamukkale University · Denizli Chamber of Commerce · BOSEV
In 2026, the FOODCHASE mission to Greece strengthened the international network through which the Chair promotes collaborative innovation and the development of sustainable ecosystems.
iED · ReadLab
Partner in FOODCHASE, the project tackling food loss and waste and promoting more sustainable agri-food ecosystems.
Omnia RTD · Kypriaki Etaireia Pistopoiisis (CCC)
Universities and incubators belonging to the Chair's partner network.
An-Najah National University · PTUK · PICTI
Partner in FOODCHASE, the project tackling food loss and waste along the supply chain.
SUPSI · University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland
Partner in FOODCHASE, the project tackling food loss and waste along the supply chain.
Business Innovation Council (BIC)
Macro-obiettivi
Not isolated training interventions, but autonomous institutional and human capacity: stakeholders across the Euro-Mediterranean and MENA regions move from beneficiaries to co-designers and leaders, while skills remain rooted in universities, public administrations and local communities.
02Women’s leadership and employabilityWomen from partner countries placed at the heart of decision-making as trainers, researchers and co-designers, supported by a gender-sensitive doctoral pipeline and a 50% share of female researchers from the MENA region.
SDG 4SDG 5SDG 8
03Ecosystem capacity and policy learningExperiential simulations with The Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Game (TEEG) and open-access studies by the SLIOB Observatory, translating scientific diagnoses into strategic roadmaps.
SDG 8SDG 9
04Multi-stakeholder South-South-North cooperationPermanent think tanks and stable networks linking Southern Europe, North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, in direct support of UNESCO’s Global Priority Africa.
SDG 17
Results
During its first mandate (2022–2026), the Chair consolidated its scientific foundations, welcoming more than 200 students from the MENA region, promoting women’s participation in doctoral studies and developing tools and projects such as TEEG and INSAF-FEM.
Students from MENA countries supported in accessing higher education
Doctoral scholarships for researchers from Morocco, Turkey and Pakistan
Visiting professors, lecturers and international researchers hosted
Participants in the Quadruple Helix Workshop in Fès, Morocco
International students reached through MOOCs and online teaching
Articles in peer-reviewed international journals
Scholarly book published in English
SLIOB reports on women's entrepreneurship and innovation systems
Projects
International projects bringing together universities, institutions and stakeholders from Mediterranean and European territories on sustainable agri-food supply chains, the green and digital transition, and knowledge transfer between universities and society.
FOODCHASE · Building Sustainable Food Innovation EcosystemsTackling food loss and waste along the supply chain, with partners from Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Switzerland, Turkey, Portugal and Romania.
SHIFT-MED · Shaping the Future of Universities across the MediterraneanStrengthens the capacity of universities to address the green and digital transitions, with partners from Europe and the MENA region.
INSAF-FEM · Employability of Tunisian womenCoordinated by the University of Cádiz, the project developed technological and communication skills to support women’s participation in economic and social life.
CNESA-2030 · Peace and Environment for Integral SustainabilityA national conference bringing together UNESCO Chairs and academic institutions to address peace, environmental sustainability and sustainable development.
Cooperation with UNESCO
The Chair is a member of the Italian UNESCO Chairs Network (ReCUI), where Michele Costagliola di Fiore and Nohaila Kartti serve as Focal Points of the Institutional Relations Commission, and contributes to national and international initiatives on sustainability, skills and higher education.
News & Media
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People
To inspire innovation ecosystems across the Mediterranean and the MENA region, transforming research into sustainable development and equity.
Prof. Marco Ferretti
Chairholder · Department of Business and Quantitative Studies (DiSAQ)
Partners
