Tesori d'Italia Opens in Brussels: An Operational Bridge Between Italy, Europe and Japan

Brussels is becoming Tesori d'Italia's new European hub. With the inauguration of its headquarters at hub.brussels, the project marks a strategic milestone in its internationalisation process, giving operational substance to Tesori d'Europa – Europe's Treasures and laying the foundations for the official opening of the European Association, scheduled for April 2027.

The new Brussels headquarters is being inaugurated by Riccardo D'Urso and Gaetano Silvio Cola Giugliano, symbolically and operationally marking the beginning of a new phase for the project: a direct presence at the institutional heart of the European Union. The opening represents a fundamental step on the path leading, in April 2027, to the official launch of the Tesori d'Europa Association, the natural international evolution of the experience developed in Italy by Tesori d'Italia.

The Choice of hub.brussels

The decision to establish the new European presence at hub.brussels, the Brussels Agency for Entrepreneurship, is particularly significant. As a public agency of the Brussels-Capital Region, hub.brussels is dedicated to the development of the Region's economic and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Its activities include supporting business growth and internationalisation, developing economic, technological and investment opportunities, and strengthening Brussels' international attractiveness.

hub.brussels also serves as a platform connecting businesses with international markets and the European innovation ecosystem, facilitating access to partners and funding opportunities, including through the Enterprise Europe Network and services dedicated to European research and innovation programmes.

Being based at hub.brussels therefore has strategic significance for Tesori d'Italia and Tesori d'Europa, placing the project within an environment naturally geared towards international networking, innovation, economic cooperation and the development of new partnerships, while strengthening its ability to build relationships among Italian, European and international stakeholders.

The Tesori d'Europa – Europe's Treasures project was created with the aim of promoting the people, skills, cultures and excellence that contribute every day to building European identity, while at the same time fostering new opportunities for dialogue, collaboration and development among the EU's 27 Member States.

This journey has already received significant international institutional recognition through the patronage and support of the Embassies in Italy of Belgium, Latvia, Lithuania, Greece, Poland, Romania and the Czech Republic, as well as the Bulgarian Cultural Institute, the Slovak Cultural Institute, and AEREC – European Academy for Economic and Cultural Relations.

This institutional network is expected to expand progressively, in line with the objective of building a platform that genuinely represents Europe's diverse identities and areas of excellence. These recognitions reinforce the vocation of Tesori d'Europa as a meeting point and a platform connecting countries, institutions, territories, businesses, culture and civil society, based on the belief that one of the most authentic expressions of European identity lies precisely in the ability to enhance national diversity within a shared vision and a common path.

A permanent presence in Brussels will now make it possible to transform this vision, together with the network of relationships already established, into ongoing activity through the strengthening of institutional relations, the development of international partnerships, participation in European programmes and projects, and the creation of a network capable of connecting excellence across individual territories, accompanying the journey towards the official opening of the Tesori d'Europa Association in April 2027.

Brussels–Rome–Osaka: A New International Axis

The new headquarters takes on even greater significance within the international strategy developed by Tesori d'Italia. Brussels is now part of a system connecting Italy, Europe and Japan, alongside Tesori d'Italia's presence in Italy and its headquarters in Osaka, through which the organisation is developing promotion, internationalisation and cooperation programmes with Japan.

This perspective has become even more relevant following Japan's official association with Horizon Europe, the European Union's flagship research and innovation programme. Since 30 July 2026, Japan has officially been associated with Horizon Europe, specifically with Pillar II – Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, which encompasses the clusters dedicated to Health; Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society; Civil Security for Society; Digital, Industry and Space; Climate, Energy and Mobility; Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment.

Tesori d'Italia is therefore entering a new phase in Europe–Japan cooperation: Japanese entities can participate in relevant Horizon Europe projects under conditions comparable to those applying to entities from associated countries, creating new opportunities to develop European-Japanese partnerships in research, innovation and the major societal and industrial challenges of our time.

For Tesori d'Italia and Tesori d'Europa, this development represents an opportunity that is particularly consistent with the strategy already underway. Having a simultaneous presence in Brussels and Osaka makes it possible to develop networks and partnerships capable of connecting Italian, European and Japanese stakeholders and accessing the new opportunities offered by international cooperation programmes.

*"With the opening of our Brussels headquarters,"* emphasises Riccardo D'Urso, *"we want to give concrete substance to a project in which we strongly believe. Brussels represents a starting point for us, not a destination. From here, we intend to progressively build the network that will accompany the official launch of the Association in April 2027 while, at the same time, establishing a permanent connection with Japan through our Osaka headquarters. Italy, Europe and Japan thus become the three strategic points of a single international project."*

The inauguration of the headquarters therefore formally marks the beginning of an operational phase that will accompany Tesori d'Europa over the coming months through institutional meetings, networking activities, the involvement of representatives from different countries, and the development of new collaborations.

Tesori d'Italia and Tesori d'Europa would like to express their sincere appreciation to the entire hub.brussels team for their warm welcome and valuable support throughout this important step in the project's European development. Special thanks go to Guglielmo Pisana, Economic & Commercial Counsellor representing the Brussels Government in Italy, and Hajjam El Hassani Mohamed, Inward Investment Advisor - Southern Europe & MENA, for their commitment, availability and invaluable support in helping establish Tesori d'Italia's new presence in Brussels.