In one of the most iconic locations of the Mediterranean, European Workshop Sorrento (EWS) has emerged as a dynamic hub of ideas, vision, and projects dedicated to the revitalization of Southern Italy. Founded in 2022 by Notary Roberto Cogliandro and entrepreneur Antonino Apreda, EWS is more than just a committee—it is a forward-thinking platform that brings together entrepreneurs, professionals, academics, and institutional stakeholders, united by a shared mission: to establish the South as a strategic gateway between Europe and the Mediterranean.
The goal is crystal clear: to bridge the North-South divide, foster sustainable development, and promote the unique resources of Southern Italy within a broader national and Euro-Mediterranean context. In this vision, Sorrento plays a pivotal role—not only for its international renown but also for its symbolic value as a crossroads of culture, society, and global perspective.
At the national level, EWS draws inspiration from the Mediterranean Forum, initiated in 2022 by former Prime Minister Mario Draghi and Minister Mara Carfagna, in partnership with The European House – Ambrosetti, best known for organizing the prestigious Cernobbio Forum. EWS collaborated with Ambrosetti to host the inaugural Forum in Villa Zagara, Sorrento, featuring prominent figures from Mediterranean governments, institutions, and economic sectors.
Since its inception, EWS has promoted a wide range of activities in collaboration with Fondazione Sorrento, chaired by Commander Gianluigi Aponte, including conferences, seminars, and exhibitions—all aimed at showcasing local excellence and igniting a new Southern narrative, grounded in competence, innovation, and international dialogue.
One of its most recent flagship initiatives is the International Prize “Sorrento – Olio delle Sirene”, dedicated to the finest producers of PDO, PGI, organic, and single-varietal extra virgin olive oil. This award celebrates olive oil as the quintessential symbol of the Mediterranean and of Italian food heritage. The 2025 edition, taking place in May in Sorrento, will be held under the technical-scientific direction of agronomist Tullio Esposito, with participation from producers in Turkey and Brazil, alongside Italy’s top olive oil estates. The event is supported by the Municipality of Sorrento, Fondazione Sorrento, Coldiretti, and Oleum.
More than just a competition, this prize is a statement of intent: extra virgin olive oil can become a symbol of Southern Italy’s rebirth, combining agricultural innovation, top-tier food quality, and cultural identity. As EWS emphasizes, olive oil is not just a nutritional product—it is a therapeutic heritage good, a bridge between tradition and innovation, capable of boosting local economies and rural tourism.
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Fondazione Sorrento
Coldiretti
Oleum – Associazione Nazionale Assaggiatori Olio d’Oliva
Contact info:
[email protected]
www.ewsorrento.org
(In the photos, entrepreneur Antonino Apreda and notary Roberto Cogliandro, founders of EWS)