vivo and UNESCO MAB Host Co-Creation Camp for Global Youth Storytelling

PONTREMOLI, Italy, Sept. 7, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- vivo, in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, recently hosted a five-day Co-Creation Camp in the Appennino Tosco Emiliano Biosphere Reserve, Italy. The event, part of the 2026 Capture the Future: Global Youth Storytelling Initiative for People and Nature, brought together 15 young creators from around the world to explore the intricate relationship between humans and nature through immersive field experiences, expert-led sessions, and collaborative visual storytelling.

Selected through the initiative's global open call, these students and young photographers embarked on a journey to document the landscapes, biodiversity, traditions, and communities within the Appennino Tosco Emiliano Biosphere Reserve. Using vivo smartphones, they produced original photo essays and short films that captured their observations and experiences.

Launched in March 2026, Capture the Future invited young people to share visual stories about the relationship between people and nature in UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. The initiative received 745 submissions from 98 countries, with stories linked to more than 120 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves across the World Network. In addition to the global call, capacity-building workshops were held at Penang Hill in Malaysia, the University of Alexandria in Egypt, and the University of Milan, engaging over 600 students.

The Co-Creation Camp, held from August 31 to September 5, acted as the culmination of this year-long journey. Guided by a multidisciplinary mentor team including vivo imaging expert Keshav Chugh, UNESCO MAB communication specialist Manoel Giffoni, ZEISS Ambassador Solli Kanani, and award-winning film director Marko Roth, the selected creators delved into the diverse landscapes, traditions, and communities of the Appennino Tosco Emiliano Biosphere Reserve.

Lea Meny, a participant from Germany, shared, "This experience allowed me to capture my impressions of the past, the present, and the future of the Biosphere Reserves. We all found a common meaning within different realities, and this connection will stay deep in my heart."

Solli Kanani, a mentor at the Co-Creation Camp, noted, "What touched me most was their curiosity, openness, and strong connection to their own places and communities. Many of their stories are deeply personal, while also connected to bigger questions about nature, culture, and the future."

The Co-Creation Camp closed on September 5 with an exhibition and screening event, where participants presented their visual works to local audiences. The stories created during the camp will continue their journey beyond Italy, with selected works to be shared through vivo and UNESCO MAB's global platforms. A documentary will also capture the creative journey and experiences of the young storytellers.

From the global open call and campus workshops to the Co-Creation Camp, Capture the Future has provided a platform for young people to observe, create, and share stories about people and nature. As the initiative continues, the work of the visual storytellers will connect local experiences to a global conversation about a more sustainable future.