The Demo Center, main office in Lecce of the Biodiversity Gateway, was established as part of the NBFC (National Biodiversity Future Center) project, one of Italy’s leading initiatives dedicated to biodiversity research, promoted under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and funded by the NextGenerationEU programme. Coordinated by the National Research Council, the National Center brings together universities, research bodies, businesses and local organisations with the aim of developing knowledge, technologies and innovative tools for the protection and enhancement of biodiversity.
Underpinning the project is a vision of biodiversity as a central element for community well-being, climate resilience and sustainable development. For this reason, the NBFC’s work brings together different scientific disciplines, advanced technologies, social research and innovation processes, fostering dialogue between research, institutions, businesses and citizens.
IMMERSIVE AND INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
It is within this context that the Demo Center, main office in Lecce of the NBFC’s Biodiversity Gateway, comes into its own: a space designed to experiment with new ways of communicating and sharing scientific knowledge. The Demo Center is not merely an exhibition space, but an open environment where research, art, technology and creativity come together to transform scientific data and content into accessible and engaging experiences.
Through immersive and interactive technologies — such as holographic theatre and advanced 3D Cave virtual environments — the public can explore themes related to biodiversity, climate change and environmental sustainability in a direct and participatory way. The aim is to move beyond the traditional model of science communication, creating experiences where people can interact with knowledge, understand its complexity and develop new forms of awareness.
Alongside its cultural and educational dimension, the Demo Center also hosts activities dedicated to technology transfer and entrepreneurial innovation. The project includes a start-up studio model designed to support the creation of innovative businesses in the sectors of biodiversity, environmental technologies and sustainability.
The Demo Center thus presents itself as a regional hub capable of linking scientific research, cultural production, education and the business sector, helping to forge new links between science and society and to make knowledge a driving force for shared transformation.