by Nina Vaclavikova
Interview: Wiliam Starc, coordinator No Ovovia Committee
A citizens’ group opposing Trieste’s proposed cable car project announced this week that it has raised enough money to cover the costs of its ongoing appeal before Italy’s Council of State.
The No Ovovia Committee said donations collected through crowdfunding, public events and fundraising initiatives have allowed it to meet current legal expenses related to the case. The group plans to hold a public event this summer to thank supporters and review its five years of activity.
The announcement comes as legal challenges to the project continue. Committee representative Walter Starc disputed recent claims by city officials that a ruling by the Regional Administrative Court (TAR) represented a victory for the municipality.
According to the committee, the ruling concerned the legality of state funding allocated to the project after it lost financing from Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan. While the court ultimately rejected the appeal, it did so on procedural grounds, finding that the residents who filed the case lacked the direct legal standing required to challenge the funding decision.
The committee maintains that unresolved environmental and planning issues continue to prevent progress on the project. It also argues that the city has yet to secure sufficient funding to cover the full cost of construction.
Several environmental organizations have also filed appeals with the Council of State, challenging previous rulings related to alternative routes for the cable car. No date has been announced for a final decision.
The outcome of the appeal is expected to be a key factor in determining the future of one of Trieste’s most debated infrastructure projects.
