Fabiana Stortini, Michele Moretti, Gianluca Brunori

The contributions of Rural Districts to the Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas: the case of the Tuscany Region

Introduction

The contributions of rural districts to the long-term vision for rural areas: the case of the tuscany region. Explore Rural Districts' contributions to the Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas in Tuscany. Examines governance, challenges, and inclusive development paths for rural policies.

Abstract

The Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas (LTVRA) pointed out that rural areas require an appropriate form of governance to avoid fragmentation and ensure the integration of rural policies. Recently, Italian law stressed the importance of Food Districts (FDs), including Rural Districts (RDs), to cope with rural challenges. Under the network governance perspective, this article explores internal and external barriers and the contribution of RDs to the LTVRA in the Tuscany Region. Following a desk analysis, the findings provide an overview of the main interventions contributing to the ten goals set by the LTVRA through different paths. The case study exhibits the flexibility of RDs in terms of geographical areas, predominant specialisations, actors involved, and fields of action, which characterise a clear ambition to promote a network-based and inclusive approach to rural development. The article suggests further investigation into the development of monitoring frameworks capable of optimising the structure of RDs and decision-making processes, capitalising on the inclusive capability network governance models to account for the needs and development visions of local actors.

Review

This article addresses a highly relevant and timely topic concerning the governance and strategic development of rural areas, particularly in the context of Italy's Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas (LTVRA). By focusing on Rural Districts (RDs) within the Tuscany Region and adopting a network governance perspective, the authors aim to identify both the challenges (internal and external barriers) and the contributions of these districts to the LTVRA's ten overarching goals. The methodology, involving a desk analysis followed by a case study, appears suitable for providing an initial overview of interventions and highlighting the operational characteristics of RDs. A significant strength of this work lies in its direct engagement with the LTVRA's call for integrated rural policies and the recent emphasis on Food/Rural Districts in Italian law, positioning the study firmly within a current policy landscape. The findings indicating the flexibility of RDs across geographical areas, specializations, actors, and fields of action are particularly insightful. This flexibility, coupled with a clear ambition for a network-based and inclusive approach, underscores the potential of RDs as effective mechanisms for rural development and policy integration. The exploration of how these diverse interventions contribute to specific LTVRA goals provides practical insights into the operationalization of a broad strategic vision at a regional level. The article concludes with valuable suggestions for future research, particularly the need for developing robust monitoring frameworks. Such frameworks are crucial for optimizing the structure and decision-making processes within RDs, ensuring their long-term effectiveness and accountability. Capitalizing on the inherent inclusive capabilities of network governance models to genuinely reflect local actors' needs and visions is also a critical area for further investigation. Overall, this paper offers a foundational analysis of RDs' role in rural development, making a strong case for their potential while also identifying clear pathways for enhancing their impact and sustainability.

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