Multi-actor and Participative Socio-territorial Development: Toward a New Model of Intervention?

In recent decades, many rural territories have been dealing with obstacles to their development. The nation statemodel, which was based on centrality and polarity and tended to hierarchizeterritories based on their economic or political value, is less abletodayto address many of the problems faced by these rural territories. Productive as well as social and cultural peculiarities of different territories are increasingly perceived as an asset rather than a constraint. Furthermore, novel socio-economic arrangements are put into place with the aim of ensuring development that benefits local populations. Our case studiesanalysis revealsthe emergence ofa new model of socio-territorial development based on collective local action (to solve local problems, namely population decline and a generalized devitalization) through greater citizen participation, a dense and interconnected civil society and thirdsector, the valorization of built and symbolic heritage,and the capacity to reflect collectively and create a shared vision for the community.