MAP Position Paper (Italy, Tuscany) - Alternative Rural futures (Foresight)

The foresight exercise1 carried out by the Tuscany MAP represented a first attempt to align the work achieved in the MAP cycle with the policy cycle of the National Strategy for Inner Areas (SNAI). The SNAI is an integrated policy addressing issues related to depopulation and low access to basic services by enhancing the preconditions for territorial development and promoting local development projects. The rural area selected by the MAP for this task is the SNAI Pilot area of Garfagnana-Lunigiana-Media Valle del Serchio-Appennino Pistoiese.

All four of the localities encompassed are, each to their specific extent, affected by remoteness, depopulation (especially of young people), ageing, loss of functions and lack of territorial control, with ensuing social and economic costs. Inaction in addressing these main challenges could potentially strengthen the vicious circle of marginalisation (Strategia d’Area, 2018).