MAP Position Note (Italy, Tuscany - Casentino) - Empowering rural areas in multi-level governance processes

The theme of the governance of the local food system emerged strongly in the discussions held at the regional and local level in Tuscany, primarily for the need to integrate and coordinate initiatives and policies that belong to different sectors and policy domains (health, agriculture, welfare, environment, inner areas, labour, market). Among the different topics falling under the major theme of the food system governance, the valorisation of PATs - Traditional Agri-food Products of Tuscany (prodotti agroalimentari tradizionali) - has recently been high on the agenda of Tuscany regional institutions, namely the Regional Land Authority (Ente Terre Regionali Toscane) and the Department for Agriculture of Tuscany Region.