Knowledge framework to support the regional strategy for internal areas 2021-2027

The document was commissioned from IRPET by the Managing Authority of the ERDF ROP 2014-2020 of the Tuscany Region and was edited by the working group composed of Sabrina Iommi and Donatella Marinari as part of the Local Systems, Culture, and Tourism research area coordinated by Sabrina Iommi. Marco Mariani and Renato Paniccià also contributed. Editing by Elena Zangheri.

The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive and detailed knowledge framework to enable the six regional areas applying for the 2021-2027 SNAI to develop effective integrated territorial strategies for the revitalization of their respective territories.

Two contextual conditions favor the development of inland areas. On the one hand, the urgently needed sustainability challenge offers new opportunities to previously marginalized territories, which are nevertheless rich in essential environmental resources (e.g., renewable energy) and offer a wide range of essential ecosystem services (water protection, pollution reduction, hydrogeological stability, food security, etc.). On the other, the repeated systemic crises of recent years have created the political conditions for a shift away from the long decades of austerity, which, in the case of peripheral territories, has resulted in the refinancing of the Strategy for Inland Areas.

The challenge is not only to curb the depopulation of these areas, but rather to encourage their repopulation, at least where possible. This entails two major policy areas: ensuring the essential provision of infrastructure and services and creating new job and income opportunities. These are, after all, the two pillars along which SNAI has been structured since its experimental phase.

The following analysis highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the various regions. The dichotomy between the northern and southern inland areas emerges first. These differ in terms of morphological characteristics (mountainous in the north, hilly in the south), population density (less dense in the south), proximity to the main hubs of regional development (more distant in the south), and prevailing production specializations (more manufacturing in the north, more agricultural and tourism activities in the south). They also differ in policy maturity, given that the former, unlike the latter, have already participated in the 2014-2020 programming cycle.

This also explains the structure of the work, which is composed of two parts: an analysis based on demographic, social, economic, and environmental statistics for all six candidate areas and a subsequent in-depth analysis, conducted through meetings with the local population with the support of ANCI Toscana, for the three southern areas.

The identified needs, which will be incorporated into the intervention strategies, primarily consist of investments in infrastructure and services to make the areas more attractive to new residents and new businesses, but also investments in development paths based on enhancing local talent, within a new development model centered on sustainability and digitalization.