Are rural development strategies coherent at regional level? Empirical evidence from Italy

Rural development policy has gained importance over time to enhance sustainable regional development paths, especially for European convergence regions. In this perspective we aim to emphasize that different models of regional development could be introduced via rural development policy: (i) the agricultural development models, with a more specific sector-oriented approach, and (ii) the rural development models, with a more territorial (and systemic) approach. Both development patterns imply complex strategies that involve coordination and complementarities among European Funds. In this light this paper explores 21 RRDPs of the Italian regions, in order to identify their development strategies and to evaluate whether or not they are coherent with their needs.