The Tuscany observatory of rural society development: a tool against spatial and information marginalization

This chapter aims to demonstrate how an initiative based on network approach is able to cope with the problems of rapidly changing space of economic and rural development. The case of the rural Observatory for Tuscany proves this point quite clearly. The experiences obtained during LEADER programme regarding the top-down and bottom-up approaches to local development have influenced rural development actions. Since the European Union policies for the general regional development did not have enough effect on rural regions it was imperative to look for new types of development approaches. During the initial stages of the Observatory the regulations regarding rural development financing were partly open and partly under the decision process. This meant that, ‘leaders and/or directors’ of the Local Action Groups and other rural development agencies were waiting. The Tuscany Observatory for rural development is aiming to create a ‘culture’ of co-operation and mutual assistance, which in turn will prevent the emergence of new problems.