The course focuses on the relevance of planning in rural development processes as well as on bottom-up approaches in rural transformational paths with the involvement of local stakeholders.

Students will be introduced to the project cycle management method in the preparation of local development plans.

According to such methodology and in order to facilitate resource mobilization in rural areas people mobilization is a key factor. People mobilization is demanding in terms of effectiveness and equity and it can be addressed by understanding the key elements of the dynamical involvement of stakeholders differently empowered and the representation of their ideas and needs. This part of the course will address methods and tools that can be utilized in different contexts and according to the specific aims of local paths. The main policies applied at EU level in Rural Development activities will be also addressed according with students background.

Students will be stimulated to work with flipped classes methods. A selection of article and cases will be offered to their study and will be presented in class by students for the collective discussion. The presentation done by students will be evaluated for the course.

The use of specific tools for participatory activities will be practically understood in connection with specific cases analysis.

An archive of experience and cases will facilitate the comprehension of the effective application of the proposed tools.

According with the covid situation direct application during field visits could be organized for further applications of the tools

Students will be assessed on this aspect by critically reviewing specific cases as well as by applying them during field visits

Rural development match with the capability to listen, to work in group, to facilitate and mediate collective understanding and solutions.

Students will be asked to work in group and to critically evaluate their activity