“Smart” territorial development Investment Days. FAO December 2014, Rome.

Origin of territorial approaches Academic origin: search for rural territories new roles. Need of redefining development approaches, taking into account some main ideas: sustainability territorialization of sectorial policies. democratization of public policies Shift from sectorial to territorial

Origin of “smart” territorial approaches in the EU

Main features of smart territorial development Sistemic vision: positioning “local” into “global” in a sustainable way; rural-urban integration. Sistemic competitivity and sustanability: economic, social, Environment & cc considerations mainstremaing. Territory = new public management unit: descentralization, institutions, governance… Inclusion and participation: Core of the model. Search of commitments. Innovation, knowledge and relational capital: central drivers for “smart” growh.

EU Smart specialization policy: a regional strategic approach for promoting a sustainable, smart and inclusive growh in Europe, driven by innovation. Compulsory submission of “regional strategies for research and innovation for the smart specialization”, as an ex-ante condition for obtaining European funding. Territorial dimension = priority A new role for Local Action Groups in rural areas.

Smart specialization: a shared vision in regions Definition of regional specialization on the basis of a region’s unique strengths and potentials. Focus on comparative advantage (specialization); or emerging areas where entrepreneurs could develop new activities (diversification). Entrepreneurial discovery process.

Estepa Sierra Sur, Spain Entrepreneurial ecosystems and clusters

10/12/14

… These territorial dynamics are also taking place in Latin America. ….. Different countries are already working with territorial approaches in LAC, and have developped a series of laws, policies, programs, projects, investments, or institutional frameworks for its implementation (“Chile will be an “entrepreneurial ecosystem”…).

Applying smart territorial approaches in L AC: RIMISP: Territorial Cohesion Development Program. BID: New digital plattform for entrepreneursIntegral Management for territorial economic development… CAF: Partnership to promote social innovation in Latin America. CATIE: Conflict resolution: the case of the territorial management of natural resources; smart climate agriculture. FAO-UICN-GTZ: Forestry Strategic Regional Program for Central América and Dominical Republic. World Bank-WAVES: national standards for the accounting of natural capital.

Sustainability and resilience to climate change ; governance FAO-NRC project. Regional approach that goes beyond national borders. The watershed approach considers human societies as an integral part of the watershed. Local institutional arrangements. “Adaptative governance” methodology used builds resilience and anticipation capacity.

Territories of Citizenship, Brasil Social inclusiveness, rural—urban integration, bc Context: Hunger 0 Program, and food security. Vulnerable populations and poverty reduction Integrated net of territories Integrated objectives: productive activities,rural infrastructure, rights. Social participation is an important feature

Democratization of Productivity, México Sistemic competitivity Linking social and economic policy. Oriented to derive benefit for all regions, all sectors and all groups of the population. Experimentation and learning: the program will have maximum flexibility and freedom to test solutions Territorial approach

Some conclusions… Names are not important. Get beyond escepticism. No recipes. Models to follow Successful experiences : biggest progress in participation and social inclusiveness. Framework conditions are essential for establishing a successful link between innovation and growth Main lesson has been the need for institutional and social capital building. A shift from participation towards commitment. Innovation as an interactive process among actors..

Biggest contribution of the smart/sustainable/sistemic territorial strategies has to do with the increase of technical capacities in the territories, with the governance mechanisms promoted; and with the shared value created.

Muchas gracias, Cecilia Gañán de Molina International Consultant