WEBINAR: Innovation for Rural Transformation: How Effective are Territorial Approaches?

2 September 2021. Innovation for Rural Transformation: How Effective are Territorial Approaches?

Territorial or location-based approaches can be an important tool for inclusive and sustainable rural transformation. By focusing on specific regions with the aim of capitalizing on local resources, assets and institutions while linking to external markets, technologies and sources of finance to address community needs; these approaches are highly suited to tackle complex development challenges in rural spaces. However, their successful implementation hinges upon participatory mechanisms, high levels of integration, and local institutional capacities.

Several NENA countries have incorporated territorial approaches within their policies and programmes, exhibiting varying degrees of success and significant room for learning and improvement. This webinar aims to build a better understanding of territorial approaches including their diversity, pitfalls and transformative potential, with world renown experts and case studies from the region and beyond. The discussion laid the foundations for a regional background paper that maps existing location-based approaches, identifies key entry points or opportunities and contributes to a better understanding of how different models can operate in diverse regional contexts.

Key discussion questions:

• Are territorial approaches still relevant for rural transformation?
• What are key prerequisites for successful territorial development in rural areas?
• What are important lessons to be learned from international experiences in territorial approaches for sustainable and inclusive rural transformation?

Speakers:

• Opening and welcome - Rachid Serraj, Delivery Manager, RISSFF, FAO Regional Office
• Territorial approaches: different models, common pitfalls and lessons learned - Leonardo Romeo, Adjunct Professor of International Development Planning at New York University
• Morocco- Green Morocco Plan - Mohamed Ait Kadi, President of the General Council of Agricultural Development, Morocco
• Columbia - Programme for Integrated Transformation in Rural Territories - Mariana Escobar, FAO Representative for Peru
• Sahel and Sahara – the Great Green Wall Initiative for Sahara and Sahel - Elvis Tangem, Coordinator of Great Green Wall Initiative, African Union Commission
• Egypt – Decent Life Initiative - Hisham ElHabawi, Program Manager of Local Development in Upper Egypt, Ministry of Local Development, Egypt
• India – Digital Villages Programme - Sonia Bhatt, Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology, India