Worldviews and Values for Integrated Territorial Governance: The Case of the Rural and Organic District of the Val di Cecina

The transition towards more sustainable agri-food systems requires addressing not only ecological, economic, and institutional dimensions, but also the diversity of worldviews and values that shape people's perceptions and actions. Conducted within the European GRANULAR project, this research explores the role of these dimensions in rural development and territorial governance through the case of the Rural and Organic District of Val di Cecina, Tuscany, Italy. The study adopts a qualitative methodology based on semi-structured interviews and draws on Integral Ecology as a theoretical framework for integrating the internal and external dimensions of socio-ecological phenomena. The findings highlight how traditional, modern, and postmodern worldviews shape different perceptions of agriculture, territory, climate change, and water management. The research suggests that an integral perspective, capable of recognising and valuing the plurality of worldviews and values, may foster dialogue, cooperation, and the development of shared strategies for the sustainable transformation of rural territories.