Enhancing territorial capital for developing mountain areas: the example of Trentino and its use of medicinal and aromatic plants

Today mountain areas are facing major economic challenges, due to depopulation, a lack of competitiveness and the impact of climate change. To combat this trend, it has been surmised that an integrated development approach based on innovation, cooperation between the public and private sectors and enhancement of the local cultural heritage could create new opportunities. The authors will report on SYCULTour pilot project initiatives promoted by the Autonomous Province of Trento in cooperation with the Trentino Ecomuseums Network to promote the exploitation of medicinal and aromatic plants, using an integrated approach. A description of the starting up of the pilot project and interviews with those cultivating medicinal plants will be used to highlight innovative processes underway in the ecomuseum areas, in an attempt to show how the cultural heritage, landscape and environment could be integrated to encourage the economic development of mountain communities, as a strategic factor in sustainable development.