Collective domains represent one of the oldest and most sustainable forms of land management in Italy, based on community governance models rooted in local customary law. These are lands, forests, pastures, and structures that belong to communities and are managed collectively, ensuring the protection of natural resources and biodiversity, particularly in mountain and hilly areas.

With Law No. 168 of 2017, “Rules on Collective Domains,” Italy officially recognised the legal and environmental value of collective domains and the communities that administer them. However, to date the implementation of the law faces a number of critical issues regarding its practical application across the country, which varies significantly depending on the local context and the level of organisation of individual communities.

Promoted by the University of Palermo, the project Valorising rural commons for a greener and fairer society. Insights from Southern and Northern Italy (RuComItaly) aims to enhance the role of rural commons in the ecological transition and social justice, bringing into dialogue experiences from Southern and Northern Italy.

Among the main activities is the drafting of two policy briefs to analyse the challenges related to the implementation of Law 168/2017 and propose recommendations to overcome operational barriers. The first policy brief is dedicated to contexts in Italy characterised by collective domains with representative bodies — i.e. formal organisations that represent the community and actively manage the territory; the second policy brief instead analyses contexts where no established representative bodies exist and where civic use lands prevail — i.e. assets over which members of the local community exercise collective rights of historical and customary origin.

An additional introductory policy brief has also been produced, with the aim of clearly and concisely framing the key concepts explored in detail in the two policy documents.

Etifor provides technical assistance to the RuComItaly project working group for the participatory development of the two technical policy briefs (along with the additional introductory policy brief) dedicated to collective domains in Italy. Using participatory methods, Etifor supports the working group in organising focus groups, workshops, and semi-structured qualitative interviews with key stakeholders such as representatives of governing bodies, local administrators, professionals, and researchers.

As part of this consultancy, we support the development of analyses and recommendations on key topics such as the management of protected areas, biodiversity conservation, and the strengthening of local communities in the governance of common goods. The goal is to contribute to the development of fairer and more effective public policies, capable of leveraging commons as a driver towards a greener and more resilient society.

• Policy Brief introduttivo: RuComItaly Project – University of Palermo, University of Padua, & University of Trento; with the technical consultancy of Etifor. (2026). POLICY BRIEF. Valorizzare i domini collettivi in Italia: sfide e prospettive per l’attuazione della Legge 168/2017. PRIN 2022 “Valorising rural commons for a greener and fairer society. Insights from Southern and Northern Italy (RuComItaly)”. Etifor Valuing Nature
• Policy Brief 1: RuComItaly Project – University of Palermo, University of Padua, & University of Trento; with the technical consultancy of Etifor. (2025). POLICY BRIEF. Valorizzare le proprietà collettive: Raccomandazioni di policy per un’efficace implementazione della Legge 168/2017. PRIN 2022 “Valorising rural commons for a greener and fairer society. Insights from Southern and Northern Italy (RuComItaly)”. Etifor Valuing Nature.
• Policy Brief 2: RuComItaly Project – University of Palermo, University of Padua, & University of Trento; with the technical consultancy of Etifor. (2026). POLICY BRIEF. Valorizzare le terre di uso civico: Raccomandazioni di policy per un’efficace implementazione della Legge 168/2017. PRIN 2022 “Valorising rural commons for a greener and fairer society. Insights from Southern and Northern Italy (RuComItaly)”. Etifor Valuing Nature.