The Regional Forestry Programme of the Basilicata region: an example of an inclusive decision-making model

Inclusive decision-making models and public participation processes are now established and consolidated tools in the management of natural resources. In the national context, several Italian regions adopted and implemented inclusive decision-making models in forest policy and planning. This study outlines the structure of the public participation process employed by the Basilicata region in the development of the Regional Forestry Programme (PFR) for the period 2025-2044. The Basilicata Region has recognized the importance of adopting shared decision-making processes, with the aim of identifying priority actions to be implemented and overcoming the main problems and weaknesses of the regional forestry sector. The study presents the main results that emerged from the stakeholders’ involvement in the decision-making process. The participation process was structured into five phases, closely interconnected with each other and characterized by varying stakeholder involvement in relation to the objective, with the stakeholders involved in the current programming phase. During the consultation, 143 stakeholders participated in the regional planning process, aiming to integrate their perspectives into the PFR. The results highlighted that, according to stakeholders, promoting forest planning is a priority, as well as the need to enhance the wood production function of Basilicata forests through improvements in forest roads and support for the certification and traceability of wood products.