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Activity Funded

Centre for Transdisciplinary Development Studies

Centro de Estudos Transdisciplinares para o Desenvolvimento

Reference
UIDB/04011/2020
Project Start Date
2020-01-01
Project End Date
2024-12-31
Principal Investigator
Scientific Area
Social sciences
Funding Program
Concurso de avaliação no âmbito do Programa Plurianual de Financiamento de Unidades de I&D (2017/2018) - Financiamento Base

Abstract

10.2 Summary in English for general dissemination purposes CETRAD will continue to research key issues of territorial and rural development, based on its core values of inter-, multi- and trans-disciplinarity, stakeholder participation, and beneficiary empowerment, recognizing that more autonomous processes of economic growth and social cohesion are crucial to mitigating territorial exclusion. Research in the period 2018-22 will be framed and sustained in 3 Research Groups (RGs): Tourism, identities& cultural heritage; Innovation, organisations & markets; and Society, territory, resources & policy, crosscut by operational and flexible Thematic Research Lines (TRLs), reflecting the growth of the centre, the interests and skills of its Integrated Members (IMs), but above all its willingness to respond effectively to societal changes. Current TRLs are focused on agroforestry and food sustainability; territorial cohesion; social inclusion; rural enterprise; tourism; and the valuation of environmental and heritage services. The Centre’s research will also reflect the central themes of the two new PhD Courses (Development, Societies& Territories / Agribusiness & Sustainability) currently anchored there, with a view to assuring their consolidation and further development. CETRAD supports regional development by: (1) identifying endogenous resources with market potential (in particular in the agri-food sector, the environment and tourism/heritage); (2) linking endogenous development and social inclusion to support regional empowerment and cohesion; (3) identifying innovative sustainable forms of entrepreneurship that can generate and locally retain both value and employment; and (4) devising solutions that connect local development, social inclusion and regional cohesion. The research carried out via CETRAD activities add value in the form of new knowledge, policy recommendations and organizational strategies. CETRAD’s Plan of Activities for 2018-22 will be coordinated by its Executive Committee and validated by its Scientific Council, and its implementation will also draw on contributions from the External Advisory Board and Regional Stakeholder Forum. CETRAD collaborates with other UTAD-based R&D units and develops (inter)national partnerships with R&D units with complementary interests, thus reinforcing UTAD's role as a regional development hub and its vocation for advanced training and applied research. Ongoing projects and those planned for 2018-22, along with the international exchange of postdoctoral fellows, will further integrate CETRAD into (trans)national collaborative networks in rural, local and territorial development. Individual and collective skills will develop furtherand the Unit’s recognition in the scientific community be further reinforced via the regular and systematic participation of CETRAD RGs and TRLs in projects, networks and in the (co)organization of (inter)national events. 10.3 Summary in English for evaluation The sustainable development of areas with low population density such as the Portuguese Interior has long been inhibited by the low priority they have received in national and community strategies of growth, employment, innovation, inclusion and cohesion. Today, the EC’s 2020 and 2025 visions, cross-border Euro-region initiatives and national regional policy appear to provide a more critical response and a more viable way forward. In 2019-22, recognising that territorial exclusion can be mitigated only if greater regional economic autonomy and socio-cultural cohesion are developed alongside a more equitable incorporation of the region within national and EU space, CETRAD will continue to research key issues of rural, regional and local development, upholding its core values of inter-, multi- and trans-disciplinarity, stakeholder participation and beneficiary empowerment. The focus of research for 2018-22 has been further sharpened, as reflected in the adjusted matrix of Research groups (RGs) and Thematic Research Lines (TRLs). Three RGs (RG1-Tourism, identities& cultural heritages; RG2-Innovation, markets & organization; and RG3-Society, territory, resources & policy) are crosscut by 6 operational TRLs that design, seek funding and execute projects on CETRAD’s current array of thematic priorities: 1) Agri-food systems, forest and sustainability in rural areas; 2) Knowledge, entrepreneurship and competitiveness; 3) Economic dynamics and socio-territorial cohesion; 4) Tourism and development; 5) Demonstration and capture of the value of goods with andwithout markets; 6) Risk society, inclusion and social policies. CETRAD’s central objectives are to: 1. Undertake rurally-focused research, using interdisciplinary perspectives and methods applicable to processes of social, economic and territorial change in regional, national, EU, international and comparative contexts; 2. Identify factors (including socio-economic, demographic and related trends) that contribute to processes of territorial exclusion, converting findings into policy proposals, organisational strategies and social measures conducive to the development of more innovative, intelligent, inclusive and sustainable territories; 3. Foster research on rural development in close collaboration with firms, public entities and civil society organisations, with a view to identifying activities that promote individual and collective entrepreneurship, active citizenship and group empowerment. CETRAD will continue to deliver value-added in the form of studies, policy recommendations and organisational strategies. By regularly drawing on its research, the policy community, and private, public and third sector organisations have validated CETRAD’s research as a valid contribution to solving the development problems from which targeted territories suffer. CETRAD’s research supports more endogenous local development in 3 crucial ways: (1) by identifying resources (e.g. inputs into the agrifood, tourism, culture and energy value chains) whose extra-local market potential is not yet fully realized, whose competitiveness needs reinforcing and/or whose value cannot easily be expressed in market terms; (2) by prioritising the link between more endogenous development, greater social inclusion through empowerment, and firmer regional cohesion; (3) by focusing on forms of innovation, entrepreneurship and competitiveness that promote sustainable wealth and employment-creation while mitigating demographic decline; and (4) by devising solutions that connect local development, social inclusion and regional cohesion. Since CETRAD’s strategy also encourages cooperation with the strategies of other UTAD-based research centres, its work contributes directly to the university’s regional development mission as pole for advanced training and applied research. As well as increasing its doctoral teaching/supervision in other UTAD Schools and R&D Units (Animal Science, Agronomy, Forestry, Letters), the Centre has recently created 2 new inter-disciplinary doctoral programmes linked to sustainable rural development (Development, Societies & Territories / Agribusiness & Sustainability) which will increase PhD teaching/supervision by CETRAD members, and strengthen research collaboration with regional stakeholders. CETRAD will adapt its governance structure accordingly, with Course Directors and representatives of PhD students becoming members of key bodies. The CETRAD Working Paper series - designed to act as a stepping-stone for future journal publication - will be launched in 2018 to strengthen the Centre’s dissemination objectives (in general) and to stimulate publication by doctoral students (in particular). Based on existing and new inter-institutional collaboration, CETRAD will conclude its negotiations on partnering other universities in the launch of PhD programmes in Social Work and 3rd Sector Management. As part of its ongoing collaboration with the Instituto Universitário da Maia (ISMAI), CETRAD has already become a partner in a Masters course in Tourism, Heritage& Development and, during 2018-22, will implement the proposed joint PhD programme in Tourism & Cultural Heritage. To improve regional dialogue and boost the research empowerment of locally-based businesses, civil society organisations and local government entities, increased priority will be given to CETRAD’s Regional Stakeholder Forum. The Centre will continue to prepare participatory activities with regional stakeholders to identify relevant research and collaboration to develop and consolidate a more inclusive regional development strategy. Membership of the External Advisory Board (EAB) was adjusted in 2017 to assist in improving governance, research, publications and doctoral supervision. The first meeting of the new EAB has already born fruit e.g. by recommending changes to CETRAD’s statutes and regulations in line with the adjustments in its governance structure.

Institutions

Main Institutions

  • Centro de Estudos Transdisciplinares para o Desenvolvimento (CETRAD/UTAD)
  • Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD)

Funding 682.000,00 €

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - Portugal

682.000,00 €