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The present chapter introduces the concepts and the issues about Italian inner areas, as defined by the Strategia nazionale per le Aree Interne (National Strategy for Inner Areas – SNAI). In particular, it focuses on a new enterprise model called Community-based cooperatives; they play a fundamental role in the regional development process, from economic, social and environmental points of view. Finally, the key elements of these new cooperatives are highlighted.

The present essay includes the main results of the research project on community-based cooperatives, promoted in 2018 by Fondosviluppo and FEDAM, and implemented by researchers of University of Molise. The volume highlights the potential and the modes of operating of community-based cooperatives, which carry out a mix of productive and socially useful activities for local community well-being. The research, through a new methodological and operational path, reaches the following results: a) devise a strategy to detect the degree of social, economic and environmental vulnerability levels of Italian inner areas; b) outline the needs of local communities; c) define the role of community-based cooperatives in bridging regional gaps, also identifying their possible policy support.

This contribution presents a methodological path tailored to highlight and manage the generating processes of Community-based cooperatives in Italian inner areas. Some quantitative techniques are involved, in particular multivariate statistical techniques, together with text analysis, in order to process the outcomes of a direct survey based on open responses. Moreover, a study of scenario, based on balance sheet data, is proposed, to verify the potential profitability of a new cooperative.