Il progetto di ricerca ITINEREL e l'approccio eco-sistemico nei cammini religiosi: quadro teorico, normativa e implicazioni per lo sviluppo sostenibile dei territori

This contribution examines religious and cultural routes through the lens of an eco-systemic approach, highlighting the territory as an integrated ecosystem of cultural, social, environmental, economic, and religious values. Within this framework, routes function as systemic infrastructures that connect diverse actors—public institutions, private stakeholders, and ecclesial entities—through cooperative, multi-level governance. The eco-systemic model enhances sustainable local development by overcoming fragmentation, strengthening community participation, and activating endogenous resources, especially in marginal areas. Aligned with the principles of sustainable tourism, the UN 2030 Agenda, and the paradigm of integral ecology, this approach positions religious routes not merely as tourist products but as generators of social capital and shared value. The ITINEREL project adopts this perspective to explore how such routes can serve as holistic, resilient ecosystems that promote cultural and spiritual heritage while fostering long-term territorial sustainability.