Political decentralizing processes, the concern for the sustainability of economic growth models in a globalized world, and the emergence of the knowledge society bring along a new way of focusing on the problems relating to development.

On the one hand, the concern for life quality in the present and future generations, brings into focus the territorial (vs. global) dimension of development, since there is growing awareness of the fact that not only are benefits generated in global markets, but also that it is on the local scale that the social and environmental costs of the models based on economic profitability are determined, thus affecting directly the unbalanced distribution of the population’s “welfare” and “better life”. On the other hand, focus on the territory allows a better perception of the multidi-mensionality and complexity of problems, highlighting two important issues. Firstly, the need for solutions to be tackled comprehensively and co-ordinately by all the actors involved in the territory (participation and the creation of tools to in-stitutionalise this participation emerge here as a democratic demand, but also, to the same extent, as an indispensable factor to guarantee the efficiency of decentralizing processes). Secondly, the lack of pluridisciplinary knowledge and learning available to tackle these complex problems comprehensively, and also the lack of project prospecting, design and evaluation tool kits really adapted or adaptable to the needs of the territory.

The caENTI (Coordination Action of the European Network of Territorial Intelligence) has progressively defined territorial intelligence as the science having for object the sustainable development of territories and having for subject territorial community.

• It puts in relation multidisciplinary knowledge on territories and their dynamics
• It strengthens territorial communities abilities to take part in their development in a fair and sustainable way
• It improves territorial information sharing and spreads its analysis methods and tools thanks to Information and Communication Technologies
• It promotes governance, decision making processes and practices valuing participation and partnership and research-action that contribute to fair and sustainable development of the territorial community