Rethinking social and health services in internal areas participatory processes in Mugello

Internal areas are defined as those territories consisting of municipalities 'significantly distant from centres offering essential services' (Barca, Casavola and Lucatelli, 2014, p. 5), conditions that favour depopulation and cycles of abandonment. In this context, a Health Community Lab (HCL) was established in Mugello, aimed at identifying the needs of the population and local actors and co-producing useful recommendations for the reorganisation of social and health services.The HCL promoted collaboration between the various stakeholders - local administrators, health authorities (SdS), health professionals, Third Sector Organisations (TSOs) , and the resident population - addressing issues such as the services provided in the Community House (CdC) in Borgo San Lorenzo, the accessibility of the area around this facility, and the organisation of health transport services managed by the ETS.The project methodology included a detailed context analysis, including a mapping of TSOs active in Mugello, which was conducted between March and May 2025, and an urban, microclimatic and outdoor comfort analysis. Two co-creation workshops were also organised, and a final evaluation of the project was carried out through questionnaires.The main results highlight problems of traffic congestion, unsafe pedestrian and cycle paths, weak inter-municipal transport and a shortage of resources for volunteer-run medical and social-medical transport services. At the same time, the possibilities of creating an integrated reception service for the future CdC, spaces dedicated to civil society and services for women, and a collaborative transition towards a reorganisation of health and social-health transport services are highlighted. The enhancement of existing public spaces and the strengthening of the local mobility network are also proposed.The policy recommendations suggest investing in services, green infrastructure and local connections - both municipal and inter-municipal - geared towards proximity; promoting synergies between healthcare, spatial planning and mobility through collaborative and place-based strategies; and strengthening participatory governance through permanent forums involving multi-level actors.