Stakeholders’ perceptions of factors shaping quality of life in rural areas: Evidence from two Italian case studies

Rural areas play a crucial role in achieving sustainable development, yet they face persistent and recurring social issues such as demographic decline, limited access to essential services, and economic stagnation. Framed on community revitalization and place-based development, this study examines the factors influencing quality of life in marginal rural areas at high risk of abandonment, focusing on Basilicata and Tuscany—two Italian regions with distinct socio-economic profiles. Adopting a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with local stakeholders to capture their lived experiences and perceptions of rural well-being and development opportunities. The analysis, supported by textual data processing, highlights shared and region-specific challenges. Key themes include service accessibility, demographic dynamics, economic opportunities, and governance capacity. Findings reveal that while both regions emphasize essential services and economic revitalization, their approaches differ: Basilicata stakeholders stress infrastructural deficits and demographic decline, whereas Tuscany stakeholders highlight rural diversification and place-based initiatives. These insights underscore the importance of local stakeholder perceptions in shaping rural development strategies. The study contributes to theoretical debates on rural well-being by demonstrating how stakeholder perspectives influence policy priorities and intervention strategies. It advocates for place-sensitive policies that enhance institutional capacity and leverage regional assets to promote sustainable rural community revitalization. These findings support the need for a context-specific approach to rural policy that integrates both qualitative and quantitative measures of well-being.