Inner Peripheries is a complex and often misinterpreted concept, as demonstrated by current scientific evidence. Such complexity derives from the intrinsic peripherality and marginality characteristics of the Inner Peripheries. Despite Inner Peripheries suffer from geographical and socio-economic disparities, their environmental, social and economic potentialities are not fully expressed, and thus can be further strengthened by both the EU Cohesion and Rural Development Policies. However, there is currently a lack of knowledge about the linkages between the Inner Peripheries and both Cohesion and Rural Development Policies, which could limit the effectiveness of planning strategies in these territories. Therefore, through a structured review, we explore the linkages between Inner Peripheries and peripherality and marginality concepts and related criticalities and opportunities. Moreover, we consider the relationships between Inner Peripheries and Cohesion Policy Thematic Objectives and Rural Development Policy Priorities. The main findings show that the Inner Peripheries concept needs to be further explored, especially concerning the environmental aspects. Accordingly, we suggest that great challenges and opportunities currently exist in these territories, and combined policies efforts need to be oriented to strengthen the future sustainable development in the Inner Peripheries.. Key words: Review, Rural Development Policy, Cohesion Policy, Inner Areas. Resumen: Inner Peripheries es un concepto complejo y a menudo mal interpretado, como lo demuestran las pruebas científicas actuales. Tal complejidad deriva de sus intrínsecas características de periferia y marginalidad. A pesar de que las Inner Peripheries sufren de disparidades geográficas y socioeconómicas, sus potencialidades ambientales, sociales y económicas no se expresan completamente y, por lo tanto, pueden ser reforzadas por las Políticas de Cohesión y Desarrollo Rural de la UE. Sin embargo, actualmente existe una falta de conocimiento sobre los vínculos entre las Periferia Interior y las Políticas de Cohesión y Desarrollo Rural, lo que podría limitar la efectividad de las estrategias de planificación en estos territorios. A través de una revisión estructurada, exploramos los vínculos entre las Inner Peripheries y los conceptos de periferia y marginalidad y las críticas y oportunidades relacionadas. Además, consideramos las relaciones entre las Inner Peripheries y los objetivos temáticos de la Política de Cohesión y las Prioridades de la Política de Desarrollo Rural. Los principales hallazgos muestran que el concepto de Inner Peripheries necesita ser explorado más a fondo, especialmente en relación con los aspectos ambientales. Sugerimos que actualmente existen grandes desafíos y oportunidades en estos territorios, y que los esfuerzos de políticas combinadas deben orientarse para fortalecer el desarrollo sostenible futuro en las Inner Peripheries. Palabras clave: Revisión; Política De Desarrollo Rural; Política De Cohesión; Áreas Internas.

Two opposing narratives are now facing on marginal rural areas. The first one looks at these areas as monolithic, characterized by overwhelming negative trends. The continuous decrease of population and the absence of immigration processes represent insurmountable obstacles to any chance of development and revitalization. It is difficult to establish a virtuous circle: even if the role of institutions is active in promoting projects for the revitalization of local micro-economies. A second narrative emphasize cases of people who have chosen an opposite migration project: leave the cities to settle in remote areas. The paper focuses on a case study, the neo-rural network in the Borbera and Curone Valleys (North Italy). The reconstruction of their experience and the analysis of the their social networks allow us to focus on the dynamics of marginal areas, identifying alternatives scenarios. It is necessary, therefore, to reverse the perspective, highlighting the signs of a change.

Since the promulgation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the member states of the United Nations in 2015, the concept of sustainability has become pervasive in society.