Details

National LAG Code
ITLO012
Spoken languages
Italian, English, French, Spanish
Main Fund
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
Main Programme
CAP Strategic Plan - Italy
Number of LAG staff
3.5

Physical & demographic characteristics of LAG area

The GAL covers approximately 76 208 ha of predominantly flat, intensively cultivated plain in the western Lomellina, spanning 41 municipalities in the province of Pavia, Italy. The territory is marked by mechanised rice paddies, a dense network of irrigation canals and spring-fed pools, and notable natural wetlands (garzaie) protected under the “Risaie della Lomellina” ZPS. With a high biopotentiality value, the area has a strong agricultural tradition. It experiences marked seasonal rainfall variation and soil sealing from urban expansion threatens agricultural habitats. Our territory faces significant challenges, including a continuous population decline of 7.9% between 2012 and 2022, reflecting broader socioeconomic and demographic difficulties. Over 5,800 residents have left the area in the last decade, representing nearly 80% of the population loss for the entire province. 

Assets & land use of the LAG area

  • Intensive rice cultivation supported by a dense network of irrigation canals, spring pools, and resurgence zones.
  • Wetlands and protected habitats, including “garzaie” heronries and nodal areas within Natura 2000 sites (ZPS/SIC wetlands along Po, Ticino, Sesia, Terdoppio rivers).
  • Remnant natural habitats, like alluvial alder forests, forested mounds (“dossi”), and spring-fed ecosystems with high biodiversity (amphibians, fish, birds, amphibians, rare ferns) .
  • Ecosystem infrastructure including green corridors, riparian buffers, agroforestry elements, and ecological networks maintained via agricultural and non-productive investments .
  • Cultural–historical assets, with numerous rural and built heritage sites (e.g., cascine, villages, ex-industrial installations) poised for regeneration
Decision-making body's entities number
3 entities
We cover
68 658 people
Our territory is
762.00 km²
We operate in
41 municipalities

Albonese, Breme, Candia Lomellina, Castello d'Agogna, Castelnovetto, Ceretto Lomellina, Cergnago, Cilavegna, Confienza, Cozzo, Ferrera Erbognone, Frascarolo, Galliavola, Gambarana, Langosco, Lomello, Mede, Mezzana Bigli, Mortara, Nicorvo, Olevano di Lomellina, Ottobiano, Palestro, Parona, Pieve Albignola, Pieve del Cairo, Robbio, Rosasco, San Giorgio di Lomellina, Sannazzaro de' Burgondi, Sant'Angelo Lomellina, Sartirana Lomellina, Scaldasole, Semiana, Suardi, Torre Beretti e Castellaro, Valeggio, Valle Lomellina, Velezzo Lomellina, Villa Biscossi, Zeme

Active cooperation offers

LAG strategy

Key Themes of LAG Strategy

  1. Youth Retention & generational renewal
    Support for youth engagement, return migration, and the creation of job opportunities to counter depopulation and aging. Encouraging young people to stay or return (“restare”) is central.
  2. Sustainable agriculture & green transition
    Promote sustainable, multifunctional farming practices and circular economy principles, with a strong focus on water management, biodiversity, and agroecology.
  3. Enhancing territorial identity & heritage
    Valorisation of local cultural, historical, and natural assets to strengthen place identity and attractiveness.
  4. Community services & social Inclusion
    Improving access to essential services, especially in small rural municipalities.
  5. Digital & infrastructural innovation
    Bridging the digital divide through smart rural solutions, connectivity, and technological adoption in agriculture and services.
  6. Local governance
    Reinforcing multi-level, public-private cooperation to co-design and implement integrated local development actions.

Themes linked to LAG Strategy

Themes of interest in LEADER TNC

LAG Projects examples

Contacts

Main contact

Piazza Repubblica 37, 27035 Mede - Italy
info@galrisorsalomellina.it, galrisorsalomellina@gmail.com
+39 0384 333559