Promoting the territory through its agri-food excellence: the experience of the White Truffle of Alto Monferrato in the scientific researchs of Eastern Piedmont

The intersection of cultural heritage, environmental sustainability and local development has become a strategic focus within contemporary European territorial policies. High-quality agri-food products increasingly serve as symbolic resources capable of structuring local identity and experiential tourism, especially within frameworks such as the European Green Deal and the renewed regulatory architecture for Geographical Indications. This article analyses the case of the Tartufo Bianco Pregiato dell’Alto Monferrato, exploring how scientific innovation, participatory governance and cultural enhancement can converge to strengthen rural development trajectories in under-promoted regions. The white truffle (Tuber magnatum Pico), a non-cultivable species dependent on fragile ecosystems, has long been embedded in the intangible cultural heritage of Alto Monferrato. Despite this heritage, administrative fragmentation and a lack of supply-chain transparency have hindered the area's efforts to build a coherent territorial brand. The NODES (Nord Ovest Digitale e Sostenibile) project offered a multi-actor governance platform that enabled the articulation of a coordinated development strategy linking environmental knowledge, digital tools and cultural narrative. A central innovation was the creation of a scientific authentication protocol combining genetic and geochemical profiling, developed by the National Research Council and the University of Eastern Piedmont. Through integrated data analysis, the model reliably distinguishes Alto Monferrato truffles from those of other origins, offering a robust basis for future certification schemes. Complementarily, the introduction of blockchain-based traceability supports transparency, enhances consumer trust and enables new forms of digital heritage communication. Equally significant were the project’s socio-institutional outcomes: 21 municipalities established a shared governance structure, developing coordinated cultural events, thematic tourism itineraries and a common communication strategy. These initiatives strengthened territorial cohesion and positioned the truffle as a unifying narrative for sustainable development. The study highlights broader implications for SH scholarship, illustrating how place-based innovation, heritage practices and environmental constraints interact in shaping contemporary rural transitions