A strategic territorial project does not arise as a response to an open call, but stems from the development strategy of a specific territory – a region, a city or a functional area. Intentions first enter a strategic document approved by the territorial council or a similar body, and only then move on to funding. The point is coordination: instead of dozens of unrelated applications, investments in transport, schools, social services and public spaces are planned together. For the applicant, this means a different procedure than for a demand-driven project – what matters is getting onto the list of project intentions in good time, because the territory's allocation is set in advance. Preparation therefore begins with negotiations with the local government, not with writing an application. In practice, this means following the partnership council's proceedings and having the intention prepared in a form that can be added to the list without further edits.
See also: Integrated Territorial Investment (ITI), Demand-Driven Project, Project pipeline.
