RELATIONSHIP SYSTEM ANALYSIS IN SOCIAL FARMING: THE ROLE OF “SICILIAN SOCIAL FARM NETWORK

Social Farming is arising more and more public and private operators’ interest for its huge potential to meet today’s demand for a more sustainable farming from a social, economic and environmental perspective, in a view of becoming multifunctional. Social Farming is a typical example of inter-sector integration where the centrality of the networks of operators of different sectors - farming, third sector, institutional bodies, etc. – is fundamental, as well as interacting through a process of competition-collaboration, not only according to market rules but also with respect of reciprocity and mutualism, aiming at fulfilling the local community welfare. This work analyzed the relational system of the “Sicilian Social Farms Network” by means of the Social Network Analysis, in order to point out its network characteristics, sore and strong points. Results provided a “map of the relationships” among all the operators involved into social activities of different kind, and in particular it showed the central role of the “Sicilian Social Farms Network” both within the coordination activities and intermediation ones, to draw relationships with outside-network operators. In the future it is possible to assume a strengthening of the role of the “Sicilian Social Farms Network”, also by adhering to international contexts that may favor It to join international projects.