Participation and governance in territorial development projects: the 'territory game' as a local project leadership system

This article deals with methods and tools dedicated to territorial development respecting participatory principles. This process enables the emergence of cross-cutting global approaches and involves new forms of decision-making (consultation, participatory management, collective development of territorial projects, cooperation, etc.). We analyse a concrete example that we have developed: the 'territory game'. It is a collective and cognitive instrument that promotes local coordination. This tool allows stakeholders to express and debate their individual and collective representations of the territory they belong to. The 'territorial game' is then implemented in order to facilitate a general agreement fostering the emergence of territorial projects. It can thus be considered as a relevant leadership tool for local, participatory governance.