The territory of the Fortore is located on the borders with Molise and Puglia and is composed of municipalities that gravitate in terms of services on poles belonging to Campania, Molise and Puglia. This makes it necessary to think of an open strategy that takes account of this territorial complexity, above all, in terms of services to citizens.
The area comprises 7 municipalities classified as peripheral (Baselice, Castelfranco in Miscano, Castelvetere in Valfortore, Foiano di Val Fortore, Ginestra degli Schiavoni, Montefalcone di Valfortore, San Bartolomeo in Galdo), 3 intermediate municipalities (Buonalbergo, San Giorgio and Molinara), 4 belts (Apice, Paduli, San Marco dei Cavoti and Sant’Arcangelo Trimonte). The municipalities in the area have Benevento as their main destination, with the exception of Castelvetere in Val Fortore and San Bartolomeo in Galdo, which have Campobasso and Foggia as their destinations respectively. Peripheral municipalities take precedence over those classified as belts, with direct consequences on access to basic services. The municipalities have an average travel distance of about 41 km to and from the municipality of destination (Source: CTAI).
The population living in the euro area expresses an unease linked to the great distance from the main centres of service provision. The gradual depopulation of this area, together with the ageing of the community, threaten the sustainability of this important part of the Southern Apennines. Internal territory of Campania but inevitably linked to a part of Puglia and Molise with which it borders and shares some problems.
In the period 2001-2020 there was a decrease in the population in absolute terms of 6,901 inhabitants for a percentage of 18% far higher than the overall figure of 1.35 in Campania%. The municipalities with the highest depopulation between 2001 and 2020 in the area are Castelvetere in Val Fortore, Ginestra degli Schiavoni and Sant’Arcangelo Trimonte.
Here is the Preliminary Strategy “F.A.R.O.” of the Internal Area “Fortore” Adopted: Regional Executive Decision No 599 of 2 September 2025
English (UK)