This paper presents RESCO 25 (Adding Value to REsources for COmpetitive Sustainability), a participatory methodology developed by ILS LEDA to assess and enhance the added value of local socio-economic, cultural, natural, and institutional resources for sustainable, competitive, and inclusive development at territorial, sectoral, and value-chain levels.
Design/methodology/approach The methodology is grounded in over twenty years of field application across 17 countries within international cooperation frameworks. RESCO 25 combines qualitative and quantitative assessment through multi-stakeholder focus groups, applying a modular diagnostic framework based on components, variables, and indicators. The approach follows principles of participatory governance, rapid collective assessment, and contextual adaptability, integrating sustainability dimensions aligned with selected United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Findings The application of RESCO 25 demonstrates its capacity to generate shared diagnostic outcomes, identify priority development needs and opportunities, and translate them into coherent strategic actions. The methodology strengthens local ownership, improves resource valorisation, and supports the formulation of integrated strategies for inclusive, circular, and climate-resilient economic systems.
