In Italy, Commercial Districts have been created with different objectives related to local management and promotion. In Piedmont, the Commercial District has been conceived as a collective actor with a propositional and innovative role in local development. This role can be performed starting from the creation of a relational network joining various local actors and making them "work" together on concrete projects. The essay illustrates the results of a part of the process of experimental starting up of some Commercial Districts in Piedmont (Italy), the "Novese District" (Novi Ligure area) and that of "Terre del Riso" (Vercelli area). The relevant aspect shown in the field research is the fact that trust relationships between the involved actors and local identity intended as a resource are central in defining an efficient governance model.
Keywords: Social network, Commitment, Local Growth, Governance, Deliberative Democracy, Trade Growth