This article analyzes the implementation of two policies for territorial development of the Brazilian countryside in the first decade of the 21st century: the Program for the SustainableDevelopment of Rural Territories (Pronat) and the Program for Territories of Citizenship (PTC). Examining the new institutional arrangements, the programs' socialmanagement and governance structures, and the protagonist role of the various stakeholders, the article concludes that to a certain extent the programs represent a unique strategy for political action and development in the respective geographic areas.However, they still face enormous challenges for effective consolidation of their results.
territorial development; public policies; rural territories; territories of citizenship; Brazilian countryside