Territorial cohesion aim and place-based development approach are presented in literature as intricately intertwined. A combination that becomes a method of territorial development approach centred around the concept of functional regions and local systems, namely ‘coherent arenas’ where balanced policies and strategies are crafted. The Piedmont case of ‘Strategia nazionale aree interne’ (SNAI) pilot area, Val Maira and Val Grana provides valuable insights into the intricacies of institutional arrangements in defining a coherent local area – the Union of municipalities of Val Maira and Val Grana – in relation with its supra-local levels – the Region and the European union – within the framework of the SNAI program, almost five years after the Framework program agreement was signed.