The aim of this paper is to show how partnership between University, Local Government and Civil Society may contribute for territory development. The paper central issue is to critically debate to what extent partnership between University, Local Government and Civil Society is an effective strategy for development in areas that are changing from rural to urban structure. It shows a learning experience that has been carried out in the município of Benevides in Pará state, Amazonia region, Brazil. This experience aims to link university research, local government demands and civil society needs in a large development project that involves (a) local government, local organisations and communities capacity building, (b) município participatory planning and (c) university services delivering as a form to effectively contribute to the area where the university is involved with.