Established in 2003 by the OECD, the Italian Government and the Autonomous Province of Trento (Italy), the Trento Centre is an integral part of the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities.

Our activities support the work programme of the OECD Local Employment and Economic Development (LEED) Programme.

The work focuses on the human dimension (e.g. skills, jobs), the private sector (e.g. entrepreneurship, SMEs) and regions and localities (e.g. multi-level governance, local development, local policy making). We also serve the OECD Committee on Regional Development Policy and the OECD Committee on SMEs and Entrepreneurship.

We provide policy advice and develop policy makers and practitioners’ capacities for the effective design and implementation of policies that are tailored to local needs, focusing on the key drivers of local economic growth and communities’ well-being in OECD and non-OECD countries.

Global challenges, including climate change, geopolitical tensions and public health crises, alongside societal shifts such as aging populations, digital transformation and changing labour markets, are testing the limits of current policy strategies in many OECD countries. These pressures are obstructing worldwide prosperity and growth, signaling the necessity for profound adjustments that will impact individuals, communities and businesses in different ways.

We commit to national and sub-national governments to build their capacity to design and pilot innovative economic policies and frameworks that support a sustainable and resilient development paradigm.