Across the OECD and EU, there are significant and persistent disparities in economic, social, and environmental outcomes for people living in different regions. Megatrends such as climate change, technological shifts, globalisation, and demographic changes (ageing, migration, and population decline) risk amplifying existing disparities. Moreover, they place new pressures on the capacity of governments to deliver essential public goods and services. These challenges have resulted in political calls to respond to the concerns of communities and regions, especially those that feel “left behind”.

Against this backdrop, place-based policy has seen a renewed interest, not only for addressing long-term structural transformations that require tailored interventions but also for building resilience in regions. This intensifying political focus calls for a greater understanding of the purpose and effective design of place-based policies in response to current economic, social, demographic, and environmental challenges.

The European Commission and the OECD organised a series of six seminars in 2023 to take stock of current evidence on “place-based policies for the future”. The outcomes of these dynamic workshops, held between March and October 2023, sparked dialogue on the trajectory of place-based policies. They were intended to offer invaluable insights for policymakers across all levels of governance, guiding the formulation and execution of policies that drive equitable and sustainable economic development.

A complete report based on the seminar series is expected to be published in 2024. 

This collaborative project brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, including twelve esteemed academics each tasked with preparing an insightful paper. These papers, representing a variety of perspectives, are available via the links below.