This policy addresses regional inequalities and the exclusion of lagging territories by integrating social, economic, and ecological investments into comprehensive place-based development strategies. Its design emphasises participatory planning led by local governments, communities, and civil society, supported by decentralisation of resources and cross-sectoral investment frameworks that combine housing, health, education, infrastructure, and ecological restoration. Dedicated territorial development funds are established to provide predictable financing for disadvantaged regions, while national ministries coordinate to ensure coherence and avoid fragmentation.
Implementation involves multi-level governance mechanisms that align national priorities with local needs, with formal roles for community councils and civil society organisations in planning and oversight. The policy goal is to ensure that no community is left behind in the transition to post-growth economies, particularly rural, peripheral, and marginalised regions.
This policy is desirable because it reduces structural inequalities across territories, empowers disadvantaged communities, strengthens local ownership of development, and fosters balanced national progress that prioritises wellbeing and sustainability. Evidence from EU cohesion policies and Latin American territorial pacts shows that place-based approaches can reduce disparities, build resilience, and secure broad-based support for transformative policies.
