The Territorial Review of Greece offers analysis and policy guidance to strengthen
regional development and well-being. It examines Greece’s regional development framework,
the EU Cohesion policy and multilevel governance in Greece. Since the global financial
crisis, Greece has undertaken an impressive number of structural reforms. Recovery
initiated in 2017 but the current COVID-19 pandemic is slowing down Greece’s efforts.
The country is now facing a number of strategic development priorities including fostering
digitalisation, improving entrepreneurial and business ecosystems, and addressing
environmental challenges. These new priorities must also tackle existing social challenges
and mitigate rising inequalities. The Review examines a range of policies that have
the potential to propel inclusive growth in Greece’s regions and improve the quality
of life for their residents. It stresses that policies for economic growth, social
capital and environmental sustainability are more effective when they recognise the
different economic and social realities where people live and work. OECD work illustrates
the importance to align place based regional development strategies with sectoral
policies (support for private investment, infrastructure and human capital policies)
in each place to generate multiplier effects. To fulfil this task, Greece will need
to continue advancing the reform of its institutional and fiscal multi-level governance
system.