Rethinking regional attractiveness in the new global environment

The Rethinking regional attractiveness in the new global environment report, launched on 5 July 2023 with the support of the European Commission (DG Regio), explores lessons learned from multiple regional case studies from five EU countries (Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden), additional work with Latin American and Caribbean regions, and a series of webinars and one-on-one dialogues on rethinking regional attractiveness.

The report helps regional and national policymakers to understand how individual regions fare in a new global environment that continues to deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine and existing megatrends. It identifies policy levers and good practices to attract investors, talent, and visitors, emphasizing the need for coordination across levels of government, policy fields, and private stakeholders.

Contracts between levels of government: A tool for advanced regionalisation in Morocco

The aim of this report is to support the implementation of the contractual approach to relations between levels of government in Morocco; the appropriation by the Regions of their own competencies; the strengthening of the coherence of territorial development strategies between State and Regions; a dialogue between the stakeholders involved in the reform of Advanced Regionalisation as well as the sharing of experiences with peers. Finally, a checklist of priorities for a State-Region contract aimed at inclusive, sustainable and resilient territorial development is proposed, based on the best contractual practices observed in Morocco and in OECD member countries.

Read the report  (Note: full report only in French)

Annex A Employment

Annex B Vocational training

Annex C Special economic zones

Internationalisation and attractiveness strategies of French regions

L’internationalisation et l’attractivité des régions françaises 

This book shows how internationalisation and attractiveness policies are the result of action taken by a wide range of stakeholders (at different levels of the government and in different sectors). The report offers innovative solutions and tools to improve the implementation of regional internationalisation and attractiveness strategies at multiple levels in France.

More about the report (guidelines and case studies)

Read the report  (Note: full report only in French)

Download the toolkit (PDF)

Regions and globalisation

An original approach to regional internationalisation and its application to the case of France

The COVID-19 crisis demonstrated that local authorities are on the front line when it comes to dealing with the various effects of globalisation. In France, as in OECD countries in general, responsibility for producing and implementing strategies that combine economic development, innovation and internationalisation falls to the regional level. This summary document covers the main lessons learned from OECD policy analysis and statistical work carried out on French regions’ internationalisation. It proposes an original methodology for assessing the position of regions in globalisation and applies this to France, comparing statistical observations with the internationalisation strategies adopted by French the regions. Also presented are multi-level governance measures in which the actors of regional internationalisation are involved.

Read the paper EN

Also available in FR

Measuring the attractiveness of regions

This working paper provides a conceptual framework for measuring the attractiveness of OECD regions. First, it presents the imperative for rethinking regional attractiveness in the context of global shocks and trends and their regionalised consequences and opportunities. Then, it presents a new framework through which to look at territorial levers for attracting investors, talent and visitors, and where those policy goals can overlap. Various tools, as well as a dashboard comprising 55 indicators, are produced which policy-makers can leverage to better understand their strengths and gaps in terms of attractiveness towards international targets.

Read the paper EN

The focus of this project has never been more relevant after the COVID-19 pandemic triggered the most severe recession in nearly a century.

Regions are facing a new economic and sanitary environment prompting a rethink of participation in globalisation, as well as their relative attractiveness to investors, talent and visitors. In response, regions need to fully understand the structural challenges emerging or reinforced by the pandemic and how their international profiles may have changed while maintaining a focus on providing benefits to local residents and businesses and preserving environmental resources.

The pandemic is also accelerating and reshaping existing megatrends and deepening their impact across different territories. The indicators below highlight both the asymmetric impact of the crisis within and between countries, and megatrends that could further amplify existing regional inequalities.

For this Project, the OECD has designed an original methodological framework, bringing together four categories of international connections. This approach allows us to assess the international profile of regions, thus going beyond the criteria of economic exchanges alone:

• Human connections consist of foreigners who travel to or settle in a territory, in particular migrants and visitors
• Knowledge connections refer to different dimensions of innovation (foreign researchers, international patent collaborations, etc.) and cultural links;
• Business connections, or commercial and financial exchanges, consisting of imports, exports and foreign direct investments.
• Infrastructure connections, or the physical connections that a region offers to its potential international partners: roads, airports, ports, rails, broadband internet and logistics

This approach allows us to assess a region’s international profile and attractiveness based on an in-depth analysis of key dimensions, thus going beyond the criteria of economic exchanges alone.

In addition to economic indicators, the project considers a range of indicators associated with well-being, inclusiveness, and environmental sustainability, all of which are necessary to make regions attractive (to investors, talent and visitors) and resilient in the long term.

50 + indicators are utilised, covering 14 dimensions of attractiveness, across six domains:

• Economic attractiveness: e.g. Innovation & entrepreneurship, SMEs, and the Labour market
• Connectedness: e.g. Transportation, Logistics and Digitalisation
• Visitor appeal: e.g. Tourism and Cultural Capital
• Natural environment: e.g. Environment and Natural Capital
• Resident well-being: e.g. Health, Education, and Social cohesion
• Land and housing

• Tempting talent: Enhancing the attractiveness of non-metropolitan regions
• The Return of tourists: Regions rethinking attractiveness and sustainability
• RAMI-Euromontana blog: They’ll move (to) mountains!

Webinar: Enhancing regional attractiveness for resilient development - A dialogue amongst practitioners - 24 October 2023

Following the recent publication of the OECD flagship report on Rethinking Regional Attractiveness in the New Global Environment and several regional case studies, this webinar mobilised a community of practice (experts from regional governments, as well as from the private sector and the academia) that seeks to identify challenges and share international good practices to enhance the attractiveness of regions towards investors, talent and visitors. It helped understand the priorities of policy-makers and the types of tools currently used or needed, to enhance the attractiveness of regions, which in turn inspired further dialogues.

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• Agenda

Report launch: Rethinking regional attractiveness in the new global environment - 5 July 2023

The report, launched with the support of the European Commission (DG REGIO), applies an original quantitative methodology to assess regional attractiveness, introducing an ‘attractiveness compass’ to help policymakers understand how individual regions fare in a new global environment. It identifies key drivers of attractiveness to the international target groups of investors, talent, and visitors, and the policy levers available to enhance regional attractiveness. The report draws on lessons learned from multiple regional case studies from five EU countries (Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden), additional work with Latin American and Caribbean regions, and a series of webinars and one-on-one dialogues.

• Agenda

4th in the OECD webinar series on Rethinking regional attractiveness - Enhancing the attractiveness of non-Metropolitan Areas: The role of Special Economic Zones - 15 March 2023

The webinar was organised by the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE), in collaboration with the Directorate for Financial and Enterprises Affairs (DAF), the OECD Trade and Agriculture Directorate (TAD), and the Development Centre (DEV), and with the support of the Costa Rica Investment Promotion Agency (CINDE), and the European Commission (DG REGIO). It provided an opportunity for participants to hear from a panel of international experts and practitioners as they share their knowledge and experiences on the advantages and challenges associated with Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and how they can facilitate regional development outside metropolitan areas, with a particular focus on the agriculture sector.

The webinar explored how rethinking regional development can make outside metropolitan regions more attractive to investors and talent, and covered issues such as: Rethinking regional development outside metropolitan areas; The role of Special Economic Zones: opportunities and challenges and Spreading the benefits of the SEZs within the regions.

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• Key takeaways
• Issues note EN | SPA

A dialogue on the future of regions: Evolving attractiveness of non-metropolitan areas - 28 February 2023

To support the OECD's work on rethinking regional attractiveness, the 3rd Dialogue on the Future of Regions organised by the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE),  and with support from the European Commission (DG REGIO) featured Ms Juliette Langlais, Airbnb Public Policy and Campaigns Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), who provided a keynote address on Airbnb analysis of changes in people’s travel and telework tastes and habits and present the opportunities and challenges sub-national governments face in attracting visitors and teleworkers outside big cities. Along with Dr Andrés Rodríguez-Pose of the London School of Economics, an internationally renowned expert in economic geography and regional science,  who animated the discussion.

This dialogue presented an opportunity for regional policymakers, researchers and other interested parties to engage first-hand with renowned practitioners and experts on critical issues that help in Rethinking territorial development policies in the new global environment.

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3^rd in the OECD webinar series on Rethinking regional attractiveness: Rethinking the attractiveness of tourism regions – 8 Nov 2022

As part of the OECD’s work on rethinking regional attractiveness in the new global environment, this webinar provided an opportunity for participants to hear from a panel of international experts and practitioners as they shared experiences and good practices to address some of the major challenges and opportunities currently facing tourism regions (e.g. Rethinking tourism success, Spreading the benefits within regions, Attracting and retaining staff in regions, and Leveraging tourism as a catalyst for regional development).  

The event was organised by the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE), with the support of the European Commission, and in collaboration with the OECD Development Centre (DEV). N.B.  that due to a technical issue, we are unable to provide a recording of the event as originally intended.

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Regional development in the new global environment: Case studies in Colombia

In the framework of the EU Regional Development Transition Facility for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the project "Regional development in the new global environment: Argentina, Chile and Colombia" aims to initiate a dialogue with the Colombian Pacific region (and its four departments: Cauca, Chocó, Nariño, Valle del Cauca) and reshape its positioning in the new global environment, through a better understanding of its strategic assets and the impact of the crisis.

The project "Regional Development in Colombia: attractiveness for a sustainable and inclusive recovery at the sub-national level in the post-COVID-19 world" is a case study on the Department of Córdoba that aims to identify critical factors to improve attractiveness for investors at the sub-national level. Mobilising regional assets and talent, in an inclusive and sustainable manner, will help respond to territorial and social disparities for further subnational development, as part of Colombia's ongoing internationalisation strategy.

• Agenda (in Spanish)
• Presentation (in Spanish)

A dialogue on the future of regions: Getting creative about regional development- 21 June 2022

This dialogue organised by the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE), with support from the European Commission (DG REGIO) supports the work the OECD is leading on rethinking regional attractiveness. In this discussion, Dr Richard Florida, widely known for his conceptualisation of the creative class and its importance in fostering economic development, provides a keynote address on how diversity, creativity and innovation can shape inclusive and sustainable regional development.

Following the keynote, Dr Andrés Rodríguez-Pose of the London School of Economics, an internationally renowned expert in economic geography and regional science, animates the discussion. He draws on his decades of research in the field of regional science and as a consultant with numerous governments and international organisations. Finally, the floor is open for dialogue among the participants and the experts. 

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• Key messages

2nd in the OECD webinar series on Rethinking regional attractiveness in the new global environment: Making ports and logistics networks an asset for regional development – 24 May 2022

As part of the OECD’s work on rethinking regional attractiveness in the new global environment, this webinar explored the role of maritime ports as levers to influence the attractiveness of regions vis a vis international investors (and exporters), talent, and visitors.

The event was organised by the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE), with the support of the European Commission, and in collaboration with the OECD International Transport Forum (ITF), the OECD Development Centre (DEV) and the International Association of Cities and Ports (AIVP). International experts and practitioners shared experiences and good practices on how port infrastructure can enhance regional development. 

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Dialogue on the future of regions: Geographies of opportunity in the new global environment – 8 Feb 2022

Two renowned experts harvested insights into the future of regions through discussions on how to rethink territorial development in the new global environment. Dr Parag Khanna, author of Move: The Forces Uprooting Us discusses how global migrations – accelerated by megatrends such as climate change, automation and globalisation – explored the future of regions. Acclaimed expert in regional science, Dr Andrés Rodríguez-Pose animated the discussion with Dr Khanna, unpacking how and why these changes will come about and what regions can do to attract (young) talent and build a sustainable path forward. 

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Webinar: What makes a region attractive? How to measure and monitor – 29 Nov 2021

Organised by the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE), with support from the European Commission (DG REGIO), this webinar was the first in a series on Rethinking Regional Attractiveness. It informs the OECD’s work on Rethinking territorial development strategies in the new global environment, and the wider CFE activity on Regions in Globalisation. Participants exchanged views on the OECD’s innovative approach to helping policy-makers understand and assess the international profile of regions, as well as their attractiveness to international investors, talent and visitors.

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Launch Event:  Regional Development in the New Global Environment: Argentina, Chile and Colombia – 2 July 2021

“The regional dimension of the national development plans in the global context of COVID-19

Through the analysis and understanding of the position of the regions in globalisation, the OECD aims to promote a dialogue between the different levels of government and with the private sector and civil society to address regional disparities in Latin America.

The discussion focused on the regional dimension of national recovery plans and their contribution to enhancing the regional position in the new global environment. Experience-sharing on internationalisation and regional attractiveness policies will explore how to develop a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive development after the impact of COVID-19.

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Webinar: “Which relocation strategies for resilient regional development? The Case of Nearshoring – 16^th September 2021

In the context of the OECD project on Regional development in the new global environment, this webinar considered the conditions in which relocation strategies could be an effective instrument for recovery and long-term resilience seizing on lessons from the Covid-19 crisis. A territorial focus is key to assessing the potential impact of reshoring/offshoring and nearshoring opportunities and strategies, and successful ways to implement them.

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