# Between policy and perception: Stakeholder views on addressing territorial inequality in Europe

## TL;DR

This paper explores how local and regional stakeholders in Europe perceive territorial inequality and the challenges in addressing it through governance and policy.

## Contribution

The study reveals a disconnect between national policy discourses and local stakeholder priorities in addressing territorial inequality.

## Key findings

- There is a notable gap between national-level discussions and local/regional stakeholder priorities regarding territorial inequality.
- Governance challenges like centralization-decentralization tensions and poor coordination hinder progress in addressing disparities.
- Tailored, context-specific policies are needed to address demographic, geographic, and funding challenges in underserved regions.

## Abstract

Long-standing territorial disparities have evolved into novel forms of inequality, exacerbated by a decline in social status and the protection afforded to citizens. Territorial inequality extends beyond economic disparities in income and wealth, encompassing unequal access to fundamental rights and opportunities such as essential services, infrastructure, and education. These disparities pose significant challenges to comprehensive socioeconomic development. This paper is part of a broader research project on “left-behindness,” aiming to explore stakeholders' perceptions of the underlying drivers of territorial inequalities, as well as the governance mechanisms and policy tools aimed at mitigating these issues.

The analysis draws on data from 20 focus groups conducted between November and December 2023, involving 98 national, regional and local stakeholders from seven European countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Serbia, and Spain.

The findings reveal a notable disconnect between national-level discourses on territorial inequalities and the priorities of local and regional stakeholders across the seven countries. While territorial disparities are acknowledged within policy frameworks, efforts to address these issues are often impeded by governance challenges, including tensions between centralization and decentralization, fragmented coordination, and insufficient horizontal and vertical cooperation among actors at different levels of government.

The research underscores the necessity of adopting place-sensitive, context-specific approaches to address territorial inequalities. It highlights the need to address demographic challenges, geographic isolation, and inequitable funding mechanisms, particularly in underserved regions. Aligning policy interventions with the diverse and context-dependent challenges faced by “left-behind” areas is essential for the effective mitigation of territorial disparities.

Long-standing differences between regions have led to new forms of inequality, worsened by declining protections and support for citizens. Territorial inequality isn’t just about differences in income or wealth; it also includes unequal access to basic services, infrastructure, and education, which affect overall development and opportunities.

This paper, part of a larger research project on “left-behind” areas, examines how local and regional stakeholders perceive the causes of territorial inequalities. It also looks at the policies and governance systems designed to reduce these inequalities. The study is based on 20 focus groups with stakeholders from seven European countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Serbia, and Spain.

The findings reveal a significant gap between national-level discussions on territorial inequalities and the priorities of local and regional stakeholders. While policy agendas acknowledge these differences, progress is often slowed by governance issues, such as tensions between centralized and decentralized decision-making, poor coordination, and a lack of cooperation between different levels of government.

The research highlights the need for policies that are tailored to local challenges. Solutions must consider demographic changes, geographic isolation, and unfair funding practices, especially in regions that lack essential resources. Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of aligning policies with the specific needs of areas often described as “left-behind.”