THE POWER OF PEOPLE, PLACES & FIRMS
Reading Time: 3 minutesPowerful forces are reshaping the world of work. Ageing populations, the transition to green energy, rapid digitalisation, and uneven connectivity are already redrawing the economic landscape. AI tools promise a way out – automating routine tasks, optimising schedules, even predicting maintenance needs before breakdowns. But for local leaders, a dilemma looms: will AI ease labour shortages or put people out of work – and their region?
Reading Time: 4 minutesOver the past 15 years, Europe’s cities have grown by nearly 12 million people. Yet while Europe’s large cities have expanded by around 6.5%, smaller cities have shrunk by 1.7%. Western cities have been generally growing, while many in Eastern Europe are losing residents. This uneven growth raises an important question – what does it mean to have the Right to Stay in Europe’s shrinking cities?
Reading Time: 4 minutesBig metros power ahead while many towns and smaller regions struggle to keep up. A recent UK-Japan study, looks squarely at this problem through two ‘second city’ regions – Birmingham/the West Midlands and Osaka/Kansai – and distils a practical playbook that local leaders can use now. The argument is simple: finds durable institutions, functional regional geographies, flexible finance, and open learning loops are the levers that turn strategy into outcomes.
Reading Time: 4 minutesPortugal shows that the green transition in textiles is both a climate imperative and a business opportunity to reshape production, secure jobs, and meet global demand for sustainable fashion. With SMEs at the core, progress must come from the bottom up, backed by coherent top-down policies. As the fashion cycle accelerates, so too does its environmental footprint – and the need to change our approach.
Reading Time: 3 minutesIn OECD countries, around 1 in 8 young people fall between the two and become “NEETs” – those neither working, studying, nor receiving training. In Latin America, it is 1 in 4 young people. But NEETs are not just a problem. They represent an opportunity – a vast pool of talent, full of skills and enthusiasm. With the right support, they can become a powerful and positive force for change.
Reading Time: 5 minutesSpecial Economic Zones (SEZs) have evolved beyond tax incentives to boost regional growth, focusing on infrastructure, digital connectivity, and talent. From Ireland’s Shannon Free Zone to China’s industrial hubs, their success hinges on strong governance and a place-sensitive approach. The challenge now is ensuring SEZs drive inclusive regional development.
Reading Time: 4 minutesIn 2024, AI usage surged in the EU27, with 13.5% of enterprises adopting it, spurred by accessible generative AI. However, disparities emerge as some firms and regions advance while others lag, raising concerns over increasing digital divides.
Reading Time: < 1 minuteL’intelligence artificielle générative augmente la productivité et aide à résoudre les pénuries de main-d’œuvre, mais accentue la fracture numérique entre urbain et rural.