THE POWER OF PEOPLE, PLACES & FIRMS
Reading Time: 3 minutesFor small businesses, formalisation should not feel like another administrative burden. Done well, it can become a route to trust, finance and growth. In Somalia, informal shops and traders keep economies alive daily; so, are we formalising for paperwork, or to really help entrepreneurs succeed?
Reading Time: 5 minutesAcross much of Europe, regions are facing a growing challenge: how to attract, develop, and retain talent in an increasingly competitive labour market. How can young people’s horizons be broadened to improve their employment prospects?
Reading Time: 4 minutesAcross the OECD, cities are engines of economic growth. They attract investment, create high‑value jobs and generate most of national wealth. Yet for millions of their residents, this prosperity remains out of reach. So, if growth alone is not enough, what actually helps more people benefit from and contribute to it?
Reading Time: 3 minutesRecent reports suggest Volkswagen could close several German plants and cut up to 100,000 jobs globally, in what may be its largest-ever restructuring. Factories in Hanover, Zwickau, Emden and Neckarsulm would be hit hardest, as traditional automakers face pressure from Chinese competition, rising costs, and a slower-than-expected shift to EVs. Can Europe’s manufacturing heartlands adapt fast enough to survive the EV transition?
Reading Time: 4 minutesAfter decades during which the very concept was taboo and the reality swept under the rug, the world has now rediscovered industrial policy. But too much of it is reactive, scattered, and driven by whichever crisis has the attention of the moment. How can we create a more systemic approach that recognizes the issues we face are interconnected and rooted in real places?
Reading Time: 3 minutesAt their best, incubators and accelerators are the beating heart of the local business community. By combining physical working spaces with financing, training and mentoring, they can mean the difference between a business thriving and never getting off the ground. But what does it actually take to build an incubator or accelerator that delivers?
Reading Time: 4 minutesJapan welcomed more than 40 million international visitors in 2025, setting a new record. While Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka dominate, other cities are working to raise their profile. How is Sendai seeking to grow internationally while ensuring tourism strengthens resilience and benefits local people?
Reading Time: 4 minutesThousands travel into Alba Iulia daily for work, school and services, while rural businesses supply food, goods and visitors that strengthen the city in return. The relationship runs both ways. What lessons can be drawn on building skills, mobility and collaboration between rural and urban communities?