COGITO

From steel to social cohesion in Bilbao

Reading Time: 4 minutesThe city of Bilbao has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent decades, evolving from a declining industrial centre into a city of global standing and appeal. How has it kept social cohesion at its heart?

Mining standards: Turning opportunity into local-development reality

Reading Time: 3 minutesIt is the “paradox of proximity”: communities nearest a mine feel its impacts first, yet often lack the skills, finance or infrastructure to secure jobs and contracts. How can these opportunities be turned into outcomes?

La economía social y solidaria en Cataluña: claves del éxito

Reading Time: 4 minutesLa economía social y solidaria catalana no nació solo de la ley: desde 2016, catorce “Ateneus Cooperatius” y redes comunitarias han creado más de 1100 cooperativas. ¿Bastará ahora la política para sostener lo que crearon?

When the copper party ends… can mining regions make the gains last?

Reading Time: 3 minutesCopper booms do not last for ever. Prices rise, investment pours in and mining regions expand. Then the cycle turns. The obvious question for places that depend on mining is: what remains when it does?

How cities borrow ideas and make them work locally

Reading Time: 4 minutesCities often look to one another for solutions to challenges ranging from housing shortages and climate risks to infrastructure pressures and social inequalities. How can cities bridge the gap between inspiration and implementation?

The social and solidarity economy in Catalonia: Secrets to success

Reading Time: 4 minutesCatalonia’s social and solidarity economy wasn’t built by legislation alone: fourteen Cooperative Hubs and community networks came first, creating over 1,100 cooperatives since 2016. As legal recognition arrives, can policy alone sustain what communities already built?

Beyond buffaloes: Building a social enterprise in Laos

Reading Time: 4 minutesIn rural Laos, Laos Buffalo Dairy rents pregnant buffaloes from farmers, supporting rural families while producing milk commercially, sustaining livelihoods without disrupting traditional local farming practices. But can shared value be a lasting business model?

Putting people at the heart of Ukraine’s recovery

Reading Time: 5 minutesIn Ivano-Frankivsk, Promprylad Foundation retrains displaced people, veterans and women for in-demand local jobs, supporting 30,000+ people and 600+ new jobs since 2022. Can community-led models like this reshape how we think about post-war economic recovery?

Why we need an innovative approach to regional development

07 April 2025 Stephane Pronovost - (CanNor), Juste Rajaonson - (UQAM) and Pier-Olivier Poulin - (Ville de Montréal)

Reading Time: 4 minutesGovernments around the world spend billions every year supporting innovation. Their investments generate breakthroughs that power economic and social progress. But are their investments in innovation reaching the places that need it most?

SME finance in uncertain times: Forging a path to resilience

02 April 2025 Miriam Koreen - (OECD) and Maria Camila Jimenez - (OECD)

Reading Time: 3 minutesSMEs and entrepreneurs are at an important crossroads. Recent challenges like pandemic shutdowns, high inflation, and rising interest rates persist, keeping financing conditions tight. As uncertainty grows, businesses and governments must choose: halt investments at the risk of innovation and competitiveness or find new ways to access capital.

Can distressed communities fuel national competitiveness?

24 March 2025 Tim Bartik - (Upjohn Institute for Employment Research)

Reading Time: 4 minutesOver 30% of Americans live in economically distressed local labour markets. With the right policies, these distressed local labour markets can be boosted to higher employment rates at a reasonable cost per job. Such policies would not only help these local labour markets, but also boost the national economy.

COGITO Talks… Winners without medals: The legacy of volunteers

10 March 2025 Shayne MacLachlan - (OECD), Betty-Ann Bryce - (OECD) and Max Jablonowski - (OECD)

Reading Time: < 1 minuteVolunteers are the beating heart of any event, from the Olympics to your local school sports day. But beyond the medals and podiums, what impact does volunteering have on individuals, communities, and the broader economy?

Can Special Economic Zones spur regional attractiveness?

28 February 2025 Michael Flood - (OECD), Giovanni Pagano - (OECD) and Ewa Białogłowska - (OECD)

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.

Assets to Ashes: Counting the Cost of Wildfires in OECD Countries

25 February 2025 David Freshwater - (UK/UKY)

Reading Time: 5 minutesIn January 2025, Los Angeles wildfires caused 25 deaths and $250 billion in damages, marking the most destructive fire in history. Wildfires increasingly threaten urban areas, driven by human behaviour and climate change, necessitating improved prevention efforts.

How geospatial data can unlock value from critical raw materials

13 February 2025 Claudia Baranzelli - (OECD)

Reading Time: 3 minutesThe global demand for critical raw materials is surging, with rare earth metals and lithium expected to increase significantly by 2030 and 2050. Learn how geospatial data can aid local governments in balancing economic growth with environmental risks amid this transition.

The AI race is on: Businesses and regions off the blocks

11 February 2025 Sandrine Kergroach - (OECD) and Julien Héritier - (mc2i)

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.

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