- Page 5 of 12 - Insights on Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Tourism, Regions and Cities

Reflecting on the future of the ”creative class” in regional development

Dr. Richard Florida encourages cities and regions to consider how diversity, creativity and innovation can contribute to attracting creative talent and investment, and shape inclusive and sustainable development. He then unpacks how non-metropolitan areas can benefit from a greater influx of creative people and capital, especially in the wake of the pandemic.

Extreme heat is the silent killer of climate change: How can cities beat it?

As fires rage and droughts blight communities around the world, cities have been sweating. The effects of extreme heat are frequently more severe in cities. In the face of rising temperatures, how can cities beat the heat?

Walking the talk: Can the SDGs help support the COVID-19 recovery in cities and regions?

In times of a global pandemic, war and rising instability, how do we get back on track to good health, peace and resilience? The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development offers a solid route, but we need to step up action.

Ensuring shared prosperity in a changing world

As the world and Europe confront successive crises stemming from the climate emergency, post-pandemic recovery, and Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine, regions are under renewed pressure. To address them, we need a new place-based approach to policymaking, taking into account the territorial dimension.

Travelling light: Labour shortages hampering sustainable recovery for tourism

The tourism sector was one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now it is facing labour shortages. As the Northern Hemisphere heats up for summer, how can the sector meet the immediate needs of customers and also create good jobs going forward?

Rural areas to the rescue: how rural renewables are driving the green transition

As global energy prices rise as a result of war in Ukraine, the switch to renewable energy has taken on a new urgency. With ambitious new targets to cut reliance on Russian fossil-fuel imports and increase energy security, what will the transition mean for rural communities? How can they make the most of it?

The long and the short on labour shortages: How is Canada doing?

In March 2022, the number of job vacancies in Canada surpassed 1 million for the first time on record. This triggered widespread concern about labour shortages and Canada is not alone. As unemployment hits record lows, reports of shortages have become commonplace across OECD countries.

From one crisis to another: what price for SMEs?

The stock of outstanding SME loans grew at around 5% in 2020, a record high since 2007. Many weakened businesses were expecting respite as their troubles began to recede, but Russia’s war against Ukraine has sent a tidal wave through OECD countries and regions.

More tough times ahead for the tourism sector – the impacts of the war in Ukraine

08 April 2022 Lamia Kamal-Chaoui

Russia’s war in Ukraine is a humanitarian catastrophe. It is also sending shockwaves through the global economy. The tourism sector, which directly accounts for nearly 7% of jobs in the OECD is likely to be among the hardest hit – again. How can policy makers address this new crisis?

Shrinking without sinking: Lessons from Estonia

05 April 2022 Antti Moisio

Estonia is shrinking. The country’s population has contracted by 15% since 1991, to 1.3 million in 2020, and projections expect this trend to continue. What’s more, the trend is uneven. Among Estonians who remain, many leave remote and rural areas for bigger cities.

Is financial diversification the key to SME resilience?

29 March 2022 Miriam Koreen

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs were hit extremely hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. To invest in growth and greening and play a full part in the recovery, we need to enable them to tap into alternative financial instruments.

Are our buildings costing the earth? Protecting our pockets and the planet

28 March 2022 Ji-Soo Yoon and Atsuhito Oshima

Rents and repayments alone are not the only expense attached to our buildings. Many are leaking energy, leaving a hole in our pockets as well as climate ambitions. And it’s high time to fix them.

The workers leaving cities in favor of the countryside – And what it means for business

25 March 2022 Menno Bart

Two years after the onset of COVID-19, the future of work remains a topic of lively, even heated, debate. Early in the pandemic, some were quick to announce the demise of the centre-city office. The apparent success of remote work, they said, would lead to a revival of the suburbs, exurbs, and rural areas, with “work hubs” popping up as needed.

Unlocking water security in Africa: Mayors hold the key

22 March 2022 Aziza Akhmouch, Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi and Mélissa Kerim-Dikeni

With mounting pressures on water resources from climate, urbanisation and demographic trends in Africa, more partnerships between national and local leaders are needed. Mayors in particular now need to turn the key to unlock the development of better water policies for better lives.

Me, my region and… a mine! Can better mining support better lives?

17 March 2022 Andres Sanabria and Ian Wood

Mining regions face acute challenges in terms of well-being. National plans and policies alone will not bring well-being gains to mining communities.

Shielding SMEs – how to boost their defence against cyberattacks

14 March 2022 Sandrine Kergroach, Stefan Becker and Laurent Bernat

Cyberattacks can spell disaster for businesses of all sizes, but especially smaller firms. The median cost of a ransomware attack can amount to up to USD 1.2 million, and up to USD 1.6 million in the case of computer data breach. Urgent action is needed to support SMEs in better preparing and managing digital security risks.

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