Challenging the Concept of Left-behindness: Drivers and Perception of Territorial Inequalities and their Policy Responses

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The EXIT project critically examines the concept of “left-behindness” and its role
in characterizing territorial inequalities in Europe. The project aims to identify the
drivers of these inequalities and propose strategies to address them by integrating insights from both local and broader perspectives. It challenges the focus
on protest voting and emphasizes understanding the root causes of inequality
across seven key analytical dimensions: social services, education, employment,
community, housing, mobility, and digital inclusiveness.
Key Findings:
1. Complex Nature of Territorial Inequalities: Territorial inequalities stem from a combination of economic stagnation, lack of cohesion, and political neglect. These inequalities
are often mischaracterized in public discourse, particularly when focusing solely on lowgrowth areas.
2. Diverse National Contexts: The concept of “left-behind areas” varies significantly
across different European countries. While the term is prevalent in the UK, other nations
describe similar phenomena with terms that reflect their unique historical and social contexts, such as “remote areas” in Austria and “emptied Spain” in Spain.
3. Drivers of Inequality: Nine key drivers of territorial inequality were identified, including
inadequate policy frameworks, fragmented governance, poor inter-agency collaboration, insufficient local funding, demographic changes, and geographical challenges.
4. Policy Implications: To effectively address these inequalities, a comprehensive policy
framework is needed, emphasizing vertical policy coordination, inter-agency collaboration, and balanced approaches between centralized and decentralized governance. Additionally, local funding systems should be reformed to address specific local challenges,
and institutional capacities must be strengthened.
5. Heterogeneity within “Left-Behind Areas”: There is a wide range of inequalities even
within areas labeled as “left-behind,” including rural, post-industrial, and urban regions.
Urban areas, particularly those with high migrant and minority populations, face unique
challenges that are often overlooked in national discussions.
6. Spatial Justice and Local Development: The study advocates for an intersectional approach to address the lived experiences of people in “left-behind” areas, focusing on spatial justice and grassroots development solutions. It also emphasizes the importance of
local data in shaping effective policies.
Conclusion:
The EXIT project highlights the need to move beyond simplistic narratives of “left-behind” areas and adopt nuanced, locally-informed policy approaches to address territorial inequalities in Europe. This requires comprehensive and coordinated efforts at multiple governance
levels, with a strong emphasis on local context and the lived experiences of residents