How Can Challenges in Left Behind Places Be Addressed Learning From Greater Lille, Nantes, The Ruhr Region, San Antonio, and Estonia

Addressing issues of regional inequalities and supporting ‘left behind’ regions is a global issue, but analysis of international regions that have successfully levelled up is limited. Developing and implementing effective place-based policies is critical for recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic but remains an under-explored issue. This paper provides insights into different policies and tools used to support left-behind places. Comparing the experiences of addressing socio-economic challenges in Greater Lille, Nantes, the Ruhr region, San Antonio, and Estonia it discusses what ingredients are required for successfully addressing inequalities, what has worked well, and future challenges. It identifies seven “foundations” for levelling up and stresses the importance of levelling up “within” regions and not just the levelling up “of” regions. In particular, it debates opportunities to support levelling up through financial management and governance tools.