Territorial Agenda 2020 put in practice : enhancing theefficiency and effectiveness of Cohesion Policy by a place-based approach : executive summary

Though firmly structured along thematic priorities, Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 calls for the adoption of a place-based approach to ensure an effective delivery of the Europe 2020 strategy by means of a greater awareness of the territory. While dedicated instruments (in particular Integrated Territorial Investments and Community Led Local Development) provide a specific framework for implementing some of the place-based principles, notably integration of sectors and territorial dialogue, its implementation remains a challenge, in particular in some policy areas traditionally place-blind (such as for example energy, R&D, education). Out of an inner circle, there is little awareness and perhaps even poor understanding of what the place-based approach is about, especially when it comes to putting those principles into practice.