Addressing public service delivery in lagging regions: new study
New research study and policy brief by the ESPON programme explore how European countries address the provision of services – health and social care, education, transport, and retail – in lagging regions and areas with special needs.
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The research examines how public service delivery is adapted to the needs of specific territories, highlights good practices and innovative solutions, and provides policy recommendations. The analysis covers five detailed case studies – Latvia, Hungary, Spain, Finland, and Ireland – alongside 32 shorter case studies from across Europe.
The study proposes five policy pathways to achieve a sustainable and inclusive service delivery in different contexts. The pathways promote a structured approach to address specific challenges while taking advantage of local assets and participatory initiatives in involving local communities.