Academics, policymakers, and leading researchers gathered on 20 September in Brussels, at the Chambre des représentants de Belgique for the conference titled “Navigating Left-Behind Communities: Exploring Sustainable Strategies to Address Territorial Inequalities through an Intersectional Approach”.
This significant event, organised by the EXIT project, brought critical focus to the persistent and growing challenges of “left-behind” areas across Europe, offering forward-thinking solutions to address these issues through the lens of spatial justice and inclusive policymaking.
The conference provided a platform for discussion on territorial inequalities, with the aim of rethinking the “left-behind” concept often linked with marginalised regions. Through a series of expert-led panels and roundtables, the event explored both the underlying causes of these inequalities and innovative strategies to mitigate them.
Prof. Olga Jubany (University of Barcelona and lead researcher of the EXIT project), delivered an introduction on the project’s intersectional approach to navigating “left-behindness”. She emphasised the need for deeper understanding of the multidimensional factors that drive inequality in these regions, extending beyond traditional analyses focused on economic stagnation and political protest voting.
The Conference commenced with a discussion panel centered on the conceptual framing of “left-behindness” as it relates to territorial inequalities. Chaired by Prof. Ajmal Hussain from the University of Warwick, the session featured contributions from Dr. Daniele Karasz and Prof. Simon Güntner Technische Universität Wien), Prof. Camila del Mármol (Universitat de Barcelona), and Prof. AbdouMaliq Simone (University of Sheffield). This opening discussion explored how structural forces, including fragmented governance and demographic shifts, are reshaping many European regions, leaving them economically and socially isolated.
Launch of the EXIT Policy Brief: Challenging the Concept of Left-behindness: Drivers and Perception of Territorial Inequalities and their Policy Responses
A major highlight of the conference was the official presentation of the EXIT’s new Policy Brief, a document which aims to reframe discussions around territorial inequalities and offer sustainable, actionable strategies for addressing these challenges. Moderated by Žarko Šunderić, (Director at the Centre for Social Policy), the discussion on the policy brief emphasised the need for a holistic and intersectional understanding of territorial disparities.
The brief, presented by Prof. Anja Jørgensen (Aalborg Universitet), challenges the dominant narrative that often reduces “left-behind” areas to sources of political discontent and protest voting. Instead, it emphasises the importance of focusing on key drivers of inequality, including inadequate policy frameworks, fragmented governance, poor inter-agency collaboration, insufficient local funding, demographic changes, and geographical challenges. Importantly, the document highlights the need for a coordinated policy response that bridges the gaps between local, national, and European governance. Through its analysis of data from eight European countries, the policy brief provides concrete recommendations for fostering spatial justice, investing in grassroots development, and using local data to shape effective policies.
Following the presentation of the brief, Ragnar Horn from the European Commission’s DG Employment, Social Affairs, and Inclusion, and Pasquale D’Apice from DG Regional and Urban Policy, welcomed the publication and findings of the brief and discussed the main strategic directions of the EU Cohesion Policy for addressing territorial inequalities.
To get more insights download the EXIT Policy Brief here.
Roundtable Discussions on Inequality and Policy Solutions
Following the launch of the Policy Brief, the conference hosted two interactive roundtable sessions that delved deeper into specific aspects of territorial inequality and possible solutions.
The first roundtable, titled “Disentangling Territorial Inequalities: Experiences & Impacts,” featured contributions from Nancy Zoidou Saripapa (KMOP – Social Action and Innovation Centre), Dr. Daniele Karasz and Adrienne Homberger (Technische Universität Wien), and Prof. Ana Viñuela (Universidad de Oviedo). The speakers provided valuable insights into how education, housing, and employment are intricately linked to regional disparities, and how these sectors can be better integrated into policy approaches aimed at reducing inequalities. Sara Pilia (Associazione Ricreativa e Culturale Italiana) moderated the discussion.
The second roundtable, titled “Tackling Territorial Inequalities: Perspectives on Mobility, Community, and Digital Inclusiveness,” offered a closer look at the role of transportation, community engagement, and digital technology in addressing territorial inequalities. Dr. Ali Shair (University of Warwick) presented research on how transport infrastructure can either isolate or connect marginalised regions, while Asist. Prof. Hanne Louise Jensen (Aalborg Universitet) explored how community involvement can counteract the concept of “left-behindness”. Dr. Giorgio Pirina (Università Ca’Foscari Venezia) discussed the importance of bridging the digital divide and ensuring that digital technologies contribute to, rather than exacerbate, existing inequalities. The panel was also enriched by the direct experience shared by Laura Mereu, one of the stakeholders in one of the project case studies, representing the GAL Barbagia Gennargentu-Mandrolisai. This session was moderated by Clara Urbano (European Anti-Poverty Network Spain).
Key Takeaways and Closing Remarks
The conference concluded with a summary of key takeaways presented by Dr. Martina Klett-Davies (King’s College London), who synthesised the day’s discussions and highlighted the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration in tackling territorial inequalities. In her closing remarks, Prof. Olga Jubany called for policymakers to prioritise spatial justice and rethink how we define and address the needs of “left-behind” communities.
The EXIT conference successfully raised awareness about the complex nature of territorial inequalities, emphasising the need for intersectional, data-driven, and sustainable policy interventions that can bring lasting change to Europe’s left-behind areas.
About the EXIT Project
The EXIT project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Programme, explores sustainable strategies to counteract territorial inequalities from an intersectional approach. It employs mixed-methods research to comprehensively analyse “left-behindness” as a concept used to describe territorial inequalities in specific areas. The project aims to identify strategies and practices to tackle these inequalities and provide a deeper understanding of how these areas are perceived as “left-behind”.
For more information, please visit https://www.exit-project.eu/
