Europe/Non-urban territories: the Handbook of territorial and local development strategies is for you

This tool complements the Manual of Sustainable Urban Development Strategies, published in 2020. Today, non-urban territories are at the heart of this strategic guide. It is the result of collaboration between the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC).

This handbook aims to provide guidance to local authorities on resilience, prosperity and democracy, while offering examples, practical advice and recommendations. The document also provides references to existing instruments to help territories in their development.

This handbook adds two new features to the Handbook on Sustainable Urban Development Strategies:

• A Europe closer to its citizens: a new objective for the 2021-2027 programming period, this handbook is in line with the Union's cohesion policy and the desire to respond to citizens' needs, notably by reducing economic and social inequalities between regions
• Support for the specific needs of rural areas: define a common framework for regions with special characteristics (rural, mountainous, coastal and mixed urban/rural areas) and support rural territories in the face of new challenges, such as the renewed interest in these areas following the Covid-19 pandemic and the increase in teleworking.

For further information :

• The Handbook of territorial and local development strategies: HERE
• The European Union translation page: HERE
• The Territorial Policy Knowledge Centre: HEREEN---
• Link to page : HEREEN---