Dialogues with the OECD - Regions in a changing world: territorial attractiveness, labour mobility and the new geographies of economic co-operation

"Regions in a changing world: territorial attractiveness, labour mobility and the new geographies of economic co-operation” is a webinar series featuring experts from the OECD, running on 23 September and 15 October 2026.

Regional economies are undergoing a profound transformation, reshaping territorial development models, labour mobility and international economic relations. Rapidly changing demographic dynamics, the growing impact of artificial intelligence on labour markets, increasingly intense competition for talent and workers, and the reconfiguration of global value chains are altering the rules of the game.

In this evolving context, territories and regions are required to rethink their competitive strategies by developing more sophisticated strategies to attract talent, investment and economic activities, while maximising the value of their specific assets within an increasingly interconnected and competitive environment.

Within this framework, territorial attractiveness is emerging as an increasingly strategic lever for many regions, particularly those facing depopulation or seeking to strengthen their position in global markets. At the same time, new economic and institutional dynamics are opening up unprecedented opportunities for cooperation and economic integration with emerging regions and countries, especially in the Eurasian region, which in recent years has experienced significant processes of reform, modernisation and gradual convergence with European markets.

This series of dialogues aims 

After a successful pilot in 2023, a 2024 and 2025 editions, this 2026 webinar series aims to interpret these transformations from a dual perspective: on the one hand, strategies to enhance territorial attractiveness and facilitate the integration of workers; on the other, emerging opportunities for economic cooperation with Eurasian countries. Through contributions from experts and institutional representatives, the webinars will provide a qualified platform for discussion on key trends and their implications for Italian territories and regions.

The webinars are in Italian only.

• Examine the main economic, social and geopolitical transformations shaping territorial attractiveness, labour mobility and economic relations between Europe and Eurasia.
• Assess the role of evidence-based public policies in strengthening regional attractiveness, supporting the integration of migrant workers and fostering new forms of international economic cooperation.
• Present findings from recent OECD analytical and research work on regional development, labour mobility and economic cooperation with Eurasian countries.
• Promote dialogue and knowledge exchange among experts, institutions and local stakeholders on strategies and policies to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of regional economies.

Senior and middle-level public officials responsible for the design, implementation and evaluation of public policies at national, regional and local levels, particularly in the Autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano, and in the regions of Trentino-Alto Adige and Friuli Venezia Giulia.

The initiative was organised by the OECD Trento Centre for Local Development and TSM-Trentino School of Managment (Italy), in collaboration with ComPA FVG (Italy). 

For more information: TSM innovazione@tsm.tn.it | OECD cfetrento@oecd.org.