The PULP project addresses the heightened awareness of spatial inequalities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The European Union's National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRPs), introduced as part of the Next Generation EU program, aim to provide substantial funding to support recovery across member states. However, these plans are implemented in diverse regional contexts, each with unique socio-economic challenges and disparities. Recognizing the critical need for a place-sensitive approach, PULP was launched to analyze how effectively NRRPs cater to regional specificities, focusing on governance, local engagement, and the policy’s impact on reducing inequalities. This project thus serves as a pioneering effort to scrutinize and enhance the place-based effectiveness of one of Europe’s largest post-crisis recovery initiatives.

The PULP project is organized into four key work packages (WPs), each focusing on specific aspects of our research. Together, these work packages help us exploring the place-sensitiveness of National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRPs) across the selected European countries, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of spatial inequality.

WP1 - Within-Country Spatial Inequalities

Description: This work package focuses on mapping and analyzing the spatial inequalities within the selected European countries. By examining economic, social, and regional disparities, WP1 establishes a foundational understanding of each country’s unique spatial dynamics.

Objective: Identify key patterns and dimensions of inequality across regions to inform the assessment of the place-sensitiveness of NRRPs.

Outcome: A multi-dimensional map of spatial inequalities highlighting the areas requiring targeted interventions.

WP2 - Institutional Settings and Policy Legacy

Description: WP2 examines the governance and institutional frameworks of the selected countries. This phase involves analyzing policy legacies and understanding how different governance structures shape the NRRP’s design and local responsiveness.

Objective: Evaluate the readiness and capacity of existing institutions to implement place-sensitive policies within the NRRPs.

Outcome: A detailed profile of governance models and institutional contexts influencing policy effectiveness.

WP3 - Cross-Country Analysis of NRRP Design and Implementation

Description: WP3 provides a comparative analysis of NRRP design and implementation across multiple countries. By investigating the place-sensitiveness of the policies, this work package assesses the extent to which NRRPs adapt to different regional contexts.

Objective: Determine the extent to which NRRPs incorporate place-sensitive elements, especially in regions with distinct socio-economic characteristics.

Outcome: Comparative insights on NRRP design across countries, highlighting best practices and areas of improvement in addressing spatial inequalities.

WP4 - In-Depth Case Study on Italy’s NRRP and Analysis of Public Perception 

Description: This work package shifts to a single-country focus, examining Italy’s NRRP in detail. WP4 involves collecting primary data through surveys, interviews, and focus groups to evaluate the governance, implementation, and public perception of the Italian NRRP.

Objective: Provide an in-depth understanding of how policies are perceived and enacted at the local level, with a focus on the Italian context.

Outcome: Actionable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of place-based approaches, contributing to recommendations for more inclusive and place-sensitive policies.

At this stage, the PULP project completed the foundational phases (WP1 and WP2, while WP3 is still ongoing) and is entering its most in-depth stage, WP4. Through WP1, we analyzed spatial inequalities within the selected European countries, identifying key patterns and regional disparities. WP2 explored the institutional and policy legacy of the four selected EU countries, providing insights into the governance structures that influence the NRRP implementation. In WP3, we conducted a cross-country analysis, comparing NRRP designs and assessing the degree of place-sensitiveness in their implementation.

Now, in WP4, we focus on Italy as a detailed case study to investigate NRRP governance, public narratives, and regional perceptions. This phase involves primary data collection through surveys, interviews, and focus groups to understand how policies are enacted and perceived locally. This stage is crucial for translating findings into actionable insights for a place-sensitive policy framework, ensuring that our work contributes valuable recommendations for future resilience planning.

All project materials and publications are available in the Publications section of this website, where we regularly update findings and reports for public access.