New Report on Socioeconomic Performance of the EU Proximity Economy

A new study, 'Scoping the Socio-economic Performance of the EU Proximity Economy', explores the socio-economic impact and sustainability potential of the proximity economy. This human-centric ecosystem focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services within short value chains, driven by local social interactions.

The study highlights how proximity—both geographical and relational—fosters collaboration, innovation, and sustainability across regions. It maps 168 policies supporting proximity economy ecosystems across the EU27 and the UK, providing examples of best practices and initiatives. Five case studies illustrate innovative business models, demonstrating the potential social and environmental benefits of this economy.

The research also introduces metrics and KPIs to evaluate the performance of local proximity economies. It emphasizes the need for stronger policy support at both European and national levels to unlock the full potential of this ecosystem, driving more sustainable and resilient communities across Europe.

The executive summary and evaluation framework are available for further insights.

Report

• Scoping the socio-economic performance of the EU proximity economy - Full report
• Scoping the socio-economic performance of the EU proximity economy - Monitoring framework
• Executive summary in English
• Executive summary in French
• Executive summary in German

More information

This study was conducted by Ernest & Young, Spatial Foresight, and LSE Cities, on behalf of the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) and Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs. 

For inquiries, please contact GROW-G2ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (GROW-G2[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)