Introduction to the Special Issue: Regions in the European Economic Policy: Towards a More Resilient Europe

This special issue examines the evolving role of regions within European economic policy in a context marked by post-pandemic recovery, geopolitical tensions, and the accelerating green and digital transitions. Against this backdrop, initiatives such as NextGenerationEU and EU cohesion policy seek to strengthen resilience, innovation, and sustainable growth through territorially sensitive approaches. The contributions collected in this issue analyze regional adaptation to structural transformations, focusing on cross-border innovation cooperation, financial resilience during economic downturns, the effectiveness of European Structural and Investment Funds across NUTS2 regions, and patterns of diversification and vulnerability at the subnational level. Combining theoretical insights and empirical evidence, the studies highlight the importance of institutional quality, tailored policy design, and inter-regional collaboration in enhancing economic and territorial resilience. Overall, the issue underscores the need for integrated and place-based strategies to support a more resilient and sustainable European economy.