6 March 2024, Istanbul — The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), Arup, EIT Climate-KIC, Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), and UNDP launched today the Pathways for Economic Growth (P4EG) framework, a methodology to design a new generation of local economic development plans in the context of the EU-funded project Mayors for Economic Growth (M4EG).  

Founded on the principle of holistic development, the P4EG framework helps cities best assess social, environmental, and economic factors in local development, as well as the potential for scaling up their projects in cooperation with central governments, donors, and European and International Financial Institutions.  

Thibault Charlet, Programme Manager for Digital Transition and Local Economic Development in the European Commission’s DG NEAR, underlined that a critical success factor for the P4EG framework is that existing revenue streams, funding, and financing opportunities are mapped up front. He highlighted the important role for local leaders to engage with diverse stakeholders, such as local businesses, donors, investors and central government. He added that the P4EG framework will play a key role in building pipelines of investment projects at the local level, which will help cities mobilise more public-private financing under the EU’s Economic and Investment Plan for the Eastern Partnership region.  

Pasquale Capizzi, Europe Resilience and Adaptation Leader, ARUP, highlighted that pathways address the ongoing need for learning and adaptability among local authorities. "The approach prompts cities to rethink their economic development paradigm, by firmly linking growth to sustainability and equity." 

Tina Stoum, Regional Manager, M4EG, UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub, highlighted the importance of shifting from one-size-fits-all linear planning tools to recognizing the uncertainty and complexity of challenges faced by municipalities. “By moving beyond traditional GDP-centric focus, P4EG brings a broader focus on well-being and sustainability,” added Stoum. 

Comprising eight building blocks, the P4EG approach provides cities and towns with the necessary framework to set a diagnostic of their local situation, identify key drivers of change, opportunities, stresses, and shocks facing them. It allows the establishment of prioritised actions for municipalities to deliver on the targets set out in their development vision, and promote entrepreneurship and innovation.  

Access the P4EG Guidance Note and join the P4EG introduction course starting today. 

Background: The M4EG Facility draws on the Mayors for Economic Growth Initiative, launched and funded by the European Union (EU) in 2017. Since 2021, the EU-funded M4EG Facility has been managed by UNDP in close cooperation with the EU, local authorities and a range of diverse partners. 

For media inquiries: 

For the European Commission/DG NEAR: 

Mr. Thibault Charlet, Programme Manager, Digital and Local Economic Development, DG NEAR Unit C1, thibault.charlet@ec.europa.eu 

For UNDP: 

Mrs. Laurence Lessire, Regional Communications Specialist, laurence.lessire@undp.org 

Ms. Svetla Baeva, Communications Lead, Innovation Team Istanbul Regional Hub, svetla.baeva@undp.org 

Mr. Anton Sydorenko, M4EG Facility Communications Lead, anton.sydorenko@undp.org