The main objective of this project is to provide European territorial evidence on the presence and characteristics of inner peripheries and also provide tailor-made strategies and policy recommendations to overcome marginalising effects of inner peripheries. Concretely, the project will answer the following key policy questions:

• What are the key elements in the concept of inner peripheries? How can these be mapped? What is the current pattern of inner peripheries in the European territory? Which areas are at risk of becoming inner peripheries in future?
• How can the European inner peripheries be characterized (in relation to age groups affected, gender balance, price development of property market, etc.)
• What processes drive marginalization and how can these be reversed or overcome?
• How can inner peripheries explore and utilise their territorial potentials, support competitiveness, create jobs and generally improve their quality-of-life?
• What national, regional and local strategies could be considered, overcoming the identified problems?
• How have inner peripheries been integrated in the EU policy agenda and cohesion policy?

After the theoretical and conceptual definition of inner peripheries, the project team will delineate and identify inner peripheries in Europe (up to four different delineations are thought of), will quantitatively analyse and describe their present situation, and will identify processes and drivers. Seven case studies, which will include stakeholder participation, will reveal detailed insights into the development of these areas and will provide hints for the development strategies and policy recommendations to be compiled towards the end of the project.
TCP International`s main responsibility is the European-wide small-scale delineation and identification of inner peripheries by means of GIS modelling.