Young people in richer neighbourhoods, cities and regions tend to participate in education for longer and achieve higher qualifications than those in poorer areas, which points to spatial patterns in relation to education outcomes within countries. Evidence suggests that such concentrations may create "neighbourhood effects" which compound the existing disadvantages people experience. Many countries have in place “positive discrimination” measures in education policy that aim to narrow the achievement gap between the better and worse-offs, some of which are area-based initiatives. 

The report reviews the available evidence about the nature and impact of positive discrimination interventions in education and training in the EU and beyond focusing particularly on area-based initiatives, on interventions in socio-economically disadvantaged areas. With the evidence suggesting countries’ varying degree of success in such initiatives, the report indicates some of the existing challenges – from administrative difficulties to inadequate funding and various policy conflicts. 

NESET report (PDF)