Regional approaches to strategic planning across Europe are changing and Regional Integrated Strategies (RIS) are emerging as a way for regions to focus on cohesion and integrated sustainable development. Although RIS are emerging all across the EU, there is no single model of RIS. Instead they consist of a combination of several core thematic and spatial topics, which vary depending on the regional contexts. Nevertheless, the methodological challenges in developing and implementing a RIS remain similar and RIS can be used as a valuable tool for regeneration. Despite their growing importance, little collective or stored knowledge on RIS exists and the topic requires further investigation. The RISE project focuses on four different European regions: Randstad (NL), Zealand (DK), Västerbotten (SE) and the West Midlands (UK)