In recent years, emphasizing "fragility" has represented above all the decision to shift our gaze to local realities that have found themselves on the margins of development and in many ways neglected by intervention and investment strategies. Nevertheless, the notion shows some controversial aspects which have to be accurately investigated and discussed. The world financial crisis first and the pandemic afterwards, however, call into question the previous territorial distinctions and reveal forms of "fragility" which also manifest themselves in the territories conventionally considered "robust". The notion of "fragility" helps us to grasp the processes occurring in place, although it does let not allow to perceive immediately how and where to act. Anyway, it represents the oppor-tunity to draw innovative and inclusive policies for the future, different from the ineffective strategies of past.
Keywords: Fragility, Lagging Areas, Policies for Regional Development, Veneto