Some countries have begun to introduce or contemplate the introduction of contractual procedures at metropolitan level based on a more multi-sectoral approach. France created the agglomeration contracts that involve the central state, the region and the inter-municipal body of either the Agglomeration Communities or the Urban Communities focussing on human capital improvement and economic development initiatives (Box 4.7). The introduction of Metropolitan contracts in 2007 was a major step towards recognising functional economic areas by fostering collaboration among municipalities around a commonly defined project for economic development, without creating a formal metropolitan body. The Swiss Confederation has also introduced an agglomeration policy which would better integrate large city problems in sectoral policies in particular by encouraging project implementation through policy incentives entitled the Model Projects (OECD, 2006a).