We imagine desirable futures (2): Democratic spring in Europe In the second issue of our series exploring different possibilities for positive future narratives, we focus on the idea of a democratic spring in Europe. In the second issue of our series exploring different possibilities for positive future narratives, we focus on the idea of a democratic spring in Europe.
Is the Western World losing its grip? The West is losing its global dominance. But this transition does not have to mean decline and misery. It must redefine its role in a multipolar world. The West is losing its global dominance. But this transition does not have to mean decline and misery. It must redefine its role in a multipolar world.
We imagine desirable futures (1): European island of happiness Over the coming months, we explore different possible avenues for positive future narratives. First comes the European island of happiness, with a focus on well-being. Over the coming months, we explore different possible avenues for positive future narratives. First comes the European island of happiness, with a focus on well-being.
Anticipating the future: Major risk clusters To strengthen resilience and cohesion, we need proactive and anticipatory policy approaches to future risks, i.e. possible undesirable effects associated with an event. To strengthen resilience and cohesion, we need proactive and anticipatory policy approaches to future risks, i.e. possible undesirable effects associated with an event.
Proximity economy in Europe: Building local resilience for a… The proximity economy can help local areas to be more resilient, sustainable and inclusive, with a focus on functional areas. However, approaches vary across Europe. The proximity economy can help local areas to be more resilient, sustainable and inclusive, with a focus on functional areas. However, approaches vary across Europe.
Social economy in Europe: New frontiers for a sustainable future The social economy is an integral part of Europe's socioeconomic fabric, contributing to economic stability and social wellbeing. However, definitions vary across the EU. The social economy is an integral part of Europe's socioeconomic fabric, contributing to economic stability and social wellbeing. However, definitions vary across the EU.
It takes two to tango: Competitiveness and Cohesion As the EU stands at a crossroads, facing new global challenges and opportunities, the relationship between these competitiveness and cohesion is more important than ever. As the EU stands at a crossroads, facing new global challenges and opportunities, the relationship between these competitiveness and cohesion is more important than ever.
New Horizons for Germany 2045: Navigating the Future New scenarios for Germany point at transformation needs & challenges and goal conflicts. Navigating the future these and the territorial dimension need to be addressed. New scenarios for Germany point at transformation needs & challenges and goal conflicts. Navigating the future these and the territorial dimension need to be addressed.
The role of local tax revenues for growth and cohesion Local taxes can help economic growth and competitiveness. This should maybe be considered for the ‘cash for reform’ debate, as the future of Cohesion Policy is discussed. Local taxes can help economic growth and competitiveness. This should maybe be considered for the ‘cash for reform’ debate, as the future of Cohesion Policy is discussed.
Forced displacement - a growing problem seeking solutions In our interconnected world, forced displacement is a pressing issue. With the number of refugees expected to rise, the current global response is unsustainable. In our interconnected world, forced displacement is a pressing issue. With the number of refugees expected to rise, the current global response is unsustainable.
Emigration due to remigration? Will people leave regions with far-right parties in power? The right-wing parties' talk of remigration may drive people away, but not only those they want to drive away. Will people leave regions with far-right parties in power? The right-wing parties' talk of remigration may drive people away, but not only those they want to drive away.
Mario Draghi’s report on competitiveness: What messages for Cohesion… Draghi’s report on European competitiveness also concerns Cohesion Policy. It provides arguments for a stronger investment focus and more territorial cooperation. Draghi’s report on European competitiveness also concerns Cohesion Policy. It provides arguments for a stronger investment focus and more territorial cooperation.
Imagine there's no countries It might be worth while imagining a world without countries as a positive vision that offers an alternative to the reorientation towards nationalism and tribalism. It might be worth while imagining a world without countries as a positive vision that offers an alternative to the reorientation towards nationalism and tribalism.
Need for transformative change – Part 3 Expected transformations of our governance systems and of the EU27+ underline the importance of cooperation across sectors, administrative levels and national borders. Expected transformations of our governance systems and of the EU27+ underline the importance of cooperation across sectors, administrative levels and national borders.
Ursula von der Leyen’s plan for 2024-29 & future Cohesion Policy What does Ursula von der Leyen’s plan for 2024-2029 say about the future of Cohesion Policy? We took a first look on what might be on the table. What does Ursula von der Leyen’s plan for 2024-2029 say about the future of Cohesion Policy? We took a first look on what might be on the table.
The need for transformative change - Part 2 Balancing experimentation with policy coordinated efforts will be key to navigating the complex landscape of transformative societal and environmental change. Balancing experimentation with policy coordinated efforts will be key to navigating the complex landscape of transformative societal and environmental change.
Need for transformative change – Part 1 In a new series of blog posts on transformative change, we highlight - sometimes provocatively - aspects to stimulate debate & thinking beyond the usual lines of thought. In a new series of blog posts on transformative change, we highlight - sometimes provocatively - aspects to stimulate debate & thinking beyond the usual lines of thought.
Is there a territorial dimension to the Metaverse? Depicted as the successor to the Internet, the Metaverse seems to promise a future where digital and physical realities converge. What are its territorial implications? Depicted as the successor to the Internet, the Metaverse seems to promise a future where digital and physical realities converge. What are its territorial implications?
Balanced territorial development and the triple transition The 9th Cohesion Report provides insights on future strategic orientations. Policy strategies, coordination and cooperation are crucial for effective governance. The 9th Cohesion Report provides insights on future strategic orientations. Policy strategies, coordination and cooperation are crucial for effective governance.
A future-wise European Parliament People across Europe discuss expectations for the European Parliament election from 6 to 9 June. All I want is a strong pro-European and future-wise European Parliament. People across Europe discuss expectations for the European Parliament election from 6 to 9 June. All I want is a strong pro-European and future-wise European Parliament.
Looking for a positive future perspective (part 2) The latest ESPAS report highlights trends and strategic choices that could define Europe's path towards 2040. How about their territorial dimension? (This is part 2 of 2) The latest ESPAS report highlights trends and strategic choices that could define Europe's path towards 2040. How about their territorial dimension? (This is part 2 of 2)
Looking for a positive future perspective (part 1) The latest ESPAS report highlights trends and strategic choices that could define Europe's path towards 2040. How about their territorial dimension? (This is part 1 of 2) The latest ESPAS report highlights trends and strategic choices that could define Europe's path towards 2040. How about their territorial dimension? (This is part 1 of 2)
Single Market going place-based Enrico Letta’s report ‘Much More Than a Market' emphasises the importance of place-based approaches for the Single Market, e.g. through the idea of a ‘freedom to stay’. Enrico Letta’s report ‘Much More Than a Market' emphasises the importance of place-based approaches for the Single Market, e.g. through the idea of a ‘freedom to stay’.
Strengthening EU Cohesion Policy: The vital role of delivery systems… Cohesion Policy and its delivery system must evolve to align with the changing socio-economic governance landscape of the EU, and its budget post-2027 should increase. Cohesion Policy and its delivery system must evolve to align with the changing socio-economic governance landscape of the EU, and its budget post-2027 should increase.
A transformative and future-wise Cohesion Policy Cohesion Policy should not be reactive but transformative, with future-oriented investments sensitive to the unique strengths, challenges and needs of regions. Cohesion Policy should not be reactive but transformative, with future-oriented investments sensitive to the unique strengths, challenges and needs of regions.
Towards a more place-based Cohesion Policy To deliver on the cohesion objectives, Cohesion Policy needs to reinforce its focus on investments sensitive to the unique strengths, challenges and needs of places. To deliver on the cohesion objectives, Cohesion Policy needs to reinforce its focus on investments sensitive to the unique strengths, challenges and needs of places.
Cohesion Policy needs to boost high-quality governance Cohesion Policy has strengthened its support for institutional development and capacity building. However, more and more place-sensitive and tailored efforts are needed. Cohesion Policy has strengthened its support for institutional development and capacity building. However, more and more place-sensitive and tailored efforts are needed.
Towards a more dynamic typology of regions for Cohesion Policy Cohesion Policy needs to develop more dynamic typologies of regions, going beyond today's categorisation of less developed, transition and more developed regions. Cohesion Policy needs to develop more dynamic typologies of regions, going beyond today's categorisation of less developed, transition and more developed regions.
Are we on track for a future for all places? What happened to the Territorial Agenda and the aim of a sustainable future for all places and people in Europe? An open invitation to take stock. What happened to the Territorial Agenda and the aim of a sustainable future for all places and people in Europe? An open invitation to take stock.
Cohesion Policy for all Discussing the future of Cohesion Policy, we should ensure that it remains a policy for all, which helps to address development challenges with place-based approaches. Discussing the future of Cohesion Policy, we should ensure that it remains a policy for all, which helps to address development challenges with place-based approaches.
Shaping the future together in the tri-national region… The integrated territorial strategy for Eifel-Ostbelgien-Éislek aims to unite the Belgian, Luxembourgish, German cross-border region through innovative cooperation. The integrated territorial strategy for Eifel-Ostbelgien-Éislek aims to unite the Belgian, Luxembourgish, German cross-border region through innovative cooperation.