Posts

The potential of cross-border energy communities

Cross-border energy communities are a transformative approach to energy transition in border regions. Find out more about them, their benefits and how to go about. Cross-border energy communities are a transformative approach to energy transition in border regions. Find out more about them, their benefits and how to go about.

February 13, 2025 February 13, 2025

We imagine desirable futures (3): Rediscovery of details and personal…

The third post on possibilities for positive future narratives focuses on the rediscovery of details, local action and personal responsibility in a complex world. The third post on possibilities for positive future narratives focuses on the rediscovery of details, local action and personal responsibility in a complex world.

February 6, 2025 February 6, 2025

Newsletter #43

territorial future thoughts by spatialforesight territorial future thoughts by spatialforesight

January 31, 2025 January 31, 2025

Reimagining cohesion and EU policies: A sectoral approach

The sectoral approach scenario offers a glimpse of a future where EU policies prioritise efficiency & performance, but struggle to address regional & social disparities. The sectoral approach scenario offers a glimpse of a future where EU policies prioritise efficiency & performance, but struggle to address regional & social disparities.

January 27, 2025 January 27, 2025

Reimagining cohesion and EU policy: An integrated approach

Imagine an integrated approach. How could different EU and national policies be coordinated to achieve common goals, in particular to reduce regional disparities? Imagine an integrated approach. How could different EU and national policies be coordinated to achieve common goals, in particular to reduce regional disparities?

January 17, 2025 January 17, 2025

27 national plans: include the territorial reality!

The proposal for 27 national plans offers opportunities to streamline EU policies and improve their coherence across sectors, but it needs a strong territorial dimension. The proposal for 27 national plans offers opportunities to streamline EU policies and improve their coherence across sectors, but it needs a strong territorial dimension.

January 8, 2025 January 8, 2025

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.

December 16, 2024 December 16, 2024

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.

December 10, 2024 December 10, 2024

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.

December 2, 2024 December 2, 2024

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.

November 25, 2024 November 25, 2024

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.

November 15, 2024 November 15, 2024

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.

November 7, 2024 November 7, 2024

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.

October 24, 2024 October 24, 2024 1 reaction

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.

October 17, 2024 October 17, 2024

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.

October 7, 2024 October 7, 2024 1 reaction

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.

September 27, 2024 September 27, 2024 2 reactions

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.

September 21, 2024 September 21, 2024 3 reactions

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.

September 14, 2024 September 14, 2024

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.

August 20, 2024 August 20, 2024

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.

August 7, 2024 August 7, 2024

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.

July 22, 2024 July 22, 2024

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.

July 16, 2024 July 16, 2024

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.

July 8, 2024 July 8, 2024

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?

June 20, 2024 June 20, 2024

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.

June 12, 2024 June 12, 2024

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.

June 1, 2024 June 1, 2024

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)

May 27, 2024 May 27, 2024

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)

May 21, 2024 May 21, 2024

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’.

May 14, 2024 May 14, 2024

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.

May 6, 2024 May 6, 2024