Posts

Foresight as a space of possibilities: why Europe needs territorial…

Foresight is not about predicting the future, but expanding possibilities. Why Europe must embrace territorial futures to navigate uncertainty & shape meaningful change. Foresight is not about predicting the future, but expanding possibilities. Why Europe must embrace territorial futures to navigate uncertainty & shape meaningful change.

21.05.2026 21.05.2026

When global risks become territorial in an age of competition

Although global risks unfold in a territorial manner, global risk analysis still treats them too abstractly. To understand how they unfold, we need territorial foresight. Although global risks unfold in a territorial manner, global risk analysis still treats them too abstractly. To understand how they unfold, we need territorial foresight.

13.05.2026 13.05.2026

Uneven territorial pathways of democratic erosion

Democratic resilience is place-based, and it varies unevenly across different areas of a country. This is a spatial reading of a new scenario study for Germany. Democratic resilience is place-based, and it varies unevenly across different areas of a country. This is a spatial reading of a new scenario study for Germany.

05.05.2026 05.05.2026

The reform bet: can cohesion policy do more than invest?

Can cohesion policy move beyond funding to shape systems? A reform-driven approach could unlock territorial potential—if it aligns with regional realities. Can cohesion policy move beyond funding to shape systems? A reform-driven approach could unlock territorial potential—if it aligns with regional realities.

23.04.2026 23.04.2026

A geography of options: why some regions have more than others

Research shows, not all regions can converge. Structural position shapes future options, and policy must respond to type of trap rather than just level of development. Research shows, not all regions can converge. Structural position shapes future options, and policy must respond to type of trap rather than just level of development.

16.04.2026 16.04.2026 1 Reaktion

Can place-based policies save the European chemical industry?

Europe’s chemical industry faces rising costs, global competition and transition pressures. Can territorially tailored policies strengthen resilience and competitiveness? Europe’s chemical industry faces rising costs, global competition and transition pressures. Can territorially tailored policies strengthen resilience and competitiveness?

08.04.2026 08.04.2026

How functions forge geographies: Europe’s territorial logic

The map of Europe is changing due to functional flows, networks and ecosystems. To avoid democratic and territorial distortions, governance must adapt. The map of Europe is changing due to functional flows, networks and ecosystems. To avoid democratic and territorial distortions, governance must adapt.

24.03.2026 24.03.2026

Europe's demographic shift is reshaping the geography of its…

Demographic decline is doing more than just shrinking Europe. It is also restructuring the territorial foundations of research and innovation. R&I policy must adapt. Demographic decline is doing more than just shrinking Europe. It is also restructuring the territorial foundations of research and innovation. R&I policy must adapt.

16.03.2026 16.03.2026

Why resilience requires functional thinking

Systemic risks ignore borders. Consequently, building resilience requires governance to be aligned with functional geographies. Europe needs to take a functional turn. Systemic risks ignore borders. Consequently, building resilience requires governance to be aligned with functional geographies. Europe needs to take a functional turn.

05.03.2026 05.03.2026

Re‑industrialising for Europe’s green transition: why regions matter…

Europe’s green transition is place-based. Its success depends on local energy potential, where investments are made, who bears the risk and who reaps the benefits. Europe’s green transition is place-based. Its success depends on local energy potential, where investments are made, who bears the risk and who reaps the benefits.

24.02.2026 24.02.2026

Cohesion policy: from redistribution to Europe’s territorial…

Cohesion policy is not just redistribution. The debate on post 2027 stressed missions, resilience, governance and territorial intelligence. A summary last year's posts. Cohesion policy is not just redistribution. The debate on post 2027 stressed missions, resilience, governance and territorial intelligence. A summary last year's posts.

19.02.2026 19.02.2026

Why territorial cooperation is essential for Europe’s future

Territorial cooperation isn't a nice-to-have. It is Europe’s heartbeat. Cut it and inequalities, mistrust etc. will surge. Here is why working together is non-negotiable. Territorial cooperation isn't a nice-to-have. It is Europe’s heartbeat. Cut it and inequalities, mistrust etc. will surge. Here is why working together is non-negotiable.

12.02.2026 12.02.2026

Imagining the 15 minutes city through role play: Duffereschbourg 2045

How to imagine the future and think out of the box? A real-life role play in the fictional city Duffereschbourg explores how the 15-minute city feels, conflicts and all. How to imagine the future and think out of the box? A real-life role play in the fictional city Duffereschbourg explores how the 15-minute city feels, conflicts and all.

04.02.2026 04.02.2026

EU crisis responses – lessons for territorial resilience

The past years, EU crisis tools were tested under real pressure. What are key lessons from cohesion policy for strengthening resilience where it matters most: in regions? The past years, EU crisis tools were tested under real pressure. What are key lessons from cohesion policy for strengthening resilience where it matters most: in regions?

26.01.2026 26.01.2026

EU’s role in an uncertain world: In search for a new narrative

Amid polarisation, exclusion and value-eroding competition, the EU’s strength is that it cares for citizens and can unite them through trust and shared responsibility. Amid polarisation, exclusion and value-eroding competition, the EU’s strength is that it cares for citizens and can unite them through trust and shared responsibility.

20.01.2026 20.01.2026 1 Reaktion

European Resilience 2.0

We have entered an age of permanent volatility. Is 'Resilience 2.0' a strategic compass, or just another Brussels buzzword? This is a territorial take on what comes next. We have entered an age of permanent volatility. Is 'Resilience 2.0' a strategic compass, or just another Brussels buzzword? This is a territorial take on what comes next.

13.01.2026 13.01.2026

What 2025 revealed about Europe’s future

Our 2025 blogs show that Europe's ability to navigate the polycrisis era hinges less on new policies and more on a fresh take on managing time, territory and uncertainty. Our 2025 blogs show that Europe's ability to navigate the polycrisis era hinges less on new policies and more on a fresh take on managing time, territory and uncertainty.

19.12.2025 19.12.2025

Territorial foresight: escaping the tyranny of the short term

In a changing world, territorial foresight can help us navigate transitions, overcome the 'tragedy of time horizons', and engage with uncertainty in a place-based manner. In a changing world, territorial foresight can help us navigate transitions, overcome the 'tragedy of time horizons', and engage with uncertainty in a place-based manner.

17.12.2025 17.12.2025

Why ending poverty goes beyond good intentions

Poverty isn’t personal failure – it’s structural. Europe must rethink systems, from services to taxation, to create real opportunities and dignity for all across regions. Poverty isn’t personal failure – it’s structural. Europe must rethink systems, from services to taxation, to create real opportunities and dignity for all across regions.

11.12.2025 11.12.2025

From spending to learning: Europe’s turn toward impact mechanisms and…

What if Europe’s budget became a learning system? The next EU long-tern budget (MFF) may transform how we fund, measure and adapt policies for real-world impact. What if Europe’s budget became a learning system? The next EU long-tern budget (MFF) may transform how we fund, measure and adapt policies for real-world impact.

04.12.2025 04.12.2025

Energy scenarios in the age of AI

AI, geopolitics and net zero: Shell’s latest energy scenarios reveal how Europe’s grids, ports and landscapes could decide the balance between cohesion and division. AI, geopolitics and net zero: Shell’s latest energy scenarios reveal how Europe’s grids, ports and landscapes could decide the balance between cohesion and division.

24.11.2025 24.11.2025

Big Bets for Bigger Impact: Towards a More Strategic and Risk-Taking…

From pilot projects to big bets: how a more strategic and risk-taking Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) could turn Europe’s budget into an engine of transformation. From pilot projects to big bets: how a more strategic and risk-taking Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) could turn Europe’s budget into an engine of transformation.

18.11.2025 18.11.2025

Why and how Territorial Impact Assessment should guide the next EU…

Will the next EU budget deepen territorial divides or promote cohesion? Territorial Impact Assessment shows where impacts are expected & highlights areas of uncertainty. Will the next EU budget deepen territorial divides or promote cohesion? Territorial Impact Assessment shows where impacts are expected & highlights areas of uncertainty.

12.11.2025 12.11.2025

Scaling for Impact: towards a more mission-oriented EU budget

In order to deliver real territorial impact in an unstable, resource-stretched Europe, the EU's long-term budget must become more agile, mission-driven & experimental. In order to deliver real territorial impact in an unstable, resource-stretched Europe, the EU's long-term budget must become more agile, mission-driven & experimental.

05.11.2025 05.11.2025

Scenarios for Europe’s Eastern Border: Navigating uncertainty in a…

The EU's north-eastern border is facing insecurity and transformation. Three scenarios explore how resilience, cooperation and a shared vision could influence its future. The EU's north-eastern border is facing insecurity and transformation. Three scenarios explore how resilience, cooperation and a shared vision could influence its future.

27.10.2025 27.10.2025

Turning budgets into impact: Europe’s next cohesion challenge

What if Europe’s next long-term budget turned Partnership Plans into true engines of impact? Exploring how NRP Plans could drive mission-based, place-sensitive EU policy. What if Europe’s next long-term budget turned Partnership Plans into true engines of impact? Exploring how NRP Plans could drive mission-based, place-sensitive EU policy.

20.10.2025 20.10.2025

Wellbeing economy as a platform for impactful societal change

What if Europe's success was measured by people's wellbeing rather than growth? New ideas put well-being at the heart of policy. Could this help build a brighter future? What if Europe's success was measured by people's wellbeing rather than growth? New ideas put well-being at the heart of policy. Could this help build a brighter future?

13.10.2025 13.10.2025

Small projects, big choices: Making Interreg’s micro-cooperation…

What role do small projects play in European territorial cooperation? The appeal lies in the type of collaboration they enable. That is why we should see more of them. What role do small projects play in European territorial cooperation? The appeal lies in the type of collaboration they enable. That is why we should see more of them.

06.10.2025 06.10.2025

Important Projects of Common European Interest

In the proposed EU budget for 2028–34, the term 'Important Projects of Common European Interest' (IPCEIs) appears at various points: A good reason to take a closer look. In the proposed EU budget for 2028–34, the term 'Important Projects of Common European Interest' (IPCEIs) appears at various points: A good reason to take a closer look.

25.09.2025 25.09.2025

Revisiting place-based policymaking

Persistent regional gaps call for smarter policies: a case for strengthening place-based and anticipatory policymaking - also in the debate about EU funds after 2027. Persistent regional gaps call for smarter policies: a case for strengthening place-based and anticipatory policymaking - also in the debate about EU funds after 2027.

15.09.2025 15.09.2025