Subject: ESPON 2030 – Key Results from 2025 and Future Perspectives
From: "ESPON Programme" <[email-masked]>
To: "ESPON Programme" <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2026 12:57:18 +0200

Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga.
Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada.

Dear Colleagues,

First, we would like to wish you a Happy New Year and hope you had a good
start into the year 2026!

This communication presents the main achievements of the ESPON 2030
Programme for the year 2025 and provides an outlook for 2026, with an
emphasis on the opportunities to participate in and benefit from the
programme.

The year 2025 marked the third full year of the programme implementation,
with a focus on producing territorial evidence across a broad range of
thematic fields and transferring this knowledge to various policy areas at
European, national and regional levels, by means of a diverse set of
knowledge development activities.

In this update, you will find:

1.	Recalling the ESPON 2030 strategy
2.	Key ESPON activities in 2025
3.	ESPON perspectives for 2026
4.	How to join ESPON activities?

1.	Recalling the ESPON 2030 strategy

The mission of ESPON is to provide high-quality expertise to authorities
responsible for policies related to cohesion and territorial development.
In practice, ESPON’s support goes beyond producing evidence; it also
focuses on enabling stakeholders to apply this evidence within their
policy context – a process referred to as knowledge development under the
programme. Click
<https://amenagement-territoire.public.lu/dam-assets/fr/espon2020_cooperat
ion_programme/futureespon2030programme/approved-espon-2030-programme.pdf>
here to download the full ESPON 2030 programme.

Beyond raising awareness among the general public, ESPON’s activities
primarily focus on three key groups:

*	Policymakers in the narrow sense, such as elected representatives
and decision-makers.
*	Policy-enablers such as policy officers and thematic experts in
public administrations and other type of public organisations in the field
of territorial development.
*	Scientists and researchers.

ESPON addresses public actors at all administrative levels – EU, national,
regional and local – considering their specific needs and strategies.

Most ESPON activities are organised within
<https://www.espon.eu/espon-2030/taps> Thematic Action Plans (TAPs) –
dynamic strategic frameworks designed through extensive consultation –,
and adopted by the ESPON Monitoring Committee.

2.	Key ESPON activities in 2025

With as many as 8 Thematic Action Plans already up and running, several
new territorial research activities were launched, bringing the total
number of ongoing or completed projects to 58. In addition, a further 26
are currently in preparation. On the territorial knowledge transfer side,
about 80 events have been organised since the start of the programme,
including ESPON seminars and policy events at European, transnational and
national level.

The following provides an overview of major developments.

Production of territorial evidence

*	Completion of 6 European research projects:

*
<https://www.espon.eu/projects/cobren-territorial-cooperation-blue-renewab
le-energy> COBREN - Territorial cooperation for blue renewable energy.
*
<https://www.espon.eu/projects/tandem-territorial-analysis-decentralised-e
nergy-markets> TANDEM - Territorial Analysis of Decentralised Energy
Markets.
*
<https://www.espon.eu/projects/access-affordable-and-quality-housing-all-p
eople-house4all> HOUSE4ALL - Access to affordable and quality housing for
all people.
*
<https://www.espon.eu/projects/overlap-overlapping-crises-reshaping-future
-regional-labour-markets> OVERLAP - Overlapping crises (re)shaping the
future of regional labour markets.
*
<https://www.espon.eu/projects/terres-territorialising-resilience-transfor
ming-europe-age-crisis> TERRES - Territorialising Resilience: Transforming
Europe for an Age of Crisis.
*
<https://www.espon.eu/projects/territorial-governance-non-standard-geograp
hies-nostageo> NOSTAGEO - Territorial governance of non-standard
geographies.

Launch of 4 new  <https://www.espon.eu/projects> European research
projects providing a pan-European perspective on territorial development
trends and patterns, and advice on how to address them through place-based
policies:

*	Under the TAP on Climate Neutral Territories - RECOCLIN (Regional
contributions to climate neutrality).
*	Under the TAP on European Territories in Global Interactions –
PROPOLIS (Projecting regional outcomes of policies aimed at industrial
sovereignty).
*	Under the TAP on Smart Connectivity – TRANSITOR (Territorial
outlook on the security and resilience of transport infrastructure and
services across European regions).
*	Under the TAP on Nature-based Adaptation to Climate Change -
TERRBOUND (Rethinking territories within planetary boundaries).

*	Completion of 5 targeted analyses:

*
<https://www.espon.eu/projects/karpat-determinants-and-opportunities-socio
-economic-and-spatial-development-carpathian> KARPAT - Determinants and
opportunities for the socio-economic and spatial development of the
Carpathian region.
*
<https://www.espon.eu/projects/cleanenergy4ce-putting-clean-energy-transit
ion-policies-practice-central-europe> CLEANENERGY4CE - Putting clean
energy transition policies into practice in central Europe.
*
<https://www.espon.eu/projects/atlantic-mrs-orientations-development-atlan
tic-macro-region> ATLANTICMRS - Orientations for the development of an
Atlantic Macro-Region.
*
<https://www.espon.eu/projects/chanebo-challenges-eus-north-east-external-
borders> CHANEBO - Challenges at EU’s North-East External Borders.
*
<https://www.espon.eu/projects/vrepo-vulnerability-resilience-and-recovery
-policies-physical-living-environment> VREPO - Vulnerability, REsilience
and REcovery POlicies of the physical living environment).

Launch of 4 new  <https://www.espon.eu/projects> targeted analyses
responding to specific policy support needs raised by stakeholders in the
EU member states and partner countries:

*	Under the TAP on Climate Neutral Territories – ITADZ
(Decarbonising zones).
*	Under the TAP on Climate Neutral Territories – METROLAND
(Metropolitan territories: Land take reduction and net zero development).
*	Under the TAP on Governance of New Geographies – SECC (Spill-over
effects of European cultural capital on territorial development policies).
*	Under the TAP on Living, Working and Travelling across Borders –
CROSSSHOP (Cross-border shopping the French-German border region).

*	Completion of 4 on-demand territorial studies:

*
<https://www.espon.eu/projects/hermes-material-cultural-heritage-satellite
-account-methodological-framework> HERMES - Methodological framework for a
satellite account on material cultural heritage.
*
<https://www.espon.eu/projects/terra-res-territorial-exaptive-resilience-a
long-eu-eastern-borders> TERRA-RES - Territorial Exaptive Resilience along
EU Eastern Borders.
*
<https://www.espon.eu/projects/senpo-territorial-instruments-national-poli
cies-tool-designing-territorially-sensitive> SENPO - Territorial
instruments of national policies as a tool for designing territorially
sensitive policies.
*
<https://www.espon.eu/projects/resh-territorial-studies-regional-effects-h
ousing-shortage-urban-areas> RESH - Territorial Studies: Regional effects
of housing shortage in urban areas).

Launch of 4 new  <https://www.espon.eu/projects> territorial studies:

*	For Denmark on “Making space for renewable energy transition”
under the TAP on Climate Neutral Territories.
*	For Malta on “Economic cost of Malta’s insularity” under the TAP
on Places Resilient to Crises.
*	For Cyprus on “Analysing competitiveness through the lens of
cognitive regional distance” under the TAP on European Territories in
Global Interactions.
*	For Slovakia on “Analysing potential cross-border functional areas
on the Slovak borders with Czechia and Poland” Under the TAP on Living,
Working and Travelling across Borders.

*	Publication of 1 ESPON policy paper prepared together with the EU
Council Presidencies:

*	“
<https://www.espon.eu/publications/territorial-exaptive-resilience>
Territorial Exaptive Resilience” (Poland).

*	Preparation of an ESPON stocktaking paper on
<https://www.espon.eu/publications/stocktaking-paper-functional-urban-area
s> functional urban areas, requested by the Polish EU Council presidency.
*	Establishment of a pool of editors to help develop content for
ESPON’s knowledge development campaigns. So far, 4 articles (
<https://www.espon.eu/news/resilient-supply-chains-future-what-europes-reg
ions-need-today> 1
<https://gis-portal.espon.eu/arcgis/apps/storymaps/collections/3b751e68a71
24ed1b0d54a3b951b2bb1?item=8> 2
<https://gis-portal.espon.eu/arcgis/apps/storymaps/collections/3b751e68a71
24ed1b0d54a3b951b2bb1?item=7> 3
<https://gis-portal.espon.eu/arcgis/apps/storymaps/collections/81138ec8905
e4d54bdab56d65587e694?item=11> 4) have been published on ESPON’s website,
TerritoriALL magazine, various online and offline publications,
advertorials, social media, etc.
*	Production of 3 podcasts and radio shows (
<https://www.europod.eu/episode/who-can-still-afford-to-live-here/> 1
<https://spheranetwork.com/podcasts/energy-poverty-in-europe-why-millions-
cant-afford-to-heat-their-homes/> 2
<https://open.spotify.com/episode/0HfxlUXul6pWVWDIgQdXri?si=WMDlOjJQS8izWm
YMpTWaNg> 3) that use the recent ESPON evidence to address issues that are
high on the agendas of citizens and policymakers, such as depopulation,
energy poverty, urban development and more.
*	Conducting 2 territorial impact assessments to support
European-level institutions in providing reviews of EU legislative
proposals – on the
<https://www.espon.eu/publications/territorial-impact-assessment-eu-anti-p
overty-strategy> EU Anti-poverty Strategy and the
<https://commission.europa.eu/topics/environment/water-resilience-strategy
_en> European Commission’s Water Resilience Strategy.

Transfer of territorial knowledge

*	Organisation of 2  <https://www.espon.eu/events> ESPON Seminars
dedicated to debating ESPON research feeding the territorial cohesion
priorities of the respective EU Council Presidencies:

*	In Poland: “Exaptive resilience in border regions.”
*	In Denmark on “Making space for the renewable energy transition.”

*	Organisation of almost 30 European, transnational and national
knowledge transfer events <https://www.espon.eu/events>  arranged by ESPON
EGTC or ESPON Contact Points to present and discuss policy implications of
the latest ESPON research and adapt them to specific policy contexts at
EU, national, regional and local levels. Topics cover the role of
territories in boosting social and economic resilience, housing
affordability, digital tools for planning, circular economy, sustainable
urbanisation, and climate change, just to name a few.
*	Running and updating of the  <https://www.espon.eu> ESPON website
and the ESPON  <https://gis-portal.espon.eu/arcgis/apps/sites/#/espon-hub>
Data and Knowledge Portal.
*	Publication of 3 issues of the well-established
<https://www.espon.eu/magazine> ESPON TerritoriALL magazine.

3.	ESPON perspectives for 2026

The main activities foreseen in 2026 are:

*	Organisation of 2 ESPON seminars dedicated to territorial cohesion
priorities of the respective EU Council Presidencies, focusing
onCompetitiveness of regions (Larnaca, Cyprus) and The role of the green
energy transition in realising economic opportunities and balanced
regional development (Cork, Ireland).
*	Completion of 6 European research projects initiated in 2024 and
the launch of the 4 new projects:

*	Under the TAP on Climate Neutral Territories - Green-Stock (Green
Transition Stocktake).
*	Under the TAP on Perspectives for All People and Places – RuMODeS
(Rural development models in Europe).
*	Under the TAP on Governance of New Geographies - WATER (Governing
water-resilient territories).
*	Under the TAP on Places Resilient to Crises ARISE (Activating
Resilience through Integrated Strategies and Evidence).

*	Launching of up to 6 new targeted analyses, based on proposals
submitted by the fifth cut-off date in November 2025.
*	Implementation of further on-demand territorial studies for the
ESPON Member States and Partner countries.
*	Arrangement of new  <https://www.espon.eu/events> knowledge
transfer events by ESPON EGTC and ESPON Contact Points.
*	Launch of the ESPON FUTERR project (A Foresight Framework for
Europe’s Evolving Territory) to prepare territorial support evidence on
request of the Ministers responsible for Cohesion, Territorial Cohesion
and Urban Matters, asarticulated in their Declaration adopted in Warsaw in
May 2025.
*	Contribution to specific European policy processes and events,
such as:

*	Discussions on the future of Cohesion Policy and the renewal of
the Territorial Agenda 2030.
*	The European Week of Regions and Cities.

More details will be given in due time on the ESPON website (
<http://www.espon.eu> www.espon.eu).

4.	How to join ESPON activities?

The success of the ESPON 2030 Programme relies on the active participation
of stakeholders, as well as users and producers of ESPON evidence. There
are several ways you can engage with and benefit from the programme:

For Policy Makers

*	Request tailored analyses to support your policy processes.
*	Use materials and insights available on ESPON’s media channels.
*	Contribute to ESPON events and discussions.

Find detailed information on participation opportunities on the ESPON
website (www.espon.eu).

For Researchers and Service Providers

*	Take part in public procurement processes for producing evidence
and delivering services.
*	Opportunities are published on:

*	The Official Journal of the EU – TED (Tenders Electronic Daily,
http://www.ted.europa.eu).
*	The Luxembourg Public Procurement Portal
(http://www.marches.public.lu).

*	All calls for tender are also announced on the ESPON website
(www.espon.eu).

ESPON EGTC, as the Single Beneficiary, is responsible for implementing
ESPON activities and serves as your main point of contact for any
inquiries.

We look forward to your active participation in the ESPON 2030 Programme
and thank you for your interest and cooperation.

Best regards,

ESPON EGTC

Director: Wiktor Szydarowski

11, Avenue John F. Kennedy

L-1855, Luxembourg

Website:  <http://www.espon.eu> www.espon.eu

Tel: 00352 20 600 280;

Fax: 00352 20 600 280 01;

E-mail:  <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]

 <https://www.youtube.com/user/ESPONProgramme>

 <https://www.facebook.com/ESPONProgramme/>

 <https://twitter.com/ESPON_Programme>

 <https://www.linkedin.com/company/espon/>

ESPON Managing Authority

Dr Thiemo W. Eser

Director, Division of International Affairs and European Territorial
Cooperation

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG

Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning

Department of Spatial Planning

Office:  4, place de l’Europe . L - 1499 Luxembourg

Postal address: L - 2946 Luxembourg

Tél. (+352) 247-86934 . Fax (+352) 408970

E-Mail:  <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]

Website:  <https://amenagement-territoire.public.lu/fr/espon.html>
https://amenagement-territoire.public.lu/fr/espon.html

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