ESPON Programme

How can European regions successfully navigate the green industrial transition when competing for resources and labour?

Based on the findings of the ESPON RE-Industry project, Øyvind Vennerød, Jonas Erraia and Einar Stoltenberg Wahl from Menon Economics highlight that successful industrial renewal depends on matching specific sectors to a region’s unique structural strengths and objectives, rather than promoting generic strategic industries in the abstract.

Key points of their analysis:

☝️Regional endowments are categorised into five pillars: energy, workforce, market access, ecosystem, and innovation. Data shows no single European region is strong across all five.

👌Different green industries serve different strategic goals. For example, battery cell production generates significant employment, whereas hydrogen production yields fewer jobs but supports long-term cluster development.

👉Regional authorities must carefully assess their risk appetite in relation to technological maturity, market conditions, and regulatory frameworks before committing to large-scale industrial projects.

Read the full analysis 👇:
[https://loom.ly/1A-GKZE)

Do you know how to apply for an ESPON Targeted Analysis and use it to support your territorial policies with evidence and data?

Join our webinar on 11 June 2026 and learn everything you need to know about our calls for Targeted Analyses proposals, our thematic plans, eligibility rules, application process and more.

Register today!

https://loom.ly/8QWLJC8

Remember: There is a call currently open, and the cut-off date is 30 September!
https://loom.ly/XcR5GyM

How can the European Union rebuild public trust through its development policies?

In the latest issue of the TerritoriALL magazine, Florian Marin of the EESC examines the critical relationship between culture and development. The article highlights that Europe’s political project relies on empowering regional specificities and social realities, rather than imposing uniform economic models.

His Key points:

The growing distance between cultural identities and development strategies fuels public mistrust and the perception of overly centralised governance.

True democratic legitimacy requires a shift from simple consultation to a genuine co-creation model, integrating local actors and civil society from the very beginning of the policymaking process.

Reforming the European Code of Conduct on Partnership and introducing a 'civil society check' alongside regional checks would ensure that Cohesion Policy reflects the lived experiences of communities.

Read the full article for his full analysis on the proposed reforms for territorial governance:
https://loom.ly/ZQG5STA

How packed is your event agenda for June?

Consider adding these three ESPON opportunities to your schedule:

03 June | Online event | Transnational Programmes: needs and opportunities. We are unpacking the practical requirements and future directions for transnational cooperation across Europe.

11 June | Online workshop | Webinar for future stakeholders on Targeted Analyses. An online workshop explaining how local authorities can submit proposals and secure tailored research support to address specific territorial challenges.

17 June | ESPON seminar in Larnaca | Organised in cooperation with the Cypriot EU Presidency, bringing together high-level speakers to address the invisible borders hindering regional innovation, with a Mediterranean flavour.

Secure your spot and review the full agendas for all sessions here:
https://loom.ly/Z1zXpC8

What is the territorial challenge your area faces? Use our call for Targeted Analyses and submit a proposal for a study before 30 SEPTEMBER 2026!
If your idea is selected, you can get from ESPON:
✅A high-quality study led by top European experts
✅Around EUR 250,000 budget
✅Networking opportunities
✅Peer learning opportunities
Do you have questions? We are here to help you
https://loom.ly/XcR5GyM

Final call to register for Larnaka!

Is physical remoteness the only barrier holding regions back? Or maybe differences in local frameworks, knowledge sharing, and cultural approaches is an even greater obstacle to progress?

On 17-18 June 2026, policymakers, researchers, and regional leaders will address the "Cognitive distance" that divides competitive regions and regions lagging behind.

Why should you join?

For our high-level keynote speakers:
- Prof. Maria Savona (University of Sussex)
- Prof. Ron Boschma (University of Utrecht)
- Prof. Phoebe Kountouri, Athens University of Economics and Business
- Andreas A. Assiotis, Eurobank General Manager, Retail Banking

For the new empirical evidence we will present from projects like ACCORD and STARTER

For our engaging and action-oriented workshops on
🌊Med economy,
🖥️Digital transformation,
🌴Green transition,
🏘️Housing affordability

🔭For the strategic insights as the Cyprus EU Council Presidency brings a unique perspective on insularity, global networks, and territorial cohesion.

🔗 Secure your spot today: https://loom.ly/d4ohRps

ESPON Targeted Analyses support territorial development processes. They bring together policymakers who share similar challenges and look for new territorial evidence and a European perspective.

Do you know that you can use an ESPON Targeted Analysis to support your territorial policies with evidence and data?

Join our webinar on 11 June 2026 and learn everything you need to know about our calls for expression of interests, our thematic plans, eligibility rules, application process and more
Register today!

https://loom.ly/8QWLJC8

Can the EU really improve cross-border train travel?

In this episode of the Briefed podcast, Léa Marchal provides a first overview of the European Commission’s proposed passenger package and the current realities of intra-EU cross-border mobility -based also on the results of the CROSSGOV ESPON project.

Key points of her assessment:

📈Economic incentives consistently drive mobility more strongly than physical transport infrastructure, a trend clearly identified in the ESPON CROSSGOV report on governance mechanisms for cross-border functional areas.

📚Administrative friction remains a structural barrier, with over 60% of long-distance rail users avoiding cross-border train journeys due to ticketing difficulties.

🚆Overcoming persistent physical infrastructure gaps across Member States requires long-term joint governance strategies capable of surviving political cycles.

🗺️Crossborder rail crossings -map from the ESPON CROSSGOV project

Listen to the full episode and see more about our project:
https://loom.ly/Ys51P48

Why do some European regions consistently fall behind in innovation while others thrive?

The article by Professors Dimitris Kallioras, Spyros Niavis, and PhD student Maria Adamakou in the TerritoriALL magazine explores how differences in shared knowledge, norms, and mental models serve as structural barriers. The Cypriot Presidency has identified regional cognitive distance as one of its top priorities for the post-2027 Cohesion Policy debate.

They argue that European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) programmes aimed at reducing these imbalances face challenges due to funding and participation that are heavily concentrated in already successful areas. This means the regions most in need of innovation transfer often fail to participate.

The authors propose addressing the problem by adjusting future programme guidelines to ensure that underrepresented territories are integrated into established networks.

Read the full article for more:
https://loom.ly/gVVEesQ

How do we turn territorial research into real urban impact?

Join ESPON and Politecnico di Milano on 22 May 2026 as we unpack the latest insights from the ESPON URDICO project. With a sharp focus on governance models, institutional innovation, and practical case studies from Warsaw, Florence, and Budapest, this event moves from theory to practical examples on how to use territorial research in policymaking.

Whether you are shaping policy, studying urban planning, or working within city administration, this hybrid session will equip you with the tools needed to navigate post-2027 recommendations.

Join us in Milano or online - register today:

📅 22 May 2026
📍 Politecnico di Milano & Online
👉 https://loom.ly/pk6ulis