Highlights 

Message from the ESPON Coordination Unit
"Progress towards a renewed ESPON Programme 2014-2020"

Preparing the continuation of ESPON has been part of the European cooperation process for quite some time. The general opinion has been very clear that Europe needs territorial evidence to progress territorial cohesion, implement place-based approaches, enhance the territorial dimension in policy, and cater for integrated approaches to territorial development.

The needs for territorial evidence in future policy development are driving the process of shaping the third generation of ESPON. The process is carried forward by a Joint Working Group involving 28 EU member states and 4 partner states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland with the mandate to elaborate the Operational Programme for the ESPON Programme covering 2014-2020.

Basic directions for a renewal of ESPON have been set at the level of General Directors. The drafting process has now reached a first level of maturity, however, there are still important discussions ahead and consensus to be shaped among the 32 countries involved.

You can get a first insight on this process at the ESPON Website.

Event

ESPON Workshop in Brussels, 27 November 2013 “Gateway cities and regions - New evidence on different types of gateways and their future role in territorial policies”

Cohesion policy 2014-2020

ESPON Territorial Evidence Packs for the development and implementation of future programmes.

Articles

(1) “Economic Crisis and the Structural Funds”.

(2) “The ESPON Atlas - Territorial Dimensions of the EU 2020 Strategy - proved to be highly relevant for European regions wanting to benchmark themselves in relation to the growth targets set”.

Use of ESPON

(1) “European perspectives on regions and regional development in Norway – in the light of ESPON”.

(2) “Territorial dimension of development: Poland from the perspective of the ESPON”.

New Reports

(1) Governance: Draft Final Report of TANGO;

(2) Neighbour Regions: Interim Report of ITAN;

(3) Energy: Interim Report of NSS - NORTH SEA STAR.

ESPON in Your Country

(1) UK - USESPON final conference “Promoting local growth”, London, 15 November 2013. 

(2) BE - ESPON TOWN Project Workshop “New perspective on towns in Europe: from analysis to policy agenda”, Leuven, 29 November 2013.

Past Events

(1) ESPON Workshop “Territorial Vision for Europe towards 2050”;

(2) ESPON at the OPEN DAYS 2013;

(3) ESPON Scientific Conference "Science in support of European Territorial Development and Cohesion".

Other News

Have a say on Europe 2020! - CoR launches consultation on EU growth.