Opening the Proposals for Applied Research and Expression of Interest from stakeholders after the deadline of 11 November 2009 confirmed substantial interest in ESPON. In total 69 applications have been received. Behind these applications are 385 partners and stakeholders that during the last months have worked hard in getting common applications ready for submission in time. This transnational cooperation is one of the hallmarks of the ESPON 2013 Programme and the result of the open calls is a concrete example of the growing acknowledgement of a European perspective upon territorial development and cohesion.

Territorial Cohesion as a new explicit objective for EU Cohesion Policy will accelerate the demand for fact and evidence on European territorial structures, trends, perspectives and policy impacts. Regional and local authorities are increasingly eager to understand their position in Europe vis-à-vis other regions and cities and to include their European comparative advantages and development opportunities in strategies for further development.

European Institutions are also part of the increasing evidence demand related to territorial cohesion. ESPON had lately the opportunity to present the ESPON 2013 Programme and examples of interesting findings for the European Parliaments Committee on Regional Development (REGI). A vivid and stimulating exchange of views was part of the session and thorough dissemination of future ESPON results to the Committee will be a priority.

2010 will altogether be a productive and active year for ESPON. Many new final results from research and targeted analyses will become available and several ESPON events including a conference, seminars and workshops are in the calendar for the dissemination and capitalisation of results.

Looking forward to a challenging and stimulating 2010, I take this occasion to thank all readers of the ESPON Newsletter for your support in 2009. Happy New Year 2010.

Peter Mehlbye
Director ESPON Coordination Unit