Euractiv's Nikos Lampropoulos spoke to ESPON EGTC Director Ilona Raugze about the role of territorial cooperation for the future of European cohesion. 

on the role of evidence-based policy making and ESPON for the future of EU policies 

Territorial Cohesion Post 2020: Integrated Territorial Development for Better Policies

The next cut-off date for the submission of proposals is on 22 June 2018

2 in 5 cities have seen a substantial increase in uptake of specific services as a result of digitalisation. This is one of the findings…

The service shall support decision-making related to the urban-rural transport connectivity challenges facing non-metropolitan regions limiting their access to essential services, business and employment opportunities. The aim of the project is to improve transport policy and systems related to connectivity by engaging the participating stakeholders in knowledge transfer activities, developing networks of information exchange and advancing understanding of flexible and sustainable urban-rural mobility and accessibility.

In 2018 the ESPON EGTC will tender 6 applied research activities:

The service shall contribute to 1) enhancing the use of Big Data in supporting policy with up-to-date information relevant for territorial analysis and to 2) explore spatial patterns and dynamics of housing in European cities using Big Data. 

The service shall develop a step-by-step methodology describing how to determine the ex-post impact of any cross-border cooperation (CBC) programme on the territorial development of the border regions.

The service shall contribute to evidence-based, coherent and transparent decision-making in EU Member States considering land-sea interactions in the development of national maritime spatial plans. It shall develop a methodology to explore land-sea links, including the coastal interface. All EU sectoral policies affecting seas, islands, coastal regions and maritime sectors need to be taken into account in the analytical process.