ESPON Programme

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

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

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