Futures thinking is in our DNA. SAMI was created as the St Andrews Management Institute in 1989, as a joint venture between Shell, the pioneers in scenario planning, and St Andrews University. That powerful mix of academic rigour and practical delivery continues in work and with our people today: Experienced practitioners, world-renowned futures authors, and consultants with first-hand experience of the public sector and the challenges facing it.

SAMI was commissioned by the Government Office for Science to overhaul its Futures Toolkit. We have reviewed and re-written many of the core tools, adding new ones and advising on more advanced techniques.

SAMI Consulting Ltd are futures domain specialists. We have 30 years’ experience of working internationally, with the European Commission and with HM Government on futures projects. We understand the specific needs of Government in formulating and reaching decisions at both the policy and delivery levels. We have worked with the Cabinet Office, the Government Office for Science and HMG central departments; agencies; Local Government, Local Enterprise Partnerships, NDPBs, police forces and security agencies, universities and charities.

We work with you using a wide range of foresight tools including scenario planning. We identify
major drivers of change impacting your organisation, develop different futures and test alternative
strategies. This participative approach builds capability in your team, enabling them to become
more innovative and more able to react rapidly to unexpected change.

We offer the full range of Futures capability from gathering intelligence, to making sense of it, to
testing and developing your strategy, making decisions and taking action. We use the full range of
Futures and Foresight tools, conduct our own research and maintain our own knowledge acquisition
mechanisms. This means we can deliver a faster, tailored and more sophisticated response to your
needs and avoid ‘reinventing the wheel.’

SAMI’s experienced facilitators are adept at managing the unique challenges of futures workshops.
We enable participants to step outside their present-bias into a futures-mode of thinking

6th SCAR Foresight

Die gegenwärtige Zeit ist geprägt von rasanten und oft gleichzeitig stattfindenden Veränderungen und
Entwicklungen: Technologien wie Künstliche Intelligenz (KI), neue regulative Anforderungen wie die CSRD
oder der EU AI Act sowie gesellschaftliche und politische Herausforderungen sorgen für dynamische und
disruptive Zukunftsperspektiven mit spezifischen Anforderungen an die Resilienz und das
Innovationsmanagement. Die strategische Vorausschau (Foresight) gewinnt aus diesem Grund sowohl in
Unternehmen als auch in der Forschung zunehmend an Bedeutung.

Der Workshop „Foresight in Theorie und Praxis“ dient daher als Forum, um Akteure aus Unternehmen und
wissenschaftlichen Einrichtungen zusammenzubringen und Erfahrungswerte sowie Kooperationspotenziale
der strategischen Vorausschau zu diskutieren. Insbesondere soll dabei auch die Bedeutung der Informatik
für den Aufbau und die Weiterentwicklung eines Foresight-Prozesses berücksichtigt werden. 

Folgende Fragestellungen bieten eine Orientierung über die thematischen Schwerpunkte des Workshops:

1. Welche Forschungsansätze im Bereich Foresight existieren bereits? Wo gibt es weiteren
   Forschungsbedarf?
2. Wie werden Forschungsansätze derzeit bereits in der Praxis angewandt? Wodurch zeichnen sich
   diese aus und wo liegen die Grenzen?
3. Wie gestaltet sich strategische Vorausschau in Unternehmen? Wie unterscheidet sich diese in
   Großunternehmen und KMU?
4. Wie kann strategische Vorausschau in wissenschaftlichen Einrichtungen umgesetzt werden? Wo
   liegen Unterschiede zur unternehmerischen Herangehensweise, wo gibt es Gemeinsamkeiten?
5. Wie können digitale Technologien (z. B. IT-Anwendungen, KI) die strategische Vorausschau
   unterstützen und verbessern? Welche Ressourcen und Kompetenzen sind hierfür erforderlich?

Die Beiträge zum Workshop können verschiedene Aspekte von Foresight bzw. strategischer Vorausschau
behandeln. Mögliche Themen sind (nicht abschließend):

• Methoden der strategischen Vorausschau
• Anwendung von Foresight in Unternehmen
• Anwendung von Foresight in wissenschaftlichen Einrichtung
• Digitale Technologien zur Unterstützung von Foresight (z. B. KI, Big Data, Simulationen)
• KI und Foresight
• Simulationstechniken
• Datenanalysen/Datenmangement
• Szenariotechniken
• Trendanalysen
• Horizon Scanning
• Innovationsmanagement
• Organisatorische und kulturelle Herausforderungen der strategischen Vorausschau
• Regulatorische und ethische Aspekte von Foresight
• Unternehmensstrategie und Foresight
• Risikomanagement mit Foresight
• Best Practices und Praxisberichte

Zielgruppe des Workshops sind Forschende und Anwendende aus dem Bereich strategische Vorausschau
bzw. Foresight sowie:

• Fach- und Führungskräfte aus Unternehmen, die strategische Vorausschau in ihre Planung
  integrieren
• Beratende im Bereich Zukunftsforschung und Trendanalyse
• Verantwortliche für Innovations- und Technologiemanagement
• Entscheidungsträger*innen in Politik und Verwaltung, die zukunftsorientierte Strategien entwickeln
• IT-Experten*innen und Entwickler*innen von digitalen Foresight-Tools
• Wissenschaftler*innen und Studierende mit Interesse an Foresight-Methoden

HINWEISE ZUR EINREICHUNG

Einreichungsfrist für Workshop-Beiträge: 04.05.2025
Benachrichtigung der Autoren: 02.06.2025
Einreichungsfrist für LNI-Beiträge: 11.06.2025
Workshop: 19.09.2025

Die Einreichung der Beiträge erfolgt als PDF über EasyChair.

Für die Beiträge sind die LNI-Vorlagen zu verwenden.

Beiträge können in deutscher oder englischer Sprache verfasst werden und sollten folgenden Umfang nicht überschreiten:

Full Paper: 10-12 Seiten

Short Paper: 6 Seiten

Work-In-Progress-Paper: 3-5 Seiten

Praxisbeiträge aus der Industrie: 3-5 Seiten

Context of the study
The European Framework Programme (FP) for Research and Innovation is pivotal in addressing the goals of the European Union, by providing essential funding to drive forward the EU’s research and innovation agenda, aligning with the broader policy objectives of sustainability and climate neutrality. The discussion concerning the development of FP10 revolve around the need to either incrementally refine its existing structure, or to fundamentally transform the framework programme structure in order to make a more impactful FP. Advocates for a major overhaul argue for comprehensive changes to address new global challenges, a declining competitiveness, and the need to align with Europe's strategic goals. On the other hand, proponents of gradual improvement suggest building upon the current system, emphasising continuity and simplification to enhance effectiveness without causing significant disruption. The goal of this study is to develop and assess high-level designs for the EU’s next FP (Hypothetical Programme Structures, HPS), considering the identified geo-political, societal, and economic challenges as well as expected impacts of major technological developments.

Study approach
The study undertakes a forward-looking analysis, based on alternative scenarios for Europe and its R&I landscape and exploring the structural adaptations that may be required to ensure the programme remains responsive, effective, and aligned with the EU’s strategic priorities. The figure below provides an overview of the key components of the foresight process.

A key component of the methodology is the series of three foresight workshops with more than 35 stakeholders representing EU R&I stakeholders (university networks, RTOs, private sector companies, NCPs, policymakers, civil society representatives etc.). During the workshops, the participants discussed the main challenges of the FP and identified solutions. Moreover, they made use of the future scenarios developed by the study team, to reflect upon potential implications societal, economic, and environmental trends these scenarios might have on the focus and structure of FP10. Based on this input and an analysis of relevant reports (e.g. FP evaluations and studies, high level reports from Draghi, Letta, Heitor and Niinistö, stakeholder position papers, case studies on selected national R&I programmes) pros and cons of both the evolutionary and disruptive approaches in selected scenarios and their impact on the EU’s R&I landscape and FP structure were formulated.
The study presents a set of hypothetical programme structures (HPS) that meet the different scenario settings. Each HPS “tells a different story” about the objectives and means of intervening in the EU R&I landscape. In the context of this study, we understand the HPS as a narrative description as comprising two main elements: 

• The overarching objectives of the programme – defining its fundamental purpose and strategic intent.
• The main components of the programme – outlining the broad pillars or themes that guide research investments.

Based on the workshop discussions, available policy reports and examples of different programme structures at national level, a range of policy options were developed. Policy options include suggestions spanning from the management of the FP to prioritisation and thematical focus, instrument design, improved coordination within the FP, or governance mechanisms to ensure that the FP remains effective under different conditions.

The Future of Sustainable Fashion event took place on Monday, January 20, 2025, at the MOMus - Museum of Modern Art in Thessaloniki, Greece. The workshop was implemented surrounded by the relative with the subject exhibition Collective Threads: Anna Andreeva at the Red Rose Silk Factory. This initiative was implemented by Helenos Consulting, a partner of the Eye of Europe Project, and aimed to engage local citizens.

I. Introduction
Today, our highly complex and uncertain world requires strategic tools that will help us create new sustainable development trajectories. Fashion is more than an industry. It can reveal unique and collective identities, norms, and ethics but is also associated with environmental issues. It is one of the largest pollutant industries, prompting a shift in how we produce and consume fashion items. How might the climate crisis change our attitudes, and how does this impact the fashion industry?
Historically, fashion trends have been reflecting social issues. Characteristics examples are the 50’s full skirts in America, which put the woman in a specific position within the family and society, and the feminine wig hair in Ancient Egypt as a symbol of wisdom and respect revealing the matriarchal regime that was dominating in that period, and many other incidents. Nowadays, the role of the sexes has changed, while fashion consumption can also demonstrate our ethics and norms about social issues such as working conditions and climate change. The main goal of the workshop on the Future of Sustainable Fashion is to explore all these connections among objects, fiction, culture, and systems and to inspire participants to rethink their consumption habits, express themselves, imagine, and co-create alternative futures. It proposes a significant shift in fashion's approach to the future, moving away from short-term trends and predictions based on economic growth and industrial productivity, and instead embracing a more long-term, values-driven, empathetic, collective, humane, and environmentally conscious approach.

II. Results and outcomes
Favorite Fashion Items
The description and explanation of participants' favorite fashion items reveal broader categories for evaluating and preferring these items. The first category focuses on practicality, with comfort and elegance being the most valued aspects. The second category encompasses ethical consumption, including support for local and national small producers and a preference for sustainably made fashion products. The third category addresses the emotions these items evoke, with positive feelings such as love, affection, confidence, simplicity, and self-sufficiency being the most prominent. Additionally, emotions related to femininity, self-expression, and the expression of both collective and personal identities are also significant. Furthermore, the role of culture and tradition in fashion is highlighted as contributing to the support of collective identities.


Fashion Timeline Analysis
Based on the categorization of the results of each group, we created the following Fashion Timeline Analysis, taking into account the three horizons: past, present and future.

Past
The historical fashion industry was characterized by the positive aspects of high-quality, durable garments and a slow fashion approach that allowed for customization and trust in producers. However, there were significant challenges. While garments were crafted with superior materials and provided longevity, the disadvantages that were referred were about complexity and the high costs of the manufacturing process, making clothing less accessible to the general public. Consequently, there was a lack of diversity in fashion, while clothing often reinforced social stereotypes, such as restrictive garments for women, including corsets that symbolized oppression. In addition to that, textiles and designs were often uncomfortable and harmful, and the widespread use of animal-derived materials imposing ecosystemic consequences.

Present
Today’s fashion industry has undergone major transformations. In the positive aspects, clothing is more affordable and diverse. Furthermore, fashion has become a medium for self-expression, reflecting social changes, including gender fluidity and inclusivity. The emergence of eco-friendly and vegan materials, along with the rise of second-hand clothing and circular economy initiatives, has brought sustainability into focus. However, the quality of clothing has declined due to mass production, and the environmental impact of the industry is significant. Fast fashion has led to poor working conditions, harmful materials, and an increase in overconsumption. The global standardization of clothing has reduced cultural uniqueness, and consumerism continues to be driven by brand status rather than necessity.

Future
Looking ahead, the fashion industry holds potential for ethical and sustainable improvements while leveraging technological advancements to enhance efficiency and inclusivity. According to the participants, ethical consumer choices and circular economy principles should be prioritized, promoting recycling and reusing textiles to reduce environmental impact. Transparency in supply chains will become more prevalent, and innovations in smart textiles and wearable technology are expected to revolutionize the industry. Additionally, inclusivity in fashion can ensure that clothing serves the needs of diverse and vulnerable groups. On the negative side, the rising costs of sustainable fashion may create accessibility issues, and despite sustainability efforts, fashion waste may continue to be a problem. The scarcity of raw materials poses another threat, and wearable technology raises concerns regarding privacy and data security. The growing trend of online consumption may also reduce personal human interactions in fashion retail, altering the shopping experience.

What-if Scenarios, Fashion Artefacts, Values and Emotions
Three out of the five scenarios envisioned and described the negative impact of climate change, illustrating how it would affect humanity and our way of life. Two scenarios imagined a return to a rural way of living, where people would cultivate their own food. In one case, climate change led to a scarcity of raw materials, forcing society to revert to ancient practices, including wearing animal leather. In contrast, a more optimistic scenario depicted humanity achieving self-awareness and proactively addressing environmental issues. Another scenario, closely resembling the present, portrayed fast fashion continuing to dominate, fostering monopolistic markets that resulted in homogenized clothing and severe environmental consequences. Lastly, a dystopian scenario envisioned the destruction of Earth, prompting human migration to another planet where they had to coexist with extraterrestrial beings.

Despite the diversity of these scenarios, the core social values associated with life and fashion remained remarkably similar across them. In three of the five cases, artefacts were primarily utilized as tools for survival, safety, and adaptation to new realities. The remaining two scenarios emphasized the detection of emotions through artefacts. Social values such as solidarity, functionality, and consciousness were prevalent throughout the workshop’s results. Additionally, the idea of uniforms replacing diverse clothing was proposed, positioning them as essential tools for survival.

All artefacts incorporated new technologies, with AI sensors and nanotechnology-based materials and textiles being the most prominent. Organic materials were also integrated into one artefact, highlighting the growing emphasis on sustainability and innovation in future fashion. 

Fashion Futuring Wheel

The working groups made suggestions and propositions in the following R&I policy aspects. 

Manufacturing & Distribution
The future of fashion manufacturing and distribution is closely linked to sustainability and ethical production. Fair trade practices, green logistics using renewable energy sources, and robotic automation to eliminate exploitative labor practices were highlighted as key developments. For the last suggestion there should be caution when we integrate robots in the production process, since machines should be seen as tools to assist rather than replace human workers.
Industrial symbiosis is gaining traction, where industries should collaborate to minimize waste. Small producers are called to play a larger role, ensuring localized and more sustainable production models. Affordable raw materials and green manufacturing practices will be essential for our future to be viable, and actions towards ethical working regulations, are required.

Environment, Social Responsibility, and Governance (ESG)
For ESG, emphasis was given on funding initiatives that encourage companies to adopt green practices. In governance, participatory decision-making models could enhance the integration of ESG principles into the industry, while regulations particularly in relation to human and non-human relationships, was also mentioned as a determinant in the shape of the future landscape.

Arts & Philosophy
Art and philosophy should continue to shape fashion by promoting sustainability and respect for nature. Some ideas included artistic fairs focused on planetary well-being, that aim to sensitize citizens about environmental issues and self-expression and decolonization as the main concepts in future art to influence design and fashion. The New European Bauhaus and permaculture principles constitute good practices that could inspire societies to align fashion with natural ecosystems, while philosophical movements should be used to reinforce discipline and balance over consumerism.

Education & Politics
Education and politics are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the fashion industry's future. Actions including public funding for education in sustainability awareness, but also inclusivity being at the center of learning outcomes in the educational system, and re-skilling of workforce to be prepared and adapted to new innovations and technologies, were suggested. Furthermore, participants highlighted the influence of participatory workshops to engage citizens in social and environmental issues, fostering responsibility and ethical consumer behavior.

Consumption & Trends
Consumer habits are expected to evolve towards more ethical and sustainable choices, serving a good cause rather than mere aesthetics. According to the audience, trends should prioritize discipline and simplicity, encouraging consumers to rethink purchases before buying. In this context, the demand for affordable green clothing will rise, reinforcing the circular economy, where people will choose their clothes based on functionality and durability. Another important aspect is the need for transparency in fashion value chain to become a standard practice, which was also proposed during the workshop.

Communication
Communication in the fashion industry will be driven by digitalization, inclusivity and transparency. Platforms should adopt an educational character towards sustainability awareness in fashion, while hologram assistants are expected to become prevalent, guiding consumers through ethical purchasing decisions. The evaluation of information will be necessary to ensure transparency and credibility in fashion-related discussions. At the same time, ethical considerations and inclusivity will be fundamental in communication strategies.

Design Principles
Similarly to the aspect of Communication, in Design Principles, digitization, inclusivity and sustainability were recognized as the main values in future development in Design. Digitalization in design can lead to better results in terms of efficiency, but also in more eco-friendly processes. The integration of new technologies such as AI, is expected to transform the design process and change fundamentally the fashion industry. Furthermore, design should be more inclusive, meaning that it should consider the needs of more diversified and vulnerable target groups, ensuring that fashion serves the needs of all individuals.

Materials, Science & Technology
Innovation in materials, science, and technology will revolutionize fashion. AI and sensor-equipped textiles will enhance functionality and customization. Prototypes and testing are essentials, since they will ensure the safety of emerging technologies. Clothing should become increasingly comfortable while also reflecting personal values. Regarding the environmental impact, recycling of textiles and the development of new materials from landfill waste can help reduce pollution. At the same time natural materials should be prioritized to minimize environmental harm. Finally, the mass production of sustainable textiles is vital for eco-friendly clothing to become widely available, which can be achieved through investments in new technologies.

FutureCraft project aims to foster entrepreneurial mindsets and enhance the capacity of ecosystem enablers while promoting futures literacy and global collaboration.

The project aspires to cultivate innovative thinking, provide effective guidance to entrepreneurs, and increase awareness of future trends and sustainability challenges. Ultimately, the goal is to drive economic growth by developing vibrant and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems, fostering prosperity and innovation.

The project is funded by EU program Erasmus+ during 12/2024–11/2026.

https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/projects/search/details/2024-1-TR01-KA220-ADU-000251939

Delivering solutions for a more sustainable future

ISINNOVA provides research services and strategic consultancy to public and private actors pursuing sustainable visions, solutions, and policies.

Five Pillars of Our Approach

1. Anticipate – Apply systems thinking and foresight methodologies to identify emerging challenges, reveal interdependencies, and inform proactive, future-resilient strategies.

2. Integrate – Connect disciplines, sectors, and knowledge systems to foster richer analysis and tackle complex challenges holistically.

3. Align – Ensure research, innovation, and governance processes reflect the values, priorities, and needs of society through ethical, participatory, and responsible approaches.

4. Co-create – Engage diverse stakeholders — researchers, policymakers, citizens, and industry — in collaborative processes to design solutions that are inclusive, relevant, and impactful.

5. Transform – Drive systemic change by translating shared knowledge and co-created solutions into sustainable, scalable actions, supported by continuous assessment to ensure applicability, effectiveness, and long-term value.

Track Record

• 50+ years in the game (and counting).
• Involved in over 130 research projects (ISINNOVA designs, develops, and manages sector-specific & cross-sector EU and global projects)
• 15 staff members with multidisciplinary backgrounds (engineering, statistics, economics, politics, law, social sciences, computer science and media studies)
  

We help people and organisations imagine, work with, and shape their future. 

CIFS is one of the worlds oldest think tanks exclusively focusing on foresight. CIFS teach very popular courses in foresight, gives key notes and launch various initiatives and do research projects. CIFS is a self-owned think tank, completely independent of special interests. 

Have you ever wondered how you will (still) be conducting research or teaching in 2050? 

The Foresight on Demand consortium (FOD2) invites you to participate in a survey in context to “Demographic change: implications and opportunities for Europe’s R&I system by 2050”.

Your input will help identify weak signals, early trends, and unexpected ideas that could shape research careers, higher education, and innovation systems in Europe by 2050.

Whether you are noticing shifts in work culture, research or teaching models, funding landscapes, please take 10-15 minutes and share your thoughts ! The survey is open until April 18.

Supports the economic growth in South-East Europe by promoting innovative solutions and facilitating the transfer of technologies and know-how. 

The first organization in the South- East region to implement foresight methods to shape public policy.

This report documents the process and findings of a horizon scanning exercise, part of a series under the FUTURINNOV (FUTURe-oriented detection and assessment of emerging technologies and breakthrough INNOVation) project, a collaboration between the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC), aiming to bolster the EIC's strategic intelligence through foresight and anticipatory methodologies.
The workshop, held on 16 October 2024, had as its primary goal the evaluation and prioritisation of trends and signals on emerging technologies and breakthrough innovation, across all tech7-nology readiness levels (TRLs), within the broad Mobility domain, broken-down into four key areas: transport systems, networks and multimodality; automotive and roads; rail/freight and logistics and aviation and airports.
Signals for the workshop were gathered from experts, literature review, and text/data mining of patents, publications, and EU-funded projects. These signals were then scrutinised for their significance to the field's future by a diverse group of sector experts which led to the identification of 22 different key topics across the key areas above. These signals can be seen as hotspots of innovation that deserve the EIC’s attention for possible future support.
Participants also highlighted various factors that could influence the development, adoption, and promotion of these emerging technologies, which are presented in the report as drivers, enablers and barriers, and analysed specifically in each of the 4 key areas.

The fourth Mutual Learning Event of the 𝐄𝐲𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞 project took place in beautiful Budapest, focusing on "𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠."

The event featured presentations on European and national foresight exercises, highlighting diverse practices in shaping long-term visions and setting strategic priorities. These insights fueled lively discussions during two interactive sessions.

Over twenty participants from diverse stakeholder groups joined the event held in Budapest, Hungary: Eye of Europe partner organizations, representatives from the European Commission, R&I funding agencies, representatives of governmental bodies. 

Presentations

• Opening and Introduction to the Eye of Europe project | Radu Gheorghiu, coordinator (UEFISCDI, Romania)
• Introduction to Forward-looking Activities and Policy Making | Attila Havas (CERS, Hungary)
• Introduction of the MLE4 context, objectives and agenda | Lenka Hebáková (TC Prague, Czechia)
• Foresight for European R&I Priorities | Nicola Francesco Dotti, EC’s DG for Research and Innovation: Common R&I Strategy & Foresight Service
• Building anticipatory governance as a core element of policymaking across OECD countries | Julia
  Staudt
• Malta: Foresight and Visioning in the R&I policy cycle | Jennifer Cassingena Harper, Insight Foresight
  Institute
• UK: Discussing strategies for positioning a country or region as a leader in specific R&I domains | Luke Georghiou, University of Manchester
• Romania: Digital Transformation in the Romanian Public Administration: Scenarios and Associated
  Digital Roles for Civil Servants | Bianca Dragomir, Institutul de Prospectiva
• Hungary: The Priorities and the Methodology of the Programme Strategy | Péter Racskó, NRDI
  Office
  

This event is the fourth in a series of five MLEs planned in the project; the following event will be held in Chișinău, Moldova. All Eye of Europe MLEs are organized by Technology Centre Prague (TC), Eye of Europe partner and key Czech national think tank and academia based NGO with a rich experience with knowledge-based policy making support and (participatory as well as expert based) foresight activities.

This report explores the transformative potential of Key Enabling Technologies in addressing emerging security challenges within the European Union. By conducting foresight analysis, the report evaluates technologies such as artificial intelligence, advanced sensing, blockchain, and drones, highlighting their ability to enhance law enforcement and critical infrastructure resilience, and fighting crime and terrorism, while exposing vulnerabilities, such as misuse by criminal actors or regulatory gaps.
The findings emphasise the need for proactive EU policies to both support technology transformation and mitigate risks, including strategic investments in secure innovation, legal harmonisation, and addressing societal resilience. This report aligns with the Commission’s 2024–2029 priorities, supporting a prosperous, secure, and resilient Europe through actionable insights into emerging security challenges. The recommendations aim to foster effective public-private collaborations, ensure regulatory coherence across Member States, and promote technological solutions that balance security needs with ethical and societal values, reinforcing the EU’s position as a leader in sustainable, innovation-driven policy-making in internal security.

Transportes, Inovação e Sistemas (TIS) is an independent Portuguese consultancy (SME) with over 30 years of experience in the market. With offices in Lisbon and Porto (Portugal) and Fortaleza and São Paulo (Brazil), TIS provides expertise and decision-making support on policies, planning, economic evaluations, and operations across all transport sectors. This includes transport infrastructure, policies, economics, modeling, and market studies.

TIS has extensive experience working with the European Commission, the European Parliament, EU agencies (e.g., EMSA and EUSPA), and multilateral organisations such as the EIB, UNDP, UNECE, and the World Bank, both as a sole contractor and as the leader of large consortia. Additionally, TIS has in-depth knowledge of TEN-T policy and has coordinated the TEN-T Atlantic corridor since 2014, actively contributing to transport infrastructure and mobility planning at the European level.

The company has significant expertise in conducting fact-finding studies, fitness checks, evaluations and impact assessments for various EC Directorates-General, incorporating foresight methodologies to ensure that EU legislative work remains future-proof. This forward-looking approach to policy objectives and regulatory developments is also applied in research and innovation projects.

As radical innovations are having a profound impact globallyon the macroeconomic environment, the Region of Central Macedonia is monitoringclosely following the developments, trends and variables that favour or affect it or negatively affecting its development.
Institutions and executives from the private and public sector have explored through a participatory and dynamic process (Thematic Participatory Workshop) the variables that will the innovation and entrepreneurship environment of the region with time horizon 2030, identified their dynamics and evaluated their interaction. The findings provided input to the working group for the development of four scenarios that will define the future of innovation in the region of Central Macedonia in the coming decade. These scenarios identified
the development of a proposal of three strategic axes, developing in a stepwise manner in three different periods, which will strengthen the resilience of the region and prepare it to face the conditions in these four futures.

The study is available in Greek.

The project concerns the operation of the One Stop Liaison Office Mechanism of the Regional Authority, the development of digital tools aiming to support the regional ecosystem, while at the same time monitoring and evaluating the Smart Specialization Strategy.

One Stop Liaison Office Operation
Horizon Scanning (Greek)
Innovation 2030 (Greek)
RIS3 Strategy Monitoring
RIS3 Strategy Evaluation
Updating the RIS3 Strategy 2021-2027

The project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund

The municipality of Diano Marina, a seaside town in the northwestern Liguria region of Italy, in collaboration with the National Research Council of Italy, has launched an initiative in 2022 called “I Venerdi della Conoscenza” (Fridays of Knowledge, hereafter VDC). Link to the webpage.

The awareness of the possible impacts of emerging technologies and global changes on the society and the economy, prompted the mayor of Diano Marina to ask a group of scientists to design and develop activities for involving local communities in reflection on the future.

The aim of VDC is to promote and structure a dialogue between young generations and decision makers, using science as an interface.

A Scientific Committee has identified different aspects to be addressed during meetings that engage the participants to access the state of the art, and discuss them. The ultimate goal of VDC is to involve the local community in becoming more informed and active in shaping the future, which is often regarded as distant from the territorial contexts, and which constitutes the basis of the foresight exercises. The Scientific Committee consists of a selection of the experts who coordinated the Science and Technology Foresight Project of the National Research Council. The involved scientists are a representation of high-level national and international communities.

Students and teachers from some high schools are involved in advance, in order to brief and prepare questions during the meetings. On scheduled Fridays, the Sala Consigliare of the municipality hosts approximately 100 citizens. Students open the debate with lectures identified the week before, then a moderator initiates a debate with the scientists to elaborate the main concepts and challenges on the selected topics. Open questions from the audience conclude the dialogue, which includes the local public authorities that are invited. The meeting are accessible via streaming for a wider participation.

Some of the topics also anticipated or were suggested by those identified by a project funded by the European Commission named the Eye of Europe, whose aim is to support the European decision makers to reflect on the research and innovation priorities through foresight processes.

GIZ Profile: sustainable development for a liveable future

As a service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education work, we are dedicated to shaping a future worth living around the world. We have over 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment promotion, energy and the environment, and peace and security. The diverse expertise of our federal enterprise is in demand around the globe – from the German Government, European Union institutions, the United Nations, the private sector, and governments of other countries. We work with businesses, civil society actors and research institutions, fostering successful interaction between development policy and other policy fields and areas of activity. Our main commissioning party is the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

How GIZ uses Foresight Methods: As a federal enterprise working in the fields of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is greatly affected by the business environment in which it operates and by trends in Germany, Europe and the world. Dealing with the resulting uncertainty, complexity and fast-paced change is often very challenging. This makes it important for GIZ to understand the underlying drivers of change and possible future developments so that it can prepare for the future and for the crises it will have to address, ultimately making the company and its staff more resilient.  

This report presents the results of a study on “Expectations and assumptions for the future in the Work Programme 2021-2022 of Horizon Europe”. The study scanned the HE Work Programme 2021-2022 for assumptions and expectations about the future and conducted a Delphi survey of experts on the likely time of realization of those expectations and assumptions. The analysis revealed three over-lapping but distinct types of challenges associated with assumptions and expectations that should be recognised in future workprogrammes: policy chal-lenges, diversification challenges and reflexivity challenges.

The energy crisis resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine only underlines the urgency for the EU to reduce its dependency on fossil fuel, in order to reach climate neutrality by 2050, which is at the core of the European Green Deal. Decarbonising the industry, responsible for 17% of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU, is therefore key.

This first industrial technology roadmap under the new European research area (ERA) provides an evidence base on the state of play of low-carbon technologies in energy-intensive industries in the EU and available support instruments, and points to possible research and innovation action in view of accelerating development and uptake of these technologies. These possible ways forward build on contributions from industry, other research and innovation stakeholders, Member States, and relevant European partnerships.

This roadmap will feed into the transition pathway for the energy-intensive industries ecosystem under the EU industrial strategy and supports the work to accelerate the green and digital transitions under the ERA policy agenda.

This second industrial technology roadmap, under the European Research Area, sets out 92 circular technologies in the textile,
construction and energy-intensive industries, which address all stages of a material and product lifecycle. It indicates the means to develop and adopt these technologies, which can help reduce the impact of these industries on climate and the environment. It finds a leading position of EU companies in circular technologies, but also looks at the substantial research &
innovation investment needs at EU and national levels and necessary framework conditions to put in place. It builds on
contributions from industry, other R&I stakeholders, Member States, and relevant European partnerships.

FCT, ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics and Management and the European Commission (Directorate-General for Research and Innovation) promoted, on December 5, a workshop with the active participation of representatives from all sectors of the National Research and Innovation System (R&I), and representatives of European states participating in this MLE-Mutual Learning Exercise, in order to discuss and agree on possible guidelines and joint work with a view to an institutionalization of capabilities and the creation of foresight communities in this system.

The following day, December 6th, FCT hosted the meeting of this network that has, besides Portugal, representatives from Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Norway, Romania and Slovenia.   

The DLR-PT conducted a comprehensive foresight study for the BMWK to explore the current progress and challenges in quantum computing. Using DLR-PT's innovative Strategic Impact Navigation Assessment Model (SINAVI), the study employed a range of methods including trend analysis, expert interviews and multi-stage Delphi surveys. Based on these findings, DLR-PT created a forward-looking scenario for 2032 and used the backcasting method to identify key strategies for advancing quantum computing in Germany. The findings were enriched with data from an accompanying performance review of the funding initiative, for which DLR-PT was also responsible. The result was a holistic, actionable roadmap that highlights both the achievements and future potential of the funding programme.

What lies ahead for universities? A new futures research study from the University of Turku maps multiple pathways and tensions that could transform how universities teach, research, and serve society.

Introduction
Researchers of the University of Turku have published a comprehensive report "Future directions and possibilities for the university: Report on literature review and Delphi study" (Virmajoki et al. 2024) about the possible future trajectories of the university of Turku. The report, which is uploaded here and also available on utupub.fi, is part of a larger project - Strategic Foresight and Futures Thinking Initiative.   

The report, conducted by the Strategic Planning Unit of the University of Turku together with Finland Futures Research Centre (FFRC), contains the results of the analysis of the operating environment of universities. Operating environment here refers to the broader context of trends, challenges, and conditions - both nationally and globally - that affect how universities function and perform their core activities in teaching and research. While the report has as its scope the University of Turku, its findings and especially the approach are more broadly relevant, particularly in Europe.

Analysis of Operating Environment as Research
The analysis of the operating environment was primarily based on a literature review and a subsequent Delphi survey. We reviewed over 200 scientific texts relevant to the subject. It quickly became evident how multifaceted and unique universities are. Scenarios—a common tool in foresight—would not be sufficient on their own to understand the possible futures of universities. Therefore, we first categorised universities into 10 different dimensions, such as societal purpose, international orientation, and educational organization, and identified different directions for development for each dimension. This allowed us to create a multidimensional description of possible development paths for universities, yielding in total 30 different paths and their combinations. The reality is somewhere between the idealized end-points.

In addition to helping understand various possible futures, the analysis where several dimensions and their paths are explained also provides a tool for the university units to examine their own position in relation to these possible developments. University units can differ significantly from one another, and no analytical tool that accounts for these differences can be sufficient. Our report offers such a tool by enabling discussion – with agreements and disagreements – of different development trajectories from the perspectives of diverse traditions and practices that can be found within any university.

Possibilities and Desirability – The Delphi Study
It was not only important to understand the possible futures universities may face. Equally crucial at the University of Turku was to understand what university members – researchers, students, administration, and other staff – think about these futures. To achieve such understanding, we conducted a Delphi study to ask what university members consider probable and desirable when it comes to the future. The statements were designed to provoke thoughts and bring out views that might not emerge in more traditional discussions. In addition to the probability and desirability assessments, we gathered valuable insights from the open comment sections, which often reveal perspectives that might be overlooked in the literature review.

Some Key Results
While the most interesting results cannot all be included in this text, some should be highlighted to provide a sense of the nature of the study.

First, universities are continuously balancing societal impact, economic goals, and fundamental research. The demands from the side of the wider society often pull in different directions. The Delphi study showed that working towards a societal mission is seen as desirable, but market orientation is expected to be more likely. A common thought and worry seems to be that universities are likely to shift towards more commercial interests, despite the tension this creates with their social responsibilities not measurable in economic terms.

Second, global research collaboration and local relevance create a significant tension. Universities aim to be part of global networks, while also expected to contribute to their local communities. The Delphi study revealed varying opinions on this balance. Some see global engagement as essential, while others stress the importance of local ties. Whether a university can succeed in both areas or must focus on one is a central question. The geopolitical tensions and the regional clusters this might create adds another path that might make the question between local and global even more difficult and multidimensional.

Third, in teaching, the main tension seems to lie between scalable, mass-oriented education and more personalised, tailored teaching. Scalable teaching allows universities to reach more students, but the Delphi study showed that personalized methods are considered more desirable. Yet, the study also indicated that standardised models are, according to the members of the university, more likely to prevail due to the scarcity of resources. Technology and its development will be an integral part of both scalable and personalised teaching paths (and everything in between) but different technological solutions might be associated with different paths.

Significance for the University Sector
The project and the report highlight the value of combining an analysis of the university operating environment and a more detailed study of the views of the university community. On the one hand, an analysis of the environment and the paths therein provides a tool to navigate the prospects and risks. On the other hand, the analysis of the members’ perspective helps the university understand where we stand now and what are the paths that the members recognise. Together, these two provide a robust view on the strategic status and importance of different possible trajectories for universities’ operating environment.

The research has broad applicability across universities worldwide. Through its dimensions and models, any higher education institution can map out and discuss likely trajectories, desired directions, and concerning paths ahead - regardless of their unique features. By combining extensive research literature with a Delphi study, the report opens a window into the possible futures of universities – or rather a map that can be used to navigate the long-term issues that these long-standing institutions face.

References
Virmajoki, V., Ahokas, I., Witoon, S., Ahlqvist, T., Kirveennummi, A., & Suomalainen, K.-M. (2024). Future directions and possibilities for the university: Report on literature review and Delphi study. A Report by University of Turku Strategic Planning Unit in collaboration with the Finland Futures Research Centre (FFRC). ISBN 978-952-249-617-1.

The report provides a brief overview of the insights captured during the second Mutual Learning Event (MLE2) which was held online on September 26, 2024.
The MLE2 addressed topic of policy oriented communication of foresight results.
The topic brought information on:
• The strategies for effective communication of foresight results to policymakers and gaining stakeholders buy-in,
• The role of clear communication in translating foresight into actionable policies,
• Fostering foresight in R&I policy making process,
• Translating of complex foresight results into clear, concise and policy relevant messages,
• The identification of key stakeholders in policy making process,
• Tailoring engagement strategies.
The format of the Mutual Learning Events is designed with an emphasis on the interactive sessions where all participants can share their experience, ideas and questions. As part of the last event, group and plenary discussions in three interactive sessions were framed by five keynotes.

The following MLE2 highlights emerged from the discussion:
• Forward-looking activities face a range of challenges in communication,
• Presenting data only seems to be insufficient for the modern communication of foresight results,
• The rapid evolution of digital technology including generative AI and social media offer for foresight practitioners new approaches to communicate,
• Different media can be used for targeting different groups of audience,
• Tailoring forward-looking messages for different audiences is an approach to avoiding misunderstanding or misinterpretation,
• Uncertainty may also depend whether the forward-looking activities can predict future risk and benefits., therefore is always necessary to rely on evidence-based materials.
Five MLEs are planned in the Eye of Europe project, a Horizon Europe project which aims to enhance the integration of foresight practices into Research & Innovation policy-making across Europe and to foster a vibrant, cohesive R&I foresight community that contribute significantly, as a collective intelligence to shaping and guiding policy decisions. The third Mutual Learning Event “Integration of Foresight into the Research & Innovation Policy Cycle will be held on January 21st, 2025 also in an online format. The event will open a discussion on the need for adaptive and flexible policy frameworks to respond to rapidly changing technological, economic and societal landscapes.

All Eye of Europe MLEs are organized by the Technology Centre Prague (TC), Eye of Europe partner and key Czech national think tank and academia based NGO with a rich experience with knowledge-based policy making support and participatory as well as expert based foresight activities.

The vision of FOSTER is to build a foundation from which a new Knowledge and Innovation System (KIS) for Europe’s food system can emerge. The current structure is insufficient to address the emerging challenges of nourishing people in a healthy and sustainable way. Key objective is to gain insights into how it can be built to be more inclusive and better governed. 

FOSTER shall help to transform Europe’s food system outcomes and will achieve this by: 

• building a FOSTER Platform including food system-state of the art knowledge, foresight by semi-automated Horizon scanning, trend and threats-analysis and new multi-dimensional scenarios of EU food systems to 2040; 
• implementing the FOSTER Academy – including four Summer Schools – for integrating food system-related disciplines and citizen science to enhance food system understanding across the ERA; 
• initiating and assessing a co-creation and co-learning process within six national resp. regional Citizen Driven Initiatives (CDIs), in which new knowledge, strategies and Action Research Agendas are gained; 
• scaling out and deep CDIs solutions and approaches to other territorial contexts; 
• studying different R&I mechanisms of policy support for mission-oriented R&I policy for food systems transformation, and analysing and ground-proofing them in each CDI; 
• strengthening science-policy interfaces by co-learning processes with external experts and developing recommendations for food systems R&I policies tailored to different geographies and sectors; 
• identifying the trigger points to help ‘unlock’ system lock-ins and support further dynamics towards system transformation; 
• and applying reflective monitoring on all FOSTER’s co-learning activities to develop insights into how the KIS can be broadened from an agricultural-KIS to a food system-KIS.
  

To inspire adoption of FOSTER learnings, over 20 workshops and a final conference will be conducted; scientific position papers and policy briefs will be widely communicated. 

The general objective of the project was of strengthening the anticipatory capacity for the development of evidence-based public policies in the field of Research, development and Innovation (RDI) in Romania.

A considerable part of the project consisted in the elaboration of the National Strategy for Research, Innovation and Smart Specialization 2022-2027 and the key implementation instrument, namely The National Plan for Research, Development and Innovation 2022-2027.

The foresight components of the project included:

- A Vision building process for setting the sistemic transformations by 2030

- The foresight based entrepreneurial discovery process for selecting national smart specializations

- The priority setting for the National Research Agenda, which is focused on societal challanges.

The foresight results have been integrated in the final documents (e.g. national strategy and plan) and adopted by Governmental decision.

The VERA project aimed to provide relevant strategic intelligence for the future governance and priority-setting of the research, technology, development and innovation (RTDI) system in Europe and for better adapting science, technology and innovation policy to the shifting global environment and upcoming socio-economic challenges. For this purpose VERA carried out an in-depth stocktaking of RTDI related forward looking activities in Europe and internationally and a thorough review of trends and drivers of long-term change of European RTDI governance. On the base of these insights VERA developed scenarios on the evolution of the European Research Area, assessed the critical issues for the ERA’s future capabilities emerging from these scenarios, explored subsequent strategic options and ultimately generated a set of policy recommendations for responsive and future oriented multi-level, multi-domain RTDI policy strategies.

VERA was conceptualised as a continuously progressing two-way communication process among ERA actor groups from society, industry, academia and policy across domains, levels and regions. It consisted of setting up a strategic conversation between these stakeholders that evolved through several carefully tailored stages in order to jointly discover shared visions and strategic options around the ERA’s future perspectives towards 2020 and far beyond. VERA has explored the gradual evolution following from current patterns of change – but has also explicitly embraced transformative and disruptive developments with a long-term horizon.

The VERA project was proposed by a consortium of ten internationally renowned institutes from 9 EU countries involving a team of more than 20 researchers with outstanding expertise both in terms of relevant knowledge and forward looking methodology and excellent contacts with RTDI stakeholders in Europe and the world.

This guide has been produced within the European Commission funded project “Research Infrastructures: Foresight and Impact” (RIFI) aimed at developing a comprehensive methodological framework for assessing socio-economic (SE) im-pacts of future RI projects on hosting regions and communities. The main product of the project is the FenRIAM (Foresight enriched Research Infrastructure Impact Assessment Methodology) framework, presented in this guide.

The shift in China’s strategy focusing towards R&I and transforming the essence of its economy has been complimented with massive public investments in research and technology. In order to tackle critical global issues demanding close scientific and technological cooperation at an international level, EU has identified in China a natural partner able to contribute and complement its own capacity. Beginning of 2015, major European and Chinese Research & Academic organisations, Innovation intermediaries, Public Authorities, Funding agencies and SMEs have teamed up to provide an answer to this necessity and foster EU-China cooperation in the large spectrum of S&T RDI topics.

The report provides a brief overview of the insights captured during the second Mutual Learning Event (MLE2) which was held online on September 26, 2024.

Arctik is a Brussels-based communications agency recognised for its strategic and creative communication capacity in the field of sustainability. Arctik develops tailored public relations and communication strategies that take both objectives and resulting impact into account. We facilitate the creation of communities and networks that contribute towards circulating content, whilst cultivating meaningful dialogues and synergies between influencers and decision-makers.

Arctik has substantial experience in designing and implementing communication campaigns and projects which mix creative communication and sustainability. We believe in communication campaigns which provide a setting where opportunities are created, and knowledge is shared between actors. It is an occasion to convey a message and collect insights and intelligence.
Our team has a strong commitment to sustainability. We incorporate sustainable values into operations Arctik has substantial experience in designing and implementing communication campaigns and projects which mix creative communication and sustainability. We believe in communication campaigns which provide a setting where opportunities are created, and knowledge is shared between actors. It is an occasion to convey a message and collect insights and intelligence. and consider environmental and social factors in every business decision, while encouraging our partners and clients to think circular! Arctik is also registered to obtain the Brussels ‘Enterprise ecodynamique’ label. 

Arctik, as part of Technopolis Group is present in more than 10 countries with 300 consultants originating from +45 countries and speaking +30 languages. This diversity offers a unique perspective on what local-level stakeholders are receptive to. 

Our offices are located in : • Austria • Belgium • Colombia • France • Germany • Ivory Coast • Netherlands • Greece • Portugal • Sweden • Ivory Cost • Colombia • United Kingdom.

Our solutions: Strategy • Messaging and copywriting • Online and offline engagement • Thought-provoking design • Web services • Project Management • Video and animation • Data-driven communication • Events • Social media campaigns & monitoring • Knowledge management and Capitalisation • Media and visibility.

Our expertise: Regional Policy, Circular Economy, Climate Services, Education, Entrepreneurship, Science & Innovation.

Arctik is part of Technopolis |group|
Website www.arctik.eu
LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/arctik/
Bluesky bsky.app/profile/arctik.eu 

Making use of the four “Imaginaries for a Sustainable Europe* in 2050” presented by the European Environment Agency and the Eionet**

A proposal for a methodology to identify Megatrends and Grand societal challenges with a significance for Research and Innovation in the Czech Republic

The project “S&T&I for 2050” is structured around five intertwined tasks:

Sharing lessons learned in foresight practices and experiences is important for the exchange for an impactful foresight community. The Mutual Learning Exercise can help foster community building and foresight capacities in different member states.

Futures4Europe interviewed Eye of Europe’s Coordinator, Radu Gheorghiu, foresight expert at UEFISCDI, the Romanian Research & Innovation funding agency. What does the future look like for R&I in Europe? How does foresight play a role? Radu provides a glimpse into these questions and Eye of Europe’s central role in them.

The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology is Austria's largest non-university research institution and is the specialist among European research institutions for the central infrastructure topics of the future. With its seven centres, the AIT sees itself as a highly specialised research and development partner for industry in the fields of Energy, Health & Bioresources, Digital Safety & Security, Vision, Automation & Control, Low-Emission Transport, Technology Experience and Innovation Systems & Policy. Around 1,500 employees throughout Austria conduct research to develop the tools, technologies and solutions for Austria's economy.

FUTURESILIENCE

• Mapped existing policy relevant European R&I findings with high potential to inform policy making for economic and social resilience, and to help address societal challenges and integrated them into a knowledge base.
• Set up a toolbox and guideline for a scenario proccess that helps to stress test the usefulness of these policy solutions for a specific context and challenge 
• Implemented 10 pilot cases called 'Future Resilience Labs ' that conduct this participative scenario process with multiple stakeholders to develop tailored strategies for their local context and challenges. Lab topics range from climate change related natural disasters via migration and integration, housing and spatial mobility issues to cybersecurity threats, labor skill shortages and health system challenges.

Based on the Lab results and process experiences the project will generate a Knowledge Base of the successfully tested research findings with high capacity to inform policy actors and a Toolbox of methods for testing policy relevant research findings with participatory Foresight approaches at the center.

This project receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101094455. 

This report provides a literature review of publications authored by numerous external organisations. It summarises 34 signals and trends of emerging technologies and breakthrough innovations across the 11 primary categories of a taxonomy defined by the European Innovation Council (EIC). The authors investigate not only what is deemed most novel in multiple application domains but what is worth the attention of European Union (EU) policy audiences involved with priority-setting and decision-making.

This work that has led to this literature review (1) reviews and evaluates 186 reports and articles on emerging technologies, (2) captures 489 signals, of which 86 have been short-listed and 34 selected for this report, (3) creates an internal database of signals which is used to digest and analyse the evolution of signals and novel technologies (4) connects signals with EIC portfolios and other European Commission (EC) initiatives such as policies surrounding critical technologies and Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) investments that, together with the primary and secondary levels of the EIC taxonomy, provide multiple types of analysis and insights (5) draws conclusions that aim to support the EIC’s funding prioritisation and additionally, provide reflections on EIC portfolio setting.

By using the best publicly-available data to produce a harmonised internal database, along with an appropriate filtering and selection methodology, the authors aim to provide a support platform for future-oriented technology analysis of relevance for other EU policy-making initiatives.

The Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI) is a public institution with legal personality subordinate to the Ministry of National Education in Romania.

Attributions:

• we assist the National Council for the Financing of Higher Education (CNFIS) in the elaboration of proposals for methodologies and documentation related to the financing of higher education;
• we coordinate, under the scientific guidance of the advisory councils of the Ministry of Education with responsibilities in R&I, programs within the National Plan for Research, Development and Innovation;
• we carry out and implement institutional and system development projects, related to higher education, research, development or innovation, with national and international funding, with the approval of the Ministry of Education;
• we offer consultancy and technical assistance for the development and management of projects within the domestic and international programs of scientific research, technological development and stimulation of innovation.

The first Mutual Learning Event (MLE) took place on May 23, 2024 in Bratislava, Slovakia as part of the Horizon Europe project Eye of Europe, which aims to contribute to the maturing of a vibrant Research and Innovation (R&I) foresight community in Europe and to support the integration of foresight practices into R&I policy-making.

Forty participants from partner organizations and external representatives of ministries, governmental bodies, R&I funding agencies and the European institutions gathered in the premises of the Government Office of the Slovak Republic.

This MLE, organized by Technology Centre Prague (TC), focused on the identification of emerging needs and approaches in the practice of foresight for research and innovation. To this end, the MLE in Bratislava was structured along the following phases:

• Eye of Europe’s vision and main building blocks, presented by project coordinator Radu Gheorghiu
• The context and role of this MLE, and a brief overview of other mutual learning events that took place since 2020, presented by Michal Pazour 
• Showcasing preliminary results of the Stocktaking of the organisation of R&I Foresight activities in the European Research Area (ERA), by Simone Weske. The presentation highlighted key benefits of the R&I foresight activities, constraints and bottlenecks, as perceived by the survey respondents.
• Four country studies - Slovakia, Finland, Austria and Sweden - have brought interesting insights and comparisons related to R&I foresight uptake and potential for improvement:
  Slovakia: Research and Innovation System and the potential for R&I Foresight |Michal Habrman, Government Office of the Slovak Republic
  Finland: Finnish national foresight ecosystem | Juha Kaskinen, FFRC University of Turku Finland
  Sweden: Leading from the Future in Sweden | Joakim Skog, Vinnova Sweden
  Austria: R&I foresight | Christian Naczinsky, Austrian Ministry of Education
• Discussions in four participant groups on emerging functions and approaches of R&I foresight. Overall, the group discussions touched on the dynamics of R&I foresight demand and supply and on the diversification of tools and methods for establishing dialogue with policy-making.
  
  This video created by the event host, Výskumná a inovačná autorita (VAIA), offers a glimpse into the spirit of both the MLE and the R&I foresight masterclass that preceded it. The detailed outputs of the MLE will be published in a dedicated report.
  
  
  ***
  Five MLEs are planned in the project, with the following one being held online in September 2024. All Eye of Europe MLEs are organized by Technology Centre Prague (TC), Eye of Europe partner and key Czech national think tank and academia based NGO with a rich experience with knowledge-based policy making support and (participatory as well as expert based) foresight activities.