Reports

New skills and jobs in Europe: Pathways towards full employment
2012, EUR 25270, ISBN 978-92-79-23668-6, doi: 10.2777/85575, 87 pages ( 3.11MB)

In Europe 2020 employment strategy, and in particular its initiative 'An agenda for new skills and jobs', aims to support the full employment goal of the Lisbon Treaty. In a context of growing challenges for employment policies in Europe, this report questions current approaches and calls for increased policy learning amongst EU Member States. The report argues that there is room for improvement in employment in Europe and emphasizes the importance of improving access to education, developing more transversal skills and balancing job security and flexibility.

See also:
"Agenda for new skills and job" initiative
Europe 2020 employment strategy
Global Europe 2050
2012, EUR 25252, ISBN 978-92-79-23357-9, doi 10.2777/79992, 158 pages ( 9MB)

The Global Europe 2050 foresight report presents and quantifies three scenarios that identify the main pathways Europe could follow in the coming decades:
- the Nobody cares scenario where Europe is in a 'muddling through' process;
- the EU under threat where Europe is faced by an economic decline and protectionist reactions;
- the European Renaissance where the EU continues to enlarge and become stronger with more efficient innovation systems.
World and European Energy and Environment Transition Outlook - WETO-T
2011, EUR 24805 EN, ISBN 978-92-79-20044-1, doi: 10.2777/5771 ( 7.69MB)

The World and European Energy and Environment Transition Outlook (WETO-T) offers a new perspective on the technological, economic and social options which could lead towards a post carbon society by the end of the century.

WETO-T tackles demographic, human capital, and lifestyles issues up to 2100 and the consequent needs for energy services worldwide.

For Europe, the WETO-T report firstly addresses three technology paradigms for long-term sustainability. Secondly, it analyses the energy-environment transition in combination with land-use issues. Thirdly, it helps to understand the "social fabric" of this energy-environment transition.

WETO-T also investigates the potential innovations in the transport and building sectors in conjunction with changes in human behaviour. Finally, it looks at the policy path to the achievement of the climate change targets.
For more information contact: Domenico ROSSETTI di VALDALBERO
For more information: http://www.pact-carbon-transition.org/

Databases from socio-economic research projects for policymaking
2011, EUR 24822, ISBN 978-92-79-20296-4, doi 10.2777/58320, 60 pages ( 4.78MB)

Socio-economic research leads to a better understanding and measurement of the economic, social and environmental impact of government policies.

It relies on statistical data series coming from surveys and other structured sets of data. This publication presents an overview of the socio-economic research funded from FP. It shows that for each dimension of the Europe 2020 Strategy and the Innovation Union partnership research has been carried out looking at, measuring and supporting decision making.

The material presented in this publication allow the reader not only to access the quantitative data which underpin the strategies adopted by Europe but at one and the same time inform the reader about these projects and the teams working on them.
European forward-looking activities: Building the future of 'Innovation Union' and ERA
2011, EUR 24796, ISBN 978-92-79-19978-3, doi 10.2777/54620, 60 pages ( 656KB)

This publication presents a synthesis of European and national forward-looking exercises in the fields of science, technology and innovation. It answers to the two following questions: "What recent national forward-looking activities tell us on the future of science and technology?" and "What EU forward-looking activities tell us about societal challenges that need to be addressed by EU research and innovation?".
This publication provides a fresh insight on the main current trends and expected perspectives on the European Research Area and Innovation Union including citizens' visions about science and technology.
Science, economy and society - Highlights 2010
Socio-economic Sciences and Humanities - Science in Society
2011, EUR 24797, ISBN 978-92-79-19979-0, doi 10.2777/54837, 44 pages ( 2.8MB)

In 2010 the European Union continued to address the challenges of the Europe 2020 Strategy by funding Research and Innovation and implementing the European Research Area. A key element of this was the funding from the 7th Framework Programme for Research (FP7) devoted to Socio-Economic Sciences and Humanities research (SSH). Research which is an important tool enabling the European Commission to analyse the challenges Europe is facing and to support its development of appropriate policy responses. Furthermore the future of Europe is linked to its capacity to integrate science into society and this is supported by the European Commission through the Science in Society (SiS) theme of FP7 with, inter alia, its major efforts at developing the "Fifth Freedom" (i.e. the free movement of knowledge). This report describes the current organisation of SSH and SiS and what happened during 2010 under these headings.
Towards a greater understanding of the changing role of business in society
2011, EUR 24651, ISBN 978-92-79-18870-1, doi 10.2777/44703, 44 pages
( 1.14MB)

With the increasing activities of the European Commission aimed at promoting responsible business and advancing Corporate Social Responsibility throughout the private sector, there is a growing need of robust scientific analysis of the phenomenon and its different aspects. This publication summarises the outcomes of a conference 'Towards a greater understanding of the changing role of business in society' organised on 22 April 2010 in Brussels by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. The conference participants discussed a number of topics related to the role business in society including, among others, the challenges of interaction and cooperation between enterprises and their stakeholders, the problem of voluntary codes versus legal frameworks in promoting corporate responsibility in a globalised economy, the need to build new relationship between enterprises and the state, as well as potential contribution of business to millennium Development Goals. In its final section the publication proposes a number of topics which could inspire future research funding.
EuroMed-2030 - Long term challenges for the Mediterranean area. Report of an Expert Group
2011, EUR 24740, ISBN 978-92-79-19519-8, doi 10.2777/4609, 140 pages ( 4.96MB)

Intensifying the relationship between the European Union and the countries on the Southern and Eastern shores of the Mediterranean has been a key target since the Barcelona process. This objective has been reinvigorated with the Union for the Mediterranean. The "EuroMed-2030" forward looking report is divided into three parts: the trends, the tensions and the transitions in the Mediterranean area in the next two decades. This "EuroMed-2030" report addresses the trends in the fields of demography and macroeconomics, water and agriculture, energy and climate change, education and science, religion and culture, and geopolitics and governance.
Tensions among socio-economic groups, between competing visions of State and reform, between hostile States and between the expectations of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation are identified. Finally, four transitions for the future Euro-Mediterranean relations are presented: managing conflict, win-win projects, deeper economic integration and towards a Euro-Mediterranean Community.
Read more on EuroMed-2030 expert group
EuroMed-2030 - Collection of individual contributions of the experts
2011, EUR 24754, ISBN 978-92-79-19667-6, doi 10.2777/49190, 320 pages ( 2.82MB)

This EuroMed-2030 report collects the individual contributions of the Expert Group that met five times in 2010 to discuss the main Trends, Tensions and potential Transitions in the Euro-Mediterranean region. In the Trends, the experts first look at the economic and social transformation, at water and environment, at political reforms and socio-economic instability factors. The Tensions in the Mediterranean area range from conflict/diplomacy and self reliance/dependency to economic growth/sustainable development and jobs/migration. The four proposed Transitions are entitled "Managing conflicts", "Engaging in win-win projects", "Deeper economic integration" and "Towards a EuroMed Community".
Read more on EuroMed-2030 expert group
European Arts Festivals: Strengthening cultural diversity.
2011, EUR 24749, ISBN 978-92-79-19569-3, doi 10.2777/48715, 72 pages ( 1.57MB)

The Euro-Festival project - funded under the Social Sciences and Humanities theme of the European Union's Seventh Research Framework Programme - presents some of its main research findings in this publication.

Who is the main driver of the process of cultural integration? The nation state, the European Union or private initiatives? What is the purpose of festivals? Branding, urban regeneration and democratisation, or rather transmitting the ideas of openness, dialogue, curiosity, cultural diversity, internationalism and critical inquiry? Do we need more European initiatives in the area of festivals, and, if yes, how should this be supported?

This publication addresses these and other questions that will be of interest to policymakers at the EU, national, regional and local level, those engaged in the culture sector and European citizens.
Read more on EURO-FESTIVAL project
Evaluation of the Impact of the Framework Programme on the Formation of the ERA in Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH).
2010 , EUR 24453 EN, ISBN 978-92-79-16192-6, ISSN 1018-5593, doi 10.2777/76190, 148 pages ( 2.86MB)

The following report presents the results of a study aiming to evaluate the contribution of the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) parts of the Framework Programme on the European Research Area (ERA) in SSH. It covers research carried out in the 3rd call of the Socio-economic Research Key Action of the 5th Framework Programme as well as the "Citizens and Governance in a Knowledge-Based Society" part of the 6th Framework Programme. The study examined the impacts of these programmes in four domains: the research policies for SSH in Member States; the structuring effects of the new instruments; the importance of the support for research infrastructures in the context of the SSH programme; and the impact of the programme on the careers of participating researchers.
Innovation: Creating knowledge and jobs - Insights from European research in socio-economic sciences
2010, EUR 24431 EN, ISBN 978-92-79-16136-0, doi 10.2777/56513, 56 pages ( 1.25MB)

This publication addresses the issues of intangible investments, the role of finance to push innovation, the importance of entrepreneurship, the dynamics of institutions and markets, regional economic growth, social innovation, social entrepreneurs, the service economy, the internationalisation of firms and the globalisation of knowledge, global innovation networks and the R&D and innovation perspectives

World and European Sustainable Cities - Insight from EU research
Brussels, 2010, EUR 24353 EN, ISBN 978-92-79-15700-4, ISSN 1018-5593, DOI 10.2777/4401, 36 pages ( 1.62MB)

The move towards urbanisation is progressing and more than half of the world population is today living in cities. By the 2030s, five of the world's eight billion people will live in urban areas.

How can this continuous urbanisation trend be reconciled with the "Rio+ 20" Earth Summit hopes and the European Union's commitment towards a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth by 2020?

This publication addresses the issues of urbanisation focusing on the concentration of needs and services, the migration and settlement patterns in Europe, the new forms of poverty and exclusion, urban welfare and social innovation, and green urban planning.

A greater understanding of the dynamics of urban societies will allow instability and risks within cities in humanitarian, economic and security terms to be better managed.
Evaluation of the Impact of Framework Programme supported Social Sciences and Humanities Research - A bibliometric approach (1.83MB )
EUR 24311, 2010, ISBN 978-92-79-15370-9, doi 10.2777/18202, 58 pages

The report presents the results of an evaluation study of the impact of Framework Programme supported Social Sciences and Humanities research by means of bibliometric analysis. It covers research carried out under the Socio-economic Key Action of the 5th Framework Programme, and aims to provide a benchmark for the evaluation of the scientific impact of subsequent programmes. On the basis of a structured sample, the study developed a quantitative estimate of the outputs of the programme and then applied bibliometric evaluation methods to the outputs that were amenable to this type of analysis. The study found that the programme was quite successful in producing high quality scientific knowledge in the fields that it addressed and that it was particularly beneficial for female scholars and young scholars.
EFMN Final report - Monitoring foresight activities in Europe and the rest of the world - Series of EFMN publications (5.27MB )
EUR 24043, November 2009, ISBN 978-92-79-13119-6, DOI 10.2777/47260, ISSN 1018-5593, 72 pages

The report 'Monitoring foresight activities in Europe and the rest of the world' is part of a series of publications produced by the European Foresight Monitoring Network (EFMN project, 2004-2008). EFMN is a Europe-wide network inspired and financed by the European Commission within the framework of the Foresight Knowledge Sharing Platform implemented under the Research Framework Programme (FP7). This report is the concluding report of the European Foresight Monitoring Network. After 4 years of activity, the report provides you with a concise overview of the backgrounds and organization of the EFMN. It gives you a more detailed insight in how the organization of work and network development evolved. It shows the results of the Mapping, Issue analysis, Briefs production and Dissemination, being the main activities of the network. 2 000 Foresight initiatives were identified. Annual overviews of foresight activities were produced at country level as well as an analysis of all the collected foresight initiatives.
Four annual issue analysis workshops have been conducted, focusing on crucial societal topics. They were all the result of a systematic analysis of the emerging issues. The aim of the report is to provide the academic reader, as well as the policymaker and the otherwise interested an overview of some of the most inspiring results, as well as show them some insights in the lessons learned. By identifying the big scientific, technological and social challenges of tomorrow and bringing relevant information on crucial societal topics to the attention of the foresight community and policy-makers, EFMN was considered as being one of the most valuable current foresight initiatives.
Mapping Foresight - Revealing how Europe and other world regions navigate into the future -European Foresight Monitoring Network - Series of EFMN publications (7.71MB )
EUR 24041 EN, November 2009, ISBN 978-92-79-13110-3, DOI 10.2777/47203, ISSN 1018-5593, 128 pages

The "Mapping Foresight" report is part of a series of publications produced by the European Foresight Monitoring Network (EFMN project, 2004-2008). EFMN is a Europe-wide network inspired and financed by the European Commission within the framework of the Foresight Knowledge Sharing Platform implemented under the Research Framework Programme (FP7). The mapping activity was one of the main activities of the network. Over 2 000 initiatives were mapped between 2004 and 2008 in Europe and other world regions, including Latin America, North America, Asia and Oceania.
The report is the result of the first large international effort aimed at understanding the nature of foresight practices. Foresight has become more than just a tool to support policy or strategy development in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI). Foresight practice is the result of a systematic work to promote effective processes to proactively think about the future. These processes can be applied to a variety of research areas or knowledge domains, such as natural sciences, medical sciences, engineering and technology, agricultural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities.
Special issue on healthcare - Healthy ageing and the future of public healthcare systems - Series of EFMN publications (6.33MB )
EUR 24044 EN, November 2009, ISBN 978-92-79-13120-2, DOI 10.2777/47289, ISSN 1018-5593, 80 pages

The "Special issue on healthcare" is part of a series of publications produced by the European Foresight Monitoring Network (EFMN project, 2004-2008). EFMN is a Europe-wide network inspired and financed by the European Commission within the framework of the Foresight Knowledge Sharing Platform implemented under the Research Framework Programme (FP7). The "issue analysis" was one of the main activities of the network and aimed at identifying and analysing "key emerging issues" which are relevant for European future S&T policies. With a focus on public health systems, the EFMN Issue Analysis 2008 addressed a topic of high importance in foresight activities at national or regional level. Future challenges, such as an ageing population call for reforms of public health systems that exceed national borders.
This paper exploits how the topic of "healthy ageing and the future of public healthcare systems" features in most recent forward looking exercises and prospective studies around the world focusing on the most important emerging challenges for the future. It consolidates the global perspective on healthy ageing and the future of public healthcare systems and how the issue is displayed by various communities/nations/regions.

The European Commission under its Framework Programme 7 is providing the means to continue the activities of the European Foresight Monitoring Network. The new project, EFP (European Foresight Platform - supporting forward looking decision-making) started in October 2009 and will last for 3 years.
The European Foresight Monitoring Network - Collection of EFMN Briefs - Part 2 - Series of EFMN publications (6.12MB )
November 2009, EUR 23095 EN, ISBN 978-92-79-12610-9, DOI 10-2777/33167, ISSN 1018-5593, 176 pages

The "EFMN briefs" is part of a series of publications produced by the European Foresight Monitoring Network (EFMN project, 2004-2008). EFMN is an initiative inspired and financed by the European Commission in the framework of the Foresight Knowledge Sharing Platform implemented under the Research Framework Programme (FP7). The EFMN approach is based on the continuous process of monitoring and collecting data on foresight exercises conducted not only in Europe, but in other regions of the world as well. This information is collected using experts within the international foresight community. One of the tasks of the network is the production of Foresight briefs. These are short descriptions of interesting, recent, or ongoing foresight exercises and forward looking studies. The present publication is Part 2 of the collection of EFMN briefs and presents the last 40 briefs written in 2008. The first 120 briefs were published in April 2008 and met a large success (EUR 23095 EN). Both publications are a very useful information and dissemination tool addressed not only to the Foresight community but also to policy-makers.
The European Foresight Monitoring Network, Collection of EFMN Briefs - Part 1 (5.7MB)
EUR 23095 EN, 2008, 481 pp. - ISBN 978-92-79-07448-6

Foresight identifies future research and innovation priorities going within and beyond the Lisbon strategy and contributes to building a strong European Research Area. It helps in the early identification of emerging issues that could have far-reaching implications for European Science and Technology in the long run. It contributes to the analysis of changes in the global research system and their possible implications for European research policy. The Foresight Monitoring Network (EFMN) is a Europe-wide network inspired and financed by the European Commission in the framework of the Foresight Knowledge Sharing Platform implemented under the Research Framework Programme. The EFMN initiative identifies the big scientific, technological and social challenges of tomorrow, contributing thus to the main priorities of the socio-economic sciences and humanities research.
Through a continuous monitoring and mapping of ongoing and emerging Foresight activities conducted not only in Europe, but also in other regions of the world, the EFMN project identifies "hot topics" noteworthy for their novelty or importance and contributes to the dissemination of this relevant information through the production of short foresight policy briefs. It covers countries as varied as the EU Member States, Japan, China and Korea, the US, Canada and Brazil. Those briefs that were written between 2004 and 2007 summarize the results of recently terminated or on-going foresight activities dealing with crucial topics such as the hydrogen economy, the knowledge-based development of rural economies or the sustainable exploitation of marine resources.
Science, Economy and Society Highlights 2009 (3.4MB )
European Commission, 2010, ISBN 978-92-79-14968-9, ISSN 1018-5593, doi:10.2777/93457, 112 pages

The publication brings in an attractive form an overview of the many activities carried out in 2009 by Directorate L - Science, Economy and Society of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research. The Directorate has the responsibility of managing both the Socio-economic Sciences and Humanities (SSH) and the Science in Society (SIS) Programmes.
The world in 2025 - Rising Asia and socio-ecological transition (816KB )
Brussels, 2009, EUR 23921 EN, ISBN 978-92-79-12485-3, ISSN 1018-5593, DOI 10.2777/2539, 28 pages

Recent developments in the world and the strong European commitment to a regulating globalisation argue in favour of a forward looking analysis. "The World in 2025" first underlines the major future trends: geopolitical transformations in terms of population, economic development, international trade and poverty. Secondly, it identifies the likely tensions: natural resources (food, energy, water and minerals), migrations or urbanisation. Finally, it defines possible transitional pathways: towards a new production and consumption model, towards new rural-urban dynamics, towards a new gender and intergenerational balance. "Rising Asia and socio-ecological transition" is the explicit sub-title that could be an inspiring source for the future strategy of the European Union.
Le monde en 2025 - La montée en puissance de l'Asie et la transition socio-écologique (1.33MB )
Brussels, 2009, EUR 23921 FR, ISBN 978-92-79-12486-0, ISSN 1018-5593, DOI 10.2777/25936, 32 pages

La récente évolution du contexte mondial et les engagements européens forts pour une mondialisation maîtrisée plaident en faveur d'une analyse prospective. «Le monde en 2025» met tout d'abord en évidence les grandes tendances à venir: les transformations géopolitiques en termes de population, de développement économique, de commerce international et de pauvreté. Deuxièmement, il identifie les tensions probables: ressources naturelles (produits alimentaires, énergie, eau et minéraux), migrations ou urbanisation. Enfin, il définit les voies de transitions possibles: vers un nouveau modèle de production et de consommation, vers une nouvelle dynamique rurale-urbaine, vers un nouvel équilibre entre genres et entre générations. «La montée en puissance de l'Asie et la transition socio-écologique» est un sous-titre explicite susceptible d'inspirer la future stratégie de l'Union européenne.
The World in 2025 - Contributions from an expert group (7.40 MB )
Brussels, 2009, EUR 23864, ISBN 978-92-79-11482-3, DOI 10.2777/41493, 390 pages

The European expert group on "The World in 2025" has developed a prospective analysis based on the current state of the world and its historical evolution, including economic and societal changes and new geopolitical configurations.

This prospective exercise incorporates the demographic, economic, trade, financial, environmental, technological and social dimensions as well as the issues of migration, security and governance.

"The World in 2025" contains the contribution of the individual experts as well as scenarios outlining future developments over the next fifteen years.
METRIS Report - Emerging Trends in Socio-economic Sciences and Humanities in Europe (1.8 MB )
Brussels, 2009, EUR 23741, ISBN 978-92-79-11136-5, DOI 10.2777/57083, 144 pages
METRIS stands for Monitoring European Trends in Social Sciences and Humanities. The aim of METRIS is to support the European Research Area (ERA) in the Social Sciences and the Humanities (SSH). This is particularly important for these sciences, because their knowledge is embedded into national systems, and the ERA brings about novel insights and perspectives that result from comparing national systems and situations as well as rising above such comparisons. European level research in SSH forms an important support for European policy-making.

This first report from a METRIS expert group identifies important new and emerging trends in social sciences and humanities in the 5 themes of the framework programme:
- Growth, employment and competitiveness in a knowledge-based society;
- Combining economic, social and environmental objectives;
- Major trends in society and their implications;
- Europe and the world;
- The citizen in Europe.
In addition the report highlights some themes that cut across these areas (such as migration for example) as well as some examples of cutting edge research that lie outside the thematic coverage of the Framework Programme, such as new conceptualizations of space, the rise of visual and affective themes in social sciences and themes that arise from the breaking down of the boundaries between the sciences.

It is envisaged that the reflection of expert groups will be combined with a sound monitoring system to form a powerful supporting instrument for the advancement of the ERA in SSH. It will provide for a collective understanding of the state of the art, trends, needs, challenges and research policies for SSH across Europe and in all its Member Countries, and will thus support the advancement of SSH in Europe through coordinated research efforts and coordinated research policy interventions.
Socio-economic Sciences & Humanities and Science in Society in 2008,Highlights of the Year
The 'Highlights of the Year' publication represents a selection of activities conducted within the programmes SSH (Socio-economic Sciences and Humanities) and SIS (Science in Society) in 2008.

(3.6MB)

Report on the seminar "Anthropological perspectives in a changing Europe - Bringing people in", which took place in Florence 23-24 October 2008. (1.11MB )
Brussels, 2009, EUR 24160, ISBN 978-92-79-13830-0, doi 10.2777/7087, 44 pages

An initiative of the Director of the "Science, Economy and Society Directorate", Jean-Michel Baer, this seminar was organised both to encourage the participation of humanities scholars in the SSH Work Programme and to contribute to the Directorate's preparation of its 2012-2013 road map. 18 anthropologists from Europe and beyond participated in discussion on the specific contribution the discipline can make to the programme.
Presentation by anthropologists such as Michael Herzfeld from Harvard University, Marc Abélès from the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, and Christina Garsten from the University of Sweden, were followed by discussions around the following questions:

What is the current state of anthropological research on Europe and Europeans?
How can anthropology help us to understand how abstract notions of "Europe", "European" and "European citizenship" are enacted and embodied by individuals in their everyday lives?
How can anthropology shed light on the way individuals in Europe experience and react to globalisation?

Socio-economic Sciences & Humanities and Science in Society in 2007, Highlights of the Year, Brussels 2008,

catalogue nr. KI-81-07-120-EN-C, ISBN 978-98-79-07585-8, 112 pages

(2.6MB)
Expert Group on the Humanities Positioning Humanities Research in the 7th Framework Programme, final report, 113 pages

Report Executive Summary:
The Spiritual and Cultural Dimension of Europe, Reflection Group, Concluding Remarks (including annexes), Brussels, 2005, EUR n° 21360, ISBN 92-894-9062-4, 94 pages

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