LATEST NEWS
Priorities for the research and innovation agenda discussed at final foresight workshop
On 28 and 29 January 2026, DLR Projektträger held a strategic foresight workshop with 40 experts to define specific research and innovation priorities for the agenda of the forthcoming European Partnership on Social Transformations and Resilience (STR) in the context of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.
The objective of the workshop was to translate four scenarios into precise priorities for the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA). The majority of the participants were researchers, but policy makers and funding organisations were also involved. The workshop participants discussed goals for social, political and economic developments that had been developed in four previous foresight cycles in 2025. These goals were derived from four best-case scenarios which were based on the results of a series of interviews, surveys, and workshops conducted for the thematic or so-called impact areas’ of the STR Partnership:.
· Supporting the modernisation of social protection systems
· Shaping the future of work
· Fostering education and skills development
· Contributing to a fair transition towards climate neutrality
A so-called backcasting method was used to make the scenarios for each of the four impact areas actionable. Starting from desirable scenarios for 2040, participants identified key milestones, as well as necessary framework conditions, and potential obstacles, thinking backwards from the future to the present. Specifically, the participants developed necessary action steps and then used these to define research and innovation priorities for the SRIA. By the end of the workshop, the experts had developed up to six clusters of thematic priorities for each of the impact areas for the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda. In addition, interlinkages between these and cross-cutting topics were considered.
The workshop was an important step towards preparing the agenda of the forthcoming STR Partnership. The Partnership is currently being prepared and is expected to start in 2027 (more information on the timeline and preparatory process). The Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda with its implementation-oriented research priorities will guide future calls for proposals.
Report on the foresight cycle "Fair transition towards climate neutrality"
This report presents the findings of the fourth and last foresight cycle on Fair Transition towards Climate Neutrality. Europe’s transition towards climate neutrality is progressing in a context of profound social, economic, and territorial asymmetries. Emerging developments in transition governance, labour markets, infrastructural systems, and households show that the distribution of costs and benefits is increasingly uneven, with implications for public trust, political legitimacy, and social cohesion. Unequal exposure to climate impacts, divergent regional capacities, and unequal access to technologies and skills amplify questions of fairness across communities, sectors, and generations. Against this backdrop, it has become essential to understand how these trends interact and shape perceptions and realities of justice in order to design transitions that are socially robust, politically sustainable, and territorially balanced.
The foresight analysis included desk research, a survey, semi-structured interviews, and a workshop with European experts from academia, public authorities, trade unions, and NGOs. Based on the results, a best-case scenario for 2040 was developed which outlines how Europe’s climate transition could unfold under favourable conditions. This will serve as a target point in an upcoming final foresight workshop to identify policies, other initiatives, and research needed to move towards this desired future. Eventually, the results of this final foresight exercise will help shape research and innovation priorities. This way, they provide direct input to the Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for the STR Partnership.
Report on the foresight cycle "Social protections systems and essential services" out
This report offers insights on a foresight analysis which trends in European welfare systems are likely to have what impact over the next 10 to 15 years. Based on the results of a survey, semi-structured interviews, and a workshop with European experts from academia, public authorities, and civil society, a best-case scenario for 2040 is developed in which European social protection systems and essential service provision have adapted to demographic, technological, and ecological transitions.
In an upcoming final stage of the entire foresight process, the developed scenario will serve as a target point to identify policies and research needed to move towards this desired future. Eventually, the results of this final foresight exercise will help shape research and innovation priorities. This way, they provide direct input to the Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for the STR Partnership.
CALL FOR PARTICIPATION: Survey on fair transition towards climate neutrality
Have your say on trends related to the topic ‘Fair transition towards climate neutrality’! By participating in the survey, you will contribute to the ‘Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda’ (SRIA) for the new European Partnership on Social Transformations and Resilience. The survey aims at validating and prioritising trends and at identifying any missing trends. Specifically, we invite you to rate and comment on an initial list of 24 trends identified through desk research.
Have a look at our survey section or directly take the survey here.
Survey on Social Protection Systems and Essential Services (closed)
In preparation for the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for the new European Partnership on Social Transformations and Resilience, we invite you to share your insights on trends related to future welfare demands and the modernisation of social protection systems and essential services. Please take the survey here.
It will take approximately 10-20 minutes.
Report on the foresight cycle on 'Education and Skills Development'
This report presents the results of a foresight exercise engaging researchers and other stakeholders to explore developments in education and skills. The foresight process combined desk research with participatory methods including an online survey, expert interviews, and a workshop to identify trends likely to shape education and skills over the coming 10 to 15 years.
NEWS: New insights into the future of social protection systems, work, education & skills, and the transition to climate neutrality – four scoping studies published!
To support the preparation of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for the Social Transformation and Resilience Partnership, independent experts have conducted a state-of-play analysis of research gaps and emerging questions in each of the four impact areas: 1. Supporting the modernisation of social protection systems and essential services; 2. Shaping the future of work; 3. Fostering education and skills development; 4. Contributing to a fair transition to climate neutrality.
Please, find the downloads at the sites below or in our library.
-
European Commission: Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, Kangas, O. and Vielle, P., Change and stability of social protection systems in societal and ecological transitions – Scoping study, Publications Office of the European Union, 2025, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2767/0918552
-
European Commission: Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, Eichhorst, W. and Berrebi-Hoffmann, I., The future of work – Scoping study, Publications Office of the European Union, 2025, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2767/1001083
-
European Commission: Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, Herbst, M. and Mooney Simmie, G., Education and skills for social transformations and resilience – Scoping study, Publications Office of the European Union, 2025, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2767/5319066
-
European Commission: Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, Croci, E. and Harmáčková, Z., Fair transition towards climate neutrality – Scoping study, Publications Office of the European Union, 2025, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2767/7893724
Report on the foresight cycle 'Future of Work' out
This report presents the findings of a Strategic Foresight process conducted to systematically and co-creatively explore developments related to the future of work.
Survey on 'Education & Skills' (closed)
Survey on 'Education & Skills' (closed): trends in education and skills for the green and digital transition
Do check out the survey section: Home | Social Transformations and Resilience - Foresight Platform
Survey on the Future of Work (closed): update 8 April 2025
This survey closed 31 March 2025. We register 186 stakeholders from 29 countries within and outside of Europe. Thank you for your time and your perspectives. Let us share the numbers for now & update you about the results in the near future.
A survey on trends in Education and Skills Development for the Green and Digital Transition will be opened in May 2025.
Future of Work survey: Short update on progress (10 March 2025)
The survey on the trends in the future of work registers 109 responses today. From 22 countries. There is room for further answers, from within the EU, for ex., from Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Luxemburg, Malta, Romania, Slovakia …. We do invite input from any country!
The survey will be open till 31 March. Make use of your opportunity to have your say! To ensure the survey captures all countries.
Survey on the Future of Work (closed)
In preparation for the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for the new European Partnership on Social Transformations and Resilience, we invited experts to share their insights on trends related to employment, skills and workforce dynamics in the coming years, in a short survey.