A strong European R&I Foresight Community to better inform R&I policy decisions in the European Research Area about potential futures

Foresight has become an important element of policymaking across the European Union and much of the world. It is increasingly recognised for its potential to help anticipation and preparedness to deal with challenges and capture opportunities of the future.

Foresight is an important and proven means to engage with citizens on issues of science, technology and innovation and their possible contribution to tackle societal challenges. It supports the needed just, sustainable and digital transitions, and the move towards the future we want.

R&I policy has been amongst the first to support and use foresight in Europe, at both national and European levels. The longstanding experience provides a strong foundation for a European R&I foresight community. However, the extent of use of foresight in R&I policy across Europe is still uneven, as well as its degree of institutionalisation.

Foresight today is a common tool in strategy development and programming in science and technology and