• PA1 - Territorial Evidence, Transfer, Observation, Tools and Outreach
  • SO1 - Enhanced production of territorial evidence through applied research and analyses
  • SO2 - Upgraded knowledge transfer and use of analytical user support
  • SO3 - Improved territorial observation and tools for territorial analyses
  • SO4 - Wider outreach and uptake of territorial evidence
  • SO5 - Leaner, and more effective and efficient implementation provisions and more proficient programme assistance

The service contract resulting from this call for tenders called “The Geography of New Employment Dynamics in Europe” shall further develop and improve the ESPON knowledge base and, with that, enhance the European territorial evidence production through applied research and analysis in the framework of the Single Operation under the ESPON 2020 Cooperation Programme.

This research activity shall provide European territorial evidence of new employment dynamics in European countries and regions. The main outcome of the research should be to identify the territorial conditions and the factors that assist in determining the location of new employment,
particularly in ‘knowledge economy’ sectors. It should further develop recommendations for EU Cohesion Policy based on in-depth quantitative, qualitative and case-study analyses.

The complex and uneven geography of new employment dynamics in Europe is an issue of growing political concern at EU level and in many member states, and more regionalised information is needed to help develop specific territorial policy measures. The main objective of this research activity is therefore to answer the following key policy questions:

• What is the territorial pattern of new employment creation in Europe and how is this likely to evolve into the future based on current policy orientations? What impact will recent trends have on the future development of Europe’s regions?
• How is the European policy focus on ‘knowledge economy’ sectors for investment, jobs and growth impacting on the geographical distribution of new employment creation and what impact does this have for regional development and territorial cohesion?
• What are the key policy lessons for Cohesion Policy and what are the opportunities for lagging regions to capitalise on their place-based potentials and emigrant skill base in order to capture spillovers and to re-capture the lost skills base of emigrants and innovate in new sectors?

Primary target groups are:

• European policymakers, in particular in the field of Cohesion Policy as well as other relevant sectoral and thematic policies and programmes, particularly those currently not fully articulating their territorial approach.
• National policymakers and practitioners responsible for territorial cohesion, ETC programmes, macro-regional strategies and Cohesion Policy preparation and implementation at national level, as well as other relevant policy fields.
• Authorities implementing ESI Funding programmes and preparing periodical reporting.
• Regional and local policymakers and practitioners responsible for territorial development and planning and/or involved in cross-border, transnational and macro-regional cooperation.

As secondary target groups, the following actors are important as receivers and users of territorial evidence:

• Organisations promoting different regional/urban interests at EU level.
• University academics, both researchers and students as future decision makers.
• The private sector and wider European audiences.

As the providers of the research capacity and scientific excellence for ESPON 2020, academics, scientists and researchers are important for ESPON 2020 outputs. Indirectly, the actions and corresponding activities of ESPON 2020 will therefore benefit the scientific community within Europe in the field of territorial research.

The maximum available budget for this contract is 400,000 €, exclusive of VAT but inclusive of all other taxes, disbursements, travel, accommodation and delivery costs.

The full dossier of the terms of reference and annexes can be accessed, free of charge, by request via email to tenders@espon.eu or at Portail des Marchés Publics.

Managing authority
Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure Department for Spatial Planning and Development (DATER), Division for European Affairs
4, Place de l'Europe
L-2946 Luxembourg
Tel: +352 247-86934
Thiemo.Eser@mat.etat.lu, http://www.dat.public.lu

http://www.espon.eu/main/Menu_Contact/Menu_ESPONContactPoints/