The contribution of European territories, regions and cities to the Europe 2020 Strategy is the focus of the Open Seminar “ESPON Evidence for Regional Policy-Making” on 9 - 10 June 2010 in Madrid.

In cooperation with the Spanish EU Presidency, ESPON is bringing key policy makers and scientists/experts together for dialogue on territorial potentials related to the Europe 2020 Strategy based on new facts and evidence provided by ESPON Projects.

The aim of ESPON 2013 Programme - European observation network for territorial development and cohesion is to support policy development in relation to the aim of territorial cohesion and a harmonious development of the European territory. It shall provide comparable information, evidence, analyses and scenarios on framework conditions for the development of regions, cities and larger territories.

The Seminar “ESPON Evidence for Regional Policy-Making” (9 and 10 June, University of Alcalá de Henares -Madrid-) will address the use of ESPON results in policy-making in support of competitiveness and territorial cohesion. Its purpose is three-fold:

• Nourish the necessary discussion and understanding of the territorial dimension of the new Europe 2020 Strategy
• Demonstrate the added value and suggest practical use of European wide ESPON knowledge in policy making, particular at regional level
• Discuss best practices and room for improvements in disseminating and communicating ESPON project results to policy makers ranging from local/regional level to European level.