Regional Foresight

The increasing complexity and uncertainties associated with global challenges have highlighted the need for more effective and adaptive governance approaches at the regional level. In response, Regional Foresight has emerged as a valuable tool for policymakers and stakeholders, since it involves the implementation of key elements of foresight - anticipation, participation, networking, vision, and action - at a reduced territorial scale where proximity factors play a crucial role. Regional Foresight complements existing planning and decision-making processes, enhancing their effectiveness by adopting an evolutionary approach that recognizes high levels of uncertainty as the norm and drivers of economic development. Foresight is increasingly integrated into smart specialization strategies adopted in European regional and innovation policies. Regional Foresight can be seen as part of a “regional anticipatory system” where knowledge from foresight tools anticipates and affects the region’s state. By integrating complexity science and systems perspective, Regional Foresight can enhance its effectiveness and contribute to the development of resilient and sustainable regions.