The Future of Cohesion: Effects of the Twin Transition on Disparities in European Regions

Client/Funding Institution

Bertelsmann Stiftung

Abstract

Europe is in the middle of a twin transition. Digitisation on the one hand and the green transition on the other are bringing major upheavals to the European economy. They are changing existing economic structures and have the potential to fundamentally alter the current distribution of potential growth and prosperity in Europe. While EU regions have been extensively analysed according to various (socio-)economic criteria, e.g. by the European Cohesion Reports, only few of them look into the future and assume a holistic perspective. Therefore, the aim of this study is to close this gap by analysing the consequences of the twin transition for the future economic development of European regions. These will be studied by developing and analysing scoreboard indicators for the EU regions’ potential to benefit from the green and digital transition as well through econometric and descriptive analysis. With this methodological approach, the study aims to make a substantial contribution to the design of cohesion policies in Europe and its Member States by answering the following key questions: What are the economic priorities of European regions today? Which key factors determine the success of the double transformation? Which regions tend to benefit/lose from the structural change caused by digitalisation? Which regions tend to benefit/lose from the structural change caused by decarbonisation?

Duration

May 2022 - October 2022

wiiw team Leader

Roman Römisch

wiiw Staff

Veronika Janyrova, Stefan Jestl, Ambre Maucorps, Alireza Sabouniha

Publications

External Publications

Publication by Bertelsmann Foundation

Countries covered: EU

Research Areas: Regional Development

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