Indicative Time Frame

This timeframe is preliminary and subject to delays.

September 2010: Inception Report

The Inception Report should allow for a detailed overview on the research approach to be applied, the methodology and hypothesis for further investigation as well as a review of the main literature, data sources, etc. It shall as well include an overview of more detailed deliveries and outputs envisaged by the project as well as an indication of likely barriers that the project implementation might face. The Inception report also presents the selection of case studies that will be analysed. It shall give clear orientation for the applied research previewed towards the Interim Report.

March 2011: Interim Report

The report is envisaged to include elements such as:

• Preliminary results on the basis of available data, developed indicators, typologies, and European maps
• Plan for the applied research towards the Draft Final Report as well as the Table of Content envisaged.

March 2012: Draft Final Report

The Draft Final Report will take into account feed-back on the Interim Report from an ESPON Seminar and by the Sounding Board. The report is supposed to include elements such as:

• Report (max. 50 pages) on the main results, trends, impacts, projections and options for policy development, including key analysis / diagnosis / findings and the most relevant indicators and maps (any additional information should be included in a Scientific Report). Particularly important are options for policy makers, which could provide the basis for interventions related to opportunities for improving European competitiveness and cohesion.
• An executive summary (max. 10 pages) summarising the main results of the applied research that can be communicated to a wider audience of stakeholders.
• Scientific Report documenting the scientific work undertaken in the applied research including elements such as:
  • Literature, definitions and methodology / theory used;
  • Methodologies, typologies and concepts developed and used;
  • Data collected and indicators used, including calculation algorithms and tables with the exact values of indicators
  • Maps produced in support of the results, covering the territory of EU 27, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland;
  • Tools and models used or developed;
  • Future research avenues to consider, including further data requirements and ideas of territorial indicators, concepts and typologies as well as on further developments linked to the database and mapping facilities.

July 2012: Final Report

Revision of the Draft Final Report on the basis of comments received.

July/August 2012: Dissemination