The service shall develop a step-by-step methodology describing how to determine the ex-post impact of any cross-border cooperation (CBC) programme on the territorial development of the border regions.

The service shall contribute to evidence-based, coherent and transparent decision-making in EU Member States considering land-sea interactions in the development of national maritime spatial plans. It shall develop a methodology to explore land-sea links, including the coastal interface. All EU sectoral policies affecting seas, islands, coastal regions and maritime sectors need to be taken into account in the analytical process.

The service shall contribute to enhancing integrated policy development in the European growth corridors through a better understanding of spatial dynamics and interactions in these specific areas.

"Without the evidence provided by a programme like ESPON, we could make the mistake of choosing the wrong priorities and jeopardising Europe's future." With these words, the President of the Committee of the Regions Karl-Heinz Lambertz opened the ESPON conference that marked 15 years of efforts to support policy making with territorial evidence.

ESPON is running an annual survey to gather feedback on the use of our evidence and tools, on participation at our events and in our activities.

The future of the Cohesion Policy was the recurring theme of this year's European Week of Regions and Cities.

"We need a harmonized vision for infrastructure in the future, and ESPON gives us the chance to have one." With these words the President of the High Level Council of Public Works Massimo Sessa opened the ESPON transnational conference “Southern Europe at the crossroads” that took place at the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure.

The event seeks to raise awareness about the ESPON goals, activites and (indirect) funding opportunities.

This paper aims at informing policy-makers at the EU level about the benefits and added value of the interregional programmes in times of resource scarcity.

The ESPON seminar is organised in cooperation with the Estonian Presidency of the European Union and will take place on 6-7 December 2017 in Tallinn.