New cooperation with EU on Foresight and Technology Assessment
3rd July 2023 — The European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) supports Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in their daily work, for example with scientifically based studies and research on topics on the parliamentary sessions’ agendas. Now the EPRS has signed a framework contract with the DLR Projektträger to support the European Parliament in the coming years. The portfolio of possible assignments is diverse: DLR Projektträger will produce studies on Foresight and Technology Assessment as well as briefings for MEPs. It will also organise events for MEPs or experts and produce communication materials. As possible subcontractors, it will be assisted by a team of recognised European scientists from the Institute for Qualifying Innovation Research and Consultancy (IQIB), the Danish Board of Technology, the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) and the Foundation for Technology Assessment (TA-Swiss).
Shaping the future with Strategic Foresight
Much of the legislation that affects the everyday lives of people in Germany and Europe is written by Members of the European Parliament in Brussels. The tight timing of the session weeks presents MEPs with the challenge of having to familiarise themselves with a multitude of complex topics in order to draft or pass bills on this basis. These often involve the future impact of technologies such as 6G networks, Quantum Computers or Artificial Intelligence. Even if no one can predict the future, the methods of Strategic Foresight and Technology Assessment help to identify and analyse trends and future scenarios. In this way, they provide central support for decision-making and developing sustainable strategies for the future.
Broad portfolio of Strategic Foresight methods
The services of the DLR Projektträger cover every single step of the Foresight process. Our experts identify the relevant stakeholders, prepare comprehensive analyses and studies, and develop scenarios, roadmaps and strategies. Our team is also trained in the design and implementation of Futures Literacy Laboratories. For our policy advice and evaluations, we use proven models such as the Strategic Impact Navigation Assessment Model (SINAVI) that we developed. Our clients for Foresight studies or individual training in methods of Strategic Foresight include, for example, the European Commission, the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, the Federal Academy for Security Policy, European innovation agencies, the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies at the University of Bonn, the Technical University of Berlin and the Universidad Tecnológica del Uruguay.