Page contents Page contents The world has changed dramatically in the last few years. We are seeing the erosion of the international rules-based order, the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation are worsening faster than expected, and security becoming a central focus in all policies. In addition, we are facing intersecting EU-specific challenges. The EU has shown strength, unity and transformative resilience in responding to recent crises. However, the scale and complexity of the challenges ahead require a proactive and forward-looking approach. 2025 Strategic Foresight Report presents "Resilience 2.0", an approach to ensuring the EU thrives in turbulent times through 2040 and beyond. It builds on the recent European Preparedness Strategy and recognises the need to scan proactively not only for emerging risks but also for future opportunities, and to consider unfamiliar or even hard-to-imagine scenarios. Intersecting EU-specific challenges The simultaneous quest for economic competitiveness and strategic autonomy: requiring careful policy design to mitigate possible tensions.Balancing the approach to technology: ensuring an EU values-based innovation model.Pressures on people’s well-being and societal resilience: addressing demographic trends, regional disparities, demands on physical and mental health, and risks to the environment.Threats to democracy and fundamental values: addressing external and internal pressures on democracy, algorithm-driven polarisation, and disinformation. Areas for action Developing a coherent global vision for the EU: asserting the EU position as a strong, stable, and trusted worldwide partner, based on a clear strategic concept. Amplifying internal and external security: developing a technology-savvy forward-looking approach, capitalising on civil-military synergies. Harnessing the power of technology and research: taking a leading role in shaping ethical and science-based global governance and guardrails for high-impact technologies. Strengthening long-term economic resilience: increasing the ability to deliver sustainable and inclusive growth. Supporting sustainable and inclusive well-being: supporting a social market economy and a just transition to a clean economy. Reimagining education: coupling education reform with future-oriented labour market and social policies. Strengthening democracy as a common good: countering polarisation, supporting community building and safeguarding democratic standards. Strengthening intergenerational fairness: ensuring that decisions taken today do not harm future generations. Documents Report9 September 2025Secretariat-GeneralStrategic Foresight Report 2025Resilience 2.0: Empowering the EU to thrive amid turbulence and uncertainty 11 SEPTEMBER 2025Strategic Foresight Report - 2025 - reader friendly version 9 SEPTEMBER 2025Strategic Foresight Report - 2025 - factsheet Related links Website on Strategic Foresight
The world has changed dramatically in the last few years. We are seeing the erosion of the international rules-based order, the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation are worsening faster than expected, and security becoming a central focus in all policies. In addition, we are facing intersecting EU-specific challenges. The EU has shown strength, unity and transformative resilience in responding to recent crises. However, the scale and complexity of the challenges ahead require a proactive and forward-looking approach. 2025 Strategic Foresight Report presents "Resilience 2.0", an approach to ensuring the EU thrives in turbulent times through 2040 and beyond. It builds on the recent European Preparedness Strategy and recognises the need to scan proactively not only for emerging risks but also for future opportunities, and to consider unfamiliar or even hard-to-imagine scenarios.
Report9 September 2025Secretariat-GeneralStrategic Foresight Report 2025Resilience 2.0: Empowering the EU to thrive amid turbulence and uncertainty
