European Regional Policy in Times of Transition--ARL International Congress 2026

The Academy for Territorial Development in the Leibniz-Association (ARL) accepts proposals for paper contributions to its 2026 International Congress, which will take place on 1st and 2nd October 2026 in Cologne, Germany.

The main topic of the Congress is “European Regional Policy in Times of Transition”. European regions are facing overlapping crises, ranging from economic and demo-graphic shifts to environmental and geopolitical challenges. There is a constantly changing patchwork of spatial structures, including structurally weak peripheries, growing and shrinking urban regions, and dynamic rural areas. “Left-behind” places pose major challenges, as does implementation of the Green Deal and the digital transition. With EU budget negotiations and the post-2027 future of the Cohesion Policy at stake, key questions arise about how to ensure territorial cohesion and spatial justice, particularly given the uneven impacts of sectoral policies.

Photo: Lea Molina Caminera/ARL, 2nd place in the 2020-photo contest "Just Spaces"

The conference aims to create a platform for critical reflection and forward-looking discussion: How can regional and cohesion policy be made effective, just, and sustainable in times of multiple transitions? We welcome contributions that address key problem areas of regional development and policy from different analytical and conceptual perspectives at various spatial scales. Interdisciplinary perspectives are most welcome. Contributions from geography, regional and spatial planning, economics, political science, environmental and sustainability studies, or related fields are encouraged.

We are particularly interested in abstracts that engage with the following topics:

1. The future of EU Cohesion and Regional Policy

Firstly, we invite contributions that critically examine the future of various policy con-cepts and strategies − such as the EU Cohesion Policy and Regional Policy – intended to support regional growth and innovation, and compare them with place-based approaches to regional development. One focal point of the discussion will be the current debates of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027. Moreover, we particularly welcome analyses that address debates around the notion of a “Europe of the Regions” and the potential re-nationalisation of regional policy within the evolving European governance framework. This includes analyses of the European Green Deal and related strategies for regional transformation. We also welcome analytical perspectives on cross-border, transnational, and interregional cooperation aimed at addressing shared challenges and enhancing resilience, connectivity, and territorial cohesion.

2. Regional Disparities and Policy under Conditions of Transition

Secondly, the Congress provides a forum for discussing issues related to regional development and policy under conditions of transition − for example, the challenges faced by “left-behind” regions, growing spatial disparities, associated path dependencies, and “lock-in” effects, as well as the normative tensions between equity and growth. We particularly encourage critical reflections on socio-economic, environ-mental, and geopolitical resilience within the context of regional and industrial policy. Furthermore, we seek contributions that critically engage with the interrelations between democracy, populism, and governance at the regional level.

3. Long-Term Perspectives on Regional Policy and Regional Transformation

Thirdly, we welcome contributions that address fundamental or long-term issues of regional development, including structural transformation and evolving notions of “development”, digitalisation, urban–rural relations, and political polarisation, as well as questions of territorial justice, sustainability transitions, and multi-level governance frameworks. We consider different territorial scales and especially encourage submissions that explore the interactions and tensions between different policy domains, for instance, how cohesion and innovation policies can be aligned with sustainability objectives.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Alongside invited panellists (tba), the programme will feature two confirmed keynote speakers:

Professor Andrés Rodríguez-Pose, London School of Economics and Political Science

Rachel Lancry Beaumont, European Committee of the Regions, Head of Department for the COTER Commission

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND TIMELINE 

 If you are interested, please submit your abstract by 15 February 2026 to <congress@arl-net.de>. 

For this purpose, please send us a short summary of your planned contribution on European regional policy (max. 2,500 characters without spaces), with clear reference to at least one of the focal areas presented above. Your abstract should include the central research question, your arguments and conclusions, and a meaningful title. Please also provide your name, academic title (if applicable), and your institution. The congress language is English; however, selected sessions will allow presentations in German. Please indicate your preferred presentation language: English, German, or either. After a review of the submitted contributions, a selection will be made.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Britta Bockhorn ARL – Academy for Territorial Development in the Leibniz Association Head of International Affairs 

<britta.bockhorn@arl-net.de>