MEDiterranean PROspects

The MEDPRO research programme will cover seven areas of study that are highly relevant for the socio-economic development of the region, each associated with a unique work package:

• Geopolitics and governance, addressing the regional and international political challenges faced by Southern Mediterranean states;
• Demography and ageing, covering demographic trends, ongoing changes and their potential future patterns;
• Management ofenvironment and natural resources,  examining the options available to ensure simultaneous growth and environmental sustainability;
• Energy and climate change mitigation, analysing the trends and driving forces related to energy supply and demand in the future as well as the potential development of new energy sources;
• Economic integration, trade, investment and sectoral analyses focusing on macroeconomic and fiscal determinants for long-term growth prospects, potential paths for regional economic integration through trade, investment, private sector and sectors of special importance development;
• Financial services and capital markets, addressing the issues for further development of a financial sector supporting local needs; and,
• Human capital, social protection, inequality and migration, assessing the conditions of the social protection schemes, human capital endowment, gender equality, regional educational systems and their likely development paths.

These fields of study have been selected to reflect the key challenges facing the region in the coming decades. A thorough multidisciplinary approach will enable us to draw up the most promising scenarios for further development in the region and better cooperation with Europe.