Strategic planning for the future : Malta’s eFORESEE experience

Abstract

Malta’s first national- level foresight exercise was undertaken in 2001 as part of a two- year transnational FP5 STRATA1 Project called eFORESEE – exchange of FOresight Relevant Experiences among Small Enlargement Economies, with partners in Cyprus and Estonia. At the time, these three countries were in a ‘catch- up’ phase, striving to meet the challenges and pressures imposed by EU membership. Foresight was identified as an important tool to take these countries through this transition period by addressing mainly two important issues relating to the strategic planning for the future of the economy and RTDI (Research, Technological Development and Innovation) policy adaptation for better integration in the European Research Area. Each country implemented a series of pilot foresight exercises in specific themes that were deemed to be a priority for the country. This case study will focus on the Malta eFORESEE exercise that was the first of its kind to be implemented on a nationwide scale. [excerpt]