Building Sustainable Futures: The Franco-German Forum for the Future
Promoting socio-ecological transformation through collaboration, research, and innovation
December 16th, 2024
Launched in 2019, the Franco-German Forum for the Future is an ongoing collaborative initiative aimed at fostering socio-ecological transformation across Germany and France. Operating through transdisciplinary research and partnerships, the Forum addresses pressing challenges like climate neutrality, sustainable urban development, mobility transitions, and inclusive public participation. With local governments as key partners, the Forum brings stakeholders together to explore shared challenges and learn from one another’s solutions. This initiative runs from April 2020 through June 2025.
The Forum takes a bottom-up, participatory approach by engaging with local and regional actors to understand the opportunities and challenges of implementing sustainable projects. Using qualitative research methods, including interviews and observations, the Forum examines how cities and municipalities are adapting to the demands of climate change and sustainability goals. The insights derived from these local experiments are shared through peer dialogues, reports, and factsheets, facilitating knowledge exchange between France and Germany. Interdisciplinary workshops, called Franco-German Resonance Rooms, are central to these exchanges, fostering collaborative exploration of innovative solutions.
Beyond research, the Forum translates findings into actionable policy recommendations for both national and local governments. Bringing together over 60 partners from academia, public administration, business, and civil society, the Forum identifies best practices and proposes concrete solutions for sustainable urban and regional development. These recommendations aim to inspire policymakers, address cross-border challenges, and support long-term climate goals aligned with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
