Course description

Over the last years, governments have recognised the need for innovative tools to identify, prevent, or mitigate emerging risks across various areas: from pandemics to climate disruptions to technological evolution, geopolitical shocks and hybrid threats.

Agility and resilience have become increasingly important, requiring integration with new approaches such as horizon scanning, stress-testing legislation for resilience and strategic foresight. In particular, strategic foresight involves anticipating future scenarios by analysing trends, uncertainties, and possibilities, enabling proactive planning and decision-making to navigate forthcoming changes effectively.

It is crucial for organisations to adopt a proactive approach to foresee and prepare for future uncertainties.

Several countries and international entities employ strategic foresight to foresee global challenges. The EU's Strategic Foresight Network, for instance, guides policies on sustainability, security, and economy, showcasing how strategic foresight can support informed decision-making and planning.

On the individual level, professionals require the ability to anticipate future developments, make informed decisions amidst uncertainties, foster innovation, and adapt swiftly. Developing a proactive mindset, honing analytical skills, and embracing adaptability are key to navigating evolving environments successfully.

This executive training equips leaders with strategic foresight tools to tackle these challenges, guiding proactive and well-informed decisions for the future.

This executive training equips leaders with strategic foresight tools to tackle these challenges, guiding proactive and well-informed decisions for the future.

The first (online) part of the course will introduce the concept of strategic foresight, highlighting its distinctions from other concepts and presenting its theoretical foundations, with a focus on sensemaking and decision-making in complex, uncertain environments.

The second (residential) part will involve intensive workshops on scenario-building as a primary strategic foresight technique, featuring practical and interactive sessions with fellow participants.

On the final day, guest speakers from European institutions and international organisations will illustrate how strategic foresight is used in real-world policy and organisational settings.

The programme also includes social activities and networking opportunities with participants and experts.

The full programme will be available soon.

Learning methods

• Online and in-person lectures and presentations by experts and practitioners;
• Interactive sessions and discussions with instructors;
• Group work and role-play with scenario-building;
• Practical application of strategic foresight tools and methodologies to specific challenges or contexts to strengthen learning;
• Peer-to-peer learning and experience sharing;
• Presentations from European and international institutions.

Learning outcomes

Strategic foresight equips decision-makers to navigate complexity and uncertainty by exploring plausible futures and testing strategic choices.

By the end of this programme, participants will be able to:

• Apply strategic foresight tools and methodologies to specific challenges and environments;
• Create and analyse diverse future scenarios to navigate uncertainty;

• Identify and interpret emerging signals, trends and drivers of change impacting industries or sectors, organisations and policy environments;
• Anticipate risks and opportunities and support anticipatory governance in complex environments;
• Develop a mindset that encourages innovative approaches to problem-solving;
• Make informed decisions under conditions of uncertainty and complexity;
• Translate foresight insights into actionable strategic priorities and options aligned with future developments;

• Engage stakeholders effectively to support the design and uptake of future-oriented strategies;
• Communicate foresight insights clearly to decision-makers and stakeholders.

Who should attend

Everyone who has a professional interest in strategic foresight and wishes to develop skills further. The course is primarily designed for professionals working in international and European institutions and bodies, as well as national civil servants and NGO staff. The applicants from the private sector are welcome.

Information for applicants

The programme has a blended structure: three afternoons online (21 April, 28 April and 5 May 2026) will be followed by three days with residential training in Brussels (11, 12 and 13 May 2026).

Confirmed participants will be expected to attend the online sessions and be physically present at the residential training. The programme will include approximately 25 hours of in-session training, not including lunches or coffee breaks.

This course is available in English.

For a detailed schedule and an overview of learning activities together with the exact dates and times of the sessions, please consult the programme timetable.

Instructors will share a set of pre-readings with the participants a few weeks before the start of the programme. Participants will be enrolled on the EUI’s virtual learning environment to access the materials of the course.

Participants are expected to make their own travel and accommodation arrangements for the duration of the residential part of the course.

Certification

Accepted participants who successfully complete the training course will receive a Certificate of Attendance from the Florence School of Transnational Governance.