PolyFutures is an invitation to explore how participatory, creative, future-oriented and actionable approaches can inspire better policymaking. Over two days, participants will exchange ideas, share experiences and reflect on how foresight and design approaches are used to inform and transform policymaking.
The term PolyFutures captures a multidimensional, pluralistic vision of the future. It joins poly -meaning many - with futures to emphasise multiple possibilities rather than a single predetermined path. It is both a vision and a practice: a shared space where diverse perspectives: eg. human and non-human, local and global come together to rethink policymaking.
This edition focused on foresight and design for EU policymaking, encouraging participants to look beyond short-term solutions and instead build long-term strategies that anticipate challenges, uncover opportunities and create transformative policies for all current generations and those to come. The PolyFutures event offered a place to experience foresight and design approaches in tangible practices and hands-on experiments.
In an era of 'polycrisis', PolyFutures offers a counter-narrative: complexity as a source of creativity and radical collaboration, enabling Europe to shape its future with courage and care.
- innovation | foresight | design methodology | public administration
- Monday 20 April 2026, 09:30 (CEST)
- Ixelles, Belgium
Media
PF_gallery16Max Priebe, Keynote speaker PF_gallery15Participants at a workshop, Day 2 PF_gallery14Thomas Hemmelgarn, the Head of the EU Policy Lab, closing remarks PF_gallery13Johanna Fabrin, Keynote speaker PF_gallery12Participants at a workshop in the Machine Room, at Flagey PF_gallery11Nynke Tromp, Keynote speaker PF_gallery10David Walker, Keynote speaker PF_gallery9Networking Day 1 PF_gallery8Props from a workshop, Day 1 PF_gallery7Participants at a workshop, Day 1 

PF_gallery6Love in policymaking session PF_gallery5Participants at a workshop, Day 1 

PF_gallery5Participants at a workshop, Day 1 

PF_gallery4Conversation around time and policymaking PF_gallery3Nynke Tromp, keynote speaker
Files
Practical information
- When
- Monday 20 April 2026, 09:30 (CEST)
- Where
- Flagey cultural housePlace Sainte Croix, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium
- Who should attend
- Design and foresight practitioners, academia, NGOs, public and international organisations, as well as policymakers
- Languages
- English
- Website
- PolyFutures on Knowledge for policy
- Social media links
Description
The event took place across two days, featuring a variety of sessions that blend methodological and thematic perspectives. The programme included hands-on interactive workshops and experiments, keynotes and conversations, storytelling and thematic sessions, creative walks, and networking opportunities
These sessions offered space for reflection, exchange and action, bringing together people who work with or use future-oriented methods in policymaking.

Contacts
General contact
EU Policy Lab
- Name
- EU Policy Lab
- Organisation
- Joint Research Centre
- JRC-EU-Policy-Lab
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu








