Emerging Europe – Future of Emerging Europe, 2023-24

The report "The Future of Emerging Europe 2023/2024" discusses the future of the region by focusing on innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. It explores five critical dimensions: people, prosperity, planet, partnership, and peace. The report includes a regional sustainability index with nearly a hundred different indicators, enriched by expert perceptions and data for analysis. It also provides an overview of potential future developments in the region and individual countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. With ongoing crises and uncertainties, such as the war in Ukraine and technological disruptions, the region's public and business leaders need to reinvent its role and ensure sustainable growth. Despite these challenges, there are opportunities for a more resilient future. The report highlights success stories in different fields, such as Estonia's digital transformation, Lithuania's fintech sector, and the electric vehicle manufacturing prowess of Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, and Romania. It emphasizes the need to showcase emerging Europe as a global leader. The report also discusses the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the response from countries in emerging Europe, particularly the Baltic states and Poland. It suggests that these countries should have a greater role in leading NATO. Digital transformation is seen as crucial for the region's future growth and sustainability. As all 23 nations embrace digital technology, they can enhance efficiency, foster innovation, and drive economic development. It is believed that this transformation can position Central and Eastern Europe as a hub of digital innovation and sustainable development. The report also highlights the need to adapt education systems to technological advancements and changing global dynamics. It suggests adopting best practices from Estonia, which has a successful education system. The region also needs to address the issue of population loss by creating more knowledge-based jobs and incentivizing the return of the diaspora. A more liberal approach to immigration is also recommended to fill immediate workforce gaps.