The Future Economy Study 2025

Launching in early 2026

Thank you to everyone who shared their voice
The final report will launch in early 2026

About this study:

Europe is undergoing a transformative period marked by the transition to a greener, more digital economy, backed up by a comprehensive action plan for the social economy from the European Commission. In parallel we are experiencing turbulence and polarisation around issues like security, migration and rising right-wing populism. A just transition to a ‘future economy’ is pivotal for fostering regional cohesion and reducing economic disparities within and across the different countries of Europe.

Young people in 2024 are bearing the brunt of these economic inequities. They are three times as likely as adults (25 years and older) to be unemployed and three quarters of them are in vulnerable or informal jobs. At the same time, youth is a demographic which is truly holding industry leaders accountable and building critical masses of movements like never before in history. Young changemakers are crucial players in this fast-changing landscape. Their bold, innovative approaches and entrepreneurial spirit drive some of the most disruptive solutions to help us adapt to this economic transition.

The Objective

This new study aims to provide a nuanced view of how Europe-based young changemakers envision and contribute to a sustainable and inclusive economic future. It will also serve as the basis for bringing together key ecosystem stakeholders across Europe, and serve as a data-driven impulse to inspire the group towards collective action.

The Key Elements

Scientific Study

As part of this initiative we will be running a scientific study, and publish a report on the opinions, ideas and suggestions of young changemaker regarding the future of the economy in Europe.
We aim for the report to become an open source of information for governments, foundations, civil society and anyone willing to work towards a just, green and resilient economy in Europe.

Case Studies

Besides the study and report, we will create in-depth profiles and case studies of young changemakers who are leading innovative projects creating the future economy in Europe.

Collective Action

We aim to gather critical stakeholders for the transition to a future economy, and, based on insights from the study and case studies, we will co-create ideas how to better support young changemakers working towards it.

The Future Economy Council

The Future Economy Council is a group of leaders from across Europe. They provide feedback, input and guidance to the partners of this project. Through their invaluable contribution, we ensure that our work, surveys and activities are rooted in the lived experience of changemakers. The Council Members will be announced publicly in late August.

Johanna Kühner

SuperCoop

Germany

Johanna is an expert on digital cooperatives and co-ownership. She is the founder of a unique supermarket model, SuperCoop, owned by its customers themselves, promoting community engagement and shared ownership.

Tej Gonza

Slovenia

Tej is the Director at the Institute for Economic Democracy, a Research Fellow at Rutgers University, and an Assistant Professor at the University of Ljubljana, where he focuses on economic democracy, employee ownership, and innovative governance practices in academic and practical contexts.

Romain Forestier

France

Romain is an expert in policymaking, deep technology, and strategic foresight, and he currently leads research at JEDI, a collaborative European initiative dedicated to advancing innovative breakthrough technologies across various sectors.

Sabina Ghita

Romania

Sabina is a young economist with a passion for just economic systems. She became intrigued by Romania’s post-communism transformation, exploring its journey towards economic reform and social equity.

Darius Göttert

Young Founders Network, inGemeinschaft

Germany

Darius is a serial founder, co-founding the Young Founders Network, inGemeinschaft, FORA and many more as well as an investor focused on innovative startups, a recognized expert, speaker, and influencer on entrepreneurship and business development.

Simon Gonzalez

Sustein Material

Global

Simon is the founder of Sustein, a waste innovation company, and an expert in Circular Economy and waste management, particularly focusing on sustainable practices within the built environment to minimize waste and promote resource efficiency.

Caroline Schober

Neworn

Austria

Caroline founded Neworn, which helps parents make sustainable choices and offer a platform, where they can sell and buy high-quality children’s clothes and accesoires within a trustworthy community, while rewarding them with exclusive discounts from their local and sustainable partner companies.

Our partners

Academic Partner:

Kindly supported by:

Design & code by:

Future Economy Study