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Stories for the future of Europe
Join us in exploring the possibilities of the future! Share your future perspectives, discover other people’s visions, and engage in a dialogue on what Europe and the world may look like in the future. We collect, share and distribute your visions in our stories database.
Share your visions of the future!
Your ideas matter – shape the future you want! Share your visions of tomorrow and join us in creating a narrative that inspires citizens, policymakers, and foresight experts. Together, we can co-create the future.
Write your future story and answer a few questions
Find out what others think by exploring other contributions
Take a look at the #ourfutures dashboard for some numbers
Your story, and those of others, are presented to EU policymakers
Stories - find your inspiration!
Stories do shape futures. Dive into the video tutorials to explore how future narratives are born. Further below, browse trough a series of inspiring, thought-provoking stories around challenges and opportunities of our futures.

Share your visions of the future!
Get inspiration from the Storiesfrom2050 project
Inside the first self-sustainable city on Mars - by ABIBOO studio
Construction of the city of Nüwa could start in 2054 and will see 250,000 people live inside the rock of a steep cliff. Freeze my body, melt me in 80 years, and send me to Mars. Architecture studio ABIBOO has revealed its plans to create the first self-sustainable city on the Red Planet, which is set to be ready for residents in 2100. The city will be called Nüwa and will be located at Tempe Mensa on one of the Martian cliffs. Its position inside a rock on the steep cliff will protect its residents from radiation and meteorites (cool!) while still giving them
Play the videos to learn how future narratives are born and how they can be rewritten
Play the videos to learn how to use the OurFutures dashboard for analysis or workshops
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#OurFutures stories by EU citizens
Budućnost Europe 2040. – Održivi gradovi i ekološka ravnoteža
Imagine 2040 - a world where cities are green, smart and sustainable. In my vision of the future, Europe has managed to solve key ecological problems caused by air pollution, climate change and excessive urbanisation.
Castles are wastelands of green spaces, vertical gardens and urban farms that provide the world with food. Instead of fossil-fuelled cars, they use electric vehicles or public transport with renewable energy sources. Smart technologies allow optimisation of energy and water consumption, and waste is certainly recycled.
Society is also adapted to a sustainable way of life - people are more likely to leave the house, which reduces traffic and CO₂ emissions. The educational system integrates practical ecological knowledge and teaches young people from a young age how to live in harmony with nature.
This future is not just imagined - it is possible if we work together. The key is in our creativity, innovation and responsibility.
Darnios ateities ritmu
I envision 2040 as a time when nature and technology exist in harmony. Cities are green, full of old trees that have been preserved and carefully tended, and people are aware of their value not only ecologically but also culturally. The oak trees that were once inventoried are thriving, forming an unbroken ecological network that supports biodiversity. Conservation is no longer just an isolated project, but a way of life, integrated into urban planning and everyday decisions. Libraries remain important cultural and educational hubs, combining physical and digital experiences and fostering meaningful communication. Sustainable lifestyles are becoming the norm, with renewable energy, green transport and responsible consumption. Knowledge sharing between countries is seamless, allowing people to learn from each other. This is a future where respect for history, nature and knowledge creates real progress.
OUR FUTURE
By 2040, I’d hope for a world where environmental sustainability is the core of every industry, community, and personal decision. The future I imagine would involve a world where clean energy is the dominant power source. Solar, wind, and other renewable resources would have fully replaced fossil fuels, and energy storage technology would be efficient enough to make the entire planet carbon-neutral.
Cities would be designed with green spaces and eco-friendly infrastructure. Vertical gardens, green roofs, and urban forests would be common sights. Buildings would be made with sustainable materials, equipped with energy-efficient systems and powered by local, clean sources.
Transportation would be electrified and automated, with most people using public transit or self-driving electric vehicles that run on renewable energy. Pollution from vehicles would be a thing of the past, and air quality would drastically improve, leading to healthier communities.
In this world, there would also be a major shift in how we handle waste. Circular economies would be the norm, where everything gets reused or recycled. Plastics would be eliminated or fully biodegradable, and electronic waste would be processed into valuable resources instead of piling up in landfills.
Socially, I hope to see a world where sustainability isn’t just a niche movement but an ingrained part of the global culture. Education would emphasize environmental consciousness, and every individual, community, and business would be actively engaged in reducing their environmental footprint.
This future wouldn’t just be clean—it would be vibrant, innovative, and deeply connected to the planet.
My opinion
While I can't predict the future, I can share some trends and factors that may influence Europe's direction over the next 40 years:
Demographic Changes: Europe's population is expected to age, leading to increased pressure on healthcare systems and pensions. Migration may play a role in balancing demographics, influencing workforce dynamics and cultural landscapes.
Climate Change: Europe is likely to face significant challenges related to climate change, prompting greater investments in renewable energy and sustainable practices. Policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions may reshape economies and urban planning.
Technology and Innovation: Advances in technology, including AI, automation, and biotechnology, could transform industry and daily life. Europe may focus on maintaining competitive edges in high-tech sectors while addressing ethical concerns around these technologies.
Political Landscape: The political climate in Europe may continue to evolve, with populism and nationalist sentiments influencing policies. The strength and cohesion of the EU will likely be tested by economic disparities, migration issues, and geopolitical tensions.
Geopolitical Dynamics: Europe's relationships with global powers like the US, China, and Russia will be important. Changes in alliances, trade agreements, and defense strategies will shape Europe's role in global affairs.
Economic Development: Europe's economy may diversify further, with a focus on green technologies, digitalization, and resilience against global economic shifts. Regional economic disparities might lead to differing development paths within Europe.
These trends suggest a complex future for Europe shaped by various interrelated factors. Monitoring current events and developments in these areas may offer better insights as time progresses.
Европа на бъдещето
In 2040, Europe is a continent of innovation, sustainable development and high quality of life. After years of technological advances and environmental responsibility, cities are greener, transport is more efficient, and climate problems are significantly mitigated.
The transport of the future
In big cities, traffic is almost entirely autonomous. Magnetic levitation trains connect European capitals at speeds of over 600 km/h, making travel fast, comfortable and environmentally friendly. Flying taxis, powered by hydrogen and electric batteries, offer an alternative to traditional transport, while private internal combustion cars have long been banned. As a result of these changes, noise pollution has decreased and the air in cities is significantly cleaner.
Climate change
Following decisive action to limit carbon emissions, Europe is among the first regions to achieve carbon neutrality. Cities are covered with 'green roofs' that absorb CO₂ and reduce the need for air conditioning. The transition to renewable energy is complete - solar panels, wind turbines and fusion reactors power the entire continent. Reforestation and the use of innovative carbon sequestration methods are helping to balance the climate.
Technological advances
Artificial intelligence and robotics have streamlined industry, healthcare and education. Doctors are using nanotechnology to treat diseases that were once deadly, and virtual reality has been integrated into the education process. Every citizen has access to personalised digital services that make everyday life easier and improve quality of life.
This Europe is an example of sustainable development and harmony between man, nature and technology.
Freedom
There is no war, nor borders, no countries, all men are squeal. There is no hunger, no aids, no disasters, no slaves. There will be no sad people. Everyone is great full for the live he is living. We will go far away from the earth (our planet) to see different populations and creatures. The teleport of humans will be possible. We can heal us more faster and make our live longer.
Rad
15 years have passed, more castles have been overtaken by technology, and people are either dead or it is too late for humanity. The controllers of most companies and shops have been replaced by machines. Shopping centres are just servants and deserts. Nature is unrecognisable, or people are beginning to think that business cannot be replaced by a machine or a robot. This is a craft business for most. Some people are still living the same life, but some are in love with technology. The government has come to its senses and, at the end of a certain period, it has taken the old way of life back, but only the old way of life has been replaced by the machine.
A határtalan intelligencia
The positive alternative is a scenario where everyone benefits from AI through better healthcare, faster transport and less pollution.
Instead, machines do most of the work for us, everyone gets a basic wage, so we can spend more free time and realise ourselves as free human beings.
Stories
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