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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

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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!

Share your visions of the future!

Get inspiration from the Storiesfrom2050 project
The Credit Society - by Chiayu Hsu
The Credit Society - by Chiayu Hsu
Ever since Social Credit became fully implemented, the concept of domestic trading has been revolutionized. We now trade our digital footprints, privacy, and for some people, dignity in exchange for convenience, recognition, and safety. It changed the social order as well. Those who had social status and wealth now need to strengthen their third power, hence the Social Credit black markets and Social Credit laundries. Those who had no social status nor wealth now get the chance to climb up the societal food chain by playing ‘model citizens’- not only well-behaving oneself, but helping the society to ‘correct the un-ethicality’, hence the ‘social activists’ or the ‘moral vigilantes.’
The New Religion - by Chiayu Hsu
The New Religion - by Chiayu Hsu
Ever since the capacity of machines exceeded that of human beings, the only activity left for humans was inventions. The arts, philosophy, and religion, those innate talents which humans have practiced for thousands of years, are the last capacities which the machine will assume.
Sci-fi The Pure-blooded Elite - by Chiayu Hsu
Sci-fi The Pure-blooded Elite - by Chiayu Hsu
The virus mutation kept outpacing medical advances and humans had to live alongside the ever-evolving disease. Cities went into lockdown from time to time. Health code applied worldwide and became the new visa. People now take different drugs constantly to ease new symptoms. The abuse of chemicals brought physical malfunctions or even genetic disorders. Some nations resorted to the more extreme measure- genetic modification- to prevent generational extinction.
Cities are Materials Banks - by Johanna Hoffman
Cities are Materials Banks - by Johanna Hoffman
We zoom in on a material bank in the western sector of a city on the edge of the sea. It’s a storefront on a back alley, stories of offices and apartments rising above and keeping the sunlight low on the street where you’re waiting to go inside. The year is 2070, half a century since a chain of pandemics hit the globe. There was coronavirus, a return of norovirus that mutated into something new, and on and on until people started to forget the names bc they didn’t want to remember.
Play the videos to learn how future narratives are born and how they can be rewritten
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#OurFutures stories by EU citizens
perekond, lapsed ja julgeolek
perekond, lapsed ja julgeolek
There is no war in Europe. To this end, governments, with the support of the people, have taken the necessary decisions to ensure security and punish aggressors. These decisions have been enforced. On crucial issues for the EU, it is not consensus that is needed, but the support of a majority of member states. The cultures and customs of indigenous peoples are respected. These are legally protected and enforced. Along with security, family and children are recognised as areas of national importance. All national decisions are taken in the light of their impact on security and families, and subsequently on the wider economy and environment. Reducing regulations and state subsidies in the economy. We are moving towards a situation in which regulation must be justified only by exceptional need, and public subsidies are only available in the social sphere (emergency aid, welfare, etc.), education and culture. No tax will be levied on donations and activities that are voluntary. Europe has taken the initiative to develop a new organisation to replace the UN, bringing together the countries of the world and working on a predominantly voluntary basis. This organisation will also have its own enforcement mechanism. The nations of Europe will lead by example, first and foremost through their actions; the time for talk is over.
Un avenir inclusif et solidaire
Un avenir inclusif et solidaire
In 2040, I'd like to see a world where education is truly inclusive and values all pathways, especially vocational education. A system where every student finds his or her place and develops his or her talents, with no hierarchy between streams. Inequalities in access to culture and healthcare would be reduced thanks to ambitious policies. Preventive health care would be a priority, with fair treatment for all. Finally, society would be more ecological, with responsible consumer choices and technological advances serving the common good. A fairer, more united and more respectful world.
Es ist besser in Frieden und Harmonie zu leben als rechten Hetzern nachzulaufen
Es ist besser in Frieden und Harmonie zu leben als rechten Hetzern nachzulaufen
It's early morning in the year 2040 and the chip implanted in my brain wakes me up at the appointed time. I wash up and have breakfast before taking the bus to work. There is no more private transport. Instead, I hear birds singing and see butterflies flying from flower to flower. It's hard to believe that my grandparents destroyed the environment with so much energy 20 years ago. As if they wanted to rob their children of their future. I am glad that everything turned out differently. Back then, far-right forces took over the government in many countries. After they left behind a shambles and also abolished democracies, they were sent packing by popular uprisings around the world. This was followed by an era of peace and freedom. An intact environment is now important to us, we have learned this lesson. And this era is still going on. Hopefully the old days will never, ever return.
Sicherheit durch Überwachung
Sicherheit durch Überwachung
The personal security of every individual, be it physical or property security, is very important to me. That is why I would curtail the rights of every individual citizen and create a comprehensive database in which DNA and an encrypted numerical code would be stored immediately after birth. In the event of a crime, this database could be used to determine who was at the scene of the crime on the basis of items found (hair, blood.....). Even if data protectionists would be up in arms about it, such an anonymous and encrypted database would certainly be a major deterrent for potential criminals. For me personally, even a chip that everyone gets implanted would be a conceivable way of determining who was at the scene of the crime at the time. DNA samples can still be used to deny the time of the crime. Many, many crimes such as murder, assaults, burglaries and hit-and-runs could easily be solved. On the other hand, it can also be used to prove that a suspect is not guilty and convictions based on false "witness statements" or accusations could be refuted very easily. I am not a friend of surveillance, but if it serves security and is encrypted, then I am all for it.
Ein Tag im Europa des Jahres 2050
Ein Tag im Europa des Jahres 2050
The morning sun bathes the Berlin skyline in a golden light. I open the windows of my energy self-sufficient apartment - built from recycled materials, climate-neutral and fully connected. My personal AI assistant suggests sustainable options for the day: An appointment with an international team in a virtual conference environment, followed by a visit to the urban garden on the roof of our apartment complex. Europe has changed fundamentally since 2025. The transition to a circular economy has been accelerated by political decisions and fossil fuels have long been a thing of the past. Thanks to new technologies and AI-supported automation, society is more flexible and fairer. Education is digital, individualized and available throughout life. Social security systems guarantee a decent life for all. Vehicles drive silently and autonomously on the roads. Public transportation is free, financed by a Europe-wide digital tax. The air is clean, green parks dot the cities. I meet up with friends in a café where food waste no longer exists - everything is used sustainably. As I enjoy the view, I think about the challenges that Europe has overcome: Climate change, social inequality and economic disruption. But by acting together, we have created a future that is more sustainable, fairer and more liveable - for all Europeans.
The calm
The calm
I would like to see sustainability goals actually implemented and put into practice. Seeing people come together and have discussions instead of screaming over each other. Communities coming together and sharing the burden of responsibility of a nation and governments that actually uphold their promises and run in more efficient manner. I don’t dream of huge developments or loud changes but instead, a calm world where everyone can finally relax.
Bessere Welt
Bessere Welt
I hope that there will be no more wars and that all people can live together in peace. I wish for the environment to be better protected and for there to be no more pollution. I wish for animal welfare so that endangered species do not become extinct.
Kurztrip zum Mond
Kurztrip zum Mond
I imagine that in 2025 I will be able to take a spontaneous day trip to the moon with my family. There we can experience the wonders of weightlessness and enjoy a fantastic view of the blue planet, our home, from above. Such a short break far above our usual hemisphere is a very special experience.
Heaven in earth
Heaven in earth
We've done it: the energy on our planet comes exclusively from renewable sources. We use wind, water and the sun, but also nuclear fusion without risk and without emissions. People have enjoyed an energy boost and there is no more war on earth. All people have equal rights - men, women and everyone else.
All together in peace
All together in peace
There is an artificial protective shell in the atmosphere, high above the earth. This protects living creatures from harmful conditions and keeps the climate at a constant 22 degrees Celsius. Movement is ensured by magnetic levitation trains and vehicles. Cars and motorcycles no longer exist. Everywhere there are vertical gardens that feed people. Farm animals no longer exist either. Most people work in research or in the gardens. All payment transactions are digital. People live in communities that correspond to their interests, i.e. family communities, sports communities, and a lot of value is placed on social interaction. I imagine a peaceful world without wars and without class differences. What counts is us, togetherness and life.
Il mondo che vorrei
Il mondo che vorrei
In 2040, medicine is technologically advanced, pollution is greatly reduced. There are no limits and barriers, all men are equal, whether black or white. Women have the same rights and possibilities as men. Respect for every living being prevails.
Schöne neue Welt
Schöne neue Welt
The world has turned to peace. The military and secret services have been abolished. There is no NATO or any other military alliance. Terrorism has been overcome by just political solutions, not by police violence. It was regulated that all nations have a good livelihood. This also brought migration to Europe and the USA to a standstill. The EU still exists, but is much more democratically structured and leaves a lot of decision-making freedom to the member states. Microplastics, glyphosate and all other toxic substances have been banned. Animal exploitation has been abolished due to inhumanity. People now only use their opportunities for constructive projects.
Stories

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