The ESPON Programme (2002-06) was launched after the preparation of the European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP), adopted in May 1999 in Potsdam (Germany) by the Ministers responsible for the Spatial Planning of the EU and calling for a better balance and polycentric development of the European territory (ESDP 1999). ‘The ESPON 2006 Programme – Research on the Spatial Development of an Enlarging European Union’ is being implemented in the framework of the Community Initiative INTERREG III. The programme consists of thematic projects, policy impact projects, coordinating cross-thematic projects, data and supporting projects, and networking activities.