<a href="http://www.espon.eu/" target="_blank">ESPON (<em>Euorpean Observation Network for Territorial Development and Cohesion</em>)</a> is a spatial planning research programme providing research support for territorial development and cohesion policy at European, national and regional levels. It is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and participating member states.
While the ESPON Coordination Unit (secretariat) is based in Luxembourg, ESPON Contact Points in each country assist in the application of ESPON results within national contexts. The ESPON Contact Point for the Republic of Ireland is located at the National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis (NIRSA) at NUI Maynooth. Its work is also supported by ICLRD. Click here for the <a href="http://www.espon-ireland.ie/" target="_blank">ESPON Ireland website</a>.
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) acts as <a href="http://www.rtpi.org.uk/espon/" target="_blank">ESPON Contact Point for the UK</a>.
ESPON provides a framework for placing the applied research work of ICLRD within the broader European context, providing a basis for comparison and means of learning from experience in spatial planning, cross-border cooperation and territorial development elsewhere. ICLRD working with the ESPON Contact Points in the Republic of Ireland and the UK can provide an all-island perspective within the ESPON framework. ICLRD is also interested in contributing directly to the ESPON programme as a research partner on projects within its areas of interest and expertise.