The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for the consortium to exchange ideas, align ongoing activities across work packages, and strengthen collaboration. As the project approaches its concluding phase, the focus is increasingly on consolidating results and exploring how remote working arrangements continue to shape regional development and the urban–rural divide.

R-Map Team at the SDA Bocconi Campus

Project Updates and Key Discussions

The meeting began with a warm welcome from the hosting team at Università Bocconi, followed by an overview of the project’s overall progress. Partners then presented updates from several work packages, highlighting recent developments and upcoming tasks. A key highlight was the presentation of updates from the project’s use case areas, which provided insights into regional profiles and ongoing analytical work aimed at understanding how remote work may influence future territorial development.

A major focus of the meeting was the continued development and enhancement of the R-Map platform, a user-friendly digital tool designed to support policymakers and regional planners. Partners explored the latest version of the platform and discussed ways to improve its functionality and usability, ensuring it can effectively help decision-makers evaluate different remote work scenarios and their socio-economic implications. The platform continues to evolve, with collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing its analytical capabilities, visualizations, and accessibility for stakeholders.

Knowledge Exchange with Synergy Projects

Another highlight of the meeting was the knowledge exchange with complementary European projects. REMAKING (in person) and SECreTour (online) shared their experiences and insights, fostering collaboration and cross-project learning. These discussions strengthened connections with broader European initiatives focused on regional development and territorial resilience.

 REMAKING & SECreTOUR Presentations

Conclusion

The 5th Project Meeting marked another important milestone for the R-Map project. By bringing partners together to share progress, refine tools, and plan upcoming activities, the meeting reinforced the consortium’s collaborative approach and commitment to delivering evidence-based insights on the future of remote work and its impact on Europe’s regions.

A heartfelt thank you to Università Bocconi for hosting this impactful meeting. The consortium looks forward to continued collaboration as R-Map moves into its final year, working toward a more digitally connected and territorially inclusive Europe!

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The response was both strong and insightful with more than 4,500 votes underscoring the urgency professionals feel around questions of work flexibility, relocation, and lifestyle choices. This powerful market signal further reinforced R-Map’s mission to connect workforce flexibility, quality of life and place-based policy.

Photo by Unsplash available here

The R-Map poll series confirms what many professionals are already experiencing: the future of work is flexible, asynchronous, and increasingly location-independent. When asked how work will look by 2030, a clear majority pointed to work-from-anywhere as the defining model (57%), followed by hybrid work (20%). Only 3% expect a full return to office-based roles. Flexibility and especially location flexibility is no longer a benefit; it is becoming the standard.

This shift is already transforming mobility as well. More than half of respondents (55%) said they would consider moving abroad if their work allowed it, while 19% would move within their own country. Remote work is no longer just about where people work, but about where they choose to live. Quality of life is the main driver behind relocation decisions. 74% of the respondents said improved quality of life would motivate such a move, far outweighing factors such as cost of living (19%) or community (4%). Affordable housing, access to nature, and good weather were identified as the most important contributors to remote work satisfaction.

At the same time, professionals are prioritising autonomy over traditional workplace structures. Flexible schedules were seen as the biggest improvement to working life by 66% of respondents, compared to 16% who prioritised team connection.

Finally, for cities and regions looking to attract remote talent, the message is clear: reliable digital infrastructure is the baseline requirement, followed by supportive tax and social security frameworks and access to co-working and community spaces.

This poll series shows that remote work is fundamentally reshaping mobility patterns, lifestyle choices, and regional competitiveness. As professionals gain more freedom over where and how they work, regions are increasingly competing on quality of life, affordability, and digital infrastructure.

Ultimately, this poll shows that flexibility is no longer optional, it is the future of work and a defining factor in where people choose to live, invest, and build their careers.

For those interested in the data behind these insights, the full R-Map poll series are available below:

• In your view, what does the future of work look like in 2030 (and beyond)? – Link
• Would you consider relocating if (remote) work allowed it? If so, where? – Link
• Which factor most affects your decision to relocate as a remote worker? – Link
• Which factor contributes most to your quality of life as a remote worker? – Link
• Which factor contributes most to your quality of *working* life as a remote worker? – Link
• If policymakers could prioritise ONE improvement to make destinations more attractive to remote workers, what should it be? – Link

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Remote Work and the Urban-Rural Divide Findings

During her presentation, Mandy shared early findings from R-Map’s ongoing research into Remote Work Arrangements (RWAs) and their potential to bridge the urban-rural divide in Europe and beyond. Key insights included:

• Preferred Living Location:
• • 41% of remote workers prefer rural areas as their ideal home base.
  • Only 17% favor urban settings.

• Key Amenities Valued (within walking distance):

• • Access to public transportation – 60.67%
  • Grocery stores – 60.42%
  • Parks and green spaces – 59.85%

• Top Motivators for Relocation:

• • Quality of life ranked highest – 64%
  • Only 7% cited digital infrastructure as a key factor

R-Map’s Voice in the Panel Discussion

In the panel session “Cities as Enablers: Supporting Ecosystems for Remote Work & Digital Nomads”, Mandy joined experts including Jean-Yves Huwart and Tracey Johnson to discuss how cities and regions can move beyond short-term digital nomad trends and actively build sustainable ecosystems for remote professionals.

A key takeaway is that attracting and retaining remote workers to a specific destination takes more than fast Wi-Fi, it requires a holistic approach that supports their integration into the local community and economy, from infrastructure and services to taxes, healthcare, and even adopting the local language.

Drawing from both research and personal experience, Mandy’s key message for cities and regions looking to build sustainable, remote-friendly destinations: “Think beyond digital nomadism – focus on turning digital nomads into remote work residents instead.”

A Shared Mission for the Future of Work

We were pleased to be part of REMOTE-IT’s journey, with our fruitful synergy reflecting shared efforts to understand and shape the future of work, mobility, and urban transformation across Europe.

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R-MAP successfully brought together international stakeholders and experts providing a dynamic space for diverse voices and expertise to discuss challenges and opportunities at the intersection of gender, sustainability and evolving work models, especially for remote and hybrid arrangements. Attendees represented a broad range of sectors: researchers, HR and workplace policy makers, urban planners, local authorities, and other stakeholders. By facilitating this exchange, R-MAP enabled a truly diverse community of stakeholders to unite marking a significant step forward in fostering inclusive and impactful dialogue.

The participants were divided into groups and began working collaboratively on the key objectives of the workshop, after which they presented their results. Specifically, they focused on:

1. Raising Awareness of diverse perspectives on the gendered and urban–rural dimensions of remote and hybrid work.
2. Integrating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and sustainability principles into remote/hybrid work practices, with a focus on inclusive urban and rural contexts.
3. Assessing needs and developing inclusive strategies addressing workforce diversity and equity.
4. Facilitating exchange of priorities and perspectives to generate practical insights at organisational, local, regional, and different policy levels.
5. Formulating initial policy and practice recommendations and establishing a collaborative network for sustainable impact.

Collaborative steps toward a sustainable future of work

Collective knowledge sets the foundation for impactful policy and practice shifts, ensuring that remote and hybrid work models contribute positively to workforce diversity and wellbeing, while aligning with global sustainability goals. By engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders, the event facilitated a richer understanding of the challenges faced and the solutions needed to create more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable work environments.

As the project moves forward, the insights from this workshop will be instrumental in shaping innovative strategies and policies that reflect the realities of today’s evolving work landscape.

A heartfelt thank you to Koç University for their warm hospitality and excellent organization of the workshop!

The post From Needs to Action: Gender, Sustainability, and Remote/Hybrid Work in Transition Workshop | Istanbul appeared first on R-MAP.

R-Map Consortium at Koç University campus

Reflecting on Progress

The meeting opened with a warm welcome from the hosts at Koç University, whose excellent organization and hospitality set the tone for two productive days. Throughout the meeting, partners:

• Shared updates on key project areas, including data collection and analysis across the 6 use case areas, with a focus on identifying and examining the main remote working phenomena in each area, as well as the local factors influencing them.

• Strategic planning of future actions, such as setting up our pilots in 6 European regions of the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Italy, Greece, Türkiye, Switzerland-Austria.

A significant highlight of the meeting was the continued development of the R-Map Platform, a user-friendly digital tool that combines advanced analytics, spatial modeling, and interactive visualizations. Designed to empower policymakers and regional planners, the platform will allow users to explore and compare different remote work scenarios and evaluate socio-economic impacts.

Fostering Collaboration with Sister and Synergy Projects

In a dedicated session on “Synergies”, R-Map brought together representatives from sister and synergizing projects Remaking, WinWin4WorkLife, and Remote-IT. The guests shared their progress and best practices and participated in a dynamic dialogue on common challenges and opportunities for alignment. This cross-project exchange marked the shared commitment to inclusive digital transition and strengthened the broader ecosystem of European research addressing the future of work.

Planning the Next Steps

As the project moves into its next phase, R-Map remains focused on delivering actionable insights and tools that support remote work.

Thank you to Koç University for hosting this impactful meeting and we look forward to continued collaboration towards a more digitally connected and territorially inclusive Europe!

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Source: Work From Greece

Why choose Athens? Here is the winning formula!

Athens scored high in several categories that matter to remote professionals:

• Affordable living costs compared to other major cities
• High-quality internet access
• Growing number of coworking spaces
• Vibrant culture and rich history
• Excellent weather and food

With its dynamic energy and laid-back Mediterranean vibe, Athens offers remote workers a unique balance between productivity and relaxation.

Source: Amy Suto

Global recognition for Greek innovation

Athens is rapidly evolving into a hub for digital nomads and forward-thinking professionals. The city’s ability to attract remote workers also reflects its progress in digital infrastructure and its commitment to creating a modern, connected urban environment.

Traditionally known for its ancient history and tourism appeal, Athens is now proving a smart, livable city for professionals who seek a more flexible lifestyle. Whether you’re working from a rooftop café or joining virtual meetings from a beachside Airbnb, Athens offers an inspiring backdrop for the future of work.

Best cities around the world for digital nomads in 2025

Tokyo has taken the top spot thanks to its fast internet, excellent public transport, high safety levels, and the introduction of a new digital nomad visa. In second place is Rio de Janeiro, known for its growing 5G network, vibrant digital nomad scene, and stunning natural beauty. Budapest comes in third, praised for being affordable and full of culture.

Other cities in the top 10 include Seoul, Barcelona, Beijing, Lisbon, Rome, Paris, and Valletta, showing how more cities are becoming ideal for people who work remotely and live a flexible lifestyle.

Sources:

• tovima.com
• news.gtp.gr

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Key highlights of the meeting:

• Large scale survey: Key results were presented from our large-scale survey generating more than 20,000 responses from more than 30 countries capturing perceptions, intentions and needs of remote workers.
• R-Map Model: The R-Map model assessing the effects of remote work on the spatial, economic and social facets of the urban-rural divide in EU has been successfully developed. The co-design process involved technical workshops with regional and domain experts as well as Advisory Board members. The model employs Bayesian Belief Networks, incorporating key indicators and causal chains to offer a robust, data-driven approach.
• R-MAP Visualisation Platform: Progress on the development of the R-Map visualisation platform was presented, including desk research, partner workshops, and validation activities with Advisory Board members, which led to the development of the R-Map platform architecture. Ongoing efforts include setting up the backend infrastructure, coordinating data collection through a shared repository, and initiating the integration of the R-Map model with the visualisation platform.
• Synergies and Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging discussions explored effective strategies for stakeholder engagement and cross-sector synergies, with a strong emphasis on long-term collaboration to enhance the project’s real-world impact.
• Valuable insights on Policy Recommendations: Participants exchanged valuable perspectives that shaped the project’s first Policy Brief. Advisory Board insights enriched these discussions and will help frame actionable, evidence-based recommendations.

We extend our sincere thanks to all partners for their active participation and valuable contributions. A special thank you goes to our hosts at the University of Surrey for their warm welcome and generous hospitality!

Stay connected for more updates as the R-Map Project enters its next exciting phase!

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The EU-OSHA’s 2023–2025 Healthy Workplaces Campaign aims to raise awareness about how digital technologies affect workplace safety and health. When used with a human-centred approach, these tools can improve safety and productivity of employees, but more understanding is needed to develop effective strategies.

The use of digital technologies – such as personal computers, smartphones, internet connectivity, and other useful tools – enables employees to perform their tasks virtually from anywhere. The flexibility to access work-related resources, communicate effectively with colleagues, attend meetings, and manage responsibilities without being physically present at the workplace has made many aspects of people’s lives more convenient. This shift has actively contributed to greater autonomy, reduced commuting time, and enhanced work-life balance.

On the other hand, teleworking is linked to increased prolonged sitting and time pressure, extended working hours, and social isolation. These challenges can negatively impact employees’ physical and mental health, potentially leading to issues such as stress, burnout, and musculoskeletal disorders, including neck and back pain.

Digital technologies are essential for enabling remote work, but they are also associated with various psychosocial and physical risks. Due to long working hours or heavy workloads, many people tend to skip breaks, which can lead to stress and physical strain over time. Furthermore, individuals who extensively use digital technologies may experience episodes of virtual presenteeism, where they continue working even during periods of illness and avoid taking sick leave. This can be compounded by prolonged screen exposure, leading to conditions like computer vision syndrome, which causes eye strain, headaches, and discomfort.

Several safety risks can emerge when people are teleworking, including cyberbullying and cyberattacks, particularly if there is insufficient training on the secure use of digital tools. Without the necessary knowledge and training, remote workers can be more vulnerable to that kind of attacks. People can take steps to improve their remote work experience by setting up an ergonomic workspace, taking regular breaks, and staying connected with colleagues to reduce feelings of isolation. These simple actions can support both their physical and mental well-being while working from home.

You can read more about the Healthy Workplaces – Safe and Healthy Work in the Digital Age by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) here: https://osha.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/Remote_Hybrid_work-infosheet-EN.pdf

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The session began with a warm welcome and a presentation of R-Map’s core goal: to better understand how Remote Working Arrangements (RWA) are reshaping the dynamics between urban and rural areas. Advisory Board members were invited to offer strategic guidance, drawing on their diverse professional backgrounds to enrich the project’s direction.

Project partners shared updates on key areas of work, including:

• Research into the spatial, economic and social impacts of remote work

• The development of a model to quantify these impacts

• A data platform to support decision-making

• Regional case studies exploring how local communities are affected

• And ongoing efforts in communication and policy engagement

An engaging discussion followed, with reflections on the contrast between local vs. national trends, the impact of RWA on urban planning, and the importance of value chains. Members highlighted the need for long-term usability and accessibility of R-Map’s tools, especially for policymakers and regional actors.

The meeting closed with a shared commitment to continued collaboration. The Advisory Board will remain actively involved, helping to shape R-Map’s tools and outcomes to support informed, inclusive policymaking across Europe.

Curious about how remote work is transforming Europe’s regions? Stay engaged with R-Map’s journey and explore stay tuned for more insights!

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Understanding Remote Work Trends: Insights from Large-Scale Research

R-Map has undertaken an extensive study to analyse how remote work is transforming work environments, economic structures and spatial planning. Key milestones include:

Exploring the Current Landscape of Remote Work – A comprehensive study was conducted on remote work arrangements in Europe and beyond, identifying key enablers and barriers. The findings highlight how technological advancements have facilitated hybrid and fully remote work models, while disparities in digital infrastructure, socio-economic conditions and policy frameworks still pose significant challenges—particularly in rural areas.

Analysing the Impact on Work & Living Conditions – By leveraging data from the 2021 European Working Conditions Telephone Survey, combined with advanced topic modeling techniques, R-Map explored how remote work affects job security, productivity, work-life balance and overall well-being. These findings are shaping further research and policy recommendations.

Assessing the Socio-Economic Implications – R-Map researchers conducted a global literature review and 31 stakeholder interviews to understand the broader economic and social effects of remote work. A joint publication is being developed to highlight key policy considerations and regional impacts.

Capturing Stakeholder Perspectives – To gain localised insights, 21 in-depth interviews were conducted across eight locations in Europe and the US, engaging urban planners, regional authorities, real estate professionals, coworking space founders and remote work facilitators. These discussions provided valuable knowledge on spatial planning, housing markets, digital infrastructure and the urban-rural transition caused by remote work.

Surveying Remote Workers Across Europe – In a large-scale survey, 20,013 Europeans shared their perceptions of remote work, including its challenges, benefits and future expectations. The results will be instrumental in shaping future policy recommendations and guiding further research within R-Map.

Together, these studies provide a comprehensive and multi-dimensional view of how remote work is evolving, laying the foundation for data-driven policymaking and strategic planning.

Advancing Research: Co-Designing the R-Map Model

R-Map has successfully completed the co-design of its conceptual model, which serves as a framework for assessing the effects of remote work on spatial, economic and social structures across European regions. This process was highly collaborative, involving consortium partners, the R-Map Advisory Board and domain experts.

Key achievements in the model’s co-design include:

• Building on the extensive research conducted in the first phase of R-Map, a conceptual framework has been co-designed to assess the spatial, economic, and social impacts of remote work.
• Defining key dimensions—spatial, economic and social—to assess the impact of remote work.
• Identifying critical factors shaping remote work dynamics in different regions.
• Developing causal impact chains and a comprehensive causal network to structure the model’s analytical foundation.

The co-design process included a dedicated workshop at the University of Twente, four online stakeholder sessions and iterative reviews using surveys and collaborative feedback. This milestone sets the stage for the next step—implementing and validating the model.

Developing the R-Map Model and Platform

One of the key milestones in the project has been the development of the first version of the R-Map Model, which will serve as a foundation for assessing and visualising the effects of remote work. This model is designed to help identify trends, predict future developments and guide decision-making in a structured way.

In parallel, the first version of the R-Map platform has been completed, offering interactive visualisation tools that policymakers and stakeholders can use to explore different aspects of remote work dynamics. The R-Map platform has been designed to offer an intuitive and user-friendly interface, providing stakeholders with interactive tools to explore different aspects of remote work dynamics. By integrating diverse data sources and insights, the platform aims to enhance understanding of remote work’s impact on spatial, economic, and social structures, supporting informed policymaking and strategic planning.

As the project progresses, further refinements and stakeholder feedback will be incorporated to enhance the platform’s functionality, ensuring that it serves as a valuable tool for policymakers, researchers and businesses alike.

Advancing the Model: Implementing & Validating the Framework

Building upon the conceptual model, the next phase of research will focus on refining and implementing the framework through statistical methods and harmonised datasets. The project  will aim to:

• Develop indicators to measure the key factors identified in the model.
• Align surveyed knowledge with real-world data using a Bayesian statistical approach.
• Enhance predictive and analytical capabilities to support policymakers and regional planners.

This phase marks a critical transition from conceptual design to real-world application, ensuring that the R-Map model serves as a reliable and actionable tool for decision-making.

Strengthening Collaboration: The Advisory Board

R-Map has successfully established its Advisory Board (AB), bringing together a diverse group of experts to guide the project. The AB plays a critical role in ensuring that R-Map’s findings and tools remain practical, actionable and aligned with real-world needs.

An upcoming Advisory Board meeting will provide an opportunity for AB members to engage directly with project leaders, contribute their expertise and help refine the direction of the research and tools being developed. This ongoing collaboration ensures that R-Map remains committed to exploring real-world challenges and solutions.

Looking Ahead

As R-Map enters its next phase, the project will continue to evolve based on cutting-edge research, stakeholder insights and technological advancements. With new findings on remote work’s spatial, economic and social implications, the focus will shift towards:

• Refining the R-Map Model and Platform based on stakeholder feedback and real-world data.
• Implementing and validating the model to enhance its analytical and predictive capabilities.
• Providing actionable insights to inform policy recommendations and support decision-making.

With each milestone, R-Map moves closer to delivering data-driven solutions that help bridge the urban-rural divide and shape the future of work. Stay tuned as we continue mapping the future of remote work and its impact across Europe!

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