GRINCOH addresses two issues affecting Central and Eastern European economies: the disjuncture between fast productivity growth and poor performance in developing innovative capacities for longer-term sustainable growth; and the pronounced economic, social and environmental territorial disparities resulting from accelerated growth. The project objectives are to: (a) establish development scenarios for CEECs up to 2020 under different assumptions of political frameworks, institutional conditions and development strategies; (b) identify the implications for sustainable growth – based on innovation and the development of technological capabilities – and greater economic, social and territorial cohesion; and (c) advise on future policy options, especially for EU Cohesion policy. Carried out by 12 highly qualified European research institutes, the envisaged research explores whether and how CEE development strategies can shift towards an ‘innovation-driven process of development’, vital for sustainable growth (and cohesion) in the current global and European context. The project will cover in depth the international context, innovation and entrepreneurship, skills and labour market inclusion, social policy tasks, territorial cohesion, institutional changes, and the shape of a consistent cohesion policy framework at regional, national and EU levels. The project will also use a comprehensive macro-regional model (MASST) to develop scenarios up to the year 2020.