Call for chapter
Mediterranean economies 2026
"The Age of Interconnected Transitions"
Edited by Salvatore Capasso and Giovanni Canitano
Scholars, experts, and researchers are invited to submit proposals for the next volume of Mediterranean Economies 2026, entitled The Age of Interconnected Transitions, to be published by Il Mulino (print, e-book, and open-access editions).
This new edition continues the analytical trajectory of Mediterranean Economies 2024 (The New Agenda for the Mediterranean) and Mediterranean Economies 2025 (Economy and Geopolitics in the Mediterranean), moving beyond the geopolitical dimension to address the structural transformations that will define the region’s future. It explores how demographic, technological, and environmental transitions intertwine, shaping new models of growth, inclusion, and cooperation across the Mediterranean.
Context
The Mediterranean is entering an era defined not by a single transformation but by the intersection of multiple, simultaneous transitions. Demographic shifts, technological acceleration, and the green transition are converging to reshape economies, societies, and governance across the region.
Ageing populations in Europe contrast with youthful demographics in the South; automation and artificial intelligence redefine work and productivity; climate change and energy transitions alter resource flows and regional stability.
These transitions do not occur in isolation, they interact, amplify, and sometimes collide, creating new opportunities for convergence but also unprecedented risks of fragmentation.
The 2026 edition of Mediterranean Economies explores this intermingled fabric of transitions, asking how the region can navigate these overlapping changes to foster sustainability, inclusion, and shared prosperity.
Objectives of the Volume
The volume aims to provide a multidimensional and forward-looking analysis of how demographic, digital, and ecological transformations intersect in shaping the future of the Mediterranean. It seeks to identify policy pathways that transform these transitions into engines of cooperation rather than sources of inequality or instability.
Authors are encouraged to examine the synergies, trade-offs, and governance challenges emerging from this convergence: how digital innovation can support climate adaptation, how demographic change interacts with labour automation, and how green transition policies may influence migration or regional integration.
Main Themes
1. Mapping the Transitions
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Demographic dynamics: ageing, youth, and migration flows.
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Digital and green transitions as structural transformations of Mediterranean economies.
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Empirical and conceptual tools to understand multi-transition systems.
2. Intersections and Trade-offs
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How technological innovation affects labour, productivity, and social inclusion.
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Interactions between environmental stress, food security, and human mobility.
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Energy transition, water management, and their geopolitical implications.
3. Governance of Complexity
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Institutional capacities for managing interconnected transitions.
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Regional cooperation, science diplomacy, and multilevel governance.
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Role of the EU, UfM, and key international and regional institutions in fostering systemic resilience across the Mediterranean.
4. New Metrics and Narratives of Development
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Beyond GDP: measuring well-being, sustainability, and equity.
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Inclusive innovation, social resilience, and local adaptation.
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Futures of the Mediterranean: scenarios toward 2030–2050.
Submission Guidelines
Authors are invited to submit original, unpublished manuscripts in British English, adopting interdisciplinary perspectives that combine economics, political science, demography, environmental studies, and technology policy. Both theoretical and empirical contributions are welcome.
Abstract
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Length: up to 500 words
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Structure: purpose – methodology – findings – originality – limitations – implications
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Short bio: up to 100 words (affiliation, title, research interests, recent publications)
Full chapter
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Length: up to 7,000 words
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Structure: Introduction – Methodology – Analysis/Results – Conclusions
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Stile di citazione: APA
Please note that acceptance of the abstract does not guarantee publication of the submitted manuscript. All manuscripts will undergo a double-blind peer-review process.
Submit abstracts via email to mediterranean.economies@ismed.cnr.it.
Selected authors must submit the full chapter, with a maximum of 7,000 words, by 30 March 2026.
The volume will be published by Il Mulino by 30 September 2026 in print, digital (eBook) and open access formats on the Darwinbooks platform.
Timeline
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15 January 2026: Submission of a structured abstract (up to 500 words) and a short biographical profile (up to 100 words).
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20 January 2026: Notification of abstract acceptance.
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30 March 2026: Submission of the full chapter.
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30 April 2026: Notification of acceptance and double-blind peer-review report.
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15 June 2026: Submission of the final version.
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30 September 2026: Book publication.
A final public event will be hosted in a Mediterranean location (to be defined) to present outcomes and engage institutional and business stakeholders.
Selection Criteria
Priority will be given to proposals that:
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foster transnational collaboration between the northern and southern shores, including partnerships with Mediterranean African countries;
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demonstrate innovation, methodological originality, and policy relevance, offering scalable approaches to regional challenges;
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contribute to the advancement of the Global Mediterranean Agenda, building on the outcomes of Mediterranean Economies 2024-2025;
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adopt interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder perspectives, involving institutions, academia, the private sector, and civil society;
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address key priorities such as youth employment, environmental sustainability, technological innovation, and social inclusion;
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provide clear policy insights and actionable recommendations grounded in empirical evidence and real-world contexts.
Expected Outputs
The volume will include both academic contributions and policy-oriented outcomes designed to foster dialogue and practical impact across the region. Moreover, it is expected that the publication will be followed by other related activities such as:
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Policy briefs targeting Mediterranean, European, and international policymakers, as well as development and financial institutions.
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analisi comparative e casi studio replicabili;
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Workshops and roundtables connecting researchers, young professionals, entrepreneurs, and civil society to promote collaborative innovation.
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A Book Launch Event showcasing the results of Mediterranean Economies 2026 and encouraging cross-sector discussion on the future of the Mediterranean.
Editorial and Scientific Coordination
Scientific Directors
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Prof. Salvatore Capasso (Director, CNR-DSU)
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Dr. Giovanni Canitano (Editorial Coordinator, CNR-ISMed)
Publisher: Il Mulino, series Mediterranean Economies (ISSN xxxx-xxxx).
Publication date: September 2026.
For further information, please contact the editors at mediterranean.economies@ismed.cnr.it.
Thank you in advance for your interest and contribution to this critical discussion about the future of the Mediterranean.
The Mediterranean economies editorial staff