Grupo Santalucía has launched Espacio Futuro, an internal strategic foresight think tank that aims to analyze how society will live over the next 15 years.
Traditional frameworks of predictability have become obsolete due to accelerated demographic changes, labor market transformations and rapid technological developments. Espacio Futuro was created as a dedicated space to debate ideas capable of driving meaningful change.
Over the next decade, Spain will simultaneously face several overlapping processes that reinforce each other. These challenges include aging and longevity, transformations in employment and organizational models, climate change, energy transition, the digitalization of daily life, emotional health pressures, evolving community bonds, and rapid regulatory changes.
Knowledge production methodology
The work process of Espacio Futuro relies on a knowledge production chain structured into four main stages. First, the team detects early signals of change, identifying small indicators that habits and lifestyles are shifting toward a new reality.
Second, after detecting new patterns, researchers cross reference data to understand causal mechanisms. This analysis translates complex frameworks into accessible, journalistic formats. Third, the team shares this knowledge through public reports, meetings, debates, experiments, and exchange sessions with key stakeholders. Fourth, the think tank applies a foresight methodology to understand change as a system rather than predicting specific outcomes.
Multidisciplinary structure and debate
To avoid single discipline bias, Espacio Futuro does not operate through isolated departments. Instead, the team uses knowledge lenses to analyze phenomena simultaneously from fields such as economics, psychiatry, sociology, education and philosophy.
A debate session held a few months ago brought together representatives from various organizations. A worker from Telefónica said after the meeting that she felt supported knowing others shared similar concerns. She added that hearing opinions she disagreed with gave her valuable new perspectives.
A member of the Asociación Española contra el Cáncer said he was not aware of the specific topic before attending. He explained that participants can state when their organization lacks an official stance and offer their personal opinions. A participant from Grupo Antolín said his team reviewed the questions in advance, analyzed medium term global trends, and presented their joint conclusions at the meeting.
Impact on citizens, business and institutions
Espacio Futuro aims to serve society at three distinct levels. For citizens, the think tank helps interpret complex trends and reduce uncertainty in a changing world.
For businesses, it provides long term strategic insights, helps anticipate risks, and supports organizational adaptation. For public institutions, Espacio Futuro aims to inform public debate with a structural and systemic vision.
