WISER – Well-being in a Sustainable Economy Revisited
Funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme WISER is a research project that proposes a new framework for understanding economic and social progress, placing well-being at the centre of policy. It addresses the growing mismatch between GDP growth and quality of life, in a context marked by rising inequalities, environmental degradation, and declining subjective well-being.
The project develops a “win-win-win-win” strategy: policies that simultaneously improve well-being, support productivity, enhance environmental sustainability, and foster social inclusion. It asks how societies can generate more well-being both from and beyond economic growth, while building economies that are socially and environmentally sustainable.
WISER combines scientific evidence with practical tools to support decision-making and policy-oriented analyses aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its outputs provide policymakers with actionable insights to design evidence-based, locally informed policies that improve quality of life while reducing inequalities and environmental pressures. By integrating economic and non-economic drivers of well-beings WISER contributes to a new narrative of social progress, and supports the transition towards a high well-being, sustainable, and inclusive economy.
WISER aims to shape a policy agenda capable of creating a virtuous circle where well-being, environmental sustainability, social cohesion, and productivity reinforce one another.
Scientific impact: advancing research and providing data and tools for the global academic community
Policy impact: supporting policymakers in designing evidence-based strategies that improve well-being while reducing inequalities and environmental pressures
Societal impact: increasing public awareness of what constitutes a good life and promoting more sustainable lifestyles
Who We Are
WISER brings together an interdisciplinary network of researchers from leading universities and research institutions across Europe and beyond. The consortium combines expertise in economics, sociology, psychology, spatial planning, sustainability, health, and public policy.
Together, we work to rethink the foundations of economic success and to design pathways towards a more sustainable and inclusive high well-being economy.