On Wednesday, the European Commission adopted two dedicated strategies, one for EU islands and one for EU coastal communities, setting out for the first time a coordinated European approach to support both types of territories and unlock their long-term potential.<\/p>\n
The two initiatives introduce a targeted approach, dedicated to the specific needs and unique challenges of:<\/p>\n
To that end, the Commission proposes a coherent, holistic approach addressing economy, connectivity, energy, environment, demography and security in an integrated way, aiming to transform the challenges faced by these territories into opportunities and lasting strengths. This includes ensuring that their specific needs are fully reflected in future proposals and aligned with broader EU priorities.<\/p>\n
Most EU islands share common challenges impacting their economic sustainability and quality of life, such as geographical isolation, limited connectivity, high transport costs and travel times, small and fragmented markets, overdependence on tourism, excessive reliance on fossil fuels, climate vulnerability, demographic decline, water scarcity, reduced access to essential services, and other added costs of insularity.<\/p>\n
At the crossroads between land and sea, Europe’s coastal communities are a vital asset. They combine rich environmental, cultural and maritime heritage with strong potential to drive a\u00a0sustainable blue economy<\/a>. At the same time, Europe’s coastal communities are at the frontline of climate change, marine and coastal biodiversity loss, and marine pollution, which impact their long-term resilience and economic growth.\u00a0 Some also face additional pressures, including imbalanced tourism, shortage of affordable housing, seasonality of economic activity and limited job opportunities, leading to youth outmigration and economic instability.<\/p>\n This is why a\u00a0tailored approach<\/strong>\u00a0is essential. The two strategies work in tandem, reinforcing each other to address shared pressures while responding to the unique realities of islands and coastal communities alike.<\/p>\n Recognising these\u00a0interconnected pressures<\/strong>, the EU has developed the two complementary strategies to build a cohesive framework within existing policies and funding, with a view to strengthening economic opportunity, quality of life, and resilience.<\/p>\n A future-proof strategy for Europe’s islands<\/strong><\/p>\n The strategy aims to integrate the needs of islands and reflect the challenges they face into broader EU policies adapted to their specific needs. It is structured around\u00a0four key pillars:<\/strong><\/p>\n The strategy promotes the establishment of a regular dialogue between EU institutions and stakeholders representing the interests of islands, as well as various technical support measures, including capacity building and exchange of good practices. Member States are invited to include targeted measures for the development of islands in their future National and Regional Partnership Plans<\/a>, including those linked to insularity in areas such as connectivity, services and infrastructure. Member States are also invited to come up with territorial investment tools to promote integrated strategies for islands and facilitate better cooperation.<\/p>\n A strategy for prosperous coastal communities<\/strong><\/p>\n The strategy on coastal communities focuses on three priorities:<\/p>\n The strategy emphasises tailored, locally led solutions, recognising the diverse needs of coastal communities\u2014from remote fishing villages to major port cities.<\/p>\n Key measures include:<\/p>\n Background<\/strong><\/p>\n The EU is home to over\u00a04,000 inhabited islands across 16 Member States<\/strong>\u2014including the three island nations of\u00a0Cyprus, Ireland<\/strong>, and\u00a0Malta<\/strong>\u2014where some 17 million people live. These islands are a vital part of the EU’s identity, economy, history and cultural heritage. The EU Islands Strategy builds on extensive public consultation, including stakeholder contributions to a\u00a0Call for Evidence<\/a>, as well as input from the European Parliament, the Committee of the Regions, the European Economic and Social Committee, and island communities, who had long advocated for a dedicated policy framework.<\/p>\n Meanwhile,\u00a095 million people\u201421% of the EU’s population\u2014reside along the 70,000 km of EU coastline or within coastal areas<\/strong>\u00a0across 22 Member States. The EU Coastal Communities Strategy was similarly informed by a public\u00a0Call for Evidence<\/a>, ensuring that local voices shaped its development.<\/p>\n\n
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