The European Commission has adopted two new 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.
The two initiatives introduce a targeted approach, dedicated to the specific needs and unique challenges of 17 million people living on more than 4,000 islands across 16 EU Member States and 95 million people living along the 70,000 km of EU coastlines and in coastal areas across 22 EU Member States.
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.
Find out more about the strategies and read the EC Communications here.