Commission presents first-ever EU strategies for islands and coastal communities

Commission presents first-ever EU strategies for islands and coastal communities

On 10 June 2026, the European Commission has published its first-ever EU Strategy for Islands and Costal Communities, a landmark initiative designed to address the unique challenges faced by over 4000 inhabited islands across 16 Member States, home to 17 million people. It marks a significant step toward a cohesive, tailored approach to unlock the long-term potential of these vital territories, and builds on an extensive public consultation, including input from the European Parliament, the Committee of the Regions, the European Economic and Social Committee, and island communities themselves. It aligns with the European Ocean Pact (2025) and complements broader EU policies on climate action, cohesion, and sustainable development.

Strategy for Islands

The EU Strategy for Islands recognises the interconnected pressures that impact the economic sustainability and quality of life on islands, including:

    • Geographical isolation and limited connectivity
    • High transport costs and travel times
    • Small, fragmented markets and overdependence on tourism
    • Excessive reliance on fossil fuels and climate vulnerability
    • Demographic decline, water scarcity and reduced access to essential services
    
To transform these challenges into opportunities, the strategy adopts a holistic, integrated approach, ensuring that the specific needs of islands are fully reflected in future EU proposals and aligned with broader priorities.

The strategy is structured around four pillars to strengthen economic opportunity, quality of life and resilience:

  1. Economic development, connectivity, competitiveness and innovation: Boosting entrepreneurship, diversifying local economies, promoting sustainable tourism and digitalisation and addressing connectivity gaps. 
  2. Energy security, environmental protection, and climate resilience: Accelerating decarbonisation, renewable energy adoption, climate adaptation and biodiversity protection.
  3. Communities and demography: Strengthening public services, healthcare, housing, education and social inclusion to reverse depopulation and retain young people.
  4. Security and crisis preparedness: Reinforcing resilience against natural disasters, maritime risks and emerging threats linked to the climate crisis.

The strategy promotes regular dialogue between EU institutions and island stakeholders, alongside technical support measures, such as capacity building and the exchange of good practices. Member States are invited to include targeted measures for island development in their National and Regional Partnership Plans, particularly in areas like connectivity, services, and infrastructure. Additionally, they are encouraged to develop territorial investment tools to promote integrated strategies and cooperation.

Strategy for Coastal Communities 

The EU Strategy for Islands has been developed alongside a complementary Strategy for Coastal Communities. It focuses on three priorities:

  • To drive prosperity, it promotes a dynamic, competitive and diversified blue economy, fostering innovation, new business models, such as pescatourism, the bioeconomy and offshore renewable energy and creating high-quality job opportunities.
  • To strengthen resilience, it enhances adaptability to climate change and broader environmental, economic, social, and security challenges, notably through the implementation of the recently presented OceanEye initiative.
  • To enhance liveability, it promotes vibrant, inclusive and attractive places where people of all ages can thrive, working, living and enjoying their surroundings, while safeguarding maritime culture, heritage and local identity.

The strategy emphasises tailored, locally led solutions, recognising the diverse needs of coastal communities, from remote fishing villages to major port cities. Key measures include:

  • Empowering coastal communities in maritime spatial planning through the upcoming Ocean Act, promoting the sustainable use of the ocean's natural capital, fostering climate adaptation and unlocking opportunities for sustainable growth.
  • Supporting blue bioeconomy clusters and supply chains in coastal areas through local community-led projects, as part of the future EU Blue Bioeconomy Innovation Initiative.
  • Developing a certification system for blue carbon credits to create new opportunities for blue economy services and income for coastal communities.
  • Advancing climate resilience through increased risk assessments, investment mapping and capacity building support for coastal adaptation, involving the European Investment Bank and the EU Missions on Adaptation to Climate Change and Restore Our Ocean and Waters.

Background 

EU Outermost Regions are not covered by the EU Strategy for Islands, as they are addressed in a separate, dedicated framework that recognises their unique status under Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

Get involved in ERRIN's work in Blue Economy

ERRIN's Blue Economy Working Group closely monitors the policy developments in this field and offers a platform for exchange between members. In addition, ERRIN is leading the Coalition of Waterfront Cities, Regions, Islands and Ports as part of the CO-WATERS project supporting islands and waterfront cities, regions and ports in the framework of the EU Mission to Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030.  ERRIN is furthermore supporting local stakeholders in community-led actions and the development of their transition agendas in the BlueActionBANOS project. 

Two open opportunities for ERRIN members

  • Members who are interested in coastal matters, are warmly encouraged to become a member of the vibrant community of the Coalition of cities, regions, islands and ports for the Mission Ocean and Waters. You can find more information here and sign up for the Coalition here. 
  • Get in touch with the ERRIN Secretariat by 30 June at the latest with your inputs for the European Commission public consultation on the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive and the Ocean Act. 

For more information, you can get in touch with ana.nava@errin.eu. 

Copyright of the picture goes to the European Commission.