On 10 June 2026, the European Commission adopted two dedicated strategies, one for EU islands and one for EU coastal communities, marking the first time the EU has established strategic frameworks for these territories. Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto presented the Islands Strategy, while Commissioner Costas Kadis outlined the Coastal Communities Strategy, which was announced in the context of the European Ocean Pact.
The Islands Strategy addresses the structural economic disadvantages of insularity—higher transport, housing, and public service costs—affecting some 17 million people on over 4,000 inhabited islands, including three EU member states that are themselves islands: Cyprus, Ireland, and Malta. The strategy is structured around four pillars: economic development and connectivity; energy, climate and environment; people, demography and quality of life; and security and crisis preparedness. Concrete proposals include extending the Clean Energy for EU Islands initiative through 2030, launching an in-depth analysis of the cost of insularity, establishing a voluntary platform for island network operators, and assessing islands' situation in the review of relevant State aid frameworks. On housing, the strategy commits to action on affordability and support for young people's mobility. Fitto emphasised that the strategy was shaped by extensive consultation: 358 stakeholders from 18 member states contributed via a formal call for evidence, and the top challenges identified—connectivity, housing, demographic change, energy dependency, access to services—form the strategy's pillars.
The Coastal Communities Strategy targets Europe's 70,000 kilometres of coastline, home to around 95 million people and generating about €265 billion in gross value added annually. It is built around three objectives: Prosperity, Resilience, and Liveability, underpinned by 13 flagship actions. For prosperity, the strategy supports diversification of the sustainable blue economy, including dual use of fishing vessels for pescatourism, and promotes emerging blue bioeconomy innovation such as algae-based fertilisers and a blue carbon credit certification methodology. For resilience, it maps support for climate adaptation strategies, explores with the European Investment Bank investment possibilities for coastal adaptation, and promotes co-management partnerships for marine protected areas. On security, it encourages voluntary reporting of anomalous or suspicious activities at sea by coastal stakeholders. For liveability, it links to the upcoming Pan-European Investment Platform for affordable and sustainable housing and the Affordable Housing Act, and launches a New European Bauhaus Ocean, Coastal and Island Communities Lab.
Both strategies will be formally presented on 26 June in Cyprus, in collaboration with the Cyprus Presidency. Fitto noted that the mid-term review of Cohesion Policy is already redirecting over €1.5 billion to island priorities, and the proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework explicitly recognises the need to address permanent structural constraints, including islands. The strategies are intended as starting points, with implementation to proceed through cohesion policy, the future MFF, and specific tools identified in the documents.
Island residents and businesses stand to benefit from reduced connectivity costs and targeted support, but the absence of immediate funding commitments may delay tangible relief. Coastal communities gain a coordinated framework for blue economy diversification and climate adaptation, though the reliance on voluntary reporting for security and co-management for marine protected areas may limit effectiveness. EU member states with significant island or coastal populations will need to align national policies with the new strategies, potentially increasing administrative coordination. The renewable energy and maritime sectors could see new business opportunities from offshore energy and blue bioeconomy initiatives, but may face additional regulatory expectations on environmental protection and security reporting.