On 10 June 2026, the European Commission adopted two new EU strategies – one for islands and one for coastal communities – to address the specific challenges of these territories. The strategies aim to support 17 million people on over 4,000 islands in 16 Member States and around 95 million inhabitants along the EU’s 70,000 km coastline in 22 Member States. The EU Strategy for Islands is structured around four pillars: economic development, connectivity, competitiveness, and innovation; energy security, environment, and climate resilience; communities and demography; and security and crisis preparedness. Key actions include improving transport and digital infrastructure, assessing State aid for islands, extending the Clean energy for EU islands initiative until 2030, and reinforcing resilience against natural disasters and maritime risks. The EU Strategy on Coastal Communities, announced in the European Ocean Pact, is the first specific initiative to address challenges and potential of coastal areas, which generate around EUR 265 billion in gross value added. Both strategies were developed through dialogue with 358 stakeholders from 18 Member States. The Commission commits to implementing these strategies through cohesion policy, the future Multiannual Financial Framework, and specific instruments, working with Member States, local authorities, businesses, and civil society. Over EUR 1.5 billion from cohesion policy mid-term review has already been redirected to island territories. The strategies represent a significant policy development affecting multiple stakeholders: island and coastal residents stand to benefit from improved infrastructure and resilience, while businesses in these areas may gain from enhanced connectivity and innovation support. National and regional authorities will need to coordinate implementation, potentially facing administrative burdens. Environmental groups may welcome the focus on climate resilience, though some may seek stronger environmental safeguards. The Commission's approach balances economic development with security and crisis preparedness, reflecting trade-offs between growth and environmental protection.
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