First-ever plans to unlock potential of EU islands and coastal communities

Some 17 million people live on 4,000 islands across the EU, while 95 million people – one fifth of the EU population - live along EU coastlines across 22 EU countries. Both communities are vital assets to our economy but face several challenges: climate change, economic sustainability and growth, and overtourism, to name but a few. The European Commission has presented its first-ever, tailor-made strategies dedicated to support both types of territories and unlock their potential.  

Islands 

Most EU islands share unique realities and challenges like geographical isolation, limited connectivity, high transport costs, small markets and demographic decline. 

To address these issues, the strategy proposes to: 

• boost entrepreneurship, diversify local economies, sustainable tourism, and digitalisation, and tackle connectivity gaps
• accelerate decarbonisation, renewable energy, climate adaptation, and biodiversity protection
• strengthen public services, healthcare, housing, education and social inclusion to reverse depopulation and retain young people
• reinforce resilience against natural disasters linked to climate crisis, maritime risks and other emerging threats. 

The strategy promotes regular dialogue between EU institutions and representatives for the interests of islands. 

Coastal communities 

Europe's coastal communities are at the frontline of climate change, marine and coastal biodiversity loss, and marine pollution. They also face additional pressures, including imbalanced tourism, shortage of affordable housing, seasonality of economic activity and limited job opportunities. 

To address these issues, the strategy focuses on three priorities: 

• prosperity: promote a dynamic, competitive, and diversified blue economy, foster innovation and new business models, and create high-quality job opportunities
• resilience: improve adaptability to climate change and broader environmental, economic, social, and security challenges, for example, through the OceanEye initiative
• liveability: promote vibrant, inclusive, and attractive places where people of all ages can thrive 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. 

Both strategies work in tandem, reinforcing each other to address shared pressures while responding to the unique realities of islands and coastal communities alike. 

For more information

Islands strategy 

Coastal communities strategy  

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