The European Union has introduced two comprehensive strategies to support its islands and coastal communities, aiming to improve transportation, end energy isolation, and increase housing availability. These initiatives represent a shift from previous piecemeal approaches to a more integrated strategy for regions that have historically been overlooked, according to EU officials.
Approximately 17 million people reside on over 4,000 EU islands, including Ireland, Malta, and Cyprus, while an additional 95 million people live along the coasts of 22 member states. European Parliament Vice President Younous Omarjee stated that islands have been neglected in the past, a situation that is now changing.
Raffaele Fitto, European Commission executive vice president for cohesion and reforms, highlighted that islands often face higher costs for transport, housing, and public services due to their distance from mainland markets and reliance on air and maritime travel. This "cost of insularity" impacts millions of EU citizens and businesses daily.
The strategy for islands focuses on four key areas: enhancing transportation and digital infrastructure, addressing climate change impacts and energy needs, combating population decline and housing shortages, and strengthening security and crisis preparedness. Fitto noted that islands are situated on the front lines of geopolitical challenges, from the Baltic to the Mediterranean.
While specific project details and funding allocations will be determined by member states upon the release of the EU's new budget, potential priorities include desalination plants and housing construction. The strategy for coastal communities seeks to reduce reliance on single revenue streams by diversifying economic activities and creating new employment opportunities. Fisheries Oceans Commissioner Costas Kadis mentioned proposals such as a blue carbon credit program to fund coastal wetlands and marshes that absorb carbon, and the OceanEye project to advance ocean observation and research.
Coastal communities contribute significantly to the EU's economy, generating an estimated 265 billion euros annually, but they also face pressures from climate change, demographic shifts, and limited access to services. The strategies also propose investments, in collaboration with the European Investment Bank, to enhance the resilience of coastal areas to climate change and extreme weather events.