At GEYC, we advocate for an EU strategy for islands that mirrors the objectives of our "Europe at the borders" programme by addressing the systemic "peripheral gap" shared by both insular and land-based border regions. We emphasize that the "right to stay" for island youth must be secured through digital empowerment and economic diversification, moving beyond a reliance on single sectors like tourism to foster high-skill opportunities in the blue and green economies.
Our feedback highlights the need for inter-regional mentorship and simplified administrative frameworks to help smaller island authorities overcome capacity constraints and feel meaningfully connected to European decision-making. By treating islands as innovation test beds for sustainability—drawing on GEYC’s experience with youth-led "Enviropreneurship" in the Azores—the EU can ensure these territories become dynamic contributors to a resilient and inclusive Union.
What is the strategy all about?
The proposed EU strategy for islands aims to create a coordinated policy framework to address the long-standing structural, economic, and environmental challenges unique to these territories. Currently, the initiative is structured around four primary objectives:
- economic competitiveness by diversifying traditional sectors and improving digital/transport connectivity;
- sustainability and resilience through decarbonization, renewable energy, and climate adaptation;
- demographic resilience by securing the "right to stay" through better access to public services and housing; and
- security and defense, positioning islands as strategic contributors to infrastructure and border management.
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