On June 10, 2026, European Commissioners Raffaele FITTO and Costas KADIS unveiled two new strategies to meet the specific challenges of maritime territories: a European strategy for islands and a strategy for coastal communities. They are part of the European Pact for the Oceans of 2025.
European coastal areas facing growing challenges
Coastal territories occupy a central place in the European economy. They welcome 21% of the population of the European Union and represent major poles of economic activity, especially in the sectors of tourism, fishing, maritime transport and renewable energy and the blue economy.
However, these territories are particularly exposed to the consequences of climate change. Rising sea levels, coastal erosion, more frequent storms and coastal floods directly threaten populations, infrastructure and economic activities.
The Commission also points out that many coastal communities face economic and demographic difficulties. Some regions are experiencing an aging population, an excessive dependence on seasonal tourism or a decrease in activities related to traditional fishing.
According to the Commission, these developments require a coordinated European approach in order to ensure the long-term resilience of coastal territories.
A strategy to strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of the European coastline
The new European strategy for coastal communities is based on three axes.
The Commission first wants to improve the adaptation of coastal areas to climate change. This includes investments in flood protection infrastructure and the restoration of natural ecosystems capable of mitigating risks. Indeed, for every billion euros invested, 14 billion euros of damage are avoided. This axis is intended to complement the recent Ocean Eye initiative.
The focus is also on economic diversification. The objective is to reduce the dependence of certain regions on a few sectors of activity by supporting the development of new sectors linked to the sustainable blue economy. These include renewable marine energies, marine biotechnology, sustainable aquaculture and digital services related to maritime activities. The Commission also intends to encourage the dual tourist use of fishing vessels.
Finally, the strategy aims to improve living conditions in coastal areas. The Commission wants in particular to tackle the housing issue, marked by tensions induced by tourism platforms such as Airbnb. This will have to be aligned with the future act for affordable housing.
Financing and cooperation
One of the central objectives of the strategy is to improve the access of coastal communities to European funding. Several EU funds already support coastal territories, including the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EFMPA) and Horizon Europe’s missions. The Commission now wishes to reflect on the integration of maritime issues in future NRPs, as well as in the tools of the European New Bauhaus, for an integrated and multidisciplinary approach. The Commission also plans to work with the European Investment Bank.
The strategy also provides for a strengthening of dialogue with local actors, national authorities and representative organisations of coastal territories. This cooperation should make it possible to better identify the specific needs of each region and to adapt European policies to local realities.
source : occitanie europe
