On Monday 23 February, the European Commission launched a call for evidence with a view to developing a new EU strategy for coastal communities.
This initiative, which is part of the ‘European Ocean Pact’, aims to strengthen the resilience and economic growth of these regions (see EUROPE 13654/3).
The public and stakeholders have four weeks, until 23 March, to submit their observations. The Commission wishes to identify the main challenges coastal zones face and the policy priorities to be adopted. It also seeks to assess the effectiveness of existing European policies and their interaction with the national and local levels.
One of the aims of the future strategy is to boost the competitiveness of the blue economy. It will focus on climate change adaptation and protection of marine ecosystems. The aim is also to strengthen social cohesion and access to essential services in coastal areas. The strategy will complement the European Union strategy for islands. Around 90 million people live in the EU’s coastal zones, which are particularly exposed to the effects of the climate. Both strategies are expected to be adopted by summer 2026.
Further details: https://aeur.eu/f/kv8 (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)