The Voice of Europe's Island Economies
29
Member Chambers
14
Island Regions
4.5M
Citizens Represented
INSULEUR and the Representation of Island Businesses’ Needs at the CPMR General Assembly on European Islands, Competitiveness and Connectivity
GTI Academy launches “Empowering Islands” workshops on renewable energy transition
Press Release | INSULEUR Calls for a Dedicated EU Islands Strategy Following High-Level EESC Hearing
NEWSLETTER – Insuleur Voice n.36 is out!
INSULEUR Adopts the Syros Declaration: A Common Position for a Strong and Ambitious EU Policy for Islands Post-2027
Our Mission
Advocating for Europe's Island Territories
The Network of the Insular Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the European Union (INSULEUR) is a not-for-profit association set up in compliance with Greek law which oversees the close cooperation between insular Chambers of Commerce in the EU and aims to promote the economic and social development of islands in the EU.
Policy Advocacy
We represent island interests in EU policy-making, ensuring that legislation considers the unique challenges of insular territories.
Network Coordination
We connect Chambers of Commerce across EU islands, facilitating knowledge exchange and collaborative initiatives.
EU Representation
We maintain dialogue with EU institutions, providing expert input on matters affecting island economies and communities.
“In view of the structural social and economic situation of… the islands… which is compounded by their remoteness, insularity, small size, difficult topography and climate, economic dependence on a few products…”
Our History
Building a Voice for Europe's Islands
In the last decade of the twentieth century, insular problems became the focus of many actions and initiatives at different institutions at a local, national and European level.
Our Vision: To set up, via the Network, an engine for internal insular development in close collaboration with regional and local authorities and insular universities, within the framework of national and community projects, so as to ensure the viability of island economies by developing the competitiveness of insular enterprises.
The Initiative
Following an initiative from the Association of Chambers of Commerce for the Development of Greek Islands (EOAEN), implemented to overcome insular isolation, the Chambers of Commerce in insular regions of the European Union organised a series of foundational conferences.
Founding Conferences & Milestones
Network Forums
- 2000
First Network Forum
- Rhodes, Greece
Sustainable Development of Small and Medium Sized Insular Enterprises in the face of Globalisation
- 2001
Second Network Forum
- La Palma, Canary Islands
- 2002
Third Network Forum
- Cagliari, Sardinia
SMEs and Insular Difficulties: the Activity of Chambers of Commerce and Industry within the Framework of the European Union
European Representation
The Network maintains permanent contact with relevant bodies at the European Commission through its permanent representative in Brussels and participates in work by the Islands Commission at the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR).
Treaty Achievement
Regular cooperation between Members of the European Parliament, representatives from local and regional authorities, and Chambers of Commerce has decisively contributed to including specific arrangements favouring islands in the Treaty of Amsterdam (Article 158 and Protocol 30).
News & Publications
Our History
Building a Voice for Europe's Islands
In the last decade of the twentieth century, insular problems became the focus of many actions and initiatives at different institutions at a local, national and European level.
Our Vision: To set up, via the Network, an engine for internal insular development in close collaboration with regional and local authorities and insular universities, within the framework of national and community projects, so as to ensure the viability of island economies by developing the competitiveness of insular enterprises.
The Initiative
Following an initiative from the Association of Chambers of Commerce for the Development of Greek Islands (EOAEN), implemented to overcome insular isolation, the Chambers of Commerce in insular regions of the European Union organised a series of foundational conferences.
European Representation
The Network maintains permanent contact with relevant bodies at the European Commission through its permanent representative in Brussels and participates in work by the Islands Commission at the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR).
Treaty Achievement
Regular cooperation between Members of the European Parliament, representatives from local and regional authorities, and Chambers of Commerce has decisively contributed to including specific arrangements favouring islands in the Treaty of Amsterdam (Article 158 and Protocol 30).
Founding Conferences & Milestones
Network Forums
- 2000
First Network Forum
- Rhodes, Greece
Sustainable Development of Small and Medium Sized Insular Enterprises in the face of Globalisation
- 2001
Second Network Forum
- La Palma, Canary Islands
- 2002
Third Network Forum
- Cagliari, Sardinia
SMEs and Insular Difficulties: the Activity of Chambers of Commerce and Industry within the Framework of the European Union
EU Relations
Engagement with EU Institutions
INSULEUR maintains continuous dialogue with EU institutions to ensure island perspectives are heard in policy development.
European Commission
Stakeholder consultation participant
Regular contributor to DG REGIO and DG MARE consultations on island-relevant policies.
European Parliament
Intergroup collaboration
Active engagement with the Intergroup on Seas, Rivers, Islands and Coastal Areas.
Committee of the Regions
Recognized stakeholder
Providing expertise on territorial cohesion and island-specific challenges.
The network
Networks
Partnerships & Networks
Collaboration with other European organizations strengthens our collective advocacy for island territories.
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is a European Union consultation body comprising representatives from employers’ organisations, unions and notably farmers, consumers and professional organisations in the European Union.
This non-political body aims to issue opinions in different areas and may be consulted on legislative proposals from the European Commission.
INSULEUR has established close relations with the EESC and, specifically, with the Employer Group. EESC members regularly take part in events organised by INSULEUR. The Network has specifically and actively taken part in the production of the opinion on the initiative dated 10th July 2008 on ‘A Better Integration in the Internal Market as Key Factor for Cohesion and Growth for Islands’.
Eurochambres
Eurochambres is the European Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Its mission is to represent, serve and promote the Insular Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the European Union at European institutions. INSULEUR is a member of Eurochambres.
Further information: http://www.eurochambres.eu
Islands Commission at the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions
The Islands Commission is one of the 6 geographical commissions of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR). Its members represent twenty-four European regional insular authorities.
Insuleur is in regular contact with the Islands Commission of the CPRM.
For further information: https://cpmr-islands.org/
Greening the Islands (GTI)
Greening the Islands signed an agreements for cooperation on the GTI Observatory with INSULEUR in September 2020.
The agreements’ focus is to: develop circular economy opportunities in small islands in Europe and in the rest of the world; disseminate best practises with regard to innovative solutions and promote initiatives aimed at a convergence of island key stakeholders’ positions and raise awareness among institutions to accelerate the sustainable transition.
INSULEUR has joined as member of the Island Advisor Committee, responsible for addressing island needs, in the new structure of the GTI Observatory that includes working groups and task forces on energy, mobility, water, waste, agriculture, blue growth and sustainable tourism.
The first five task forces already operative are: floating offshore wind, EU regulatory framework on batteries, Solar energy – water recycling & desalination hybrid systems, Sustainable Agriculture in small islands, sustainable tourism in the island resort. More details are available HERE.
SMILO (Small Islands Organisation)
SMILO (Small Islands Organisation) is an NGO governed by french law. Its mission is to support small islands measuring less than 150 km² that wish to adopt a more sustainable way of managing their territory. SMILO’s actions cover various transversal themes such as water, sanitation, waste, energy, biodiversity, landscapes and island heritage.
SMILO’s approach is anchored in shared governance and fosters the sustainable development of each territory to the benefit of its population and their environment.
The islands’ dedication is recognised in a label developed by SMILO. The Sustainable Island label constitutes international recognition for small islands that are striving to improve the management and conservation of natural resources. The label aims to highlight conservation challenges on small islands and to promote territories that are veritable “laboratories” with a role to play in ecological transitioning. To support islands as they work towards the label, SMILO grants access to an Islands Fund, which finances concrete, innovative operations on islands.
INSULEUR together with SMILO are part of the GTI Observatory and as members of the Island Advisor Committee, are jointly responsible for addressing island needs, that includes working groups and task forces on energy, mobility, water, waste, agriculture, blue growth and sustainable tourism.
More details available HERE.
Observatory on Tourism for Islands Economy (OTIE)
The aim of the Observatory on Tourism for Islands Economy (OTIE) is to draw up statistical surveys and to produce research documents on tourism in islands.
The activities of the Observatory are focused on updating the Databank on Insular Tourism, creating a Documentation Centre on the islands, conducting studies and research work, organizing forums and seminars and participating in European projects on cooperation and social development. OTIE offers its support in devising strategies and marketing plans on tourism, based on insular realities.
INSULEUR shares strong links with OTIE as well as a successful track of jointly organized public hearings and consultations.
More information HERE.
MEMORANDUM of UNDERSTANDING(s)
Between INSULEUR and the National Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) (April 2020)
Intergroup
An ‘Islands, Mountains and Very Low Population Density Regions’ intergroup has been set up at the European Parliament. The aim of this intergroup is specifically to allow better understanding at European institutions of the reality of these territories and to advocate the flexibility of community policies.
Insuleur actively takes part in the work of this intergroup with partner organisations: the CPMR, the Association of Elected Representatives from Mountain Areas (AEM), Euromontana, NSPA and ESIN.
EU-Funded Projects
INSULEUR participates in EU-funded projects advancing island development and inter-regional cooperation.