INSULEUR Background
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.
1994 - 1999
Founding Conferences
"Economic and Social Cohesion"
"In favour of a Sustainable Community Development Policy for Insular Regions in the European Union"
"The Network of European Islands - Projects and Partnership for Internal Development"
"The Islands of the European Union after Amsterdam - Improving Competitiveness and Representation of Insular Businesses and Territories in the European Union"
Year 2000
Network Establishment
Key milestones in the formal establishment of INSULEUR
- 6 May 2000
Network's articles of association signed
- Chania, Crete, Greece
- 5 October 2000
First General Assembly
- Rhodes, Greece
2000 - 2025
Network Forums
INSULEUR Elects New President as EU Island Policy Gains Momentum
- Brussels, Belgium
The Network of the Insular Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the European Union (INSULEUR) held its General Assembly at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels, ushering in a new era of leadership while celebrating a major milestone in EU island policy
General Assembly & Forum of INSULEUR & Aegean Cuisine Symposium Cyclades 2025
- Syros, Greece
Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of the Cyclades, the two-day event held on 17 & 18/10/2025 gathered representatives from Spain, Italy, Malta, Greece, and Portugal, alongside European and national stakeholders, to highlight how the resilience of island economies depends on the strength of their primary sector – agriculture, fisheries, and local production.
General Assembly of 28.06.2024
- Brussels, Belgium
Joseph Borg, President of INSULEUR, presided over the General Assembly of 28.06.2024, presenting an overview of the Presidency’s activities over the past six months. He emphasized the various initiatives aimed at supporting insular communities, particularly in terms of sustainability and resilience efforts. Borg highlighted INSULEUR’s effectiveness in advocating for island issues and stressed the importance of continued collaborative efforts
The General Assembly and Forum of Insuleur at the EESC
- Brussels, Belgium
INSULEUR General Assembly and Forum
- Athens, Greece
INSULEUR GA and Round Table – Gran Canarias
- Gran Canaria
INSULEUR’s General Assembly took place on the 30th of November 2022, at the Expomeloneras in the Gran Canaria.
Fifty participants from European insular chambers of commerce coming from Spain, Greece, Malta, Portugal, and Italy, attended the General Assembly. This was hosted by the Canary Islands government with the support of the Gran Canaria Chamber of Commerce.
INSULEUR’s Annual General Assembly , 2022
- Brussels, Belgium
During INSULEUR’s Annual General Assembly which was held in Brussels and in hybrid mode on May 23rd, 2022, in Brussels and in hybrid mode, the mandate of the current BoD was extended to one more year whereas a new member was added to INSULEUR’s family: the Cámara de Comercio Gran Canaria.
The GA was followed by a hybrid workshop on insular entrepreneurship and Cohesion, moderated by George Assonitis (INSULEUR-UHCC) and Lina Konstantinopoulou (Policy Director, EUROCHAMBRES).
European Engagement
Working with EU Institutions
Permanent Representation
The Network is in permanent contact with relevant bodies at the European Commission through its permanent representative in Brussels and the members of the Technical Committee, so as to find the best cooperation sectors within the framework of different European projects and initiatives.
CPMR Collaboration
The Insular Chambers of Commerce also take part in work by the Islands Commission at the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR).
Treaty of Amsterdam 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).
Our Vision
The ambition of European Union Chambers of Commerce is 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.