INSULEUR has submitted its contribution to the European Commission’s Call for Evidence on the forthcoming “Right to Stay Strategy: Your Region, Your Future.”
The initiative, launched by the European Commission, aims to address demographic decline, depopulation, talent outflows and territorial imbalances affecting many regions across Europe. As the representative network of island chambers of commerce and industry, INSULEUR took this opportunity to highlight the specific challenges faced by European islands and to advocate for a stronger island dimension within the future Strategy.
In its Position and Proposals Paper, INSULEUR stresses that for island territories, the “right to stay” is closely linked to territorial cohesion, accessibility, economic resilience, housing affordability, access to essential services and equal opportunities. While islands across Europe differ in size, geography and economic structure, they share a number of permanent structural constraints linked to insularity, including higher transport costs, limited accessibility, demographic pressures and increased vulnerability to external shocks.
Among other, INSULEUR calls on the European Commission to fully recognise these challenges in line with Article 174 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which acknowledges the permanent disadvantages faced by island territories.
The position paper proposes a series of policy recommendations, including:
- the creation of a dedicated island dimension within the Right to Stay Strategy;
- improved transport continuity and accessibility;
- stronger digital and energy connectivity;
- measures to address housing affordability and seasonal pressures;
- enhanced support for SMEs, entrepreneurship and economic diversification;
- policies aimed at retaining young people and attracting skilled workers;
- improved access to healthcare, education and social services;
- greater flexibility in EU funding instruments and State aid rules for islands; and
- the establishment of a permanent governance framework involving island stakeholders in policy design and implementation.
INSULEUR also underlines that the future Strategy should adopt a place-based approach, recognising that island territories require tailored solutions rather than one-size-fits-all policies. In particular, the network advocates for measures that strengthen economic diversification, support innovation, promote sustainable development and reinforce the resilience of island communities.
As discussions on the future Right to Stay Strategy continue, INSULEUR remains committed to working closely with the European Commission, EU institutions and its member chambers to ensure that the specific needs and potential of Europe’s islands are fully reflected in future European policies.
The full INSULEUR Position and Proposals Paper can be consulted HERE.