The European Committee of the Regions has appointed Noel Formosa, Mayor of San Lawrenz and Vice-President of Gozo Region, as rapporteur for its forthcoming opinion on the newly adopted EU Strategy for Islands. The opinion will represent the voice of Europe's local and regional authorities in shaping the implementation of the strategy, which aims to address the specific challenges faced by more than 17 million people living on over 4,000 islands across 16 EU Member States.
"Europe cannot achieve territorial cohesion if millions of island citizens continue to face structural disadvantages simply because of where they live," said Noel Formosa. "As a representative of Gozo, I witness the realities of insularity every day. The European Commission's new strategy is an important step forward, but it must now translate into tangible measures that improve connectivity, strengthen resilience, create opportunities for young people and ensure that island communities can fully contribute to Europe's future and enjoy the right to stay on their island."
Formosa stressed that despite the clear recognition of challenges faced by island regions under Article 174 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, island communities continue to face permanent structural disadvantages arising from insularity, remoteness, fragmented markets, higher transport costs, demographic challenges and growing climate vulnerabilities. Speaking on the importance of the strategy, Formosa said: "These challenges are not temporary; they are structural and require a structured European response."
Formosa indicated that his opinion will seek to ensure that the EU Strategy for Islands delivers tangible results for island communities through tangible policy and financial instruments. Among his priorities are the introduction of an "Island Proofing" mechanism across EU legislation and programmes; increased investment in sustainable connectivity, digital infrastructure and energy interconnections; and greater support for islands as hubs for innovation in renewable energy, the circular economy, water management and climate adaptation. He also intends to advocate for a dedicated regional chapter on Gozo in the next EU budget framework, ensuring targeted funding for Gozo.
Adopted by the European Commission, the EU Strategy for Islands establishes, for the first time, a coordinated European framework dedicated to island territories. Built around four pillars—economic development and connectivity, energy security and climate resilience, communities and demography, and security and crisis preparedness—the strategy seeks to integrate island needs across EU policies while addressing structural challenges such as geographic isolation, high transport costs, demographic decline, climate vulnerability and limited access to services. It also promotes stronger dialogue with island stakeholders and encourages Member States to develop targeted measures and investments that unlock the long-term potential of Europe's islands.
