The cost of insularity, island-proofing EU policies, stronger governance, better access to European financing and the future of island communities must be at the heart of Europe’s new approach to its islands, Noel Formosa (MT/EPP), Mayor of San Lawrenz and Vice-President of the Gozo Region, stressed as he brought together stakeholders for a consultation on the European Commission’s new EU Strategy for Islands.
Formosa, who is the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) rapporteur on the EU Strategy for Islands, convened representatives of island territories and stakeholders to gather evidence and concrete proposals for his opinion. The consultation forms part of the preparation of the CoR’s response to the European Commission’s first-ever dedicated EU Strategy for Islands, presented in June 2026.
“Europe's islands are extraordinarily diverse. That diversity means there will not always be one solution for everyone. But geographical diversity should be reflected in European policymaking rather than treated as an inconvenience. Islands should also not be viewed exclusively through the language of disadvantage,” Formosa said.
The cost of insularity
Formosa called for better measurement of the cost of insularity, which extends beyond transport to essential services, energy, access to markets and competitiveness, while recognising the different realities of small, large and double-insular territories.
Island-proofing
EU policy EU policies should be assessed through an “island lens”, Formosa argued, calling for stronger territorial impact assessments and specific provisions where necessary to address the permanent constraints of insularity.
Governance with islands
**Europe cannot design effective island policy only for islands. It must design it with islands,” Formosa stressed, calling for island authorities and stakeholders to have a meaningful role in shaping and implementing policies that affect them.
Financing and implementation
Formosa stressed that EU funding must not only be available to islands but accessible in practice, particularly for smaller and double-insular territories. The next MFF and National and Regional Partnership Plans should properly reflect islands’ geographical constraints.
People and island communities
“Behind every discussion about connectivity, funding, demographics or competitiveness are people,” Formosa said, stressing the need to give young people, families and businesses the conditions to build their future on islands.
Background and next steps
The European Commission presented its first dedicated EU Strategy for Islands in June 2026, addressing connectivity and competitiveness, energy and climate resilience, demography and quality of life, security and governance. It proposes, among other measures, better island data, stronger territorial impact assessments, closer dialogue with island authorities and support through future EU funding.
The consultation will feed into Noel Formosa’s draft CoR opinion, scheduled for adoption by the COTER Commission on 19 November 2026 and by the CoR plenary in February 2027.
