Implementation of EU macro-regional strategies - 5th report

Key points

The EESC:

• recognises the role played by macro-regional strategies (MRS) in generating multi-level synergies between policies, programmes and actors. They have supported the green and digital transitions, and developed significant resilience and solidarity during the pandemic and ongoing crises.
• calls to strengthen vertical and horizontal multi-level governance by ensuring the involvement of local structures.
• welcomes revision processes and calls for the social dimension, civic participation (including youth) and interregional cooperation to be reinforced. The MRS must serve as laboratories for social inclusion and innovation, supporting green taxation and human capital.
• notes the findings of the MRS for the Baltic Sea region (EUSBSR), which has promoted sustainability and connections in the Baltic Sea. The 2021 revision through the Baltic Sea Strategy Point, strengthened cooperation and management. Despite relations with Russia and Belarus being suspended, the strategy remains valid.
• highlights the progress of the MRS for the Danube (EUSDR). The 2020 revision strengthened coherence with the EU’s priorities and youth participation, despite there being inequalities and uneven political commitment. The presidencies have revived innovation and governance.
• highlights the results of the MRS for the Adriatic and Ionian region (EUSAIR), which recently updated its action plan by introducing a fifth social pillar. The strategy integrates enlargement, circular economy and digitalisation, strengthening partnerships and resilience.
• welcomes the MRS for the Alpine region (EUSALP) which consolidated cooperation and stable governance, by extending reach to non-EU countries. The revision integrates priorities concerning digitalisation, energy, water resources and circular economy.
• notes that enlargement to the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova is a strategic priority and that the MRS have the potential to reinforce cooperation, institutional capacities.
• notes that Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine has affirmed the role of MRS as instruments of solidarity and resilience.
• considers the place-based approach adopted by the MRS essential, as it adapts European priorities to specific regional features and promotes cohesion through tools such as community-led local development and innovative initiatives such as the promotion of civic and youth participation.
• calls for governance and funding to be strengthened, integrating MRS’ priorities into the EU’s main programmes. Local skills must be enhanced, partnerships consolidated and civil society and young people actively involved.
• Is of the view, the new MFF (for the period 2028-2034) involves risks for the proper functioning of the MRS. It is therefore crucial that priorities on MRS are included in the partnership plans.
• stresses the need for more transparent, responsible and corruption-free governance in the institutions involved in the MRS.
• calls for the creation of a new macro-regional strategy in the Mediterranean to address common challenges such as climate change, migration flows, the energy transition and blue sustainability.

Practical information

The EU Youth Test at the EESC was applied to this opinion. Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum was chosen by a group of interested youth organisations to represent all of them during the opinion-making process.