Komisjoni teatis - COM(2026) 530

EN EN

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 10.6.2026

COM(2026) 530 final

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN

PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL

COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

EU Strategy on resilient, prosperous and liveable coastal communities

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1. Introduction

From fishing communities to coastal cities, the daily lives of 95 million people living in the

70,000 km of EU coastline and within the EU’s coastal areas, are closely tied to the ocean.

The EU’s coastal geography and identity offer unique opportunities. At the meeting point of

land and sea, coastal communities have strong environmental, social and cultural assets and

untapped potential to advance the sustainable blue economy. They serve as testbeds for blue

innovation and new sustainable business models, act as the stewards of coastal and marine

environment, strengthen EU’s competitiveness, restore marine and coastal ecosystems and

safeguard its rich maritime cultural heritage and identity. They play a crucial role as local hubs

of maritime trade, tourism and food and clean energy production.

At the same time, the EU’s coastal communities are at the frontline of climate change, marine

and coastal biodiversity loss, and marine pollution. Unbalanced tourism, affordable housing

shortage, seasonality of economic activity (such as tourism, fisheries), and limited job

opportunities, as well as environmental risks and increasing hybrid threats, pose additional

challenges. Coastal areas are also exposed to security threats due to their geographical location

and are of strategic importance from security and defence perspective in the current tense

geopolitical environment. If left unaddressed, these pressures risk undermining livelihoods,

security and prosperity of coastal communities, with wider consequences for EU’s resilience,

competitiveness and security. EU coastal communities are highly diverse, ranging from small

fishing communities to major industrial port cities, with differing geographies, environments,

governance, cultures and demographic conditions. A “one-size-fits-all” approach is neither

feasible nor effective. As such,development strategies need to be tailor-made, designed and

implemented locally, to reflect specific needs, challenges and opportunities. development

strategies need to be tailor-made, designed and implemented locally, to reflect specific needs,

challenges and opportunities.

In line with the objectives of the European Ocean Pact1, an EU strategy that brings

challenges and opportunities of coastal communities under a single coherent framework

is put forward for the first time. The specific challenges faced by island territories and the

outermost regions are tackled by the EU strategy for Islands2 and the future EU strategy for

outermost regions.

2. An EU approach to coastal communities

As many EU policies and funds affect coastal areas, a coherent approach to their development

and implementation can maximise synergies across maritime, climate, cohesion, social,

research and innovation, energy and environmental policies. EU actions will complement, and

not replace, national, regional and local efforts, in line with the subsidiarity principle.

By placing coastal communities at its core, this strategy provides clear direction, supporting

Member States and stakeholders in planning, programming and implementation – both short

and long term.

An EU approach to coastal communities must start from the needs, and concerns of the people

living at the coast. Based on stakeholders’ consultations3 and an analysis of the risks and

opportunities for coastal communities, the EU approach identifies three strategic objectives

for European coastal communities:

1 COM(2025) 281 final 2 COM(2026) 520 final 3 Including the Call for Evidence, workshops and session at the Ocean days, as well as a dedicated study.

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i. Prosperity. Invest in and ensure local benefits from a diverse and sustainable blue

economy, supported by innovation and new sustainable business models.

ii. Resilience. Continuously adapt to the growing risks posed by climate change and other

environmental, economic, social and security risks, while contributing to

decarbonisation, sustainable practice and GHG emissions reductions across coastal and

maritime activities.

iii. Liveability. Develop vibrant, inclusive and attractive places where people of all

generations can live, work and spend their leisure time, and where maritime culture,

heritage and local identity can thrive.

2.1. Prosperous coastal communities

(1) Strengthening and diversifying traditional blue economy sectors

The EU blue economy directly generates around EUR 263 billion per year in gross value added.

Although it remains underfunded, investment opportunities across blue economy sectors are

gaining momentum.4 Marine knowledge, blue innovations and technologies are already driving

new business models and opportunities. Rapid advances in offshore renewable energy, digital

solutions and ocean observation can translate into local jobs, skills and investment for coastal

communities. Coastal communities can act as blue economy hubs, where innovation drives

competitiveness, reinforcing the EU’s overall economic performance whilst ensuring a

sustainable use of the ocean's natural capital. By focusing investments on regional strengths,

Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) foster collaboration in localand regional blue innovation

ecosystemscreating business growth and jobs in coastal communities. To better connect and

scale innovation in key ecosystems, such as blue biotechnologies, the blue bioeconomy, and

smart circular aquaculture, the Commission will continue to support the S3 thematic platform

for sustainable blue economy.5

The blue economy’s industrial base - including maritime manufacturing, shipping and ports -

remains a major pillar of EU’s innovation capacity, competitiveness and strategic autonomy.

The EU Ports strategy and the European Industrial Maritime strategy (EIMS)6, set out

pathways that translate into new business opportunities and innovation, linked to e.g. green

shipping, offshore energy and logistics. This will create local high-quality jobs through port-

led innovation and industrial clusters, providing at the same time the infrastructure and

connectivity for the competitiveness and security for the EU in its entirety.

Fisheries and aquaculture sectors, including the wider value chain, are the backbone of many

coastal economies. These long tradition professions are deeply rooted in the EU’s cultural

heritage, and vital for the EU’s food supply. Continued progress in sustainable fisheries

management, under the common fisheries policy (CFP), is essential for long-term viability of

the sector, local jobs, fair incomes, food security and generational renewal (bringing younger

people into the sector so it can continue in the future).

The recent evaluation of the CFP Regulation7 shows that progress is not sufficient: fish stock

recovery remains too slow and economic gains too low, among other due to new challenges

including geopolitical developments, climate change and high energy prices. The potential of

sustainable aquaculture is still under exploited. The CFP evaluation will inform potential

reforms to the CFP and serve as a foundation for the Commission's 2040 Vision for Fisheries

4 2023 data from the Blue Economy Report 2025 and The next wave of blue growth – Investor report 2026, resp. 5 Inforegio - Sustainable Blue Economy 6 Resp. COM(2026) 112 and COM(2026) 111 7 SWD(2026) 120 final

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and Aquaculture, a 15-year strategic framework to guide policy development in the coming

decades to strengthen the sectors’ competitiveness, sustainability and resilience. In the context

of the Vision, the Commission will place particular emphasis on the resilience, sustainability

and prosperity of coastal communities.

Coastal tourism, the largest employer in the blue economy, offers direct employment to

millions of people in the EU.8 However, excessive tourism can increase vulnerability to

seasonality, overcrowding, resource and infrastructure strain, and housing challenges. The

Commission’s forthcoming EU sustainable tourism strategy aims to promote more

balanced, resilient and competitive tourism models that benefit local communities and

travellers.

(2) Opportunities for innovation, marine knowledge, and new business models

Marine knowledge, blue innovations and technologies are driving new business models,

delivering local and EU-wide benefits, while advances in offshore renewable energy, digital

solutions and ocean observation can translate into local jobs and investment. Equally, as

outlined above, coastal communities can act as blue economy hubs.

Future blue economy growth will depend on accelerated digitalisation, ocean data exploitation

and better marine and ocean knowledge. Innovative business models, such as predictive

maintenance of offshore assets, as well as dual-use applications, require stronger data and

observation systems. The OceanEye initiative9 will strengthen European and global ocean

monitoring and observation and create new opportunities for coastal communities: It will

improve our knowledge of coastal waters and enhance our ability to assess climate risks

assessment, detect maritime security threats and offer opportunities for the EU’s blue economy.

The OceanEye, in synergy with Destination Earth10, will deliver coastal-scale data and tools,

supporting local innovation in ocean technologies and data services. It will also invest into

fostering a stronger emotional bond between citizens and the sea, and transforming ocean

observation into a civic and cultural tool.

Limited job opportunities and seasonality of economic activity (e.g. in tourism, fisheries)

undermine prosperity in some coastal areas.Innovations and new business models (e.g.

pescatourism, community-supported fisheries, development of local value chains, territorial

branding and low-trophic aquaculture) can support economic diversification. Renewable

marine resources can create jobs and foster local growth within the blue bioeconomy. The

upcoming EU Blue Bioeconomy Innovation Initiative (BlueBIP) will strengthen regional

cooperation and synergies across aquaculture, fisheries, agriculture, research, local authorities,

and bio-based industries, to develop practical value chains such as algae-based fertilisers,

converting fisheries and aquaculture by-products into feed or biomaterials, recovering nutrients

between coastal and farming areas, and low-carbon products from sustainable aquaculture.

These actions can boost economic diversification, resilience, and circular economy goals,

reinforcing links between coastal and inland regions and stakeholders.

Nature credits and blue carbon credits can be mechanisms to reward restoration activities and

reverse marine biodiversity loss while increasing the carbon sequestration. To enable blue

carbon credits to be issued and traded in the future, the Commission will support the

development of a certification methodology of blue carbon ecosystems (for tidal marshes

and seagrass meadows) under the 2024 Carbon Removal and Carbon Farming Regulation

(CRCF). A draft Delegated Act for this methodology is planned by 2028. Besides, as part of

8 The coastal tourism sector employed over 2.7 million people and generated EUR 93 bn in gross value added (EU Blue Economy

Observatory). Data from 2023. 9 OceanEye: Reinforcing ocean observation and protection - European Commission 10 Destination Earth

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the Roadmap towards Nature Credits11, the Commission is structuring a growing portfolio

of projects through its research, innovation and pilot initiatives to test different options,

supported by Horizon Europe, LIFE, Green Assist and other EU instruments.

The Commission is examining the means for collaboration with Member States in a rigorous

common monitoring process that can support reporting and verification for carbon inventories

under the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry Regulation (LULUCF)12 and obligations

under the Nature Restoration Regulation. Mobilising private finance for restoration, monitoring

and management of these ecosystems can reinforce these efforts.

Uses of the marine space (e.g. nature conservation and restoration, energy, fisheries,

aquaculture, shipping, and tourism) are closely intertwined to the development of coastal

communities. As competition for space grows, effective planning is essential, and a

modernisation of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (MSPD) is needed. MSPD

provides a consistent, transparent and evidence-based framework but challenges persist,

including growing climate change impacts, marine pollution, and environmental pressures

from intensified coastal and maritime use, stronger land-sea interactions and need for improved

ocean governance.13 The future European Ocean Act, expected by end 2026, aims to

modernise the MSPD in line with the Ocean Pact’s priorities. It will involve coastal

communities in addressing challenges related to climate change adaptation, the co-existence of

maritime activities, the sustainable use of the ocean's natural capital, and enhanced cross-border

cooperation.

The EU Offshore Renewable Energy strategy14 supports decarbonisation and energy security

and offers opportunities for coastal communities in advanced manufacturing, port upgrades,

supply chain investments, and maintenance services, particularlyfor offshore wind and

increasinglyfor wave and tidal energy. For the EU, it strengthens energy security and

accelerates the phase out from fossil fuels. At the same time, competition for coastal and marine

space and complex planning rules can slow permitting of new energy projects and create

tensions with other uses of land and sea, such as fisheries and nature conservation. To address

these challenges, the European Commission encourages Member States to strengthen

integrated maritime spatial planning and streamline permitting, while securing local value and

public support by costal community involvement Community-Led Local Development

(CLLD) initiatives. Supported with close to EUR 1 bn for the period 2021-2027 under the

European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and complemented by EU

cohesion policy funds, CLLD initiatives already deliver direct benefits to local

communities15 through a bottom-up, participative approach, notably for income

diversification. Beyond CLLD, a place-based approach (including also LEADER and Smart

Villages) can address the specific challenges of insular and coastal areas. Going forward, these

participatory tools should be continued and better integrated in amore multi-sectoral approach

to CLLD, including through the future BlueBIP.

Generational renewal is essential to keep coastal communities vibrant and competitive. Ageing

populations and youth emigration weaken local labour markets, entrepreneurship and key

maritime sectors, such as fisheries, aquaculture or innovative blue industries. Creating quality

jobs, clear career pathways and strong skills offers, as well as reducing administrative burden,

are key to attract and retain young people and to boost innovation. In 2027, the Commission

will propose a Blue Generational Renewal strategy to attract young professionals to blue

11 COM/2025/374 final 12 Regulation (EU) 2018/841 13 COM(2026) 174 final. Second report outlining the progress made in implementing Directive 2014/89/EU 14 COM(2020) 741 final 15 CLLD in fisheries and coastal communities: Achievements and Lessons. FAMENET, 2025

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careers and support long-term sustainability and innovation. In the offshore energy sector, a

partnership under the Pact for Skills will train 124 thousand people in offshore renewables by

2030.

Finally, investment in digital and transport connectivity is vital for economic growth and

access to services in coastal regions. Member States and regions can use cohesion policy

funding to improve both physical and digital connectivity areas. In 2021-27, cohesion policy

allocated EUR 40 billion to support EU’s digital transition targets, largely to close the digital

divide and to boost connectivity. This is mostly prominent in the less developed and remote

coastal regions and territories, particularly for islands, as reflected in the EU strategy for

Islands. The Commission encourages Member States to use existing possibilities under the

Connecting Europe Facility for the remainder of the current programming period (2026

and 2027), and to prepare for implementation under the new multiannual financial framework.

Flagship Actions – The Commission:

▪ in the context of the 2040 Vision for Fisheries and Aquaculture, will place a particular

emphasis on the resilience, sustainability and prosperity of coastal communities.

▪ within the OceanEye initiative, will support coastal stakeholders to make maximum use

of ocean data for their resilience and growth.

▪ will support industry to pilot dual-use solutions and develop EU-wide interoperability

standards for dual-use vessels and technologies, building on OceanEye formats.

▪ in the context of the revision of the MSP framework under the European Ocean Act,

will pay particular attention to the needs of coastal communities

▪ will support the development of a certification methodology as next step toward blue

carbon credits.

▪ will support the creation of blue bioeconomy clusters and value-chains in coastal

communities through a Community Led Local Development approach, within the future

EU Blue Bioeconomy Innovation Initiative.

2.2. Resilient coastal communities

Climate change effects, such as rising sea levels and temperatures, coastal erosion, flooding,

storm surges, saltwater intrusion and ecosystem degradation are increasingly affecting EU’s

coast. They threaten people’s health and safety, infrastructure, water and food security, asset

valuations and risk premia, local economies and the environment. The first European Climate

Risk Assessment16 identified coastal areas among those most exposed to climate risks. These

impacts also place cultural and world heritage sites at growing risk.

Without mitigation and adaptation measures, annual damage from coastal flooding in the EU

could rise sharply from EUR 1.25 billion nowadays to between EUR 93 billion and 961 billion

by the end of the century, affecting 1.5 to 3 million people.17 Yet, every EUR 1 billion invested

in adaptation could cut potential flood damages by EUR 14 billion.18 Coastal resilience is a

core element of the EU’s Climate Adaptation strategy.19 Through the EU Missions:

Adaptation to Climate Change and Restore our Ocean and Waters20, the Commission

helps communities assess climate risks, develop adaptation strategies and implement solutions.

16 European Climate Risk Assessment — European Environment Agency 17 JRC PESETA IV -Task 6 18 UNEP Adaptation Gap Report 2023 19 COM(2021) 82 final., where local adaptation is identified as one of three cross-cutting priorities. 20 EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate change and EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters

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Working in synergy, the Missions advance co-designed, systemic approaches, with particular

attention to nature-based solutions, that strengthen coastal resilience to climate impacts such

as flooding, erosion and sea level rise. By end of 2026, the European Commission will launch

three new flagship Mission Adaptation projects, with EU support of around EUR 30 million.

They will demonstrate integrated adaptation solutions in coastal climate hotspots, where

multiple and compounding climate risks require coordinated responses.

EU funding, including cohesion policy funds, provides significant support for climate action

across Member States and regions in 2021-2027. However, important investment and policy

gaps remain at national, regional and local level. The Commission, together with the

European Investment Bank (EIB), will explore conducting an EU-wide mapping

identification of the existing investment pipelines and potential new investment opportunities

for coastal adaptation, their costs and benefitsin light of future climate change.Furthermore,

the Commission will use EIB technical advisory support (e.g. JASPERS21 and other relevant

advisory mandates) to deliver capacity building support for the preparation of coastal

communities’ investment strategies and projects. These may then be supported by a

combination of EU grants and EIB lending instruments specifically for small and medium sized

authorities in developing climate resilience projects. In parallel, the Commission will foster

cooperation and strategic partnerships between national and coastal communities’

authoritiesusing existing instruments such as the European Urban Initiative, Regio

Peer2Peer Communities, and JASPERS.

To enhance resilience in coastal communities, the Commission has identified several priorities

at EU, national and regional level: (i) improve knowledge and awareness of coastal risks,

supported by OceanEye and its emerging tool the Digital Twin of the Ocean; (ii) better

mapping investment needs; (iii) strengthening investment planning and governance and

clarifying risk ownership across governance levels; (iv) support capacity building to deliver

resilience projects; (v) mobilise investments for climate adaptation and mitigation. These

efforts will build on existing and emerging tools, including Climate-ADAPT, EMODnet and

the Digital Twin of the Ocean. The latter, developed in synergy with the Destination Earth

initiative, will provide near real-time information on ocean and coastal conditions. This will

strengthen the authorities’ ability to anticipate and respond to hazards, map risk, and better

targeting prevention measures to protect people, infrastructure, ecosystems and local business.

Nature-based solutions can also be particularlyeffective, by delivering environmental, social

and economic benefits while strengthening coastal resilience. In 2026, the Commission will

propose a European Framework for Climate Resilience to integrate future climatic risks into

EU policies, investment decisions and risk management. Authorities are therefore encouraged

to integrate sea-level rise and climate risks into coastal management and spatial planning.

Initiatives such as the New European Bauhaus will also support coastal cities through

innovative and replicable resilience solutions, while the forthcoming European Ocean Act

aims to strengthen the integration of climate change into maritime spatial planning.

Co-management involving local stakeholders, especially fishers, in the designation and

management of protected areas, can improve conservation outcomes and the long-term

viability of measures. By combining science with local knowledge, it can increase compliance,

reduce conflict and support climate adaptation. It can also deliver local benefits through

restoration, monitoring and stewardship jobs, as well as revenues from nature restoration and

blue carbon credits. The Commission encourages community-led local development

initiatives in coastal and fisheries areas (FLAGs/LAGs) to support marine stewardship,

21 JASPERS - Joint Assistance to Support Projects in European Regions

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restoration and nature-based projects. Member States are also invited to ensure that coastal

communities are actively involved on decisions pertaining to marine protected areas.

Coastal communities are also central to Europe’s security and resilience. Many are located

along the EU’s external maritime borders and face growing security pressures, including hybrid

threats, sabotage, and risks linked to ongoing conflicts, such as drones and floating sea mines.

These threats can disrupt fisheries, maritime transport, and other economic activities, while

also undermine border surveillance and facilitate cross-border crime. Particular attention must

also be given to the protection and resilience of critical coastal and maritime infrastructure,

including ports, offshore energy infrastructure and submarine cables. Coastal stakeholders,

including fishers, port authorities and local maritime actors, can contribute to maritime

situational awareness through the voluntary reporting of anomalous or suspicious activities at

sea, in line with national frameworks.

In addition, strengthening security and defence in coastal areas is essential to ensure the

protection of critical infrastructure, reinforce surveillance capacities, and enhance rapid

response capabilities in the maritime domain. In this context, advanced digital capabilities such

as Destination Earth and its high-resolution Climate Change Adaptation and Extreme Weather

Events digital twins can support authorities and coastal communities through improved

situational awareness, risk forecasting, early warning systems and the simulation of complex

climate and security-related what-if scenarios.

To strengthen preparedness and cover more communities, the Commission will expand the

CoastWAVE initiative22 by integrating local hazard assessments and customized warning

systems to ensure that alerts reach coastal communities. Thess efforts are aligned with the EU

Maritime Security strategy, the EU Port strategy, and the EU Preparedness Union strategy

and the future European Security strategy, reflecting the need for stronger resilience and risk

awareness across coastal areas. Consistent with these strategies, authorities should strengthen

risk awareness near port areas, so residents can react effectively in the event of incidents.

As ocean stewards, coastal communities play a vital role in protecting marine resources and

ecosystems, while supporting livelihoods, food security and sustainable blue economy

activities. Coastal communities are central to the source-to-sea approach and are essential for

the conservation and restoration of the coastal and marine environment, including the

exceptionally rich biodiversity of the outermost regions.

Ports are key coastal hubs for circularity and pollution control. Under the Ports strategy, the

Commission will support this role by simplifying technical criteria, streamlining permitting

and issuing guidance to Member States.

Despite substantial protection and restoration efforts and the progress made on sustainable

fisheries management, coastal and marine ecosystems remain under heavy pressure from

pollution, eutrophication, overfishing, erosion and climate change. Around 80% of protected

marine and terrestrial habitats in Europe are in a poor or bad condition, and 62% of rivers,

lakes and coastal sites are in poor ecological state.23 This has negative consequences for public

health and reduces the safety and attractiveness of coastal areas. It also undermines the

fundamental sustainability pillar of blue economy sectors, such as fisheries and aquaculture.

More effective implementation and enforcement of environmental EU environmental

legislation remain essential, alongside targeted restoration measures under the Nature

Restoration Regulation.24 By September 2026, Member States are expected to submit national

22 CoastWAVE 2.0 | UCP Knowledge Network 23 The EU’s Environment 2025 EEA, 2025 and Copernicus Marine Ocean State Report (OSR) 24 Directive 79/409/EEC, Council Directive 92/43/EEC, Directive 2008/56/EC and Regulation (EU) 2024/1991.

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restoration plans, marking a key milestone towards more coordinated conservation of coastal

and marine ecosystems. The planned revision of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive in

the forthcoming European Ocean Act aims to strengthen environmental protection, simplify

provisions and strengthen coherence with the EU acquis.

Through Horizon Europe Missions Restore our Ocean and Waters20 and A Soil Deal for

Europe25 the EU is already supporting coastal communities by developing and testing

innovative solutions for restoration, coastal management including water retention and nutrient

pollution and regenerative blue economy practices. The Ocean and Water Research and

Innovation Strategy will help scale the source-to-sea approach by innovating water

management and improving water efficiency. EU funds - like Cohesion Policy funds, EMFAF

and LIFE - already support investments in biodiversity, climate resilience, sustainable water

management, and the circular economy across coastal areas.

Flagship actions - The Commission:

▪ will promote structured co-management partnerships (including fishers) for protected

areas and will support Member States and local authorities to embed stakeholder

involvement in planning, monitoring and periodic review of the plans.

▪ together with the EIB, will explore conducting an EU-level investment mapping for

coastal adaptation, and using EIB technical advisory support to deliver capacity

building support.

▪ will foster cooperation and strategic partnerships between national and coastal

communities’ authorities.

▪ will expand the CoastWAVE initiative to extend local hazard assessments and tailored

warning systems to more communities.

2.3. Liveable coastal communities

Access to healthcare, education, skills, digital and transport connectivity, and affordable

housing, is essential to keeping coastal communities attractive and liveable, especially for

young people. These services are also crucial for ensuring an effective Right to Stay.26 Yet

coastal communities across the EU face very different economic realities and territorial

challenges, especially in rural and remote areas.

The Long-term Vision for the EU’s rural areas27 provides a holistic EU framework to address

these challenges, including the specific needs of rural coastal areas that face geographic

constraints, accessibility gaps and population decline. The first-ever EU Anti-Poverty

strategy adopted on 6 May 2026, and the forthcoming EU Rural Action Plan, to be adopted

later this year, will further support these efforts.

Housing affordability is under particular pressure in certain neighbourhoods, particularly in

cities but also other tourist hotspots28. Rising demand driven by tourism flows, short-term

rentals, secondary homes, vacant dwellings, investment demand or other forms of non-primary

use of housing, increasingly risks displacing local populations and limiting access to housing

for essential workers. Scaling up social housing can be an important policy option for coastal

municipalities. The upcoming Pan-European Investment Platform for affordable and

25 EU Mission : A soil deal for Europe 26 In line with the upcoming Strategy on the Right to Stay. 27 COM/2021/345 final 28 SWD(2025) 1053/2 - Understanding the housing crisis

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sustainable housing will work towards mobilising funding for social and affordable housing.

In parallel, as announced in the European Affordable Housing Plan, the Commission will

propose an Affordable Housing Act to help public authorities identify areas of housing under

stress, and in full respect of subsidiarity, enable them to take proportionate measures to

safeguard housing affordability. Moreover, the Regulation on Short‑term Rentals29 which

applies since 20 May 2026 will bring more transparency and help public authorities, to regulate

the market in a proportionate way by requiring compulsory registration of hosts, and sharing

of data on actual transactions between digital platforms and national authorities. The current

MFF already supports efforts to address shortages of affordable, quality housing with at least

EUR 43 billion30 via Cohesion Policy Funds, InvestEU, LIFE, the Single Market Programme

and Horizon Europe, as well as through NextGenerationEU,while cohesion policy’s mid-term

review enabled the reallocation of an additional EUR 3.3 billion under the ERDF to the

affordable and social housing priority. Looking ahead, the Social Climate Fund will finance

investments for energy efficiency and building renovation and clean heating and cooling. The

Commission encourages Member States to step up investments in housing and associated

services in coastal communities under housing pressure, notablyfor the most vulnerable

groups.

The EU’s coasts are also home to a rich maritime heritage, including UNESCO World

Heritage marine sites31, local traditions, food culture, practices and crafts that sustain

community identity, and intergenerational values. Activities such as small-scale and artisanal

fisheries, aquaculture, shipbuilding and seafaring, are central to the social and cultural fabric.

Their unique contribution to local identity should be recognised at all levels of governance.

Initiatives such as the EU4Ocean Coalition for ocean literacy will continue to raise awareness

of the ocean’s cultural, social and economic significance, highlighting the maritime heritage of

coastal communities, while supporting intergenerational knowledge and ocean stewardship.

The New European Bauhaus (NEB) Facility and the New European Bauhaus Ocean,

Coastal and Island Communities Lab,also offer opportunities for coastal projects that

combine sustainability, design, culture and climate resilience.

The Commission encourages Member States and local communities to continue

promoting blue and maritime heritage initiatives through CLLDs and its FLAGs and other

programmes and initiatives at local and national level.

Flagship actions - The Commission:

▪ will propose an Affordable Housing Act to support public authorities in identifying

areas of housing stress and enable them, in full respect of subsidiarity, to take measures

to protect and promote housing affordability in those areas.

▪ through the new European Bauhaus (NEB) Facility and launching the New European

Bauhaus Ocean, Coastal and Island Communities Lab, will offer opportunities for

coastal projects that combine sustainability, design, culture and climate resilience.

29 Regulation - EU - 2024/1028 30 The European Affordable Housing Action Plan. COM(2025) 1025 final 31 World Heritage Centre - World Heritage Marine Programme

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3. Implementation of the strategy

3.1. Funding

Access to finance for the blue economy is steadily increasing. Through the BlueInvest

Platform, the EU supports start-ups and SMEs to develop and scale innovative ocean

technologies and services, including in coastal areas, by providing coaching, investor

matchmaking and fundraising support. The blue economy investment instrument - backed by

EMFAF and InvestEU and implemented by the European Investment Fund (EIF) - aims to

mobiliseup to EUR 1 billion in equity investment by 2028. Moreover, the European Investment

Bank (EIB) also plays a key role, with average annual investments of about EUR 2.6 billion

in blue economy and coastal protection projects.

Stronger collaboration and synergies with National Promotional Banks and other

multilateral financial institutions can help further coastal business and communities access

funding, technical advisory services and capacity-building support. The EU Taxonomy

Regulation also helps direct investment towards activities contributing to the sustainable use

and protection of water and marine resources.32 Furthermore, legislative programmes33 will

play a central role in unlocking private capital. By reducing the cost of long-term equity

investments and recognising the risk-reducing effect of EU or national guarantees in capital

requirements, these legislative programmes can encourage investments.

EU cohesion policy, the Common Agricultural Policy and maritime policies continue to

support sustainable development across coastal regions, complemented by capacity-building

initiatives, such as TAIEX-REGIO Peer2Peer34 and FAMENET for Local Action Groups.

Looking ahead, the proposed 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework offers new

opportunities for Member States and regions to strengthen coastal communities. Member States

are encouraged to align their National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs) with the

objectives of this strategy and, in partnership with regional and local authorities, support

place-based solutions tailored to local needs. The proposed European Competitiveness Fund

(ECF)35 could also support investment and innovation in sustainable blue economy sectors.

The Commission will fund, as part of the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership36 under

Horizon Europe, more than EUR 450 million by 2027 in over 43 R&I projects supporting a

climate-neutral, sustainable, and competitive blue economy, including dedicated support for

resilient coastal communities and businesses. By end-2026, local and coastal communities will

also be involved in a call for technicalsupport to help prepare transition agendas under the

Mission Ocean and Waters37so that projects and investments reflect local needs.

3.2. Governance

Effective support for coastal communities depends on strong multilevel governance approach

and close collaboration among local, regional, national and EU authorities. The meaningful

involvement of local and regional actors in policy design and implementation is essential to

reflect local needs and help achieve EU priorities.

The EU has established territorial cooperation structures and dialogue platforms linking coastal

communities with regional and national authorities, ports, industry, academia and civil society,

such as the EU Sea Basin Strategies and the EU Macro Regional Strategies. These

32 Regulation (EU) 2020/852 33 C(2025) 2731 final 34 Inforegio - TAIEX-REGIO Peer2Peer 35 COM(2025) 555 final 36 Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership 37 Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027.

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frameworks help translate EU priorities into “place-based solutions” that strengthen

environmental sustainability, economic diversification and regional value chains.

By 2027, the Commission and Atlantic Member States will work on updating the Atlantic

Maritime strategy, including the possible development of a new macroregional framework for

the Atlantic region. In parallel, the Commission, together with the Union for the Mediterranean

and Eastern Mediterranean partners, will develop a new sea basin strategy to support a

sustainable and competitive blue economy in the region.

Initiatives such as the European Maritime Day, including the annual campaign of local events

“EMD in my country”, help connect local communities with EU opportunities and policy. The

EMD Blue Cities network willstrengthen cooperation among European coastal and port cities

to promote sustainable maritime policies, innovation, and healthy marine environments.

At the same time, substantial gaps remain in the collection of local-level socio-economic and

environmental data on coastal communities. Using existing harmonised statistical definitions,

classifications and data collection frameworks, Eurostat alongside other Commission services

will aim to close these gaps to help local authorities and stakeholders to better target measures,

prioritise investments and strengthen resilience.

Flagship action - The Commission:

▪ will update the Atlantic38 Maritime strategy with Atlantic Member States, including

considering a new Atlantic macro-regional framework, and will present, together with

the Union for the Mediterranean and Eastern Mediterranean partners, a new Eastern

Mediterranean sea-basin strategy to support a sustainable, competitive blue economy.

4. Conclusions

EU coastal communities are central to the EU’s economic prosperity, climate resilience and

cultural heritage. The Commission’s strategy for prosperous, resilient and liveable coastal

Communities, sets out the key opportunities to strengthen these areas and support their long-

term development. The strategy places people at its heart and provides a coherent

framework to better connect relevant EU policies. It also builds synergies with existing

initiatives, notably the EU strategy for islands and the EU strategy for outermost regions.

The Commission will work with Member States to align future policies and funding

instruments with coastal communities' specific needs and ensure efficient implementation.

With the Council Presidency, the Commission will convene a high-level conference on

Islands and Coastal Communities on 26 June 2026 to kickstart the implementation of both

strategies.

Overall progress will be assessed transparently and periodically through the Ocean Pact

dashboard and the State of the Ocean Pact Report.