By Martin Banks

Europe’s islands have sent a clear message: “there is no European future without us.”

Representatives from Europe’s islands gathered in Cagliari, Sardinia (28-29 April) to address the future EU strategic framework for islands and outermost regions and advance concrete political proposals.

Alessandra Todde, President of the Autonomous Government of Sardinia, highlighted the importance of stronger political recognition for island territories.

Todde said, “Together with the CPMR and its Islands commission we have been working to raise the rights of the Islands and achieve an EU dedicated Islands strategy.

“We need rules that are flexible enough and give us the power to decide on territorial policies such as state aids, transport, and cohesion. The EU must listen to the insular voices; its future cannot exist without them.”

Following a “constructive and collaborative” process, islands members of the CPMR submitted contributions to the European Commission’s calls for Evidence on both the EU Strategy for Islands and the revision of the EU Strategy for Outermost Regions.

The declaratin reflects the conclusions of these discussions, which led to the identification of key priorities and targeted proposals on governance and implementation, with a strong focus on enhanced multi-level cooperation and a reinforced place-based approach.

At the opening of the CPMR Islands Commission general assembly, Filip Reinhag, President of the CPMR, Regional Commissioner in Gotland, underlined the importance of moving forward decisively, “Every policy, every strategy, must be rooted in the realities of those who call islands home.

“We are not just stakeholders; we are the storytellers, the guardians, and the innovators of our own future. This strategy is more than a document; it is a tryst between islands and Europe. Now comes the more challenging and creative part: mobilising to turn the strategy into actions that can truly transform our island communities, secure our resilience and our right to stay.”

In particular, the long-awaited EU Strategy for Islands represents a key milestone, paving the way for the first truly coherent and tailored European framework for insular territories. Regional leaders from EU Islands call for an integrated approach, including the systematic “island-proofing” of all EU policies, to ensure effective EU policy action that fully reflects islands challenges and opportunities.

Marie-Antoinette Maupertuis, President of the Assembly of Corsica, and President of the CPMR Islands Commission reaffirmed this priority, “An islands strategy cannot be yet another declaration or a mere stocktaking of their situation.

“We need a genuine insularity clause and test, capable of recognising and anticipating the differentiated impact of European Union policies on islands. The time has come to move from legal recognition to action, from principle to implementation.”

Looking ahead to the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, Europe’s islands stand at a decisive crossroads between recognition and concrete action.

Fully integrating the unique realities of insularity into EU policymaking will be essential to unlock their full potential. As hubs of innovation and “living laboratories”, islands are at the forefront in delivering a fair, green and social transition while contributing to Europe’s competitiveness, maritime dimension and strategic resilience in an increasingly complex global context.