On May 6 and 7, 2025, the 10th Annual Forum of the European Union Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region (EUSAIR) was held in Georgioupolis, a town in northern Crete, Greece. The event marked the conclusion of the Greek Presidency year and was a key occasion to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the EUSAIR Strategy, active since 2014 to promote cooperation, resilience, and cohesion among the countries of the Adriatic-Ionian Macroregion.

The Forum took place within the framework of EUSAIR Strategy activities and the Interreg IPA ADRION 2021–2027 Programme, which, through Specific Objective of Priority Axis 4 – “Supporting the Governance of the Adriatic-Ionian Region” – ensures continuity and support for the Strategy’s implementation during the current EU programming period.

Over the two days, the core themes of the Strategy were addressed, reflecting on the achievements of the first decade and outlining future priorities in the new Action Plan. The thematic sessions followed the five EUSAIR pillars – Blue Growth, Connectivity (Transport and Energy), Environmental Quality, Sustainable Tourism, and Strengthening Social Cohesion – with updates on progress and future perspectives in each area.

For Pillar 2 – Connectivity, the Transport session highlighted the strategic role of sustainable mobility in developing regional tourism, emphasizing the need to bridge accessibility gaps and promote integrated multimodal solutions. The Energy session focused on the transition to low-carbon systems, stressing the importance of cooperation among countries, the use of renewable energy sources, and digital technologies to meet the EU’s 2050 targets.

Special attention was given to youth engagement, with the official launch of the EUSAIR Youth Council (EYC), a new body established to bring young people’s perspectives into macro-regional decision-making. Composed of two members from each Strategy country, the Youth Council aims to raise key issues such as access to education and employment opportunities, promoting active youth participation in shaping the future of the Adriatic-Ionian Macroregion and contributing ideas and proposals to strengthen synergies and structured dialogue.

During the Forum, the third call for proposals of the Interreg IPA ADRION Programme was also presented. With a budget of over €21 million, the call supports projects in smart specialization, green transition, climate resilience, carbon neutrality, and connectivity, aligned with the strategic objectives of EU enlargement, and is open to all countries in the Adriatic-Ionian area.

Participation in the Forum was a significant moment of exchange and sharing, reaffirming the importance of collaborative and innovative approaches to strengthen resilience and promote sustainable development in the Adriatic-Ionian Macroregion.

The Interreg IPA ADRION 2021–2027 Programme supports the implementation of the EUSAIR Strategy under Priority Axis 4 “Supporting the Governance of the Adriatic-Ionian Region”, through three governance projects:

• EUSAIR Facility Point 2023–2027 – coordinated by the Republic of Slovenia, provides technical and administrative support to EUSAIR governance;
• EUSAIR Stakeholders Engagement Point (StEP) – led by the Marche Region, focuses on stakeholder engagement through an interactive digital platform;
• EUSAIR Strategic Implementation Project (SP4EUSAIR) – coordinated by the Republic of Croatia, supports the preparation of strategic projects in the Adriatic-Ionian area.

The Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, through the Office of the President, participates as the Italian partner in the “EUSAIR Facility Point 2023–2027” project, with Informest providing administrative, financial, and logistical support. The project aims to strengthen macro-regional governance by enhancing institutional capacity, coordinating across pillars, increasing the Strategy’s visibility, and monitoring shared priorities.

For more information on the EUSAIR Strategy:
Adriatic-Ionian – EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region (EUSAIR)