Brussels - Cooperation has long underpinned European territorial policy. At this year's EU Macro-Regional and Sea Basin Strategies Days, the focus shifted from strategy to delivery.
Held on 8–9 July, the third edition of the event brought together policymakers, regional authorities and practitioners to strengthen cooperation among Europe's four Macro-Regional Strategies - the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR), Danube (EUSDR), Adriatic-Ionian (EUSAIR) and Alpine Region (EUSALP) - and its four Sea Basin initiatives: the Atlantic Maritime Strategy, the WestMED Initiative, the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea and the Greater North Sea Basin Initiative (GNSBI).
Against the backdrop of discussions on the EU's post-2027 budget, the event highlighted how these frameworks are increasingly supporting resilience, competitiveness and the sustainable blue economy.
A milestone for Europe's Sea Basins
For the first time, the four Sea Basin initiatives shared a stand in the Networking Village under the banner "From Strategy to Action: the EU Sea Basin Strategies."
The stand showcased projects from across Europe's maritime regions, encouraging exchanges between policymakers, project partners and stakeholders. Visitors also viewed the new EU Sea Basins video and a photographic exhibition highlighting initiatives in blue economy development, maritime innovation, environmental protection, blue skills and regional cooperation.
Blue Skills in the spotlight
One of the best-attended side events on the opening day focused on Blue Skills, as part of the workshop on social sustainability for the green and digital transition.
Co-moderated by Matteo Bocci, Deputy Team Leader of the EU Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism, and Elise Wattrelot of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR), the interactive session explored how cooperation between education, research and industry can help prepare the workforce for the green and digital transitions.
The discussion also showcased the WestMED Technical Group on Blue Skills, a new initiative bringing together experts and national representatives to strengthen cooperation on education, training and employment across the sustainable blue economy.
Building stronger synergies
On the second day, the panel "Further synergies among the Macro-Regional and Sea Basin Strategies: Cooperation potential at the thematic level," was co-moderated by Matteo Bocci from the EU Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism and Robert Lichtner, Danube Strategy Point Coordinator for the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR).
Bringing together experts and National Hubs from the Atlantic, WestMED and Black Sea regions, alongside representatives of the four Macro-Regional Strategies, the discussion examined practical opportunities for collaboration in areas including green shipping, maritime spatial planning, renewable energy, sustainable tourism, maritime clusters, investment and SME development.
Rather than focusing solely on governance structures, the session highlighted how stronger thematic cooperation can help capitalise on successful projects, increase stakeholder engagement and support the implementation of European policy priorities across sea basins and macro-regions.
Looking ahead
The 2026 Strategies Days demonstrated how Europe's Macro-Regional and Sea Basin Strategies are evolving from coordination platforms into practical delivery mechanisms for European priorities.
The discussions in Brussels will continue beyond the event itself. Technical Groups, National Events and Regional Sea Basin Workshops provide valuable opportunities for Sea Basin and Macro-Regional experts to build on the exchanges, deepen thematic cooperation and identify concrete areas for collaboration. These platforms help transform ideas discussed at European level into practical initiatives involving regions, stakeholders and project communities.
The next milestones will provide further opportunities to strengthen these connections, including the Atlantic–WestMED Conference in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on 15–16 September 2026, and the Common Maritime Agenda (CMA) for the Black Sea Conference on 30 September 2026 in Burgas, Bulgaria. Both events will bring together stakeholders from their respective sea basins to address shared challenges, exchange knowledge and explore new opportunities for cooperation.
From the joint Sea Basin presence in the Networking Village to discussions on blue skills and thematic synergies, the event illustrated the growing value of cross-border partnerships. As Europe prepares its next programming period, stronger collaboration between regions and sea basins will remain central to building a resilient, competitive and sustainable blue economy.
Download the concept note/ agenda for this Synergies session here
Visit the Macro-regional and Sea Basin Strategies days website
Check the Atlantic-WestMED Stakeholder Conference 2026
Check the CMA Black Sea Conference 2026
- Publication date
- 21 July 2026
- Author
- Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries