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Europaudvalget 2025
KOM (2025) 0191
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EUROPEAN

COMMISSION

Brussels, 7.5.2025

SWD(2025) 114 final

COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT

Accompanying the document

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN

PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL

COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

on the revised Action Plan of the EU Macro-Regional Strategy for the Adriatic and

Ionian Region

{COM(2025) 191 final}

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Revised EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region Action Plan

(version 5 March 2025)

I.I

I.II

I.III

I.IV

I.V

INTRODUCTION

IM OF THE REVISION

ORIZONTAL

CROSS

CUTTING TOPICS

OVERNANCE

FUNDING

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

CTION PLAN AS ROLLING IMPLEMENTATION TOOL

RGANISATION OF THE ACTION PLAN

PILLAR 1

–BLUE

SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY

101

1.1 T

OPIC

–

LUE AND GREEN TECHNOLOGIES

1.2 T

OPIC

–

ISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE

1.3 T

OPIC

–

ARITIME AND MARINE GOVERNANCE AND SERVICES

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

PILLAR 2

–

CONNECTING THE REGION

OPIC

–

ARITIME TRANSPORT

OPIC

–

ULTI

MODAL CONNECTIVITY

OPIC

–

RBAN NODES

OPIC

–

NERGY NETWORKS

OPIC

–

ECARBONISING THE ENERGY SYSTEMS

PILLAR 3

–

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

3.1 T

OPIC

–

ARINE AND COASTAL ENVIRONMENT

3.2 T

OPIC

–

RANSNATIONAL TERRESTRIAL HABITATS AND BIODIVERSITY

PILLAR 4

–

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

4.1 T

OPIC

–

ACILITATING DIGITAL AND GREEN TRANSITION OF THE TOURISM AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OFFER

102

4.2 T

OPIC

–

REPARING FOR THE FUTURE

KNOWLEDGE

SKILLS AND MANAGEMENT

111

4.3 T

OPIC

- G

REENING OF

OURISM PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

118

5.1

5.2

5.3

5.4

PILLAR 5

–IMPROVED

SOCIAL COHESION

OPIC

–

OUTH ENGAGEMENT AND EMPLOYMENT

OPIC

–

ROMOTING SKILLS ACQUISITION FOR FUTURE LABOUR MARKETS

OPIC

- E

QUAL OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LABOUR MARKET

OPIC

- S

OCIAL

NNOVATIONS

ANNEXES

126

128

132

137

141

145

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List of abbreviations

EUSAIR

ICT

ICZM

IPA

MSP

REMPEC

SMEs

TEN-E

TEN-T

UNECE

European Union

EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region

Information and Communication Technology

Integrated Coastal Zone Management

Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance

Maritime Spatial Planning

Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea

Small and medium-sized enterprises

Trans-European Networks for Energy

Trans-European Networks for Transports

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

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Introduction

The EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian region is a macro-regional strategy adopted by the

European Commission and endorsed by the European Council in 2014. The original Strategy was

jointly developed by the Commission and the Adriatic-Ionian region countries and stakeholders,

which agreed to work together on the areas of joint interest for the benefit of each country and the

whole region.

The participating countries include four EU Member States, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, five EU

candidate countries, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and

one non-EU country, San Marino.

The objective of the Strategy is to promote effective multilevel and cross-sectoral cooperation for an

economically prosperous, socially inclusive, well connected, more integrated, green and liveable

Adriatic-Ionian region. The participating countries agreed on areas of mutual interest with high

relevance for the Adriatic-Ionian region, covering both joint challenges and joint opportunities.

The action plan helps the Strategy

to go from ‘words to actions’ by identifying the

key priorities for

the Adriatic-Ionian region. The first action plan was agreed in 2014 when the Strategy was launched.

Since then, new priorities, challenges and opportunities have emerged

–

which need to be addressed

through joint actions in the Adriatic-Ionian region

–

the process of the revision of the action plan

started in January 2022. This revision of the action plan takes into account the priorities set in the UN

Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals, EU policies supporting green and digital transition

as well as building just and inclusive Europe on the principles of European Pillar on Social Rights; the

changed circumstances and perspectives of EU enlargement; enlarged membership in the Strategy

revision as well as experience concerning the capacities of the Strategy community in putting the

Strategy into practice.

The participating countries have set the goal to facilitate the accession process through the revised

action plan and following this, unlock the full potential of the Adriatic-Ionian region. Joint actions

comprise building networks, offering mutual learning, striving for harmonisation, aligning policies,

building capacities, strengthening civil society and voluntary service, to highlight some examples. The

revision of the action plan has been subject to an open public consultation, helping to draw lessons

from the experiences and inform the proposals of the revised action plan. The action plan outlines

the way for all involved stakeholders to cooperate on specific topics, priorities and actions to achieve

the objectives of the Strategy as a whole and in particular those of the pillars. The drafting process

involved a wide range of stakeholders from the Adriatic-Ionian region representing national, regional

and local authorities, but also the private sector, academia and civil society. The revised action plan is

therefore a multilevel approach where the role of the governance system of Thematic Steering

Groups of the Pillars and the Governing Board played a very crucial role, from the drafting of the Plan

up to its implementation.

The implementation of the action plan is the responsibility of all, at country, regional, and

local/municipal level, within each participating country. The governance system oversees

coordination, monitoring and implementation. The Governing Board is the main decision-making and

coordinating body, providing strategic guidance for the implementation, monitoring the progresses

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achieved, evaluating the results, and adjusting the Strategy to new challenges. National coordinators

ensure an effective link in each country with the relevant bodies involved in the implementation of

the Strategy. For each pillar, a Thematic Steering Group, composed of appointed representatives of

participant countries will work closely with their counterparts in the other countries. To ensure even

stronger commitment, the Strategy governance’s architecture has been revised, better defining the

roles and responsibilities and improving coordination between the strategic, thematic and

operational level of the Strategy as well as strengthening the involvement of regions, local

administrations, academia, research, economic actors, civil society and other stakeholders in the

Strategy’s implementation. The Strategy Facility Point, the Stakeholders Engagement Point and the

Strategic Project Development project act as a technical structure providing assistance and support

to the Governing Board, the Thematic Steering Groups and the relevant stakeholders, each with its

functions.

The Thematic Steering Groups have pillar coordinators to ensure an effective implementation of the

actions included in each pillar. This involves securing agreement on an implementation plan

associated to a timetable and a list of indicators for monitoring and evaluating progresses achieved,

and ensuring close contacts between project promoters, programmes and funding sources. This work

aims at being transnational, inter-sector and interinstitutional.

I.I

Aim of the revision

Starting point of the revision process was the political mandate expressed in the Izola and Tirana

Declarations, the findings of the Strategy evaluation, relevant Commission reports, experience of the

participating countries, the proposals of Thematic Steering Groups and stakeholders and the

outcomes of the public consultations. The Sarajevo

and Šibenik

Declarations, signed during the

revision process, were even more specific, welcoming the fifth, social pillar in the Strategy,

highlighting its importance in helping regions to adjust to ongoing demographic, industrial, and

geopolitical challenges, acknowledging the need for stronger mobilisation of funds and appropriate

monitoring tools to evaluate impact of the Strategy and emphasising regional cooperation and

integration in equal opportunities, empowerment of women, youth engagement and UN Sustainable

Development Goals. On this basis, the action plan has been revised to adapt to the changes in its

membership and to respond better to current challenges and opportunities.

The revision process made it possible to better align the Strategy and envisaged actions with EU

priorities and strategies, shared management funds e.g. cohesion policy funds, Common Agricultural

Policy funds, European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, Interreg, etc.) as well as EU direct

or indirect management funds such as IPA Funds, Horizon Europe, Life, Erasmus+ etc. The Economic

and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and other

targeted Western Balkans investment plans or instruments were also considered. As a result, the

revised action plan targets a mid-term future of 2030.

In light of these aims and time horizon, the existing pillars of the Strategy have been revisited,

adjusted and supplemented with introduction of one more pillar. This has resulted in the following,

pillars:

•

Pillar 1

–

Blue sustainable economy

addressing the need to strengthen emerging

technologies and innovation in the field, as well as sustainable fisheries and aquaculture and

progress on joint actions in the field of maritime and marine governance and services. The

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•

focus goes beyond the immediate marine and maritime areas; it also involves inland water

resources such as rivers and lakes.

Pillar 2

–

Connecting the region

addresses the need to strengthen and interlink sustainable

energy and transport networks and services in the region, reducing bottlenecks and

developing necessary regulatory frameworks. Coordinated monitoring of maritime traffic and

multi-modal transport and energy services will increase

region’s

competitiveness. The focus

goes beyond the major energy and transport infrastructure networks; it also involves urban

nodes of the region in order to reconcile their economic and demographic growth with

environmental sustainability and people accessibility to services and innovations, particularly

in suburban and rural areas. A particular emphasis is given to the need to also progress on

the transition to green (carbon neutral and zero pollution) and digital solutions.

Pillar 3

–

Environmental quality

sets out actions to improve the marine and costal

environment and transnational terrestrial habitats and biodiversity, by further strengthening

the development and use of common platforms and tools for data exchange and joint

monitoring, supporting cross-border and transnational aspects of Integrated Coastal Zone

Management and Maritime Spatial Planning, strengthening the exchange and dissemination

of experience and the development of new innovative solutions for climate change

resilience.

The environmental consequences of climate change need to be reflected in the

shift of risk perceptions to extreme weather conditions, ecological disasters, loss of biological

diversity, natural disasters and failure to mitigate climate change.

Climate change with

special regards to adaptation and nature conservation is determining the scope of work of

this pillar. Environmental and climate change risks have to be recognised and included in

everyday activities.

Pillar 4

–Sustainable

tourism

takes into consideration all the key dimensions of economic,

environmental, cultural and social sustainability. The focus includes the digital and green

transition of the tourism ecosystem considering relevant sectors and different public and

private actors. It also promotes innovative ways for developing sustainable tourism. The

overall objective is to develop the full potential of the region in terms of innovative,

sustainable, responsible and quality tourism. Diversification of tourism products and services,

along with tackling seasonality, will boost business and create jobs.

Pillar 5

–

Improved Social Cohesion

promotes social progress concerning labour market

opportunities for the whole society and for future generations. In doing so, it promotes the

importance of the European social model, and of solving social challenges that transcend

national borders. An important focus is on skills, education and youth. The aim of the social

pillar is to align the Adriatic-Ionian region with the EU strategies and policies for

strengthening focus on social change, and pair the green and digital transition with social

transition. It contributes from the macro-regional context to achieve equal opportunities,

empowerment of women, youth engagement, upskilling, reskilling, and access to the labour

market, as well as fair working conditions and social protection in the whole region.

Cooperation between participating countries may inter alia include exchange of experiences,

coordination of policy measures, definition of priorities and standardisation of approaches to

solving social challenges that transcend national borders. The social pillar will also work as a

response to the requirements of the European Pillar of Social Rights, and it will also tackle

the human rights dimension of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans.

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While the first four pillars are further developed based on the past action plan, the fifth, Social

Cohesion pillar has only been decided upon in May 2023. Therefore, its content will be further

developed and detailed.

The

action plan revision process

took place between January 2022 and July 2024. The revision

process was led by relevant Presidencies (Albania from January to May 2022, Bosnia and Herzegovina

from June 2022 to May 2023 and Croatia from June 2023 to May 2024) supported by the Facility

Point and included a wide range of relevant stakeholders of the Strategy community. Pillar

Coordinators and members of the Thematic Steering Groups for each pillar, the Governing Board and

National Coordinators were involved. A specific Revision Working Group has been established by the

Governing Board, with representatives of each participating countries appointed by National

Coordinators. The group provided guidance to the Facility Point and approved the work done at each

step of the process.

The revision process also included moments of consultation, where stakeholders other than those

directly involved in the Strategy were asked to provide inputs and comments.

The most important steps and milestones of the revision process were:

•

The first draft of the roadmap (January 2022)

Engagement of an external expert that facilitated the revision (February

–

March 2022)

M1: Agreement on the process (February to November 2022)

Launch of Strategy-level public consultation with key stakeholders and interested general

public including youth (May

–

June 2022)

Strategy-level public consultation report published (September 2022)

Establishment of a Revision Working Group (October/ November 2022)

Launching of the internal Strategy consultation phase on the relevant Strategy levels

(October 2022-January 2023)

M2: Agreement on the action plan pillars, topics, structure, governance (February-May 2023)

Second round of thematic consultation (March-June 2023)

M3: 1 Draft action plan (June 2023)

Gathering feedback from regional, national and Commission levels (July-September 2023)

Final round of internal Strategy consultation (February 2024)

M4: Input document for Commission action plan Staff Working Document (May 2024)

I.II

Horizontal & cross-cutting topics

The pillars are highly interrelated due to the broad and interdisciplinary nature of the challenges and

opportunities addressed by the Strategy. Therefore, the Strategy encourages an integrated or

transversal approach highlighting interdependences between its pillars.

Accordingly, the revised action plan identifies horizontal and cross-cutting issues that should be

addressed appropriately under the respective pillars and integrated when appropriate into the

actions implementing the action plan.

The following

horizontal topics

need to be addressed by all pillars and topics:

•

Enlargement.

The enlargement of the EU to include the Western Balkan candidate countries

is a central development feature in the region. The Strategy is consistent with the EU

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•

enlargement policy framework. All pillars and all their topics, where relevant, must support

the enlargement process of the candidate countries in the Adriatic-Ionian region and

complement their Reform Agendas by accelerating their alignment with Union values, laws,

rules, standards, policies and practices (‘acquis’) through investments and reforms

as part of

their work to become EU members. The candidate countries should accelerate their

economic integration and foster their progressive integration into the EU, in particular with

respect to socio-economic convergence with the EU and the EU single market. The

implementation of the Strategy builds on the substantial investments and reforms through

the Economic and

Investment Plan and the ‘New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans’, to

assist the Adriatic-Ionian region in implementing reforms for sustainable economic growth,

regional integration, and the Common Regional Market. The revised action plan is fully

compatible with the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, notably

regarding climate action, including decarbonisation, energy and mobility, as well as its strong

focus on digitalisation. It is also aligned with the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, in

particular with the focus on regional energy integration and diversification towards

renewable energy. Simultaneously, it aims to accelerate the region’s transition to green

economy. Chapters 22 (regional policy) and 27 (environment) of the

acquis

have pivotal roles

in guiding the Western Balkans’ efforts towards sustainable growth. The implementation of

these chapters requires significant administrative capacities, including at the local level

responsible for the implementation of large parts of the

acquis,

and strategic planning that

the Strategy will help to develop. The Strategy will thus complement the negotiating

framework and the other non-financial and financial instruments deployed by the

Commission to accompany the candidate countries towards membership.

Capacity building.

Administrative capacity at all levels, governance and the involvement of

civil society in policy making are preconditions for economic and social prosperity and

cohesion. Therefore the revised action plan builds on a coherent set of targeted priorities

prepared by each participating country, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including

partner countries’ local and regional representative bodies and authorities, social partners

and civil society organisations. All pillars and all their topics, where relevant and necessary,

must contribute to capacity building and to the quality of governance in the region. In

particular, policy coherence for sustainable development must be taken into account in order

to allow for the five pillars to be carried out in a mutually supported and integrated way.

Research, innovation and development.

Future oriented development requires research to

generate knowledge and innovation to translate innovations into new products, markets,

and services. The revised action plan is designed to align science and research in the

candidate countries with European Research Area, promoting Open Science by granting

Western Balkans partner countries’ researchers’ free access to the research publications. By

these measures the Strategy

will aim to improve candidate countries’ places in the European

Innovation Scoreboard and support innovative SMEs and start-ups to take-up the potential of

the green and digital solutions. All pillars and all their topics, where relevant, must contribute

to strengthening research and innovation and link actions to relevant national and regional

smart specialisation strategies. This should be done through better and stronger cooperation

between national and regional governance structures responsible for smart specialisation

strategies. This networking and coordination should widen research and development and

innovation potential and help to achieve a critical mass within the Adriatic-Ionian region,

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transforming the existing value chains and creating new ones as well as enabling steeper

progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Strategy does not have its

own financial resources and funding for actions and projects; it has therefore to come from

existing financial instruments, including, among other programmes, Horizon Europe. In the

context of the Horizon Europe work programme 2026-2027, the Strategy will seek the

inclusion of specific actions for the region to strengthening innovation ecosystems in the

region, supporting circular economy and biodiversity conservation, as well as promoting

research and innovation in blue and green technologies. To be noted the specific impact of

the European Research Area in the alignment of science and research in candidate countries.

In addition to the above topics, climate change and the green transition to a carbon-neutral and

resilient Europe are widely considered by all pillars. They are of particular importance as the region

–

and especially the Western Balkans

–is

most heavily affected by the impact of climate change, as it

might face considerable and higher than elsewhere in Europe increases in temperature. Estimations

suggest temperature may increase by 1.7 to 4.0 °C, and even exceeding 5.0 °C by the end of the

century, depending on the global effort in greenhouse gases emission reduction.

The revised Strategy fully aligns with a human rights-based approach, as well as mechanisms and

instruments that ensure gender mainstreaming and equal opportunities, and will aim to further

intensify the efforts undertaken by the authorities towards further consolidating, protecting, and

promoting equal opportunities and gender equality. Compliance with these principles requires

involvement and consultation of a wide group of civil society and equality bodies advocating for

people with disabilities, persons of migrant background or of marginalised group such as Roma,

gender equality bodies, etc. to ensure equality mainstreaming of all pillars and topics. The European

Pillar of Social Rights on Gender Equality, as well as the EU gender equality strategy 2020-2025, the

EU Pay Transparency Directive and the EU Directive on combating violence against women and

domestic violence are to be considered by all pillars, topics and actions. All activities that contribute

to the objectives and targets of the revised action plan must be in accordance with the Charter of

Fundamental Rights of the EU and the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. This

ensures compliance with the principles of gender equality, equal opportunities, and suppression of

discrimination. Actions and topics within the Strategy will be encouraged to include activities that

specifically address issues of gender equality and the inclusion of marginalised groups.

Cross-cutting topics

could have been thematic pillars in their own right but they were found to

overlap with the existing pillars. Therefore, these topics have been identified as cross-cutting as they

are to be addressed by several topics of the pillars. These topics are:

•

Circular economy.

The green transition implies implementing circular economy approaches

in a wide range of sectors and places. This requires focus on connecting (national/regional)

circular economy entities responsible for national/regional coordination in participating

countries, searching for synergies in achieving EU policy goals. Good practices present a

useful source of information for capacity building and exchange of experience between

participating countries but are not enough. The involvement of national/regional

stakeholders this would support matchmaking and development of value chains in the entire

region and encourage uptake of EU initiatives related to circular economy in Western Balkan

countries.

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•

This topic concerns in particular pillar 1 with focus on green & blue technology reducing

human impact on environment and waters, pillar 2 with focus on renewable energy, and

pillar 4 with focus on sustainable and green tourism.

Green rural development.

Rural areas are an important part of the Adriatic-Ionian region;

they underpin a wide range of economic and societal activities and are often home to natural

and cultural heritage. In line with areas of action of Long-term Vision for the EU’s Rural Areas

this topic is addressed by pillar 1 with focus on sustainable fisheries and support to local

communities, pillar 2 with focus on sustainable energy production also in rural areas and

sustainable mobility in rural areas, pillar 3 with regard to the management of the

environment in rural areas and sustainable agriculture practices, pillar 4 with focus on

sustainable rural tourism as well as pillar 5 with fight against brain drain. Rural areas are also

addressed by horizontal and cross-cutting topics that support living conditions and economic

development of rural areas through digitalisation and connectivity, and though raising

importance of digital networks (4/5 G, optic) in rural areas making available digital public

services.

Digitalisation.

Under this topic the priority is to set up the network of digital innovation hubs

in the region, while at the same time building stronger connections within the network. This

would increase availability of digital innovation tools, such as AI and the internet of things.

This will concern in particular pillar 1 with a focus on digitalisation-related green & blue

technology, pillar 2 with a focus on digitalisation in transport and energy, pillar 3 with a focus

on digital sustainability solutions, pillar 4 with a focus on digitalisation in tourism and pillar 5

with a focus to digitalisation in the employment.

I.III

Governance, funding, monitoring and evaluation

The revised action plan goes with the adaptation of the governance system. In short, the main

structures of the Strategy governance are:

•

Governing Board

is a decision-making body and provides strategic guidance for the

implementation of the action plan, to the Thematic Steering Groups, National Coordinators

and governance support structure, decides the monitoring and evaluation activities, and

assesses the progress of the implementation of the action plan.

National Coordinators

carry out national coordination and consolidation tasks related to the

Strategy, by ensuring links and coordination with the relevant administrations and

stakeholders, and present strategic national positions in the Strategy governance and

implementation processes.

The Strategy’s

Youth Council

is a platform for institutional involvement of young people (18-

29 years) in all governance bodies to make their ideas and viewpoints heard and considered.

Youth will have an active role in communicating, orientating and implementing the Strategy.

Thematic Steering Groups

coordinate and drive the implementation work under their

respective pillars. There is one Thematic Steering Group per pillar with the exception of pillar

2, where there are two sub-groups for transport and energy.

Pillar coordinators

coordinate the work of the respective Thematic Steering Groups. Usually,

for every Thematic Steering Group the pillar coordination is shared by at least two

coordinators, whenever feasible coming from two participating countries, one from an EU

Member State and one from an EU candidate country or San Marino.

•

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•

The Governance Facility Point and the other projects supporting Strategy governance

provide technical and content related assistance to the implementation of the action plan,

including support to the Governing Board, National Coordinators, Thematic Steering Groups

and pillar coordinators, and facilitate macro-regional (cross-pillar) actions and capacity

building for stakeholders and key implementers. The Facility Point with its four functions has

the main supporting and coordinating role in supporting the Strategy’s governance bodies, in

decision-making and capacity building, in communicating the Strategy and in monitoring and

evaluation of the Strategy. The Stakeholders’ Engagement Point encourages engagement

with stakeholders, supports financial dialogues and embedding of the action plan and

together with the Strategic Implementation Project supports the implementation of the

Action Plan.

The pillars are currently coordinated by the following participating countries:

Pillar 1: Greece, Montenegro,

Pillar 2: Italy, Serbia, North Macedonia,

Pillar 3: Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina,

Pillar 4: Croatia, Albania,

Pillar 5: Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Strategy does not have own financial resources. Funding for actions and projects under the

Strategy has to come from existing financial instruments. It is of importance to mobilise and use all

EU, national and regional programmes and funding sources. Besides the cohesion policy and IPA

funds (including Western Balkan Investment Framework initiative)

, these are, as an example, the

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the European Maritime, Fisheries and

Aquaculture Fund, Horizon Europe, Connecting Europe Facility-Transport supporting the Trans-

European Networks for Transport (TEN-T), Connecting Europe Facility-Energy supporting the Trans-

European Networks for Energy (TEN-E), the Digital Europe, Erasmus+, and LIFE.

Furthermore, EU territorial tools such as Integrated Territorial Investments, Community-Led Local

development, local action groups under LEADER,

‘renewable

energy communities’ and

‘citizen

energy communities’, smart villages, etc. are important approaches to be mobilised by the revised

Strategy.

Other means are available, notably from the European Investment Bank and other International

Financial Institutions.

All funding sources have their own eligibility rules, selection criteria and implementation

arrangements. The managing authorities of EU funding programmes play an important role by

ensuring the embedding of the actions of the revised action plan into their programmes and projects.

This requires close and long-term cooperation with the managing authorities through establishment

of operational networks of managing authorities and National IPA Coordinators. National

Coordinators and members of Thematic Steering Groups cooperate with managing authorities and

The Western Balkans Investment Framework is a joint initiative of the EU, financial institutions, bilateral

donors (Austria, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and Norway) and beneficiaries (Western

Balkans countries), aimed at enhancing harmonisation and cooperation in investments for the socio-

economic development of the region and contributing to the European perspective of the Western Balkans.

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NIPACs at the national level, with other National Coordinators on the strategic level, and with

members of the Thematic Steering Groups on the operational level.

I.IV

Action plan as rolling implementation tool

Operationally the action plan revisions should be aligned with the Multiannual Financial Framework

programming to provide agreements on macro-regional thematic priorities to be embedded in the

new programmes. In between revisions adjustments to the action plan are still possible.

The rolling character of the action plan provides all pillars and topics the chance to further develop

and fine-tune their actions in the years to come, to be able to better respond to changing contexts

and possible new crises, challenges and opportunities. The revised action plan

is a ‘rolling document’,

which implies that the Governing Board and Thematic Steering Groups should remain attentive and

adopt appropriate actions if there is a need for adaptation.

Based on results of monitoring and evaluation, Commission reports and observed trends in the

region, the Thematic Steering Groups might propose readjustments of existing topics and/or actions

or even new topics and/or actions to the action plan. When duly justified, the Governing Board will

approve such changes.

In addition, as a rule, and where appropriate, the Thematic Steering Groups, in cooperation with the

National Coordinators, Revision Working Group and Governing Board, must undertake efforts to

strengthen the focus and targeting of the pillars, also considering the integration of horizontal and

cross-cutting issues into the actions

–

rather than at the level of topics

–

where appropriate. Based

on the more focused pillars, this will also include setting appropriate measurable indicators and

targets that can measure whether the Strategy is getting closer to the specific objectives. The new

indicators can take inspiration from past monitoring reports and evaluations of the Strategy, the

indicators used in other macro-regional strategies as well as the indicators for cohesion policy or IPA

programmes set out in the regulations. The proposal for the strengthened focus and targeting of the

pillars will be adopted by the Governing Board.

I.V

Organisation of the action plan

Besides the horizontal and cross-cutting topics already described in this first chapter, the revised

action plan is structured to reflect the five pillars as well as the topics selected under each pillar.

Accordingly, the action plan incorporates the following features:

•

Pillars

address the core challenges and opportunities identified as being of central

importance for the Adriatic-Ionian region. They are at the core of the revised Strategy and

are essential to the success of its work, and how it is communicated.

Topics

under each pillar represent the main areas in which the macro-regional Strategy

brings added value. For each topic, the revised action plan presents the issue and indicates

what specific contribution it will bring.

Actions

under each topic are the interventions which the Strategy governance structures and

stakeholders plan to carry out to address the set objectives and targets. These include e.g.

new approaches, increased coordination in policy making, policy reviews, support to a

process already underway, and networking initiatives. The Thematic Steering Groups assisted

by the governance support structure will translate the actions into concrete project

development processes and together with stakeholders bring added value to the region.

•

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1. Pillar 1

–Blue

Sustainable Economy

The Adriatic-Ionian region is rich in natural resources and biodiversity. However, it remains

vulnerable to natural disasters, overexploitation of natural capital and resources and pollution.

Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture are important sectors in the Adriatic-Ionian region, not only

due to their economic and ecological contributions, but also due to social and cultural traditions. This

concerns seas, coastal areas, islands, lake areas and transitional waters, river areas, and catchment

areas of important water bodies (e.g. the whole hydrosphere).

Marine and maritime services encompass a wide range of activities, including shipping, port

management, coastal tourism, biotechnology, fisheries, aquaculture, environmental protection and

restoration, or research, among others. These activities are major drivers of economic growth, job

creation and trade facilitation in the Adriatic-Ionian region and often constitute and include cross-

pillar issues. The blue sustainable economy encompasses a spectrum of endeavours, including

activities that are both land-based and marine-based, such as fish processing, sensor manufacturing

and creating value from fish by-products and unavoidable unwanted catches. It is also significantly

influenced by the dynamic interaction between land and sea at the coastal interface, influenced by

factors like riverine inputs and human activities. Nonetheless, it is important to recognise that blue

economy value chains will invariably involve some form of application, utilisation, or reliance on

marine and coastal environments, resources, or data.

To fulfil these aims, many challenges must be overcome. First, there are imbalances in innovative

capacity, access to knowledge and research networks. There are also considerable differences in

access to funding and administrative capacity, especially between EU and candidate countries.

Candidate countries are often limited by the lack of support schemes and by obsolete technologies,

which restrain their research, development and innovation potential. Overexploitation of natural

resources is one other main challenge, leaving the local fauna in danger, and polluting the

environment with an excess of nutrients, pesticides and antibiotics. This also includes the lack of

effective waste management, which can result in the accumulation of large amounts of marine litter

in the region. Moreover, the Adriatic-Ionian region, like the whole Mediterranean is highly exposed

and sensitive to the effects of climate change.

The Strategy sets out to further promote the sustainable and responsible use of its natural resources,

ensuring its conscious exploration and the creation of added value. It aims to develop innovative

technologies, to strengthen the regional market by enhancing cooperation and clustering in the

region, as well as stakeholder involvement and interrelation of businesses, and to increase

competitiveness in related sectors both in coastal and inland areas always preserving and improving

the environmental condition of the sea, coasts and inland waters (rivers and lakes). All of this will

help to ensure comparable production and common and shared environmental standards across the

entire region, and in compliance with the

EU acquis.

In addition, this strategic framework outlines a comprehensive approach to address the challenges,

capitalise on the opportunities, restore ocean and coastal ecosystems, and promote the adoption of

blue and green technologies in the whole maritime and inland water bodies, sustainable and

competitive fisheries and aquaculture and maritime and marine governance and services in the

Adriatic-Ionian region. Achieving these objectives will require collaboration among governments,

local communities, industry stakeholders, the Academic and Research Communities and international

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organisations to safeguard the region’s marine and freshwater resources and promote economic

development.

Over the past few years, the Adriatic-Ionian region has gained experience in successful macro-

regional cooperation, especially thanks to the networks of the largest ports of the region, of research

institutions, of business organisation and clusters, and of regional authorities. This pillar provides

continuation for

these networks and addresses the region’s challenges by promoting further forms of

cooperation. This includes the facilitation of cooperation and networking between national and EU-

funded research and innovation activities and the development of regional innovation communities.

The Strategy supports the coordination of policies aimed at science and research and promotes the

use of EU instruments to support research and innovation in blue and green technologies. It also

promotes research collaboration, joint projects and sharing of research infrastructure.

Energy is a major cost item in EU fisheries and aquaculture. The recent energy crisis has hit the

aquatic food sector hard, notably because of increased marine diesel prices, exposing one of its

major vulnerabilities: high dependency on fossil fuels. A move towards alternative energy sources

would not only address this vulnerability but also contribute to the objectives of the European Green

Deal and the EU’s commitment to become climate-neutral. On 21 February 2023, the European

Commission published a

‘fisheries

and oceans’ package, which includes an action plan on

decarbonising and enhancing the sustainability of EU fisheries and aquaculture. The plan outlines

two change directions: to increase energy efficiency in the short to medium term while gradually

switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.

Pillar 1 focuses on three topics:

1. To strengthen

blue and green technologies,

by promoting synergies and networking of regional

relevant and useful research, development and innovation activities as well as supporting initiatives

and cooperation between regional innovation ecosystems, initiatives and smart specialisation

strategies.

2. To strengthen sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, through networking policy practices, business

practices, research findings and other important assets (in maritime and lake environments) in the

Adriatic-Ionian region.

3. Supporting maritime and marine governance and services, to make better use of the skills that are

available and equip people with new skills (including soft skills) that are needed.

1.1

Topic

–

Blue and green technologies

Global objectives.

Blue and green technologies are essential for the transition to a competitive,

climate-neutral and resilient sustainable economy, i.e. the implementation of the EU Green Deal and

the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. This involves the promotion of research, innovation and

business opportunities in sustainable blue economy sectors, by strengthening quadruple helix ties

and synergies among ongoing initiatives and projects in the region. The focus goes beyond the

immediate marine and maritime areas; it also involves other natural habitats such as rivers, lakes and

transitional waters, including the flora and fauna therein. It also targets the exploitation of the not

yet (fully) utilised potentials which contribute to a sustainable technology and economic transitions

regardless of where they are located.

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Strategy objectives.

The evolution of the marine and maritime sector and the growing importance of

water as a key resource for sustainability require a unified approach at the Strategy level. To

promote research, innovation and business opportunities for the marine and maritime technologies

and blue biotechnology, there is a need to strengthen synergies among initiatives and funding

programmes active in the area and cooperation between EU Member states and candidate countries.

The overall objective is to maximise progress in research, technological development and innovation

to help solve societal challenges by creating synergies between smart specialisation approaches and

strengthening the quadruple helix ties between research units, business support organisations, SME

and sector-specific business associations and clusters in the field of green and blue technologies in

the region. This may also involve improving shipbuilding technology to strengthen green shipbuilding.

This involves promoting

•

synergies and networking to jointly work for relevant research, development and innovation

activities and initiatives;

networking and cooperation between macro-regional innovation systems, initiatives and

smart specialisation strategies of the Adriatic-Ionian region;

macro-regional innovation collaboration and investments;

exchanges between the business sector and the research world;

support blue-green SMEs of the Adriatic-Ionian region to develop favourable framework

conditions for their internationalisation through cooperation and access to finance for SMEs

as well as the promotion of start-ups and SME growth and development.

Specific objectives of the topic

In light of the above objectives, and the below mentioned challenges and opportunities, the activities

under this topic aim at:

•

enhancing stable and formal collaborations between Adriatic-Ionian region innovation

ecosystems regarding green and blue (bio) technologies, leading to an increased number of

patents in the fields of blue and green growth;

increased shares of economic activity and returns in sectors related to blue and green growth as

well as increased use of blue and green novel technologies to safeguard and restore the aquatic

environment and improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the maritime, fisheries and

aquaculture sectors in global markets; and

stronger networks among relevant players in the Adriatic-Ionian region concerning research on

green and blue technologies, leading to more intensive research and public- and private

collaborations and networks in the field, and increased numbers of players from the Adriatic-

Ionian region involved in Horizon Europe projects.

•

1.1.1

Strategy specificities opportunities & challenges

The above objectives, based on an analysis of the opportunities and challenges below, illustrate that

the Adriatic-Ionian region faces a number of specific challenges and opportunities which the revised

action plan aims to address.

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Opportunities:

•

Capitalising on Adriatic-Ionian regions, which are among the fastest growing innovation

performers in the EU.

Collaboration between lagging regions and more developed regions can improve and

facilitate knowledge transfer, technological upgrading and entrepreneurship.

Easier access to finance can promote innovative companies and start-ups for marine and

maritime technologies and blue biotechnology.

Developing competitive macro-regional platforms for an enhanced collaborative ecosystem

for research, innovation, entrepreneurship, where SMEs can foster the development of

existing Research, Development and Innovation cooperation in the different technology

fields through with strategic and complementary actions that would have a stronger impact

and more scalable results.

Explore possibilities to link marine and maritime technologies and biotechnologies with

landlocked countries, and to link with scientific activities in the internal waters such as in

rivers and lakes.

•

Challenges:

•

Increasing disparities in innovation performance between EU and candidate countries.

Lagging regions underrepresented in competitive programmes such as Horizon Europe.

Asymmetries in common connecting and exploiting synergies between landlocked countries

and countries with access to the sea, and thus in finding common goals.

Insufficient support in terms of funding and marketing operations, lack of specific national

policies and/or legislation under which blue (bio) technologies could be developed and

implemented,

Fragmentation of the sector, lack of established blue biotech value chains, underdeveloped

collaboration between science-industry-policy makers.

In candidate countries, only few research groups and networks are actively involved in this

sector and generally they are not specialised in blue (bio) technologies.

Lack of cooperation and networking between research institutions and the private sector of

marine and maritime technology enterprises, and the common use of resources for

developing certain products with common standards.

•

1.1.2

Support to horizontal and cross-cutting topics

Activities under this topic contribute to the horizontal and cross-cutting topics of the revised action

plan in the following manner:

Horizontal topics:

•

Enlargement.

The activities will help the candidate countries to better integrate with EU

Member States in the field of research and innovation related to blue and green economy

and technology. More specifically, the enlargement activities are related to the

EU acquis

Chapters 3 (right of establishment and freedom to provide services), 6 (company law), 7

(intellectual property law), 8 (competition), 18 (statistics), 20 (enterprise and industrial

policy), 22 (regional policy and coordination of structural instruments), 25 (science and

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•

research), 26 (education and culture), 27 (environment), 28 (consumer and health

protection).

Capacity building.

The activities have a strong research and innovation focus which

subsequently will contribute to increasing capacities among relevant players in the region.

Innovation and research.

The activities are directly targeted to strengthening innovation

ecosystems and research in accordance with respective smart specialisation communities

with aim of building macro-regional S3s on sustainable blue economy and green

technologies.

Cross-cutting topics:

•

Circular economy.

Blue and green technologies are important enabling components of the

circular economy and of the ecological transition. Using developed and new system business

models/initiatives (such as Climate-KIC)

in participating countries to support

implementation of the circular economy and value chains development.

Green rural development.

The topic does not include an explicit link to green rural

development activities. However, some of the activities related to aquaculture and coastal

bioeconomy can contribute to the regeneration of some rural areas. Building on smart

community/village concept to support sustainable development of the rural areas using also

green and blue technologies.

Digitalisation.

The digital transition will be supported e.g. through activities related to the

development of favourable framework conditions for the adoption of technological and

digital solutions in the field of blue and green growth; the strengthening of digital innovation

hubs will facilitate cooperation and networking between national and EU-funded research

and innovation initiatives.

Nature preservation and restoration.

Any economic development must be sustainable. This

implies decoupling the use of natural resources from economic growth, tackling climate

change, biodiversity loss and pollution. This must be the priority of all actions, with

environmental impacts being duly monitored.

•

1.1.3

Action

–

Building Adriatic-Ionian region innovation systems that will promote

research and innovation networks in green and blue technologies

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Description of the action

Building Adriatic-Ionian region innovation ecosystems that will promote research

and innovation networks in green and blue technologies

•

Developing Adriatic-Ionian region innovation communities (increasing

participation in EU competitive programmes, possibilities for innovation up-

scaling, better match of innovative sustainable services and products with

demand, etc.).

•

Developing and/or strengthening cooperation between smart specialisation

EIT Climate-KIC

is an Europe’s leading climate innovation agency and community, supporting cities, regions,

countries and industries to meet their climate ambitions through systems innovation and place-based

transformations. For further details, please refer to https://www.climate-kic.org/.

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•

Which

challenges and

opportunities is

this action

addressing?

•

What are the

expected

results/targets

•

strategies and thematic smart specialisation partnerships, interregional

innovation investments, and cooperation.

Supporting regional partnerships to develop, connect or make complementary

use of testing and demonstration facilities in shared smart specialisation

priority areas.

Cooperation to develop favourable framework conditions for technological and

digital solutions in the field of blue and green growth.

Coordination of science and research policies to create a common research

and innovation area.

Develop favourable support policies to facilitate the transfer of knowledge

from research to application/innovation.

Promote research collaboration on blue and green technologies as part of a

circular economy.

Promote joint projects and sharing of research infrastructure for common

projects.

Support the promotion of EIT Regional Innovation Scheme

, Horizon EU

Missions, the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and other

EU instruments to support research and innovation in blue and green

technologies.

Facilitate the cooperation and networking between national and EU-funded

research and innovation initiatives (digital innovation hubs, Knowledge and

Innovation Communities, clusters, etc.).

Promote Green Shipbuilding technologies.

Lack of interregional innovation cooperation.

Insufficient support in terms of funding and marketing operations, lack of

specific national policies and/or legislation under which blue and green

technologies could be developed.

Lack of the cooperation and networking between research institutions and the

private sector of marine and maritime technology enterprises, and the

common use of resources for developing certain products with common

standards.

Capitalising on Adriatic-Ionian regions, which are among the EU fastest

growing innovation performers.

Promotion of collaboration between lagging regions and more developed

regions can improve and facilitate knowledge transfer, technological upgrading

and entrepreneurship.

Challenges to link biotechnologies with landlocked countries, and to link with

scientific activities in those countries.

Lack of access to finance for innovative companies and start-ups for marine

and maritime technologies and blue biotechnology.

Digital Innovation Hubs, Knowledge and Innovation Communities and clusters

focusing on green and blue technologies created

*, **, P1F1

Improved Research, Development and Innovation and cooperation among

The EIT Regional Innovation Scheme is a joint initiative by the European Institute of Innovation &

Technology to boost innovation capacities across Europe, based on the European Innovation Scoreboard.

For further details, please refer to https://eit-ris.eu/.

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of the action?

•

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

SMEs and between SMEs, large enterprises and research centres operating in

the Adriatic-Ionian region

*, P1F1

Increased networking between researchers, SMEs and clusters

*, P1F1

Increased joint research papers and number of researchers exchanged within

the macro-region

*, P1F1

Access to finance and promotion of the creation of start-ups has improved

P1F1

Enhanced collaborative networks among relevant players in the Adriatic-Ionian

region concerning innovation and research on green and blue technologies

P1F1

Increase in innovation investments on the macro-regional level

P1F1

Enhanced digital transition and strengthening digital innovation hubs

Under the flagship FOSTERING QUADRUPLE HELIX TIES IN THE FIELD OF MARINE

AND MARITIME TECHNOLOGIES AND BLUE BIO-TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADVANCING

INNOVATION, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESS ADAPTATION IN THE BLUE

BIOECONOMY, the following strategic projects were developed so far:

Monopillar strategic projects

•

AimFrish

- Evaluating freshness and authenticity with real-time non-

destructive methods to increase the value added of fish produced in the

Adriatic-Ionian macro-region.

•

SeaSusPack

- Sustainable packaging of fish and aquatic food based on marine

bioresources.

•

AMOS

- Developing a cost

–

effective observatory system, tailored to the

needs of aquacultures with remote access, real-time data and forecast

capabilities.

Cross-pillar strategic projects

•

BLUECULTURE

- Development of a macro-regional cluster on BlueCulture

Technologies and creation of an International Competence Centre (Pillars 1

and 4).

•

WAI-TP: WATERBORNE

- Adriatic-Ionian Technology Platform (Pillars 1 and 2)

Indicators

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO 84

Interreg: Pilot

actions

developed and

implemented

jointly

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

How to

measure the

Strategy

activities under

this action?

OI: Pilot actions

developed jointly and

implemented in project

ideas

0 p.a. (2023)

5 (2030)

TSG & MA

monitoring

system

OI: No. of new project

ideas supported to

mature into projects

ready for submission

0 p.a. (2023)

10 (2030)

TSG monitoring

system

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RI: Innovations enabled

(number of new

products, services,

processes, business

models or methods)

RI: Jointly developed

solutions (number of

new products, services,

processes, business

models or methods)

RCO 116

Interreg: Jointly

developed

solutions

0 p.a. (2023)

5 (2030)

TSG & MA

monitoring

system

0 p.a. (2023)

5 (2030)

TSG & MA

monitoring

system

Horizontal topic expected result/target of the action

**:

Cross-cutting topic expected result/target of the action

P1F1: Pillar 1 Flagship 1 for Topic 1.1.

1.2

Topic

–

Fisheries and aquaculture

Global objectives.

Sustainable aquaculture and fisheries management is a central part of a

sustainable regional development, especially in coastal areas and rural regions.

The aim of the Common Fisheries Policy is to ensure that fishing and aquaculture activities are

environmentally sustainable in the long-term and are managed in a way that is consistent with the

objectives of achieving economic, social and employment benefits, and of contributing to the

availability of food supplies

and food security. Aquaculture and fisheries represent critical sectors in

the Adriatic-Ionian’s economy and their responsible management is vital to ensure long-term

environmental, social and economic viability as they have the potential to drive economic growth

and create job opportunities in the region. The Strategy aims to harness these sectors for the benefit

of local economies and ensure a consistent supply of aquatic food products to meet the region’s food

security needs and envisions a future where aquaculture and fisheries are sustainable,

environmentally responsible and, social and economically beneficial.

Strategy objectives.

The overall objective is to support cooperation efforts aiming at networking

policy practices, business practices, research findings and other important assets to strengthen the

fisheries and aquaculture sectors (in maritime and inland environments) in the Adriatic-Ionian region.

In the region, fisheries and aquaculture are an integral part of the cultural, social and economic

fabric. However, several challenges have emerged that have changed the approach for sustainable

and competitive fisheries and aquaculture. In fisheries, catch levels are lower compared to decades

ago; this has led to restrictions and common management measures. Increasing human pressures on

the marine environment and demographic changes have also produced changes in the

predominantly small-scale fisheries of the region. On the other hand, aquaculture production has

grown in the past decades compared to fisheries. Although the growth in aquaculture might be

comparatively slower than in some other countries globally, it remains a valuable component of the

region’s aquatic food industry. Aquaculture offers several benefits, including the production of

According to Article 1 of

Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013,

the Common Fisheries Policy covers: (a) the

conservation of marine biological resources and the management of fisheries and fleets exploiting such

resources and (b) in relation to measures on markets and financial measures in support of the

implementation of the policy: fresh water biological resources, aquaculture, and the processing and

marketing of fisheries and aquaculture products.

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nutritious and high-quality aquatic food products, which are vital for food security and a healthy diet.

Furthermore, it contributes to employment opportunities, bolstering the regional economy and

livelihoods. Additionally, certain types of aquaculture can provide climate-mitigation services (such

as carbon sequestration), climate-adaptation services (such as nature-based coastal protection), or

ecosystem services (such as ponds or wetlands). This type of aquaculture should be promoted. There

is a need for action to build upon existing fishery and aquaculture resources in order to ensure a

sustainable, resilient, and competitive future.

Sustainable aquaculture and fisheries management covering the Adriatic and Ionian Seas and

relevant inland waters involves the coordination of many inter-sectoral and transboundary issues

and responsibilities for better management of the natural resources. Effective and better fisheries

management at the sea and relevant inland waters requires strong coordination between the

different macro-regional strategies. In this context, close collaboration of relevant envisaged

activities for inland waters, which have been identified in the Danube macro-regional strategy

(EUSDR) is required to avoid duplication.

Strategy actions under this topic are also related to other pillars, in particular activities in the

Adriatic-Ionian region promoting: a) sustainable maritime governance and spatial planning; b)

circularity in fishery and aquaculture activities, c) green maritime transport and ports; d) maritime

clusters set up as an innovative enabler for a sustainable blue (bio) economy and e) sustainable

maritime, coastal, and rivers and lake tourism.

Specific objectives of the topic

In light of the above objectives, challenges and opportunities, the activities under this topic aim at:

•

developing a more sustainable, resilient and competitive fishery industry in the Adriatic-Ionian

region, including a regional fisheries information system;

developing a more sustainable, resilient and competitive aquaculture sector in the Adriatic-

Ionian region, including both marine, freshwater and land-based aquaculture, and growing

volumes of Adriatic-Ionian aquaculture products on the market;

better fisheries management measures, sustainable exploitation of fish stocks, improvement of

data collection and fish stock assessment, harmonisation with EU regulations & international

organisations;

sustainable growth of a more efficient and circular aquaculture production, capitalising on

innovation, digitalisation, and knowledge sharing;

support and encourage the adoption of sustainable sourcing standards for aquaculture and

fisheries stocks through the use of standards such as the Marine Stewardship Council, Seafood

Watch for Aquaculture and others.

•

1.2.1

Strategy specificities opportunities & challenges

Linked to the above objectives, the Adriatic-Ionian region faces a number of specific challenges and

opportunities which the revised action plan aims to address.

Opportunities:

•

Growing demand and market prices for fishery products.

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•

Under the umbrella of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean,

coordination efforts and joint multiannual fisheries management are being organised to

avert overfishing and the decrease of stocks and they are showing encouraging results.

Establishment of marine protected areas, other effective area-based conservation measures

and/or Ecological and Fishery Protection Zones, like the Jabuka/Pomo Pit area in the Central

Adriatic, to protect valuable marine habitats, preserve the marine biodiversity and ensure

the long-term health of fish stocks.

Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture value chains are well developed in the Adriatic-Ionian

region and they contribute to the socio-economic fabric of the region.

Further explore and tap into the role of fishery operators for the conservation of the sea.

Small-scale coastal fishing has a pivotal role in regional development of coastal regions, as it

is key for other areas of development (e.g. employment, environment, tourism).

Huge potential to diversify fisheries and further explore the link between fisheries,

aquaculture, wildlife watching, recreational activities, and tourism which have not yet been

explored extensively.

Sustainable aquaculture production continues to grow due to high demand and restrictions

to traditional fishing, with a positive role for farmed aquaculture products for environmental

sustainability and food security (including micro and macroalgae).

The Adriatic-Ionian region has several freshwater resources, with numerous lakes and rivers,

which can be explored for sustainable use (fisheries, aquaculture, tourism activities).

Setup a maritime spatial planning to accommodate green and blue maritime activities,

Allocated Zones for Aquaculture, renewable energy production, marine protected areas and

improve and align the legal framework for such investments. Missing data concerning some

fish stock assessments.

Compliance with existing regulations leading to the need to renovate and restructure fishing

fleets and to improve fishing gear efficiency and sustainability; for example, through

selectivity and new, less polluting engines.

Challenges:

•

The situation of some exploited stocks in the Adriatic-Ionian needs close monitoring.

Lack of coordinated and agreed solutions to reduce overfishing (e.g. fishing quotas,

expanding recreational fishing, maritime and river-based tourism).

Lack of compliance, data quality and well as monitoring, control, inspections and surveillance

capacity in some Adriatic-Ionian countries.

Lack of monitoring throughout the region with regards to assessment and implementation of

fishery management plans that are introduced to achieve maximum sustainable yields and

resource conservation.

Lack of coordinated restoration/protection activities on freshwater resources to ensure

healthy and sustainable freshwater ecosystems.

Low rate of adaptation to institutionalised spatial planning: existing areas designated for

aquaculture are fully occupied, and conflicts with other uses (e.g. tourism) provide limited

spatial possibilities for coastal marine aquaculture development.

Negative effects on the environment and ecosystems through some human (aquaculture,

tourism, etc) activities that are not environmentally sustainable.

•

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•

High levels of pollution in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas and freshwater ecosystems due to

marine litter, microplastic, pesticides, antibiotics, excess of nutrients, etc.

Low level of skills, education, and knowledge in traditional small-scale fisheries, in the fish

processing value chain and in the aquaculture sector. This includes low level of adaptation to

new business concepts/activities and digitalisation.

Complex and not harmonised processes for licences and authorisation of fisheries,

aquaculture and land-based fish-farming installations across the region.

Climate change results in sea warming that promotes the migration and installation of

Invasive Alien Species to the Adriatic-Ionian latitudes that outcompete or even drive endemic

species to extinction.

1.2.2

Support to horizontal and cross-cutting topics

Activities under this topic contribute actively to the horizontal and cross-cutting topics of the revised

action plan.

Horizontal topics:

•

Enlargement.

The activities help the candidate countries to better integrate with EU Member

States in EU fishery policies and compliance of candidate countries with the

EU acquis

in the

fields of fisheries, environmental protection, training and education. In more detail, the

enlargement activities are related to the

EU acquis

Chapters 8 (competition), 12 (food safety

and veterinary policy), 13 (Fisheries), 18 (statistics), 20 (enterprise and industrial policy), 25

(science and research), 26 (education and culture), 27 (environment), 28 (consumer and

health protection).

Capacity building.

The activities have a strong focus on capacity building and training e.g.

related to diversifying activities for fishers, sustainability, new technology and practices as

well as funding opportunities in the fields of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.

Innovation and research.

The activities include a number of proposals related to research

projects, technological pilots, capacity building and investments regarding e.g. the use of

aquaculture products (fish, algae etc.) for other purposes (pharmacy, cosmetics, etc.) and

new fish products and new species in aquaculture.

•

Cross-cutting topics:

•

Circular economy.

Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture are sectors which are directly

relevant for the transition to a circular economy.

Green rural development.

The topic does not include an explicit link to green rural

development activities. However, some of the activities will be related to better using the

resources of rural areas.

Digitalisation.

The digital transition can be supported e.g. through activities related to

digitalisation in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, e.g. from harvest to distribution using

Internet of things, data science, digital monitoring systems and predictive microbiology.

Nature restoration.

[see above, previous section].

•

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1.2.3

Action

–

Sustainable, resilient and competitive fisheries in the Adriatic-Ionian

region

Description of the action

Sustainable, resilient and competitive fisheries in the Adriatic-Ionian region

•

Exchange of experiences and coordinated activities to reduce overfishing and

support the harmonisation of integrated management and monitoring efforts.

•

Take preparatory actions to develop an Adriatic-Ionian region small-scale

fisheries Strategy to encourage networking of fishing associations.

•

Creating an Adriatic-Ionian region inter-branch network bringing together

players form the fish value chain.

•

Improving resilience of small-scale fisheries due to climate change and human

pressures.

•

Cooperation in research projects, technological pilots, capacity building and

investments.

•

Best practice sharing, capacity building and coordination of activities to

diversify activities for fishermen.

•

Gather knowledge and share best practices on digitalisation of the fisheries

sector, e.g. from harvest to distribution using the Internet of Things, data

science, and predictive microbiology.

•

Developing a catalogue of skills (including soft skills) and contents for training

and capacity building for fisheries professionals:

improved monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, including the use of

advanced technology and increased surveillance, to combat Illegal,

unreported and unregulated fishing;

introducing innovative and more selective fishing gears and practices to

minimise bycatch and implementing effective discards reduction;

enhanced occupational safety standards and improved social welfare

programmes for workers in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, leading

to increased job attractiveness and retention;

increased awareness and engagement of local communities in

conservation efforts, leading to the protection and preservation of rare

and migratory fish species in the Adriatic-Ionian region.

•

Lack of coordinated and agreed solutions to reduce overfishing.

•

Missing data concerning the fish stock assessment.

•

Lack of monitoring of the application of fishery management plans in order to

achieve maximum sustainable yields and resource conservation.

•

Urgent need to renovate and restructure the fishing fleets and to improve the

fishing gear.

•

Improve the knowledge of the ecological dynamics between small-scale

fisheries and protected species and habitats, alien species included.

•

Lack of coordinated restoration/protection activities on freshwater resources

to ensure healthy and sustainable freshwater habitats.

•

Low level of skills, education, and contemporary knowledge in the traditional

small-scale fisheries, in the fish processing value chain including low level of

adaptation to new businesses concepts/activities and digitalisation.

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Which

challenges and

opportunities is

this action

addressing?

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

•

Lack of a more effective harmonisation with the EU regulatory framework.

•

Need to achieve compliance of candidate countries with the

EU acquis

in the

field of fisheries, environmental protection, training and education etc.

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

•

A more sustainable, resilient and competitive fisheries industry in the Adriatic-

Ionian region

*, P1F2

•

Less polluted Adriatic and Ionian Seas and freshwater resources

*, **

•

Better management and sustainable exploitation of fish stocks

P1F2

•

Improvement of data collection and fish stock assessment

P1F2

•

Improved fisheries management & harmonisation with EU regulations &

international organisations*

, P1F2

•

Compliance & implementation of measures to combat illegal, unreported,

unregulated fisheries and elimination of destructive fishing practices

P1F2

•

Use of fish by-products, unwanted and unavoidable catches and discards

*, **,

P1F2

•

Plans to improve professional skills of fishermen

*, P1F2

•

Digitalisation in the fisheries sector

Under the flagship

‘Promoting

Sustainability, Diversification and Competitiveness

in the Fisheries Sector through Education, Research & Development,

Administrative, Technological and Marketing Actions, including the Promotion of

Initiatives on Marketing Standards and Healthy Nutritional

Habits’

the following

strategic projects were developed so far:

Monopillar strategic projects

•

FishTourAIR

- Fishing tourism and ichthyology tourism diversification activities

in the Adriatic-Ionian region.

•

AimFrish

- Evaluating freshness and authenticity with real-time non-destructive

methods to increase the value added of fish produced in the Adriatic-Ionian

macro-region.

•

SeaSusPack

- Sustainable packaging of fish and aquatic food based on marine

bioresources.

Indicators

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO 84

Interreg: Pilot

actions

developed and

implemented

jointly

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

How to

measure the

activities under

this action?

OI: Pilot actions

developed jointly and

implemented in project

ideas

0 p.a. (2023)

5 (2030)

TSG & MA

monitoring

system

OI: No. of new project

ideas supported to

mature into projects

ready for submission

0 p.a. (2023)

10 (2030)

TSG monitoring

system

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

RI: Solutions taken up or

up-scaled by

organisations

RCR 104

Interreg:

Solutions taken

up or up-scaled

0 p.a. (2023)

5 (2030)

MA monitoring

system / survey

Horizontal topic expected result/target of the action

**:

Cross-cutting topic expected result/target of the action

P1F2: Pillar 1 Flagship 2 for Topic 1.2, Action 1.2.1.

1.2.4

Action

–

Sustainable, resilient and competitive aquaculture in the Adriatic-

Ionian region

Description of the action

Sustainable, resilient and competitive aquaculture in the Adriatic-Ionian region

•

Cooperation and joint actions to reduce complexity of legal and administrative

frameworks and to accede space and water for aquaculture.

•

Characterising the ecological role of aquaculture in protected areas for wild

stock fauna enhancement and flora/conservation.

•

Promoting networking, sharing of good practices and experiences and the

creation of clusters on sustainable aquaculture to further unlock innovation

potential.

•

Cooperation on establishing a common sustainability certification scheme,

including costs and added value for aquaculture in the Adriatic-Ionian region.

•

Develop a comprehensive catalogue of skills (including soft skills) and contents

for capacity building and training programmes designed for aquaculture

professionals, while also providing support for their skill development.

•

Gather knowledge and share best practices on digitalisation in the aquaculture

sector.

•

Cooperation in research projects, technological pilots, capacity building and

investments regarding:

developing new processed products and new species;

assessing the environmental effects of aquaculture in order to mitigate

them;

exploring the potential positive effects of aquaculture in marine

environments (e.g. nutrient and carbon sequestration in bivalve farming)

and ponds;

create dynamic 3dimensional models that will assist the environmental

impact assessments and determination of the carrying capacity of an area

for licensing;

use of aquaculture products (fish, algae etc.) for other purposes

(pharmacy, cosmetics, etc.);

increased efficiency and productivity in aquaculture operations through

the adoption of innovative and sustainable production techniques.

•

Enhanced occupational safety standards and improved social welfare

programmes for workers in the aquaculture sector, leading to increased job

attractiveness and retention.

•

Low rate of adaptation to institutionalised spatial planning: existing areas

designated for aquaculture are fully occupied and conflicts with other uses

(e.g. tourism) provide limited spatial possibilities for coastal marine

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Which

challenges and

opportunities is

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

this action

addressing?

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

aquaculture development.

•

Better define the ecosystem carrying capacity and avoid potential adverse

effects on ecosystems from aquaculture activities and define Allocated Zones

for Aquaculture.

•

Complex and not harmonised processes for licences and authorisation of,

marine, freshwater aquaculture and land-based aquaculture across the macro-

region.

Need for candidate countries to achieve compliance with the

EU acquis

in the

field of aquaculture, environmental protection, training and education etc.

•

A more sustainable, resilient, and competitive marine, freshwater and land-

based aquaculture sector

*, P1F2

•

Increase in volume of aquaculture products on the market

P1F2

•

New aquaculture products and new species in aquaculture

*, P1F2

•

Means and plans to improve professional and soft skills of aquaculture

professionals

*, P1F2

•

Adoption of Common Sustainability Standards

*, P1F2

•

Advanced Environmental Impact Assessment Tools

*, P1F2

•

Diversification of Product Utilisation

*, P1F2

Under the flagship

‘Promoting

Sustainability, Diversification and Competitiveness

in the Fisheries Sector through Education, Research & Development,

Administrative, Technological and Marketing Actions, including the Promotion of

Initiatives on Marketing Standards and Healthy Nutritional

Habits’

the following

strategic projects were developed so far:

Monopillar strategic projects

•

SeaSusPack

- Sustainable packaging of fish and aquatic food based on marine

bioresources.

•

AMOS

- Developing a cost

–

effective observatory system, tailored to the needs

of Aquacultures with remote access, real-time data and forecast capabilities.

Indicators

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO 84

Interreg: Pilot

actions

developed and

implemented

jointly

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

How to

measure the

activities under

this action?

OI: Pilot actions

developed jointly and

implemented in project

ideas

0 p.a. (2023)

5 (2030)

TSG & MA

monitoring

system

OI: No. of new project

ideas supported to

mature into projects

ready for submission

RI: Jointly developed

solutions (number of

new products, services,

processes, business

RCO 116

Interreg: Jointly

developed

solutions

0 p.a. (2023)

10 (2030)

TSG monitoring

system

0 p.a. (2023)

5 (2030)

MA monitoring

system

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

models or methods)

Horizontal topic expected result/target of the action

**:

Cross-cutting topic expected result/target of the action

P1F2: Pillar 1 Flagship 2 for Topic 1.2, Action 1.2.2.

1.3

Topic

–

Maritime and marine governance and services

Global objectives.

Maritime and marine governance and services are essential for the sound

management of shared resources. This involves improved governance of maritime space and land-

sea interactions as well as improved skills and capacities of the relevant players. This covers a wide

range of fields including the development of capacities to harmonise standards and regulations to

improve the sustainable governance use of maritime technologies and marine resources, including

standardisation at macro-regional level to enable a technological leap forward. A key is increased

data exchange, knowledge sharing and cooperation of planning and control authorities to ensure a

sustainable management of natural resources; and furthermore to promote the use of digital

technologies and new technological tools for planning and land-use/marine space analysis and

control including hydrodynamic oceanographic models. To contribute to the offshore renewable

energy EU targets by 2030 and beyond and to the energy efficiency and transition in sustainable

fisheries and aquaculture.

Strategy objectives.

The overall objective is to support cooperation among players in the Adriatic-

Ionian region to make better use of the skills that are available and equip people with new skills

(including soft skills) that are needed. This covers a wide range of fields including the cooperation of

maritime and land-based spatial planning and governance of maritime and land-sea space.

The effective governance and services in the maritime and marine domains are essential for the

sustainable and integrated development of the region and includes Maritime Spatial Planning of

man-made activities that should balance economic development, environmental protection and

social wellbeing in the Adriatic-Ionian region. Therefore, it has strong links with the other four pillars

of the Strategy.

The Strategy for the future should implement an integrated maritime policy that coordinates and

harmonises various activities that take place in the marine environment, including maritime

transport, aquaculture, fisheries, marine protected areas, marine reserves and conservation zones to

safeguard fragile ecosystems, biodiversity, and endangered species, preservation of submerged

cultural heritage sites, including shipwrecks and archaeological relics, port infrastructure, energy

generation including siting and regulating offshore energy installations, such as wind farms, wave

energy devices and oil and gas drilling platforms, to ensure their safety and minimise environmental

impacts. It also includes designate areas for marine tourism, recreational activities and the

development of tourism infrastructure (Pillar 4), planning and maintaining underwater

telecommunication cables, pipelines for oil and gas transport and electricity transmission lines

require careful coordination in Maritime Spatial Planning to avoid conflicts and environmental

damage. The Strategy should include activities related to prevent marine litter pollution from plastics

and other emerging pollutants, and plans for the clean-up of marine pollution, such as oil spills and

the removal of marine debris, that should be integrated into Maritime Spatial Planning plans to

protect the marine environment (synergies with Pillar 3). Strengthening grid infrastructure and

interregional cooperation by promoting the development of offshore wind energy and energy

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

efficiency in complementarity with Pillar 2 by building a substantial offshore power grid and Pillar 3

by incorporating marine renewables in the Maritime Spatial Planning.

Specific objectives of the topic

In light of the above objectives, challenges and opportunities listed below, the activities under this

topic aim at:

•

improving the quality of public services and improving governance mechanisms for international

cooperation and strengthening institutional capacities in a wide range of sectors (e.g. fishery

policy, maritime spatial planning, integrated coastal management);

improving the evidence base for policy and decision-making by sharing data and knowledge

among public bodies and strengthening their capacities to seize opportunities or react to

challenges which can be detected earlier if data and information is shared and analysed across

countries;

improving the state of the maritime and marine environments through an increased uptake of

digital technological tools and skills in maritime and territorial spatial planning which help to

improve governance and planning processes;

developing supply chains and skills in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture by using large-scale

partnerships for offshore

renewable energy under the Pact for Skills.

•

1.3.1

Strategy specificities opportunities & challenges

Linked to the above objectives, the Adriatic-Ionian region faces several identified challenges and

opportunities which the revised action plan aims to address.

Opportunities:

•

Strengthening cooperation between developed and underdeveloped countries that

significant potential for innovation and new business opportunities.

Capitalisation on existing results, implemented activities and projects within the Strategy, the

Interreg ADRION programme, IPA funding and others.

Developing cooperation of the Strategy pillars with other macro-regional strategies and

initiatives.

Accelerating the implementation of relevant policies in the Adriatic-Ionian region and related

challenges of joint interest to the Strategy territory and scope.

The increasing number of offshore wind turbines and solar farms (floating or fixed) is representing a new

challenge in terms of spatial planning and the marine environment. It will be indeed needed to mitigate the

impacts of offshore renewables and adapt them to the needs of nature protection, like e.g.:

a) Potential use of subsea offshore wind park infrastructure as artificial reefs and breeding grounds for

marine species, while fulfilling all applicable environmental standards and ensuring proper

environmental monitoring;

b) Testing nature restoration methods for management of degraded ecosystems;

c) Deploying new methods and technologies for environmental monitoring and management and

mainstreaming successful approaches in line with approached and methodological standards

developed under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

•

Increased promotion of the blue economy, on islands and coastal areas, offers significant

potential in relation to the exploitation of marine resources for food, food and health

products, management and protection of marine and coastal areas, maritime transport,

shipbuilding, and shipping services, as well as marine renewable energy.

The green and digital transition processes are rooted in skills; therefore, it is necessary to

strengthen and create skills (upskilling and reskilling) in order to achieve transitions.

To incorporate the offshore renewable energy and energy efficiency measures applied to

ports and vessels into the Maritime Spatial Plans and marine governance and services.

Challenges:

•

Maritime Spatial Planning implementation across borders of the maritime spatial plans is not

coherent, although developed to reduce conflicts and create synergies between different

activities.

Urgent need for training in the use of new technologies, oceanographic models, remote

robotics, smart devices, etc. A new workforce is emerging, which should handle these

devices and technologies properly.

The multi-use of marine space is creating challenges due to conflicting activities: renewable

energy, aquaculture, nature conservation, underwater heritage, shipwrecks, and tourism.

There are many and often different obstacles in the current legal framework of each

participating country to facilitate the multi-use of marine space.

Increase of pollution due to macro and microplastics, pesticides, antibiotics, etc. associated

with the activities in the area.

Geographical, economic, environmental, and demographic disadvantages and challenges of

island regions, while at the same time the vulnerability of their natural living conditions and

productive systems is high.

•

1.3.2

Support to horizontal and cross-cutting topics

Activities under this topic contribute actively to the horizontal and cross-cutting topics of the revised

action plan.

Horizontal topics:

•

Enlargement.

The activities help the candidate countries to better integrate with EU Member

States in field of EU maritime and marine policies through the support to the harmonisation

of standards and regulations to improve the sustainable governance use of maritime and

marine resources and promotion of digital solutions and knowledge exchange among

countries. More specifically, the enlargement activities are related to the

EU acquis

Chapters

3 (right of establishment and freedom to provide services), 6 (company law), 7 (intellectual

property law), 8 (competition), 18 (statistics), 20 (enterprise and industrial policy), 22

(regional policy and coordination of structural instruments), 25 (science and research), 26

(education and culture), 27 (environment), 28 (consumer and health protection).

Capacity building.

The activities have a strong focus on capacity building and training e.g. to

increase capacities related to the EU maritime and marine policies, harmonise standards and

regulations and seizing opportunities or reacting to challenges that can be detected earlier if

data and information is shared and analysed across countries. This should also include

•

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

•

development of skills in the blue professions/ improvement of the levels of skills and

expertise of people working in sectors such as maritime transport, coastal and marine

tourism, aquaculture and fisheries, marine hydrocarbon extraction, maritime transport and

port activities, shipbuilding and ship repair activities, marine renewable energy sources, blue

biotechnology, New technologies at sea and shipping. Furthermore, it will lead to an

improvement of skills and expertise in the offshore renewable energy and energy efficiency

sector.

Innovation and research.

The activities include several proposals related to data exchange

and digital technological tools in maritime and territorial spatial planning, governance and

services, including the promotion of innovative and smart transformation of island

production systems by strengthening and diversifying local production based on smart

specialisation. Also, strengthening and supporting, through the Smart Specialisation, the

energy efficiency in the local fisheries and aquaculture production systems in the Adriatic-

Ionian region.

Cross-cutting topics:

•

Circular economy.

Maritime and marine governance are directly relevant for the transition

to a circular economy as they help to shape the preconditions for the transition to a circular

economy in these fields.

Green rural development.

The topic does not include an explicit link to green rural

development activities. However, some of the activities will probably be related to better

utilising resources of rural areas and strengthening entrepreneurship and local cooperative

schemes, in coastal areas including islands.

Digitalisation.

The digital transition can be supported e.g. through activities related to the

use of digital tools in maritime and territorial spatial planning, governance and services,

including e.g. data exchange platforms, strengthening maritime surveillance and improving

the level of navigation safety.

•

The activities within the Maritime and Marine Governance and Services topic serve as a crucial

catalyst for advancing both horizontal and cross-cutting aspects of the revised action plan,

driving harmonisation, capacity building, innovation and green transition while embracing

sustainability and forward-looking practices.

1.3.3

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Action

–

Institutional capacity to harmonise standards and regulations

Description of the action

Institutional capacity to harmonise standards and regulations to improve the

sustainable governance and use of maritime and marine resources

•

Cooperation in implementation of adopted Maritime Spatial Plans to achieve

coherent practices across borders.

•

Promotion of Maritime Spatial Planning principles in candidate countries.

•

Cooperation in adopting clearer legal frameworks for the development of

Allocated Zones for Aquaculture, marine protected areas, other effective area-

based conservation measures, exploiting deep-sea water and marine biological

and mineral resources.

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

Which

challenges and

opportunities is

this action

addressing?

•

New horizontal skills are highly required (listening, relationship-building, team

working, and cultural awareness) to accompany the twin transition.

•

The challenge of the multi-use of marine space by various activities: renewable

energy, aquaculture, nature conservation, maritime transport, and tourism. In

many cases, there are several obstacles to the current legal framework of each

participating country to facilitate the multi-use of marine space.

•

The challenge between EU and candidate countries in compliance/adaptation

with the

EU acquis.

•

Maritime spatial plans should also promote the prevention and reduction of

pollution (e.g. microplastic, pesticides, antibiotics, etc.) associated with the

activities in the area, as well as the preservation and regeneration of local

biodiversity.

•

Improved quality of public services

•

Improved maritime and marine governance and services

*, **, P1F3

•

Common understandings and harmonised standards and regulations as well as

sharing of best practices through institutional capacity of the involved public

bodies, institutions and stakeholders in a wide range of sectors (e.g. fishery

policy, maritime spatial planning, integrated coastal management)

*, **, P1F3

•

Compliance/adaptation of candidate countries with the

EU acquis

*, **, P1F3

Under the flagship

‘Bolstering

Capacity Building and Efficient Coordination of

Planning and Local Development Activities for Improving Marine and Maritime

Governance and Blue Growth

Services’

the following strategic projects were

developed so far:

Cross-pillar strategic projects

•

WAI-TP

‘WATERBORNE

Adriatic-Ionian Technology Platform’ (Pillars 1 and 2)

•

MSP & ICZM

‘Establishment

a Community for the sustainable management of

maritime activities in the AIR’ (Pillars 1 and 3)

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

Indicators

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO 84

Interreg: Pilot

actions

developed and

implemented

jointly

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

How to

measure the

activities under

this action?

OI: Pilot actions

developed jointly and

implemented in project

ideas

0 p.a. (2023)

2 (2030)

TSG & MA

monitoring

system

OI: No. of new project

ideas supported to

mature into projects

ready for submission

RI: Joint strategies and

action plans taken up by

organisations

RCR 79

Interreg: Joint

strategies and

0 p.a. (2023)

4 (2030)

TSG monitoring

system

0 p.a. (2023)

2 (2030)

MA monitoring

system / survey

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

action plans

taken up

Horizontal topic expected result/target of the action

**:

Cross-cutting topic expected result/target of the action

P1F3: Pillar 1 Flagship 3 for Topic 1.3, Action 1.3.1.

1.3.4

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Which

challenges and

opportunities is

this action

addressing?

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

Action

–

Data exchange and knowledge sharing

Description of the action

Data exchange and knowledge sharing

Setting up a platform for information exchange and data sharing related to

maritime spatial planning, terrestrial spatial planning and relevant activities in

the field of sustainable blue economy

•

Coordinated spatial planning will allow the further development of sustainable

aquaculture and other activities in the marine area.

•

Lack of candidate countries compliance with the

EU acquis

in the field of

fisheries, environmental protection, training and education etc.

•

Improved the evidence base for policy and decision-making in the region.

•

Sharing data and knowledge among public bodies in the region can increase

the efficiency of the public administration (e.g. by avoiding duplication of

monitoring or data collection efforts).

•

Increased in their capacity to seize opportunities or react to challenges which

can be detected earlier if data and information are shared and analysed across

countries. This may be done in cooperation with action 3.1.1. (Enhancing

marine and coastal biodiversity).

Under the flagship

‘Bolstering

Capacity Building and Efficient Coordination of

Planning and Local Development Activities for Improving Marine and Maritime

Governance and Blue Growth Services’ no strategic projects were developed so far.

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO 84

Interreg: Pilot

actions

developed and

implemented

jointly

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

Indicators

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

How to

measure the

activities under

this action?

OI: Pilot actions

developed jointly and

implemented in project

ideas

0 p.a. (2023)

1 (2030)

TSG & MA

monitoring

system

OI: No. of new project

ideas supported to

mature into projects

ready for submission

0 p.a. (2023)

2 (2030)

TSG monitoring

system

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

RI: Public institutions

supported to develop

digital services, products

and processes

RCO 14 ERDF

Public

institutions

supported to

develop digital

services,

products and

processes

0 p.a. (2023)

4 (2030)

TSG & MA

monitoring

system

1.3.5

Action

–

Promote the development of skills and digital technological tools in

the maritime industry and territorial spatial planning, governance and services

Description of the action

Promote the development of skills and digital technological in the maritime

industry and territorial spatial planning, governance and services

•

Network of training/education centres/technological and higher education

institutes/industry to cooperate in development/sharing of blue skills

programmes.

•

Encouraging networking and exchange in the planning and implementation of

best practices.

Trans-regional cooperation between community-led local development

strategies for actions implemented by fisheries local action groups.

•

Unlock the capacity needed at the regional and local level to deliver quality

training and mobilise collaborating arrangements in order to anticipate and

respond to the fast changing skills needs for skills on the labour market.

•

Urgent need for training in the use of new technologies, remote robotics,

smart devices, etc. A special new workforce is emerging, which should handle

these devices properly.

•

The green and digital transition processes are rooted in skills; therefore it is

necessary to strengthen and create skills (upskilling and reskilling) in order to

achieve transitions.

Many blue economy sectors have difficulties finding suitably skilled employees,

which hampers their growth.

This action will contribute to:

•

Improving the state of the maritime and marine environments through an

increased uptake of digital technological tools and skills in maritime industry

and territorial spatial planning which help to improve governance and planning

processes

P1F3

•

Improved Skills and career development in blue economy and strengthening of

networks of academics, training organisations and professional organisations

of maritime sectors in the region

P1F3

Trans-regional cooperation between community-led local development

strategies for actions implemented by FLAGs

P1F3

Under Flagship

‘Bolstering Capacity Building and Efficient Coordination of Planning

and Local Development Activities for Improving Marine and Maritime Governance

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Which

challenges and

opportunities is

this action

addressing?

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

Strategy

flagships and

European Regional Development Fund

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

strategic

projects

Indicators

and Blue Growth Services’,

no strategic projects were developed so far.

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO 84

Interreg: Pilot

actions

developed and

implemented

jointly

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

How to

measure the

activities under

this action?

OI: Pilot actions

developed jointly and

implemented in project

ideas

0 p.a. (2023)

5 (2030)

TSG & MA

monitoring

system

OI: No. of new project

ideas supported to

mature into projects

ready for submission

RI: Organisations

cooperating across

borders after project

completion

RCR 84

Interreg:

Organisations

cooperating

post-project

0 p.a. (2023)

8 (2030)

TSG monitoring

system

0 p.a. (2023)

10 (2030)

MA monitoring

system / Survey

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

2. Pillar 2

–

Connecting the region

The overall objective of Pillar 2 ‘connecting the region’ is to improve connectivity,

integration, and

cohesion within the Adriatic-Ionian region and with the EU regarding transport and energy

programmes, initiatives, and projects. This objective is requiring thorough coordination of transport

and energy policies and initiatives by countries of the Adriatic-Ionian region. Cooperation is

envisaged on infrastructure developments and harmonised operation of transport and energy

systems to build a region that is more inclusive, cohesive, and competitive.

The region is a geographically diverse place where coastal, mountainous, and insular areas demand

investments on technical infrastructures, and many areas are still not well connected. The transport

and energy systems of the region are fragmented and outdated. There is a clear need to accelerate

the green transition and to cope with the challenge of global climate change while looking at an

improved and streamlined governance of the transport and energy systems.

There is a significant potential for quality improvement and better integration of transport and

energy systems, removing roadblocks to project investments, focusing on the enabling factors for the

creation and development of regional enterprises along the free and regulated European market

principles.

Various bottlenecks have limited the development opportunities stemming from the motorways of

the sea. Railway transportation is lagging the EU average both in terms of infrastructure, as well as in

freight and passenger volumes. In many countries, and especially in Western Balkans, there are

inferior quality rail systems and unsafe roads. The network of airports has inadequate capacity to

sustain tourism development and connectivity in general, mostly due issues concerning the economy

of scale of the related catchment area. At the same time, connectivity is a key asset for Western

Balkans within the enlargement process.

In the field of energy, connections can be improved to jointly address the transition towards

decarbonised energy systems. Today, not so efficient usage of the existing grid interconnection

capacities, preventing the trading activities from being increased and to share balancing reserves and

energy to accommodate fluctuating energy from renewable sources is a factor limiting the

development of renewable energy sources to a large scale. Hydropower is the most used type of

renewable energy in the region. Even though the region has immense potential for the development

of renewable energy sources notably, solar and wind energy, it performs below the EU average for

solar and wind energy, eco-innovation, and energy efficiency. The Strategy should also ensure

appropriate alignment with the National Energy and Climate Plans of the participating Member

States.

National programmes and actions can only partially address all the challenges, due to the capital-

intensive measures required to improve and upgrade transport and energy networks and systems.

Even bilateral cooperation may not be sufficient to overcome bottlenecks and to promote

connectivity and cooperation aimed at developing projects of joint interest. Wider macro-regional

cooperation consultation and capitalisation are needed to provide services and benefits to the

Strategy countries. Most major infrastructure projects and programmes only make sense if looked at

from a well-coordinated macro-regional perspective.

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

In this light, the Strategy sets out to improve connectivity, integration and cohesion within the

Adriatic-Ionian region and with the rest of the EU regarding transport and energy programmes and

actions. This objective is requiring thorough coordination of transport and energy policies and

initiatives, collaboration on infrastructure developments and delivery of transport and energy

services. Relations with stakeholders and research of public consensus and support transport and

energy infrastructures and projects will be a major concern. The experience of broad long-term

frameworks programme studies will be continued. The intent is to update and expand along a three-

year period or so studies such as the Strategy master plan on transport for the Adriatic and Ionian

region, the Strategy master plan on energy networks for the Adriatic and Ionian region, the roadmap

towards a Strategy power exchange and natural gas trading hub for the Adriatic and Ionian region.

These framework studies aim at creating consensus on priorities, actions, while identifying problem

areas and opportunities for convergence for projects and cooperation along short-term and long-

term perspectives.

The Strategy master plan on transport will be updated and upgraded with a view to EU enlargement

as envisaged by a key horizontal topic of the Strategy. This activity is cross-cutting the entire Topic

2.1, Topic 2.2 and Topic 2.3 of the action plan.

The specific objectives of the pillar are:

•

T1- maritime transport: to strengthen safety and security of port operations and develop a

competitive macro-regional interconnected port system;

–

Multi-modal connectivity: to develop reliable multi-modal and intermodal connections with

the hinterland, both for freight and passengers;

T3 Urban nodes: to support the integration of urban nodes and regional transport systems into a

greener TEN-T network;

T4 Energy networks: to achieve a well-interconnected and well-functioning internal energy

market supporting the three energy policy objectives of the EU, i.e. confronting climate change,

enhancing security of supply and competitiveness;

T5 Green energy: to confront the challenges of the energy transition towards decarbonised and

resilient energy systems, while promoting renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.

•

In the electricity markets of the Adriatic-Ionian region, the ultimate objective is the development of a

well-functioning electricity markets, underpinned by the development and integration of the

wholesale market, removal of regulated retail electricity prices, the relieving of network congestions,

integration of renewable energy sources into meshed power grids and unhampered cross-border

exchanges of electricity, followed by market coupling of the electricity markets of non-EU

participating countries with the EU Member States.

A substantial increase in installed capacity and generation from variable solar and wind power are

expected in the coming years. Limited interconnection capacities and internal network capacities as

well grid capacity to connect renewable energy sources in a large scale, as well as limited balancing

resources and non-existence of integrated, liquid and well-functioning day-ahead, intra-day and

balancing market, are limiting the development of renewable energy. The existing bottlenecks in the

uptake and distribution of solar and wind power need to be thoroughly assessed and addressed.

Electricity infrastructure projects, identified under the EU Projects of Common interest/Projects of

Mutual Interest and Energy Community Projects of Energy Community Interest, as well as the Central

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and South-Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity action plan aim at connecting new renewable energy

to the power grid, facilitate market activities and improving the reliability and quality of energy

services. The interconnection of electricity grids and sufficient grid capacity are preconditions for

large-scale investments in renewable energy and its deployment.

COP28 in December 2023 decided on the

‘transitioning

away from fossil fuels by 2050’, so efforts

should be dedicated to increasing the share of renewable energy sources. In the natural gas network,

limited investments are required in gas transmission infrastructure, to address remaining

bottlenecks. Only for facilities needed to meet immediate security of supply needs, natural gas is still

viewed as a transient fuel enabling the transition towards decarbonised energy systems through the

European Union by the year 2050. In general, lock-in technologies not compliant with the

‘do

significant harm’ principle

should be avoided and conditions should be created according to a long-

term perspective to shift away from natural gas to renewable and no-carbon gases, in particular

biomethane, synthetic methane and hydrogen.

To this end, repurposing of existing gas pipelines for hydrogen transportation should be planned.

Regarding natural gas use hydrogen

–

ready solutions should be envisioned as well as highly efficient

cogeneration processes while carbon capture and sequestration technologies and the corresponding

investments should receive consideration.

In the short term, increased supply of liquefied natural gas is still envisaged in countries of the

Adriatic-Ionian region. Direct use of Liquefied Natural Gas for transport and process industry can also

be a transient option because of its lower carbon content as compared with other hydrocarbon fuels.

Liquefied Natural Gas terminals might serve as facilities for importing hydrogen in the future,

however their potential and technical compatibility for conversion and repurposing is requiring in-

depth analysis and simulations.

Based on already existing natural gas infrastructure and infrastructure in the Adriatic-Ionian region,

and with the completion of a limited number of interconnectors in the Western Balkans region

whose implementation is already ongoing among EU Projects of Common Interest, Projects of Energy

Community Interest and REPowerEU Plan, Western Balkan countries will be able to diversify supply

sources and routes and to enhance security of energy supply.

Along a mid-term perspective developing natural gas infrastructure would help currently isolated

areas and regions to have access to natural gas supplies, to ensure continuous and secure supplies by

having networks renovated and modernised, and to bring natural gas from a range of export markets

via new routes (notably, the upgraded Trans-Adriatic Pipeline

–

TAP2). The TAP project has been

implemented and its upgrading and doubling of capacity are in progress.

In addition, Liquefied Natural Gas infrastructure in ports and on land enabling new gas import routes

and fuel switching to Liquefied Natural Gas would also benefit security of supply and improve

environmental quality.

‘do

no significant harm’ means not supporting or carrying out economic activities that do significant harm

to any environmental objective, where relevant, within the meaning of Article 17 of Regulation (EU)

2020/852. Only activities or assets assessed as not significantly harmful to any of the mentioned

environmental objective can be considered compliant with the

‘Do

No Significant Harm’ principle.

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Based on the approach of the European Green Deal, the Communication from the European

Commission ‘An Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans’ with its guidelines for the

implementation of the ‘Green Agenda for the Western Balkans’ are framing relevant actions on

transport and energy while proposing improved connectivity competitive services and alignment

with the

EU acquis.

To achieve its overall objective and specific objectives Pillar 2 will focus and

organise according to five topics: Topic 2.1 Maritime transport, Topic 2.2 Intermodal connectivity,

Topic 2.3 Urban nodes, Topic 2.4 Energy networks, Topic 2.5 Green energy. The description of the

five topics is as follows.

2.1

Topic

–

Maritime transport

Global objectives.

Developing maritime transport, in particular motorways of the sea as navigation

corridors, is of paramount importance and must go together with the creation of modern and

efficient intermodal ports integrating maritime transport with other transport modes such as rail and

road. Such an extension of infrastructure and transport activities must be accompanied by a coherent

sustainable transport plan linked, inter alia, to an air quality plan. Investments in innovation and

modernisation of infrastructure, reduction of procedural constraints and bureaucratic burden

(especially in port operations) and promotion of safe maritime traffic should be given priority in the

entire sea basin.

Strategy objectives.

The Strategy sets out to improve connectivity, integration, and cohesion within

the Adriatic-Ionian region and with the EU. The focus is on the coordination of transport policies and

initiatives by countries of the Adriatic-Ionian region, collaboration on infrastructure developments

and harmonised operation of transport systems.

Specific objectives of the topic

In light of the scope above, challenges and opportunities, the activities under this topic aim at:

•

increasing safety and security of port operations and resilience of infrastructure, through a

vessel traffic monitoring and information system and investments in ports to increase safety,

security and ports’ capacity and interconnectivity;

improving the effectiveness of port infrastructure and equipment, hence the competitiveness of

maritime transport services, through the interoperability of IT systems and solutions in ports

including the development and/or improvement of Port Community System;

greening ports and maritime transport and increasing the number of certified ports (ISO 14001,

Port Environmental Review System and Eco-Management and Audit Scheme);

removing roadblocks to project investments, focusing on the enabling factors for the creation

and development of regional enterprises along the free and regulated European market

principles;

•

2.1.1

Strategy specificities opportunities & challenges

Linked to the above objectives, the Adriatic-Ionian region faces several specific challenges and

opportunities which the revised action plan aims to address.

Opportunities:

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•

A well-established network of motorways of the seas links, with further potential for growth.

A dynamic port system interconnected to the most relevant TEN-T transport corridors.

A multipurpose port system integrated in the regional economy and energy industry, located

along the One Belt and One Road global initiative.

Greening ports and maritime transport.

Challenges:

•

Lack of safety and security in port operations and resilience of infrastructure.

Lack of effectiveness of port infrastructure and equipment, hence the lack of

competitiveness of maritime transport services.

2.1.2

Support to horizontal and cross-cutting topics

Activities under this topic contribute actively to the horizontal and cross-cutting topics of the revised

action plan.

Horizontal topics:

•

Enlargement.

In the context of transport policy (Chapter 14), enhancing and harmonising

traffic monitoring and management within the ports of the Adriatic-Ionian region through

the implementation of advanced technologies such as Vessel Traffic Monitoring and

Information Systems and IT solutions holds significant potential. Improved traffic monitoring

and management not only enhance the overall functionality of ports but also demonstrate a

commitment to aligning with EU norms and regulations, making the transition smoother for

potential accession.

Furthermore, the harmonisation of monitoring systems for emissions, water quality, and air

quality in the Ports of the Adriatic-Ionian region is pivotal for aligning the candidate countries

with EU environmental standards (Chapter 27) and for ensuring a sustainable and

environmentally responsible approach to port operations, fostering seamless integration

with EU Member States. The Strategy master plan on transport will be updated and

upgraded with a view to the EU enlargement as envisaged by a key horizontal topic of the

Strategy. This activity is cross-cutting with the entire Topic 2.1, Topic 2.2 and Topic 2.3 of the

action plan.

Capacity building.

Improving IT solutions and implementing emission monitoring measures in

the ports of the Adriatic-Ionian region enhance the region’s maritime capabilities, providing

valuable insights into traffic patterns, safety protocols, and navigation efficiency. This, in

turn, contributes to capacity building by empowering port authorities with real-time data to

make informed decisions and optimise operational processes.

Simultaneously, the monitoring of emissions aligns with contemporary environmental

standards, promoting sustainability and responsible maritime practices. Furthermore,

cooperation to improve vessel monitoring and emission control measures improve the

capacity of the Adriatic-Ionian ports through knowledge sharing and the dissemination of

successful strategies, and contribute to a more sustainable, efficient, and informed maritime

environment in the broader context of the EU Green Deal.

Innovation and research.

Enhancing IT solutions for vessel monitoring and implementing

emissions monitoring in the ports of the Adriatic-Ionian region can serve as a catalyst for

•

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innovation and research. The integration of advanced IT solutions in maritime operations not

only optimises efficiency but also provides a rich source of data for researchers to explore

and analyse. Moreover, monitoring emissions in these ports could stimulate research into

cleaner technologies, alternative fuels, and emission reduction strategies, promoting

innovation in green shipping practices.

Cross-cutting topics:

•

Circular economy.

The topic does not include a defined link to circular economy activities.

However, advanced technologies, notably Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information Systems

can promote resource efficiency, reduce waste, and encourage the adoption of sustainable

practices, aligning the sector with the broader goals of a circular and environmentally

responsible economy.

The circular economy is centred on the concept of closing the loop, wherein resources are

reused, recycled, and regenerated. Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information Systems,

alongside emission monitoring, contributes to this circularity by fostering a closed-loop

approach in maritime operations. Efficient traffic management reduces unnecessary fuel

consumption and associated emissions, while monitoring emissions directly addresses the

environmental impact of shipping activities.

Green rural development.

The topic does not include an explicit link to green rural

development activities, as it the focus is on maritime transport.

Digitalisation.

The implementation of Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information Systems

allows for real-time monitoring and tracking of vessel movements, enhancing overall safety,

security, and efficiency in port operations. This not only streamlines maritime traffic but also

ensures compliance with international maritime regulations. By adopting modern IT

solutions, the Ports of the Adriatic-Ionian region can put in place a cohesive and

interoperable framework, promoting seamless communication and data exchange among

various stakeholders involved in port management.

The digital transition can be supported e.g. through activities related to use of joint

monitoring systems, and more explicitly the identification of bottlenecks for the

interoperability of IT systems and solutions in ports including the development and/or

improvement of Port Community System.

•

2.1.3

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Action

–

Improving and harmonising traffic monitoring and management

Description of the action

Improving and harmonising traffic monitoring and management by expanding

the use of vessel traffic monitoring and information system

•

Identify areas with the prioritised needs for improving Vessel Traffic

Monitoring and Information Systems.

Disseminate knowledge and good practices on Vessel Traffic Monitoring and

Information Systems in the region.

Leverage investments in Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information Systems.

Improving maritime safety in the region.

Interaction with ports authorities, ministries and stakeholders in many

countries could be challenging.

Which

challenges and

•

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opportunities is

this action

addressing?

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

•

Opportunities could come from the Interreg programmes funding pilot projects

and creating network of stakeholders involved in the deployment processes.

Improved safety and security of port operations and resilience of infrastructure

and staff training programmes and initiatives.

The action is strictly related to Pillar 2 (Transport sub-group) flagship

‘The

Adriatic-

Ionian Multi-Modal Corridors’ and its component

‘Green

and Smart Ports’. Under

this flagship the following master plan was developed:

•

Strategy master plan on transport

–

Vol. 1 Maritime dimension

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO 14 - Public

institutions

supported to

develop digital

services,

products and

processes

RCR 11 - Users

of new and

upgraded public

digital services,

products and

processes

Agreements and/or

governance solutions

among port authorities

and key stakeholders to

implement actions for

improving and

harmonising traffic

monitoring and

management

RCO83 Interreg:

Strategies and

action plans

jointly

developed

RCR 79 Interreg

- Joint

strategies and

action plans

taken up by

organisations

RCO 116

Interreg -

Jointly

developed

solutions

RCR104

Interreg:

Solutions taken

0(2023)

tbd

Tbd

Indicators

Indicator name

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

How to

measure the

activities under

this action?

Extension of areas in the

Adriatic and Ionian Sea

covered by Vessel Traffic

Monitoring and

Information Systems

0(2023)

tbd

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up or up-scaled

organisations

2.1.4

Action

–

Improvement of the interoperability of IT systems and solutions in

ports

Description of the action

Improvement of the interoperability of IT systems and solutions in ports

including the development and/or improvement of Port Community System

•

Upgrade the Strategy master plan on transport with a focus on intermodality in

the ports of the region.

Identification of bottlenecks for the interoperability of IT systems and solutions

in ports including the development and/or improvement of Port Community

System.

Identification of the areas with the biggest needs to investment.

Strengthen cooperation on port development.

Develop relevant staff training programmes and initiatives.

Digitalise port operations.

High procedural and bureaucratic barriers.

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Which

challenges and

opportunities is

this action

addressing?

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

•

Reduction of bureaucratic barriers.

Better collaboration between multiple players of the port industry leads to

improvement of the effectiveness of port performance and the

competitiveness of maritime transport services and staff training programmes

and initiatives.

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

The action is strictly related to Pillar 2 (Transport sub-group) flagship

‘The

Adriatic-

Ionian Multi-Modal Corridors’ and its component

‘Green

and Smart Ports’. Under

this flagship the following master plan was developed:

•

EUSAIR Master plan on transport

–

Vol. 1 Maritime dimension

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO 116

Interreg -

Jointly

developed

solutions

RCR104

Interreg:

Indicators

Indicator name

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

How to

measure the

activities under

this action?

IT systems by typology

(e.g. for handling

operations,

intermodality, resource

management,

…)

developed in the Ports

of the region

(distinguishing by Port

0(2023)

tbd

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dimension and typology)

Solutions taken

up or up-scaled

organisations

2.1.5

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Action

–

Improving monitoring of environmental quality in ports

Description of the action

Monitoring emissions, water quality and air quality

•

Disseminate knowledge on monitoring environmental quality in ports.

Development of a monitoring system for emissions, water quality and air

quality of ports in the region.

Publication of annual monitoring reports.

The adoption of common/shared monitoring tools and procedures.

Developed pilot projects for testing and for the diffusion of monitoring tools

and procedure.

Which

challenges and

opportunities is

this action

addressing?

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

•

Greener and smart ports.

More certified ports (ISO 14001, PERS and EMAS).

The action is strictly related to Pillar 2 (Transport sub-group) flagship

‘The

Adriatic-

Ionian Multi-Modal Corridors’ and its component

‘Green

and Smart Ports’. Under

this flagship the following master plan was developed:

•

Strategy master plan on Transport

–

Vol. 1 Maritime dimension

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO 116

Interreg -

Jointly

developed

solutions

RCR104

Interreg:

Solutions taken

up or up-scaled

organisations

RCO83 Interreg:

Strategies and

action plans

0(2023)

tbd

Indicators

Indicator name

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

How to

measure the

activities under

this action?

Monitoring systems (for

air and water quality)

and protocols adopted

in the Ports of the

region (distinguishing by

Port dimension and

typology)

0(2023)

tbd

Agreements among port

authorities to

implement, manage and

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control emissions in the

Ports of the region

(same as above)

jointly

developed

RCR 79 - Joint

strategies and

action plans

taken up by

organisations

2.2

Topic

–

Multi-modal connectivity

Global objectives.

A fully operational, multi-modal Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) for

sustainable and smart connectivity is an objective set out in the EU ‘Sustainable and Smart Mobility

Strategy’ and an important asset to achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal.

harmonised and interconnected transport network enhances the efficiency of cross-border

movements, reducing transit times and trade barriers. Furthermore, increasing road and rail capacity

responds to the growing demands of commerce and travel (Chapter 4). Upgrading and expanding

transportation infrastructure not only accommodates rising traffic volumes but also enhances the

region’s overall competitiveness, contributing significantly to the seamless integration of the region

into the broader TEN-T (Chapter 21).

Strategy objectives.

The objective of the topic is to foster the development of effective multi-modal

connections, between maritime transport of passengers and goods with landside modes such as rail

and road networks, as well as the connection to the main airport nodes. Ports and airports of the

Adriatic and Ionian Seas are immediate entry points to the region from abroad, whereas inland

waterways provide important international connections to/from the region. An appropriate

transport policy must regard all these considerations promoting multimodality, while also

considering environmental aspects (e.g. air emission), economic growth and social development.

Specific objectives of the topic

In light of the above objectives, challenges and opportunities, the activities under this topic aim

at:

new investment projects in ICT infrastructure to improve multi-modal connections;

•

interoperable rail infrastructure and services among countries of the Adriatic-Ionian region to

increase the rail connections between cities in the Western Balkans;

increased rail transport capacity and quality thorough a reduction of missing links and

bottlenecks and upgraded rail network of the region to TEN-T standards;

increased road safety of rail and road networks.

2.2.1

Strategy specificities opportunities & challenges

Linked to the above objectives, the Adriatic-Ionian region faces specific challenges and opportunities

which the revised action plan aims to address.

Opportunities:

•

Rail infrastructure and intermodal nodes belonging to the TEN-T network and mostly to the

TEN-T transport corridors.

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•

Growing positive trends in freight and passenger demand across Europe.

Rail network already interconnected with most of the ports in the regions.

Potential growth of air passenger traffic due to tourism activities.

Increase rail transport capacity, quality and road and rail safety and resilience.

Challenges:

•

Multiple and heterogenous transport operators (multi- modes, multi -countries).

Lack of harmonised of regulation and services among countries.

Lack of interoperability of infrastructure among countries.

2.2.2

Support to horizontal and cross-cutting topics

Activities under this topic contribute actively to the horizontal and cross-cutting topics of the revised

action plan.

Horizontal topics:

Enlargement.

The implementation of ICT in transport infrastructure, coupled with efforts to

enhance interoperability, increase road, and rail capacity, stands as a pivotal strategy to

bolster the enlargement process of the European Union in the Western Balkans (Chapter 14).

By embracing ICT solutions in transportation, the region can achieve heightened

connectivity, real-time monitoring, and streamlined logistics. This not only facilitates the

smooth flow of goods and people but also aligns the Western Balkans with the advanced

technological standards of the EU. Interoperability, achieved through standardised systems

and collaborative frameworks, further strengthens the Western Balkans’ integration with the

EU.

•

Capacity building.

The strategic implementation of ICT in transport infrastructure, coupled

with a focus on interoperability and increased road and rail capacity, could contribute to

capacity building in the Adriatic-Ionian region, since it not only enhances operational

efficiency but also fosters continuous learning and skill development, laying the foundation

for a well-equipped and knowledgeable workforce capable of managing the region’s evolving

transportation needs. By promoting ICT infrastructure and interoperability, the region is

better equipped to build the collective expertise necessary for effective transportation

management and optimisation.

•

Innovation and research.

The implementation of ICT transport infrastructure creates a data-

rich environment that researchers can leverage to study and to develop innovative solutions

for optimising logistics and traffic management. Interoperability enhancements encourage

collaboration among transport stakeholders and the exchange of ideas for supplying new

mobility services in the region. The Adriatic-Ionian region, with its diverse economic activities

and geopolitical significance, can benefit from collaborative research efforts focused on ICT

solutions in rail transport. Increasing road and rail capacity paves the way for research into

novel technologies and sustainable practices, aligning the region with the latest

advancements in transportation. Commitment to modern infrastructure not only stimulates

local innovation but also attracts research initiatives and partnerships.

Cross-cutting topics:

•

Circular economy.

The integration of ICT solutions into rail transport systems, such as smart

sensors, predictive analytics, and digital communication, can enhance efficiency, and

contribute to circular principles. In fact, streamlining logistics and enhancing overall supply

•

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

•

chain efficiency (e.g. minimising delays, reducing idle times,

…)

optimises resource utilisation,

fostering a circular economy by ensuring that transportation resources are used to their

maximum potential. Optimising the performance of rail systems contribute to circularity by

improving resource efficiency and minimising the environmental footprint associated with

rail operations. Develop sustainable infrastructure, and increase the number of EMAS

registered ports and maritime infrastructure.

Green rural development.

The topic does not focus on green rural development activities.

However, improved multi-modal connectivity and especially road connectivity can also

support the development of rural areas offering transport solutions improving overall

accessibility.

Digitalisation.

The implementation of innovative ICT solutions in the realm of rail transport

holds immense potential for fostering research and innovation in logistics optimisation,

traffic management, and sustainable transportation practices. Researchers can explore ways

to leverage ICT for real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and resource-efficient

operations, contributing to advancements in transportation sector and novel approaches to

design, construction, and maintenance. ICT solutions, such as advanced simulation models

and digital twin technologies, can be employed to test and optimise various scenarios,

enabling researchers to develop innovative solutions that enhance capacity while minimising

environmental impact.

2.2.3

Action

–

Implementation of ICT infrastructure at nodes and along logistics

chains

Description of the action

Support the implementation of ICT infrastructure at nodes and along logistics

chains, as well as systems interoperability in the Adriatic-Ionian region

•

Upgrade the Strategy master plan on transport with a focus on intermodality

along the logistics chains of the region.

Identify the areas with the highest need to the implementation of ICT

infrastructure at nodes and along logistics chains.

Leverage investments in ICT infrastructure at nodes and along logistics chains.

Diverse objectives and diverse infrastructure development among participating

countries.

Extension of TEN-T railways corridors in the Western Balkans.

Identification of common priorities for the implementation of ICT solutions.

Development of measures for improving the logistic chains along the corridors.

Increase investments in ICT infrastructure.

Improve multi-modal connections to transport nodes.

Capacity build through staff training programmes and initiatives.

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Which

challenges and

opportunities is

this action

addressing?

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

•

The EMAS Register is a voluntary tool designed by the European Commission for the registration and public

recognition of those companies and organisations that have excellent environmental performance.

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

The action is strictly related to the Strategy Pillar 2 (Transport sub-group) flagship

‘The

Adriatic-Ionian Multi-Modal Corridors’. Under this flagship the following

master plan was developed:

•

Strategy master plan on transport

–

Vol. 5 Rail and related intermodality

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO 116

Interreg -

Jointly

developed

solutions

RCR104

Interreg:

Solutions taken

up or up-scaled

organisations

Agreements and/or

governance solutions

within logistics clusters

and along multi-modal

routes, to develop and

implement actions,

including ICT for the

promotion of multi-

modal and intermodal

transport and

harmonised traffic

monitoring and

management

RCO83 Interreg:

Strategies and

action plans

jointly

developed

RCR 79 Interreg

- Joint

strategies and

action plans

taken up by

organisations

RCO 116

Interreg -

Jointly

developed

solutions

RCR104

Interreg:

Solutions taken

up or up-scaled

organisations

0(2023)

tbd

Indicators

Indicator name

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

How to

measure the

activities under

this action?

Number of multi-modal

hubs (for freight and

passengers) in the

region upgraded with

ICT infrastructure and

services

0(2023)

tbd

2.2.4

Action

–

Upgrade of the network to provide continued and interoperable

international rail links between countries

Description of the action

Upgrade of the network to provide continued and interoperable international

Name of the

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action

rail links between countries, also by drawing up integrated plans for

infrastructure developments and drawing up joint roadmaps for investments

•

Upgrade the Strategy master plan on transport with a focus on

interoperability.

Support the railway connecting between the capital cities in the region.

Investments in upgrading rail infrastructure where needed (e.g. bottlenecks,

single tracks, etc.)

Ecosystem consisting of different rules, operators, interests.

The extension of TEN-T railways corridors in the Western Balkans that could

help to identify common priorities.

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Which

challenges and

opportunities is

this action

addressing?

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

•

Interoperable rail infrastructure and services among countries of the Adriatic-

Ionian region.

The action is strictly related to Pillar 2 (Transport sub-group) flagship

‘The

Adriatic-

Ionian Multi-Modal Corridors’. Under this flagship the following master plan was

developed:

•

Strategy master plan on transport

–

Vol. 5 Rail and related intermodality

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO 50 - Length

of rail

reconstructed

or modernised -

non-TEN-T

RCR 58 - Annual

users of newly

built, upgraded,

reconstructed

or modernised

railways

RCR 101- Time

savings due to

improved rail

infrastructure

Daily Frequency or

number of rail services

between the main cities

(e.g. the Capitals of the

region)

RCR 58 - Annual

users of newly

built, upgraded,

reconstructed

or modernised

railways

tbd

Indicators

Indicator name

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

How to

measure the

activities under

this action?

Km or % (over total

network extension) of

interoperable rail

infrastructure in the

region (e.g.

distinguishing by single

vs double track;

electrified vs not

electrified,

…)

tbd

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RCR 101- Time

savings due to

improved rail

infrastructure

2.2.5

Name of the

action

Action

–

Increase rail transport capacity and quality in the region

Description of the action

Increase rail and road transport capacity and quality (remove missing links and

bottlenecks; complete rail reforms) in Strategy countries and upgrade the rail

and road network of the region to TEN-T standards

•

Upgrade the Strategy master plan on transport

–

Vol. 5 Rail and related

interoperability.

Analyse and list needs of transport capacity and quality in Strategy countries

and potential for upgrade.

Increase rail transport capacity and quality.

Preparation of projects and funding for the development of rail infrastructure

(where needed) as a pre-condition to increase rail transport capacity.

Creating agreements among rail transport operators to supply (cross countries)

quality rail services is another critical and challenging issue. An agreement

upon the standard is needed, as well as identifying who pays for subsidising

the rail services.

Increased rail transport capacity and quality (solve missing links and

bottlenecks; complete rail reforms) in Strategy countries and

upgraded rail network of the region to TEN-T standards.

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Which

challenges and

opportunities is

this action

addressing?

•

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

•

The action is strictly related to the Strategy Pillar 2 (Transport sub-group) flagship

‘The

Adriatic-Ionian Multi-Modal Corridors’. Under this flagship the following

master plan was developed:

•

Strategy master plan on transport

–

Vol. 5 Rail and related intermodality

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO 50 - Length

of rail

reconstructed

or modernised -

non-TEN-T

RCO 49 - Length

of rail

reconstructed

or modernised -

Indicators

Indicator name

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

How to

measure the

activities under

this action?

% of rail network in the

region upgraded to TEN-

T quality and safety

standards (Core and

Extended Core)

tbd

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TEN-T

RCR 58 - Annual

users of newly

built, upgraded,

reconstructed

or modernised

railways

RCR 101- Time

savings due to

improved rail

infrastructure

% of road network in the

region upgraded to TEN-

T quality and safety

standards (Core and

Extended Core)

RCO 108 -

Length of roads

with new or

modernised

traffic

management

systems - TEN-T

RCR 55 - Annual

users of newly

built,

reconstructed,

upgraded, or

modernised

roads

tbd

2.3

Topic

–

Urban nodes

Global objectives.

Sustainable urban mobility is a key objective of EU urban and mobility policies to

enhance mobility and reduce congestion, accidents, and air pollution in urban areas. It aims at

improving the overall quality of life for residents and commuters by addressing major challenges

related to for example congestion, development of intermodality air/noise pollution, climate change,

and road safety and, more generally, transport energy.

Strategy objectives.

The objective of the topic is to foster the improvement of urban mobility

solutions and transport systems talking/anticipating the challenges and the already existing

criticalities deriving from growing urbanisation (urban sprawl) and from some socio-economic (e.g.

ageing population) and environmental trends, calling for a reduction of the impacts of passengers

and goods mobility in the cities. The improvement of integrated local public transit systems

(including

‘last-mile’

solutions, such as active mobility, micromobility, and shared mobility solutions)

is essential to increase transport efficiency and to achieve the decarbonisation targets by the

promotion of urban low -emission mobility, also in a cross-border framework.

Specific objectives of the topic

In light of the above objectives, challenges and opportunities, the activities under this topic aim at:

•

the adoption of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans for all urban nodes in the region to actively

promote sustainable mobility solutions, and sustainable logistics measures;

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•

integrated public transport services solutions (including also fare structure) for the largest urban

nodes, covering their functional urban areas, to increase the modal share of public transport;

better coverage of bike lanes and networks (more km of cycling lanes) in all urban areas,

connecting the cities with their commuting areas and measures to promote cycling, to increase

bike modal share.

2.3.1

Strategy specificities opportunities & challenges

Linked to the above objectives, the Adriatic-Ionian region faces several specific challenges and

opportunities which the revised action plan aims to address.

Opportunities:

•

An extended network of urban nodes belonging to the TEN-T, according to the proposal for

the revision of Regulation (EU) 1315/2013.

Development of Multifunctional urban nodes, many of them also representing tourism

attractions and/or classifiable as city-ports.

Development of accessible and safe cycling solutions for local and tourist mobility.

Challenges:

•

Lack of integration of local public transport networks with other services (the challenge that

here is related to the preparation of projects and get the funds for the development of rail

infrastructure (where needed) that is a pre-condition to increase rail transport capacity).

In addition, creating agreement among rail transport operators to supply (cross countries)

quality rail services is another critical and challenging issues. An agreement upon the

standard is needed, who pays for subsidising the rail services, etc. are also particularly

challenging. e.g. shared mobility services).

Low level of road safety, particularly for vulnerable users.

Improve road safety, particularly for vulnerable users.

Development of accessible and safe cycling solutions for local and tourist mobility.

•

2.3.2

Support to horizontal and cross-cutting topics

Activities under this topic contribute actively to the horizontal and cross-cutting topics of the revised

action plan.

Horizontal topics:

•

Enlargement.

Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans emphasise environmentally friendly

transport solutions, aligning the region with EU sustainability standards (Chapter 27). The

adoption of Mobility as a Service fosters efficient and integrated urban transport systems,

demonstrating the Western Balkans’ commitment to modern and interconnected urban

mobility (Chapter 14). Additionally, investing in cycling infrastructure not only promotes

healthy and sustainable commuting but also aligns the region with EU emphasis on

alternative and green modes of transportation (Chapter 27). These measures collectively

contribute to the harmonisation of transport practices, a key component in the Western

Balkans’ journey towards EU accession (Chapter 14).

Capacity building.

The implementation of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans offers a

comprehensive framework for urban planners and policymakers to enhance their expertise

•

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in sustainable urban development, fostering capacity building in local governance. By

introducing innovative, technology-driven, and integrated transport solutions, Mobility as a

Service encourages the development of skills and knowledge among professionals involved in

urban mobility management. Investing in cycling infrastructure not only contributes to

healthier and more sustainable transport but also supports capacity building by creating

opportunities for training and expertise development in urban planning, transportation

engineering, and alternative mobility solutions.

•

Innovation and research.

The implementation of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans, public

transport single-ticketing platforms (including Mobility as a Service solution), and cycling

infrastructure in the cities of the Adriatic-Ionian region would provide a fertile ground for

research into novel technologies and urban planning strategies. Mobility as a Service

introduces a transformative approach to transportation, encouraging research into seamless

integration of various modes of transport and user-centric mobility solutions. The

development of cycling infrastructure may stimulate innovation in urban design and safety

measures, attracting research initiatives focused on enhancing the cycling experience and

integrating it effectively into urban transport systems.

Cross-cutting topics:

•

Circular economy.

The topic does not include any link to Circular Economy.

Green rural development.

Integrated public transport services may be extended beyond

urban areas and support connectivity in the neighbouring rural areas.

Digitalisation.

The integration of public transport systems including fare and single ticketing

systems will include the development of digital platform and data sharing systems. In fact,

Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans leverage digital technologies to optimise urban mobility,

fostering the integration of smart solutions for traffic management and data-driven decision-

making. Mobility as a Service

introduces digital platforms that seamlessly connect various

transportation modes, providing users with real-time information and payment options

through digital channels. Additionally, the development of cycling infrastructure may

incorporate digital tools for route planning, bike-sharing systems, and safety measures,

collectively contributing to the overall digital transformation of transportation in the region’s

cities.

2.3.3

Action

–

Boost the uptake of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan initiatives

especially in urban nodes

Description of the action

Boost the uptake of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans initiatives especially in

urban nodes with strong urbanisation trends, including co-design of solutions for

local mobility

•

Upgrade the Strategy master plan on transport

–

Vol. 7 Accessibility to urban

nodes and tourist attractions.

Set up a Strategy peer to peer community on sustainable urban transport

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Mobility as a Service

integrates various forms of transport and transport-related services into a single,

comprehensive, and on-demand mobility service. Mobility as a Service offers end users the added value of

accessing mobility through a single application and a single payment channel (instead of multiple ticketing

and payment operations).

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•

plans.

Develop a Strategy best practice handbook on sustainable urban transport

plans.

Strengthen uptake of technological mobility solutions.

Raising people awareness about the impact of sustainable urban mobility

solutions on the environment and their daily activities.

Which

challenges and

opportunities is

this action

addressing?

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

•

Urban areas of the Adriatic-Ionian region have Sustainable Urban Mobility

Plans.

Sustainable mobility solutions and sustainable logistics measures promoted.

The action is strictly related to the Strategy Pillar 2 (Transport sub-group) flagship

‘The

Adriatic-Ionian Muti-Modal Corridors’. Under this flagship the following

masterplan was developed:

•

Strategy master plan on transport

–

Vol. 7 Accessibility to urban nodes and

tourist attractions

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO83 Interreg:

Strategies and

action plans

jointly

developed

RCR 79 Interreg

- Joint

strategies and

action plans

taken up by

organisations

RCO 55 - Length

of new tram

and metro lines

RCO 56 - Length

reconstructed

or modernised

tram and metro

lines

RCR 63 - Annual

users of new or

modernised

tram and metro

lines

tbd

Indicators

Indicator name

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

How to

measure the

activities under

this action?

Number or % of cities in

the region (e.g. with a

population above 50 000

or 100 000 inhabitants)

that have adopted a

Sustainable Urban

Mobility Plan according

to EU guidelines

tbd

Extension (Km /per

habitant) of Mass Rapid

Transit (e.g. Tram,

Metro, Bus Rapid

Transit)

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2.3.4

Action

–

Diffusion of integrated public transport system including integrated

fare structures (Mobility as a Service)

Description of the action

Promote the diffusion of integrated fare and single ticketing solutions

•

Upgrade the Strategy master plan on transport

–

Vol. 7 Accessibility to urban

nodes and tourist attractions.

Initiate a Strategy peer to peer community on integrated fare and single

ticketing solutions.

Promote integrated public transport systems including fare and single ticketing

solutions through Mobility as a Services platforms.

The challenge is the integration of local public transport networks and services,

and integrated fare systems.

The opportunity comes from the ongoing diffusion of Mobility as a Service

platforms and Mobility as a Service operator.

Establishing integrated fare and single-ticketing solutions within most urban

and interurban areas, especially in Western Balkan countries.

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Which

challenges and

opportunities is

this action

addressing?

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

•

The action is strictly related to the Strategy Pillar 2 (Transport sub-group) flagship

‘The

Adriatic-Ionian Multi-Modal Corridors’. Under this flagship the following

master plan was developed:

•

Strategy master plan on transport

–

Vol. 7 Accessibility to urban nodes and

tourist attractions

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO83 Interreg:

Strategies and

action plans

jointly

developed

RCR 79 Interreg

- Joint

strategies and

action plans

taken up by

organisations

RCO 87 Interreg

- Organisations

cooperating

tbd

Indicators

Indicator name

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

How to

measure the

activities under

this action?

Number or % of cities in

the region that have

adopted Mobility as a

Service solutions or local

public transport

integrated fare systems

(e.g. public transit and

sharing mobility

systems)

tbd

Number of Mobility as a

Service operators in the

region, distinguishing by

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extension of the services

embedded in the

Mobility as a Service

platform, e.g. city-wide

or region-wide including

rural areas

across borders

RCR 84 Interreg

- Organisations

cooperating

across borders

after project

completion

2.3.5

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Action

–

Support the realisation of cycling lanes and networks

Description of the action

Support the realisation of cycling lanes and networks and other measures for the

promotion of cycling mobility

•

Upgrade the Strategy master plan on transport

–

Vol. 7 Accessibility to urban

nodes and tourist attractions.

Promote cycling lanes and networks.

Development of Strategy on long-distance biking routes (incl. EUROVELO

network).

Development of safe cycling solutions for local and tourist mobility.

Which

challenges and

opportunities is

this action

addressing?

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

•

Good coverage with cycling lanes and networks in all urban areas and active

measures for the promotion of cycling mobility.

The action is strictly related to Pillar 2 (Transport sub-group) flagship

‘The

Adriatic-

Ionian Multi-Modal Corridors’ and its component

‘Adriatic-Ionian

Cycle Routes’.

Under this flagship the following masterplan was developed:

•

Strategy master plan on transport

–

Vol. 7 Accessibility to urban nodes and

tourist attractions

and the following

Cross-pillar strategic projects:

•

ADRIOCYCLETOUR

- ADRiatic-IONian CYCLE route for sustainable TOURism

(Pillars 2 and 4)

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

Indicators

Indicator name

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How to

measure the

activities under

this action?

Extension (Km /per

habitant) cycling lanes in

the cities of the region,

by typology (e.g.

segregated vs mixed use

lanes, urban vs

suburban

…)

RCO 58 -

Dedicated

cycling

infrastructure

supported

RCR 64 - Annual

users of

dedicated

cycling

infrastructure

tbd

2.4

Topic– Energy networks

Global objectives.

Energy systems are made up of energy networks, energy markets and energy uses.

The liberalisation and integration of the EU electricity and natural gas markets, pursued by the EU

directives and regulations, contribute to security of supply, competitiveness, sustainability and

affordability. The energy policy objectives of the EU

–

sustainability, security of supply,

competitiveness and affordability

–

can only be achieved through a well-interconnected and well-

functioning internal energy market.

Strategy objectives.

The EU is committed to climate neutrality by 2050, as laid down in the Climate

Law, responding to its obligations under the Paris Agreement and the Global Stocktake at COP28.

One of the key objective of this topic is to reach these goals and phase-out fossil fuels. In this

perspective and in view of the transition towards decarbonised energy systems to confront the

climate change challenge, key objectives are to achieve well-interconnected and well-functioning

energy systems and markets in the Adriatic-Ionian region, to foster security of energy supply, and to

improve energy market competitiveness. Priorities are enacting the energy goals of the European

Green Deal, RePower EU, and the Green Agenda for Western Balkans, while contributing to the

energy transition, large-scale deployment of renewable energy sources compatible with the

‘Do

Significant Harm’ (DNSH) principle and the environmental

acquis,

increased electrification of the

energy system, energy efficiency and resilience of sustainable energy infrastructure with a view to EU

enlargement.

The focus is on the cooperation energy policies and initiatives by countries of the Adriatic-Ionian

region, collaboration on infrastructure developments, in line with the Green Deal and RePower EU

policies, and integration of energy markets regionally and with the EU.

The electricity and natural gas systems and markets in the Adriatic-Ionian region and even more in

the Western Balkans region are in the process of integration, but several roadblocks still persist.

Actions for greater integration will be addressed under this topic in cooperation with the Energy

Community and European Commission services.

Fully integrated networks and markets are crucial for achieving security of supply, market

integration, energy price competitiveness, convergence and affordability, at the same time paving

the way for a future renewable hydrogen distribution. Investments would be public and private or

both. Projects which have not secured sufficient public, or EU funding should be implemented

through market-based instruments, such as incremental capacity processes, concessional

agreements, own equity or support from commercial banks. Support and realisation of the projects

within the different activities must be linked with the confirmation from the market and the relevant

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

institutions that these infrastructures are needed and funding will be secured through market

mechanisms.

On 30 May 2022, the European Union adopted the Regulation (EU) 2022/869 on guidelines for trans-

European energy infrastructure repealing Regulation (EU) No 347/2013.

On a proposal by the European Commission, on 14 December 2023 the Energy Community

Ministerial Council followed by adopting a Decision adapting Regulation (EU) 2022/869 to the Energy

Community to foster decarbonisation efforts of the Energy Community Contracting Parties in relation

to energy infrastructure. This TEN-E Regulation sets out a revised regional cooperation framework for

selecting and implementing key infrastructure projects necessary for achieving the 2030 and 2050

energy and climate targets and the European Green Deal. The TEN-E Regulation is key for

accelerating investments in grid infrastructure. By including infrastructure for renewable and low-

carbon gases (biomethane, biogas, renewable hydrogen), it will support the decarbonisation of gas

markets and support the transformation of industrial clusters. The Energy Community Contracting

Parties have to transpose the Regulation by end 2024. In parallel, the process for the selection of

Projects of Energy Community Interest (PECI) has been launched early 2024 and in December 2024

the Energy Community Ministerial Council adopted the first PECI list

Specific objectives of the topic

In light of the scope above and the challenges and opportunities below, the activities under this topic

aim at:

•

developing integrated power networks and markets towards a green Adriatic-Ionian region

based on renewable energies production and consumption;

building interconnected energy systems and better integrated grids to support renewable

energy sources;

fostering energy market integration, energy competitiveness and security of energy supply of

the Adriatic-Ionian region;

removing roadblocks to project investments, focusing on the enabling factors for creation and

development of regional enterprises along the free and regulated European market principles.

2.4.1

Strategy specificities opportunities and challenges

Linked to the above objectives, the Adriatic-Ionian region faces a number of specific challenges and

opportunities which the revised action plan aims to address.

Opportunities:

•

Connecting and integrating networks to reduce energy system vulnerability and risk of

disruptions of energy supply.

Enhancing cooperation on cross-border energy networks to allow for investments on large

energy infrastructure which would find difficulties given the limited national outreach

capacity. If these actions are not compliant with DNSH criteria and the environmental

acquis,

they won’t be (co-)funded

by EU programmes.

ECS - Final Preliminary PECI list.pdf

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Exploiting complementarities of the energy systems through the Adriatic-Ionian region to

improve security and competitiveness.

Challenges related to electric power concern among others:

Insufficiently integrated power grids and still fragmented market not fully supporting the

energy transition of the Adriatic-Ionian region.

•

Restricted electricity market activities in the Adriatic-Ionian region due to inefficient use and

low exploitation of interconnections

as well as subsidies causing electricity market

distortions.

•

Regulatory and financial barriers that hinder electricity market integration as well as the

functioning of power exchange through the Adriatic-Ionian region.

•

Significant constraints in the existing electricity grid to accommodate generation of large

amounts of electricity from intermittent renewable and distributed energy sources.

Further challenges:

•

The credible implementation and enforcement of the EU directives and regulations under the

Energy Community framework, in particular the Electricity Integration Package adopted in

2022, as relevant for facilitating development of more flexible and consumer-centred energy

markets and their integration into the European single market for electricity.

Prosperous business environment is required to attract investments for the development of

networks and international and regional interconnections. Administrative delays and political

volatility, which are recurrent phenomena in the Adriatic-Ionian region, are often regarded

as a threat and deterrent to committing long-term investment on energy networks.

Alliances, agreements, joint ventures amongst energy enterprises from countries of the

Adriatic-Ionian region should be promoted and looked for to create larger and efficient

regional industry players with a sufficient number of employees and international

connections while facing technology innovations and economies of scale.

Cybersecurity threats to power and natural gas networks and infrastructure, as well as to

information systems used for providing essential services in the energy sector. Exceptional

events due to global climate change with the consequent need for reducing vulnerability and

ensuring early warning and continuity of energy services when facing incidents and

disruptions.

•

2.4.2

Support to horizontal and cross-cutting topics

Activities under this topic contribute actively to the horizontal and cross-cutting topics of the revised

action plan.

Horizontal topics:

•

Enlargement.

The activities help candidate countries to better integrate with EU Member

States in field of EU energy policies, also including programmes and projects and their

harmonisation and alignment to the EU directives and regulations. Enactment and

The Clean Energy Package, with the new Electricity Regulation introduced a new regulatory framework for

cross-border capacity allocation. Here, specifically Art. 16 is of high relevance as it requires TSOs to provide

minimum levels of available capacity for cross-zonal trade (the so-called 70% rule).

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implementation of cross-border interconnections and transnational energy infrastructures

would contribute to the integration of non-Member States with the European Union. The

creation of integrated markets within the Adriatic-Ionian region would enable cost

reductions and regulatory alignment with the EU Member States while reducing risk in

energy supply and distribution.

•

Capacity building.

The activities have a strong focus on capacity building to ensure relevant

players are well informed and involved and the regulatory frameworks facilitate sustainable

ad efficient energy markets and systems. This includes, among other activities, joint capacity

building and innovative solutions for implementing a common market and enhancing energy

regulatory frameworks. Local energy enterprises may find new opportunities while creating

joint ventures and merging into larger more efficient regional enterprises.

•

Innovation and research.

The activities will touch on innovation and research in various

contexts, e.g. related to new technologies improving energy transmission and storage while

activating measures for cybersecurity.

Cross-cutting topics:

•

Circular economy.

The topic does not explicitly address circular economy. However,

improving energy networks to support a green transition is also supporting the transition to a

circular economy.

Green rural development.

Increased energy interconnections and power grid development

would facilitate the inclusion of rural and remote areas into the main power and networks

and infrastructure.

Digitalisation.

The digital transition and large-scale use of artificial intelligence are an integral

part of the development of energy networks. Digitalisation and artificial intelligence would

be a key asset and driver for the operation of the energy networks, for the management of

spare capacity, deployment of smart power grids, prevention of human errors and recovery

from accidents and failures.

•

2.4.3

Action

–

Integrated power networks and market supporting the green

transition

Description of the action

Integrated power networks and market supporting the green transition and

security of energy supply of the Adriatic-Ionian region

•

Master plan 2026 of energy and energy networks for the Adriatic-Ionian region

with time horizons the years 2030 and 2050. Activity cross-cutting Topic 2.4

and Topic 2.5 of the Strategy master plan.

Promoting projects supporting the Trans-Balkan Corridor by including new

power transmission lines, reinforcements of existing lines to enable trade in

electricity, grid stability and large-scale deployment and market integration of

renewable energy sources.

Digitalising the power system, deploying and adopting smart electricity grids

and smart grid technologies across the Adriatic-Ionian region to efficiently

integrate the behaviours and actions of all users connected to the electricity

network. In particular deploying demand response by consumers, energy

storage, electric vehicles and increased electrification.

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

•

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•

Which

•

challenges and

opportunities is

•

this action

addressing?

•

This would include:

a) Increasing the existing Trans-Adriatic power interconnectors.

b) Enhancing power supply for islands and islands systems where renewable

energies can play a fundamental role.

c) Promoting early warning and cybersecurity capabilities for the resilience

of the power and electricity system when facing threats and incidents.

Road Map 2026 towards a Strategy Power Exchange and Natural Gas Trading

Hub for the Adriatic-Ionian region Activity cross-cutting Action 2.4.1 and

Action 2.4.2 of Topic 2.4

Developing analysis and evaluating differences in the regional and national

electricity markets, with respect to regulatory frameworks, market maturity

and barriers to cross-border investments. Developing customised approaches

to address these barriers while paying close attention to systemic market

differences, while respecting requirements under the EU and Energy

Community

acquis.

Supporting joint capacity building and innovative solutions for the building of a

common power market.

Creating a wholesale power market for the Adriatic-Ionian region

with steps

envisioning market coupling with the EU, harmonising electricity grid tariff

methodologies and grid codes addressing regulatory barriers, power purchase

agreements and use of blockchain to facilitate electricity trading. The activity is

including support to the flagship ‘Power networks and markets for a green

Adriatic-Ionian region’

and joining the Joint Allocation Office when not in

place for forward allocation and joining Single Day-Ahead Coupling and Single

Intra-Day Coupling (SDIC) for electricity trade.

Implementing and operating the Balkan Energy Regulators School.

The challenge is the lack of well-functioning energy market to support the

energy transition of the Adriatic-Ionian region.

Concurrent challenge is the restriction in electricity market activities in the

Adriatic-Ionian region due to inefficient use and low exploitation of

interconnections as well due to subsidies causing electricity market

distortions.

The opportunity for all participating countries is to interconnect their power

grids, as a means to optimise the deployment of low-carbon power generation

other than hydropower, to maintain grid stability and security while expanding

the use of intermittent and diversified power sources. Electricity storage,

digitalisation of the power grid and smart grids offer opportunities for

Electricity market coupling and balancing market integration according to steps including harmonisation of

legislative and regulatory framework, addressing regulatory barriers, accelerating market coupling, power

purchase agreements and use of blockchain to facilitate electricity trading.

It is in the interest of all participating countries to further interconnect their power grids, as a means to

optimise the deployment of low-carbon power generation other than hydropower, to maintain grid stability

and security while expanding the use of intermittent and diversified power sources. Electricity storage,

digitalisation of the power grid and smart grids offer further opportunities for reducing costs and improving

the service. Electricity market integration and, market coupling would be more efficient should investments

in new power infrastructure become a reality.

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•

reducing costs and improving the service.

The power networks can have an impact on nature and biodiversity. New

power grid should avoid as much as possible degradation of ecosystem,

particularly in Natura 2000 areas and plan for appropriate mitigation

measures.

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

•

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

Ensuring full implementation of relevant EU and Energy Community

acquis

allow for further market integration within the region.

•

Possibility for the electricity grid to accommodate the generation of large

amounts of electricity from intermittent renewable and distributed energy

sources.

•

Removal of regulatory barriers hindering energy market integration as well as

the functioning of power exchange through the Adriatic-Ionian region.

Under flagship POWER NETWORKS AND MARKET FOR A GREEN ADRIATIC- IONIAN

REGION the following masterplan was developed:

•

Strategy MPEN

–

master plan of energy networks for the Adriatic-Ionian

region

with time horizons the years 2030 and 2050

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO81 Interreg:

Participation in

joint

actions

across borders

RCO117

Interreg:

Solutions

for

legal

administrative

obstacles across

border identified

Indicators

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

OI. Number of

completed or

implemented

transnational

interconnectors and

links for the Trans-

Balkan Electricity

Corridor

0 (2023)

2 (2027)

TSG

OI. Master plan 2026

on energy and

energy networks for

the Adriatic-Ionian

region. Activity is

cross-cutting Topic

2.4 and Topic 2.5

RI: The strategy

master plan 2026 on

Energy would

update and upgrade

the 2023 master

plan on energy

networks for the

Adriatic and Ionian

region with a view to

EU enlargement as

RCO83 Interreg:

Strategies and

action

plans

jointly

developed

Master plan

2023

1 (2026)

TSG2

RCR79 Interreg:

Joint strategies

and

action

plans taken up

organisations

Master plan

2023

1(2026)

TSG2

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

set out by a key

horizontal topic of

the Strategy. Time

horizons are the

years 2030 and

2050. Activity is

cross-cutting the

entire Topic 2.4 and

Topic 2.5 of the

action plan.

OI. Roadmap 2026

towards an

electricity market

and natural gas

trading hub for the

Adriatic -Ionian

region. Activity

cross-cutting Action

2.4.1 and Action

2.4.2

OI. Operation of the

Western Balkan

Energy Regulators

School

RI. Improved

electricity

interconnection in

the region with

reduced electricity

cost, sharing spare

capacity and

increased supply

reliability with a

view at the

horizontal topic of

EU enlargement

RI. Deciding on

priorities with a view

at different shared

policy scenarios

according to a long-

term perspective

(years 2030 and

2050 as the time

horizon)

RI. Integration of

power and natural

gas markets of the

region in view of

integration with the

EU internal energy

market. First

achievements

expected: market

coupling with the

RCO83 Interreg:

Strategies and

action

plans

jointly

developed

Update(2023)

1 (2026)

TSG

RCO85 Interreg:

Participations in

joint training

schemes

RCO81 Interreg:

Participation in

joint actions

across borders

RCO117

Interreg:

Solutions for

legal or

administrative

obstacles across

border identified

0 (2023)

1(2025)

TSG

0 (2023)

1(2027)

TSG

RCO83 Interreg:

Strategies and

action

plans

jointly

developed

0 (2023)

1 (2027)

TSG

RCO116

Interreg: Jointly

developed

solutions

0 (2023)

1 (2027)

TSG

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

EU, implementing

the EU legal

framework on risk

preparedness in

electricity security of

supply. Energy

market integration is

key element to the

horizontal topic of

EU enlargement.

Activity is cross-

cutting Action 2.4.1

and 2.4.2.

RI. Training of

energy (electricity

and natural gas)

regulators from the

Adriatic and Ionian

region according to

shared principles,

methodologies and

criteria with a view

at the integrated

energy networks

through the region

and compliance with

EU directives and

regulations. Activity

is cross-cutting

Action 2.4.1 and

Action 2.4.2.

RCO81 Interreg:

Completion of

joint training

schemes

0(2023)

1(2025)

TSG

2.4.4

Name of the

action

Action– Integrated energy corridors

Description of the action

Completion of the integrated energy corridors, infrastructure and market

supporting the energy transition and short-term security of energy supply of the

Adriatic-Ionian region

•

Master plan 2026 of energy and energy networks and road map 2026 towards

energy market activity as under Action 2.4.1.

Subject to market interest and financial viability, and in view of the need to

avoid stranded assets, supporting projects concerning cross-border energy

infrastructure, including completion of limited number of gas infrastructure

projects for the security of immediate supply if adapted to future needs (e.g.

renewable hydrogen).

a) Promoting and implementing interconnection between Croatia

and Bosnia and Herzegovina

b) North Macedonia natural gas interconnectors with Greece and

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Monitoring the implementation and conclusion of projects already approved and supported by the EU -

through the TEN-E, RRF, Energy Communities, etc.- to ensure the energy transition.

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

•

Serbia

c) New Compressor Station in Sulmona and Minerbio-Sulmona gas

pipeline as part of the Adriatica Line project

d) Expanding of the Krk Liquefied Natural Gas terminal in Croatia

with related natural gas network reinforcement

e) Developing the East-Med Gas Pipeline depending upon their

continuing strategic interest and changing geopolitical context.

Supporting projects increasing gas storage capacities and their flexibility, and

reverse flows for security of immediate supply and competitiveness (not

eligible under EU co-funding instruments).

Developing and implementing pilot projects for adapting and repurposing

natural gas networks and infrastructure to transport of renewable and low-

carbon gases.

Promoting cybersecurity capabilities for the resilience of the natural gas

system when facing threats and incidents.

Which

challenges and

opportunities is

this action

addressing?

•

The Challenge is to address the insufficiently integrated energy corridors and

infrastructure with a view at the energy transition of the Adriatic-Ionian region.

•

Concurrent challenge is lack of readiness of the regional gas infrastructure for

hydrogen.

•

The opportunity for all participating Countries is promoting the creation of

integrated energy corridors, infrastructure and market supporting the energy

transition and security of energy supply of the Adriatic-Ionian region.

•

The expected result is the planning for readiness of the regional gas

infrastructure for biomethane and hydrogen and the need to identify priorities

for future investments in energy infrastructure.

•

Other result is the removal of regulatory barriers that hinder energy trading

through the Adriatic-Ionian region.

Under flagship INTEGRATED NATURAL GAS CORRIDORS AND MARKET FOR A

GREEN ADRIATIC- IONIAN REGION the following action plan was developed:

•

Strategy AP

- Action plan (Road Map) towards a Strategy Power Exchange and

Natural Gas Trading Hub

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO116

Interreg: Jointly

developed

solutions

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

Indicators

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

OI. Operating

Floating Storage and

Regasification Units

in the Adriatic-Ionian

Sea

Expansion of the Krk

Liquefied Natural

Gas terminal

OI. Pilot projects for

0(2023)

1 (2026)

TSG

RCO90 Interreg:

0 (2023)

1(2029)

TSG

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

adapting and

repurposing natural

gas transport

infrastructure to

non-carbonated

gases.

Projects for

innovation

networks across

borders

RCO116

Interreg: Jointly

developed

solutions

RCO116

Interreg: Jointly

developed

solutions

RCO116

Interreg: Jointly

developed

solutions

0 (2023)

1 (2027)

TSG

RI. Improving

Liquefied Natural

Gas delivery and

security of supply

RI. The EU objective

is at decarbonising

the energy systems

through the EU and

candidate countries

by the year 2050.

Decarbonisation is

mandatory. The pilot

project might

involve all the

interested countries

of the Adriatic-

Ionian region.

0(2023)

1(2027)

TSG

RCO90 Interreg:

Projects for

innovation

networks across

borders

2.4.5

Name of the

action

Action– Liquified Natural Gas logistics and infrastructure

Description of the action

Liquefied Natural Gas direct use, logistics and infrastructure, for marine and road

transport, as well as other use (notably in process industry), to ensure short-

term security of supply.

•

Promoting agreements between Port Authorities of the Adriatic and Ionian

Seas on logistics for the deployment and use of Liquefied Natural Gas as a fuel

for maritime transport.

Designing, constructing and operating a network of Liquefied Natural Gas

refuelling stations along blue corridors for road heavy transport and rail

transport.

Promoting simulations and analyses of existing Liquefied Natural Gas terminals

and storage facilities on their capability to receive hydrogen, biomethane and

synthetic methane.

Projects are planned for:

a) Marine and road truck engine conversion to the Liquefied Natural Gas use

as a fuel;

b) Direct small-scale Liquefied Natural Gas use in process and gas-intensive

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Ensuring that all EU countries have access to Liquefied Natural Gas markets is a key objective of the EU’s

energy union strategy as it can contribute to diversifying gas supplies, thus improving EU energy security in

the short term, while more sustainable solutions towards full decarbonisation by 2050 are established.

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

•

industries and applications.

Supporting to the flagship project on the

‘Development and operation of

logistics for direct Liquefied Natural Gas use as clean fuel for the Adriatic-

Ionian region’.

Which

•

challenges and

opportunities is

this action

addressing?

•

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

Indicators

The challenge is to introduce and deploy Liquefied Natural Gas as a transient

fuel in the Adriatic-Ionian region to improve short-term security of energy

supply while allowing a reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions along a mid-

term perspective.

Other challenge is to make plans for repurposing the Liquefied Natural Gas

infrastructure to renewable fuels and hydrogen, biomethane and synthetic

methane in the future.

•

The opportunity for all participating Countries is to enable and benefit from

the deployment of small-scale direct use of Liquefied Natural Gas as a

transient fuel option for the region requiring existing and new logistics and

infrastructure which would be converted to delivery and use of hydrogen and

other non-carbonated gas in the future.

•

Deployment and use of Liquefied Natural Gas as a new energy option for

security of supply and diversification through the Adriatic-Ionian region.

•

Planning for converting the Liquefied Natural Gas supply and use

infrastructure to future deployment of hydrogen and non-carbonated gas.

Under flagship DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF LOGISTICS FOR DIRECT

Liquefied Natural Gas USE AS A CLEAN FUEL FOR THE ADRIATIC-IONIAN REGION no

strategic implementation formats were developed yet.

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO87 Interreg:

Organisations

cooperating

across borders

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

OI. No. of

agreements on

Liquefied Natural

Gas logistics

between Port

Authorities through

the Adriatic and

Ionian Seas signed.

OI. Blue corridors

and logistics for the

use of Liquefied

Natural Gas in road

transport:

preliminary design of

Liquefied Natural

Gas logistics.

OI. Converting

Liquefied Natural

Gas infrastructure to

deployment of non-

0(2023)

1(2028)

TSG

RCO116

Interreg: Jointly

developed

solutions

0(2023)

1(2028)

TSG

RCO84 Interreg:

Pilot actions

developed and

implemented

0(2023)

1(2028)

TSG

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

carbonated gases.

No of pilot projects

for hydrogen use

RI. Agreement on

the use of Liquefied

Natural Gas as clean

fuel for the marine

transport would

facilitate the

adoption of

Liquefied Natural

Gas and other clean

fuels through the

Adriatic and Ionian

Seas while

harmonising safety

requirements and

logistics. Result is

cross-cutting Topic

2.1 and Topic 2.2 of

Pillar 2.

RI. Blue corridor for

road transport

implying Liquefied

Natural Gas

refuelling stations

and cross-border

agreements. Result

is cross-cutting Topic

2.1 and Topic 2.2 of

Pillar 2.

RI. Non-carbonated

gases are key to the

transition towards a

net-zero carbon

energy system. Pilot

projects using

existing or new

Liquefied Natural

Gas infrastructure

would provide

background and

means towards the

goal of

decarbonisation.

jointly

RCO116

Interreg: Jointly

developed

selections

0(2023)

1(2026)

TSG

RCR79 Interreg:

Joint strategies

and action plans

taken up by

organisations

0(2023)

1(2026)

TSG

RCO84 Interreg:

Pilot actions

developed and

implemented

jointly

0(2023)

1(2027)

TSG

2.5

Topic

–

Decarbonising the energy systems

The leading objective is confronting global climate change while accelerating the transition towards

decarbonised energy systems in the Adriatic-Ionian region, enhancing security of energy supply and

delivery, granting affordable and equitable energy access for all consumers. Priorities are enacting

the energy goals of The European Green Deal, REPowerEU and the Green Agenda for the Western

Balkans. The decarbonisation of the energy systems and the transition towards net-zero carbon

economies will entail large-scale deployment of renewable energy sources and other low-carbon

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

energy options, improved energy efficiency, increased electrification and potentially the

development and use of renewable hydrogen for hard-to-abate industries. Energy technology

innovation and digitalisation will be key drivers.

New market structures and technologies that are developed and deployed would imply a new

organisation of the energy systems. In the past energy systems were based on long-distance energy

networks and concentrated energy supply while the future will see more distributed and local energy

production and delivery. During the past few years, active consumers such as prosumers, energy

communities and demand-side participants have emerged that contribute to more efficient

decentralised markets and networks management. For these market participants to become an

integrated part of the energy system, any development of energy infrastructures should take them

involved and into account. The transition towards decarbonised energy systems might require new

forms of governance of the transition. Cooperation in the development and implementation of

National Energy and Climate Plans is planned. The objective under this topic is to exchange

experiences and consultation between and among countries from the Adriatic-Ionian region on the

governance for the energy transition and public acceptance. Ad hoc analyses and studies can be

planned. Pillar 3 and Pillar 5 might have a role and contribute.

Global objectives.

The commitment to tackling the existential triple environmental crisis (climate

change, biodiversity loss and pollution, all driven by natural resources depletion) is this generation’s

defining task. The European Green Deal was presented as a new growth strategy that aims at

transforming EU Member States and EU candidate countries into a fair and prosperous society, with

a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy where there are no net emissions of

greenhouse gases in 2050 and where economic growth is decoupled from resource use. This green

strategy also aims to protect, conserve, and enhance the Adriatic-Ionian region’s

natural capital, and

protect the health and wellbeing of its citizens from environmentally related risks and impacts. At the

same time the transition should be just and inclusive. It must put people first, and pay attention to

the local communities, industries and workers who will face the greatest challenges. Since it will

bring substantial change, active public participation and confidence in the energy transition is

paramount if policies are to work and be accepted.

Strategy objectives.

It is assumed that the Adriatic-Ionian region should develop a collective ability to

transform its economy and societies to follow a more sustainable energy path. Delivering substantial

reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions is a challenge. It will require massive public investment and

increased effort to direct private capital towards climate and environmental action, while avoiding

lock-in into unsustainable practices. The Adriatic-Ionian region should be able to coordinate and

promote its efforts towards building a coherent financial public-private system that supports

sustainable solutions. These investments should also be an opportunity to put the Adriatic-Ionian

region firmly on a new path of sustainable and inclusive growth while enhancing security of energy

supply and delivery and ensuring affordable energy access and equity. Energy efficiency

improvements should be considered with a view to enhancing security of supply and to achieving a

better degree of energy independence and to protect the environment.

Specific objectives of the topic

In light of the above objectives, and the challenges and opportunities below, the activities under this

topic aim at:

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

•

increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy mix across the Adriatic-Ionian region;

improving and enhancing energy efficiency of the economies of the Adriatic-Ionian region,

through better energy use and management and thus reducing the energy intensity, in terms of

the energy required for GDP unit;

introducing and deploying renewable hydrogen in the energy mix (particularly for the

decarbonisation of hard-to-abate industries) while increasing cooperation on advanced energy

technologies in the Adriatic-Ionian region;

promoting better cohesion through the development of energy communities in the Adriatic-

Ionian region;

ensuring affordable energy supply by fighting energy poverty and protecting energy consumers.

2.5.1

Strategy specificities opportunities and challenges

Linked to the above objectives, the Adriatic-Ionian region faces a number of specific challenges and

opportunities which the action plan aims to address.

Opportunities:

Exploiting the potential of renewable energy sources in the Adriatic-Ionian region, while

respecting the environment (e.g. minimising land use, avoiding biodiversity and pollution

harm, prioritising circular economy solutions). Specifically, solar energy, onshore and

offshore wind power hydropower and possibly geothermal energy are expected to make a

substantial share in the future electricity mix. Furthermore, advanced biofuels would have a

role in transport and other use.

•

Providing the economies of the Adriatic-Ionian region (in several cases with significantly

lower GDP per capita than the EU average) with opportunities for international investors in

the green energy sector, while ensuring that transparent and reliable regulatory frameworks

are in place.

•

Making the transition to a renewable-based energy supply and to high energy efficiency

driven by domestic resources can enable countries to capture increasing shares of the energy

value added chain within the Adriatic-Ionian region, progressively build domestic

technological capacity and turn the energy system into a driver of clean economic growth,

and social cohesion.

•

Accelerating the deployment of renewables energies in the Adriatic-Ionian region and

increasing energy efficiency are a cost-effective strategy to reduce dependency on energy

imports and improve the security of supply. At the same time, expanded electrification of the

energy system with renewable energy sources would allow the phasing out of coal uses as

well as avoiding further investments in redundant natural gas infrastructure, which would be

at high risk of becoming stranded if the Adriatic-Ionian region is to meet the goals of The

European Green Deal. Deployment of flexibility resources would also enable better

integration of renewables into the existing energy systems.

Challenges:

•

Reforming regulatory and administrative procedures to streamline the integration of

renewable energy sources in spatial plans while promoting coordination of renewable energy

sources regulations between and among countries.

•

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

Removing undue restrictions to the deployment of renewable energy sources (in particular

fossil fuel subsidies) grid integration restrictions, streamlining functional power exchanges,

socio-economic and environmental barriers.

•

Reducing the high energy intensity of several participating countries. Reducing energy

intensity is the challenge. Efficient energy use should be promoted as a means for

environmental protection and economic competitiveness.

•

Increasing share of greenhouse-gas emissions from the energy sector per GDP unit in some

countries from the Adriatic-Ionian region with consideration for the high dependency of

energy sectors on fossil fuels (i.e. lignite) and hydropower (affected by impacts due climate

change and potential conflicts with Water Framework and Habitats Directives).

•

Accelerating the transition towards a net-zero carbon economy to decarbonise the energy

systems while promoting security of energy supply and delivery, energy affordability and

access.

•

Reducing the cost of energy transition to low-carbon technologies, stranded assets and

stranded costs emerging form the phasing out of coal-using facilities and producing areas.

•

Dealing with the more vulnerable energy customers (due to the possibility of increasing

energy prices) in cooperation with Pillar 5.

Further challenges:

•

Creating an energy technology innovation facility or hub for the Adriatic-Ionian region with

contribution and cooperation from all the participating countries while exploiting existing

capabilities.

Ensuring fair supply of strategic materials and critical components for the energy transition.

Allowing for compensation and mitigation mechanisms for stranded costs and stranded

assets resulting from an accelerated energy transition.

Promoting the creation of new industrial players in the Adriatic-Ionian region to design and

construct green facilities and supply energy-efficient systems.

Providing energy supply and delivery with security and resilience against cybersecurity

threats.

•

2.5.2

Support to horizontal and cross-cutting topics

Activities under this topic contribute actively to the horizontal and cross-cutting topics of the action

plan.

Horizontal topics:

•

Enlargement.

The shared commitment to large-scale development and deployment of

renewable energies and energy efficiency is a key element for the integration of EU

candidate countries into the common energy market. Net-zero carbon energy systems by the

year 2050 are the ultimate goal while the national energy systems should be organised

accordingly. The National Energy and Climate Plans represent a step forward in the process

of EU enlargement which is followed by candidate countries The enactment of activities

under the topic Green Energy would provide a clear contribution.

Capacity building.

The activities planned under the present topic require appropriate

governance and organisation of the energy system to involve the relevant players from

administrations and industry. In particular, the large-scale deployment of renewable energies

•

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

and energy efficiency are demanding information, initiatives and implementation at local

scale within a meshed and distributed energy system where new types and forms of capacity

building are at its background. Energy communities for the deployment and use renewable

energies and energy efficiency are representing a promising advancement.

•

Innovation and research.

The activities which are proposed under this topic have their

ground on energy technology innovation and technology advancements are expected.

Cooperation and collaboration on energy technology innovation and research and

demonstration will be promoted while participating countries are invited to share

information and practice on their best cases and experiences regarding the deployment of

renewable energies and energy efficiency.

Cross-cutting topics:

•

Circular economy.

Connecting system models/initiatives (such as Climate-KIC) to support

implementation of circular economy in participating countries and value chain development

are expected under the present topic. In particular, circular economy and its principles are a

driver for energy efficiency through the life cycle of goods, appliances, and industrial

equipment. Clear synergistic interactions are expected. The deployment of renewable energy

will take into account circular economy principles (e.g. longer lifetime, repairability, reuse

and recycle of materials).

Green rural development.

The deployment of renewable energies would contribute to green

rural development activities. Supporting smart community/village and energy communities

in rural areas would increase self-sufficiency, attractiveness, and sustainable development of

the rural areas (also using experiences made in other macro regions). The development of

advanced second-generation technologies for the energy use of biomass

might represent a

valuable asset for some rural areas depending on local circumstances and potential

economic and environmental benefits.

Digitalisation.

It is assumed that the transition towards green energy and a net-zero carbon

economy according to the long-form perspective and commitments can find a driver in the

digital transition and progressive digitalisation of the energy system. Vice versa the energy

transition will promote further digitalisation in the economy and extended use of artificial

intelligence. Applications of artificial intelligence and blockchain are envisaged. Artificial

intelligence will be a key instrument in the operation, management and maintenance of

remote renewable energy systems while artificial intelligence would also entail a new

generation of energy-efficient applications and arrangements in the residential, transport,

industrial and services sectors.

•

2.5.3

Cooperation in deployment of renewable energy sources in the Adriatic-Ionian

region

Description of the action

Cooperation in deployment of renewable energy sources in the Adriatic-Ionian

region

Name of the

action

In line with the sustainability and greenhouse-gas-emission-saving criteria set in the revised Renewable

Energy Directive (EU/2023/2413).

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

What are the

envisaged

activities?

•

Master plan 2026 of energy and energy networks for the Adriatic-Ionian region.

Activity as under Action 2.4.1.

Convening a Strategy Conference for Cooperation in the Adriatic-Ionian region

to Confront Global Climate Change Challenge. Cooperating in the development

and implementation of National Energy and Climate Plans with a view at

decarbonising the energy system, energy security and sustainability. Activity

cross-cutting the entire Topic 2.5.

Preparing a Renewable Energy Roadmap for the Adriatic-Ionian region while

mapping the renewable energy potential, identifying implementation

challenges and barriers to renewable energy sources.

Promoting and guiding the use and production of renewable energies in the

residential, transport, industry, and services sectors.

Integrating and managing renewable energy energies into existing energy

systems and cooperating for the establishment of a comprehensive investment

and regulatory framework.

Supporting and creating energy communities according to the EU directives

and regulations. Promoting cooperation and exchange of experiences amongst

energy communities as well as through macro-regional networking and best

practice sharing.

Support projects of biomass refineries for production of advanced biofuel.

Cooperation envisaged and new projects would include:

a) Supporting alignment of countries from the Adriatic-Ionian region with the

EU acquis

related to the decarbonisation of the energy systems under the

Energy Community.

b) Cooperating on low-carbon and de-carbonised district heating solutions as

well projects for desalination of sea water.

c) Cooperating in fund-raising and joint regional project proposals on

renewable energy sources.

Exploring opportunities offered by European initiatives (such as the ‘Coal

regions in transition’, Western Balkan Economic and Investment Plan,

European Climate Pact) for encouraging best practice sharing, capacity

building and cooperation during the phasing - out of coal - fuelled power

plants and process industry.

Implementing the project for ‘Harnessing Offshore Renewable Energy

Potential in the Adriatic and Ionian Sea’.

The challenge is how to promote and guide large-scale deployment and use of

renewable energy sources through the Adriatic-Ionian region in particular for

power production.

Opportunities for all participating countries are offered by solar photovoltaic

power, wind onshore and offshore power, advanced biofuels, geothermal

energy in addition to hydropower.

Other opportunities would be offered by new arrangements for renewable

energy exploitation and use such as the energy communities, batteries and

other flexibility resources.

Which

•

challenges and

opportunities is

this action

•

addressing?

•

What are the

•

Expected results include security of energy supply and reduced share of

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

expected

results/targets

of the action?

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

Indicators

•

greenhouse-gas emissions through the Adriatic-Ionian region.

Other results would entail formation of new enterprises and new human

resources with challenging prospects of employment.

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO81

Interreg:

Participation in

joint

actions

across borders

RCR79 Interreg:

Joint strategies

and

action

plans taken up

organisations

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

How to

measure the

activities under

this action?

OI: Strategy Conference

on Global Climate Change

Concept (2023)

1(2025)

TSG2

RI: Aim of the Conference

is at presenting problems,

options, and solutions on

how to confront the

climate change issue for

the Adriatic and Ionian

region while developing

harmonised positions and

approaches. Cross-cutting

aspects with Topic 2.4, all

aspects of Topic 2.5 and

Pillar 3 are relevant for

the horizontal topic of EU

enlargement.

OI: Renewable Energy

Roadmap for the Adriatic

and Ionian region

–

study

completed.

Concept (2023)

1 (2025)

TSG2

RCO83

Interreg:

Strategies and

action plans

jointly

developed

RCR79 Interreg:

Joint strategies

and action

plans taken up

organisations

Concept (2023)

1(2025)

TSG2

RI: Focus of the

renewable Energy

Roadmap is at

opportunities for

progress and prospects of

renewable energies in the

region. Options for

streamlining siting and

operation are set out.

Result is needed to cope

with the horizontal topic

of EU enlargement.

OI: Development of

project for biomass

Concept (2023)

1 (2025)

TSG2

RCO81

Interreg:

0(2023)

1(2026)

TSG2

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

refinery for biofuel

production.

Participation in

joint actions

across borders

RCO116

Jointly

developed

solutions

0(2023)

1(2027)

TSG2

RI. Second-generation

and advanced use of

biomass would have a

role within the expanded

energy production and

use of renewable

energies in the Adriatic-

Ionian region.

Biorefineries appear at

the technological frontier.

2.5.4

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Action

–

Improving energy efficiency in the through action and cooperation

Description of the action

Improving energy efficiency in the Adriatic-Ionian region through action and

cooperation

•

Master plan 2026 on energy and energy networks for the Adriatic and

Ionian region. Activity as under Action 2.4.1.

Convening a Strategy Conference for Cooperation in the Adriatic-Ionian

region to Confront Global Climate Change Challenge. Activity as under

Action 2.5.1.

Organising permanent Strategy forum on energy efficiency for the Adriatic-

Ionian region to promote and foster macro-regional cooperation in all

efficient energy uses, energy-efficient housing and industrial processes,

energy-efficient public buildings and services, energy-efficient mobility.

This would include cooperation on:

Public lighting, telemetering and monitoring energy delivery and use,

energy-efficient city planning.

Domotics, heat pumps, energy-efficient heating and cooling for buildings

and residential purposes.

Shared recommendations and standards to combine energy efficiency

measures with applications of renewable energies for residential purposes

and services sector.

Electric vehicles, low-carbon fuels and hydrogen for transport and mobility.

Activity cross-cutting with Topic 2.2 and Topic 2.3.

Strengthening macro-regional cooperation on energy programmes and

plans. This would include:

Addressing administrative, legal and financial barriers to speed up a

renovation of public and private buildings, including cooperation and

sharing of best practices in designing innovative financing schemes.

Cooperating in the development and implementation of national energy

end-use building and industry renovation strategies.

Supporting macro-regional networking, best practice sharing, capacity

building and project development with energy efficiency.

Developing and implementing energy communities to empower local

stakeholders by improving their capacities in exploiting renewable energy

•

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

•

sources and increasing energy efficiency on a local scale. Energy

communities will rely upon bottom-up approaches including engagement

of enterprises and enhanced mutual trust of local authorities and citizens

who want to create instruments aimed at boosting the energy transition.

Activity will be shared by Action 2.5.1 and Action 2.5.2.

Creating and harmonising through the Adriatic-Ionian region instruments

aimed at fighting energy poverty and ensuring continuing and sustainable

access to energy for the isolated communities and vulnerable consumers

groups notably, the elders and disabled consumers, persons under medical

care requiring constant electricity supply, the poor, populations impacted

by natural disasters (e.g. floods and earthquakes). Cooperation with Pillar 5

–

Improved Social Cohesion is planned to promote these aims.

Which

challenges and

opportunities is

this action

addressing?

•

The challenge is reducing energy intensity of participating countries, notably of

countries where energy intensity is well above the EU average standards.

Concurrent challenge is to develop norms and regulations to facilitate the

introduction of energy-efficient practices including digitalisation of the energy

system.

Opportunities are offered by gains in economic competitiveness and reduced

energy cost.

Removal regulatory, political, financial, technical, socio-economic and

environmental barriers to the deployment of energy-efficient technologies and

their acceptance including electric vehicles.

Alignment of energy-use efficiency through the Western Balkan region to the

EU average standards.

Introduction of means to exchange information on energy-use best practice

while sharing expertise.

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

•

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

Indicators

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO81

Interreg:

Participation in

joint actions

across borders

RCR79 Interreg:

Joint strategies

and action

plans taken up

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

How to

measure the

activities under

this action?

OI: Strategy forum on

energy efficiency.

0(2023)

3(2027)

TSG2

RI: Improved efficiency

through the entire energy

system is key to align

countries with the

average EU energy

0(2023)

1 (2027)

TSG2

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

efficiency standards while

preparing for the EU

enlargement according to

a horizontal topic of the

Strategy. The Forum will

focus on solutions, shared

practice and procedures.

Pilot projects would be

launched.

OI: Establishment of

energy community in the

Western Balkan region.

organisations

RCO81

Interreg:

Participation in

joint actions

across borders

RCR79 Interreg:

Joint strategies

and action

plans taken up

organisations

0(2023)

2(2027)

TSG2

RI: Energy communities

for energy efficiency and

renewable energy

sources are planned by

new EU directives and

financial support. The

activity will contribute to

the alignment of

countries from the

Western Balkan region to

the best practice adopted

by EU member states

according to the

horizontal topic of EU

enlargement.

0(2023)

2 (2027)

TSG2

2.5.5

Action

–

Promoting advancements on energy technologies and hydrogen

economy

Description of the action

Promoting advancements on energy technologies and hydrogen economy

•

Strengthening cooperation on advanced and sustainable energy technologies

(energy efficiency and renewable), energy technology innovation and R&D

while promoting effort towards the establishment of an energy technology

innovation facility or hub for the Adriatic-Ionian region, notably for the

Western Balkans region.

•

Advancing electricity storage, fuel cells, superconductivity, artificial intelligence

uses through the energy systems.

•

Promoting renewable hydrogen production and use through different

technologies and systems.

•

Developing alternative Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBOs) for

transport, as well as renewable hydrogen transport and storage, renewable

hydrogen use in the main energy, transport and consuming sectors. Activity

partially cross-cutting with Topic 2.2 and Topic 2.3). This would include:

a) Preparing a hydrogen production and deployment roadmap for the

Adriatic-Ionian region with focus on opportunities, roadblocks, potential

industry players and R&D needs;

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

b) Building hydrogen logistics, transport and storage;

c) Deploying renewable hydrogen fuels, RFNBOs use in the transport and

main energy-consuming sectors;

d) Developing of integrated hydrogen systems while including advanced

biofuels and RFNBOs for sectors without alternatives (aviation and

maritime transport).

e) Supporting the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley project as well as other

hydrogen projects as an open-ended hydrogen valley to test and

demonstrate feasibility of hydrogen economy and technology;

•

Projects for exploiting advanced digitalisation techniques and artificial in the

energy systems.

•

Cooperating on advanced nuclear fission power and nuclear fusion, including

R&D and new technologies for secure exploitation of nuclear energy with a

view at new generation nuclear power plants and small modular reactors while

exploring prospects for nuclear fusion.

Which

challenges and

opportunities is

this action

addressing?

•

The challenge is accelerating the transition towards a net-zero-carbon

economy.

•

Concurrent challenge is maintaining and improving during the energy transition

security of energy supply and delivery, energy affordability and access.

Opportunities are offered by energy technology progress and advanced solutions

including the production and use of renewable hydrogen and other low-carbon

fuels.

•

Prospects for hydrogen production and use, including the creation of

‘Hydrogen

Valleys’

•

Forms of cooperation between countries of the Adriatic-Ionian region on new

and advanced energy technologies to exploit results and foster

entrepreneurship.

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

Indicators

Indicator name

Common

Indicator name

and code, if

relevant

RCO83 Interreg:

Strategies

and

action plans jointly

developed

RCR79

Interreg:

Joint

strategies

and action plans

taken

organisations

Baseline

value and

year

0(2023)

Target value

and year

Data

source

How to

measure the

activities under

this action?

OI: Creation of energy

technology innovation

hub with focus on the

partner countries.

RI: Countries notably

from the region lack

capacity to innovate key

energy technologies

(including energy storage,

carbon capture and

storage systems, fuel cells

and so forth) and to

deploy the best solutions.

The energy technology

1(2027)

TSG2

0(2023)

1 (2027)

TSG2

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

innovation hub and new

cooperation agreements

would fill the gap.

OI: North Adriatic

Hydrogen Valley

supported and outreach

action completed.

RI: The North Adriatic

Hydrogen Valley as well

as other hydrogen valley

through the Adriatic and

Ionian region are

proposed for an outreach

action with a view at the

proposed European Bank

on Hydrogen.

OI: Advanced

digitalisation of the

energy system -. two pilot

projects on digitalisation

and artificial intelligence

for the energy system

developed.

RI: Digitalisation and

artificial intelligence are

cross-cutting topics for

the Strategy. Two pilot

projects on advanced

digitalisation techniques

and applications will be

designed and

implemented according

to a cooperative

approach involving

interested participating

Countries.

RCO81 Interreg:

Participation in

joint actions

across borders

RCR79 Interreg:

Joint strategies

and action plans

taken up by

organisations

Definition

(2023)

1(2026)

TSG2

Definition

(2023)

(2026)

TSG2

RCO81 Interreg:

Participation in

joint actions

across borders

Concept

(2023)

2(2027)

TSG2

RCR79 Interreg:

Joint strategies

and action plans

taken up by

organisations

0(2023)

2(2027)

TSG2

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

3. Pillar 3

–

Environmental Quality

The Adriatic-Ionian region contains unique ecosystems. Overall, the Adriatic-Ionian region has a rich

biodiversity in comparison to the average European region, with many species. All countries of the

macro-region

provide habitats for Europe’s large carnivores, including the wolf, the Eurasian

lynx,

and the brown bear. These species require large habitats to sustain viable populations, and

cooperation is therefore needed on joint management and on ensuring that infrastructure

investments will not result in significant fragmentation of important landscape features.

The Adriatic flyway is one of the main routes for millions of migratory birds crossing the

Mediterranean, with birds making a resting stop along the eastern Adriatic. Several bird species also

spend the winters in the area. The sparse number of undisturbed wetlands on the eastern coast of

the Adriatic, lack of hunting ban areas and hunting rules which are not in line with EU legislation, (as

well as low enforcement of the rules in place) result in vulnerable, threatened, or endangered

migratory bird species being killed. This has impacts for the entire EU, as efforts to protect species

breeding risk are being undone if protection is not ensured during migration

The Adriatic-Ionian region is increasingly vulnerable due to human expansion and climate change

effects, including rising sea levels, erosion, marine encroachment, saltwater infiltration, water

shortages, droughts, and biodiversity loss. There’s escalating strain on coastal zones and their

communities at both national and cross-border scales. Climate change amplifies these vulnerabilities

and risks. Maintaining healthy ecosystems is crucial for human health, water, food, energy, climate,

and biological safety. Such ecosystems are pivotal for sustainable growth and are at the heart of a

sustainable blue economy.

The marine realm, a vast canvas of wonder and enigma, faces mounting challenges from human

actions. The intricate marine life balance is jeopardised by numerous human-induced factors.

Maritime transport, especially, has a significant footprint on the marine environment. The Adriatic

and Ionian Seas are major conduits for worldwide maritime activities. While ships enable global

commerce as they navigate these seas, they unintentionally affect marine habitats. High-traffic

maritime pathways, particularly in the Adriatic-Ionian region, are accident hotspots, posing threats of

mishaps, oil discharges, and marine life disruptions. Recognising these dangers, national bodies are

proactively devising strategies to lessen maritime traffic’s adverse effects, especially in high-risk

areas.

Overfishing is another major issue. Historically viewed as an inexhaustible resource, recent data

indicates the seas are not limitless. Fishing, vital for coastal populations and the global food network,

has consequences. Overharvesting marine resources disrupts marine food chains. Accidental catches

of non-targeted species compound the issue, often resulting in dwindling numbers of marine

mammals, birds, and other unintended catch species.

The EU introduced the

‘EU

Biodiversity Strategy for 2030’ in response to the European Green Deal. It aims

to create a comprehensive Trans-European Nature Network, legally protecting at least 30% of land and sea,

with one third under strict protection. This was endorsed by the EU Council of Ministers in October 2020.

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

Pollution from terrestrial sources is a significant marine challenge. Coastal zones, teeming with

human activities, often discharge contaminants into the seas. These pollutants, from farm runoff to

industrial emissions, can harm marine organisms. Effective waste handling, especially along

coastlines, is crucial, underscoring the importance of holistic approaches to address this problem.

Invasive foreign species also pose a threat to marine environments. These species, when introduced

to unfamiliar territories, can dominate, prey on, or introduce illnesses to indigenous species, often

causing major ecosystem shifts. Some marine conservation zones have acknowledged this risk,

allowing regulated removals to oversee and limit invasive species numbers. It’s our shared duty to

ensure future generations inherit vibrant seas, not barren waters.

The Strategy aims to address environmental issues faced by the macro-region will contribute to

implementing the

EU environmental acquis,

particularly the Marine Strategy Framework Directive,

the biodiversity strategy for 2030, Maritime Spatial Planning, EU Water Framework Directive, Urban

Waste Water Treatment Directive, Nitrates Directive, Waste Framework Directive, Birds and Habitats

Directives, Common Fisheries Policy, EU action plan: Protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for

sustainable and resilient fisheries as well as the EU green infrastructure strategy. The Strategy is

important sub-regional approach to enhance and complement regional activities (Barcelona

convention)

Marine protected areas are vital for marine environment conservation and are part of broader

environmental law measures. The EU’s focuses on the legal framework for creating and managing

new protected areas. Under the Birds and Habitats Directives, EU Member States must designate

areas to protect endangered species and habitats. The Natura 2000 network is a significant global

network for safeguarding nature in the EU.

However, there are gaps in protecting marine elements like certain fish species, invertebrates, and

offshore habitats under the current directives. The EU Commission opts for a practical approach,

emphasising Natura 2000’s broad coverage. The Habitats Directive also influenced the Berne

Convention, which laid the groundwork for the EU’s Nature directives. But their implementation

varies due to different legal systems.

The EU introduced as well the

‘EU

biodiversity strategy for 2030’ in response to the European Green

Deal. It aims to create a comprehensive Trans-European Nature Network, legally protecting at least

30% of land and sea, with one third under strict protection. This was endorsed by the EU Council of

Ministers in October 2020. The EU has adopted the Nature Restoration Law on 17 June 2024 to

contribute to the continuous, long-term and sustained recovery of biodiverse and resilient nature

across the EU’s land and sea areas through the restoration of ecosystems. The law

lays down a

framework in which Member States will put in place restoration measures which together must

cover at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration

by 2050. This builds on the headline ambition set out in the biodiversity strategy that by 2050 all

ecosystems are restored, resilient and adequately protected, and that, as a milestone, Europe’s

biodiversity is on the path to recovery by 2030. It is recognised that restoring nature will significantly

contribute

to the EU’s climate mitigation and adaptation objectives, to prevent and mitigate the

impact of natural disasters, and to the EU’s international commitments.

Pillar 3 builds on past period 2020–2023 when flagships were designed and approved and are

recognising the vital eco system services important for the sustainable development. The

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

preservation of these is essential to Europe’s natural heritage and requires joint action and cross-

sectoral cooperation (Pillar 3 matrix approved by the Strategy’s Governing Board in 2018) from the

countries concerned. Several countries of the region are home to shared eco-regions stretching

across borders. These eco-regions include the Illyrian deciduous forests, and the Dinaric Mountains

and the Pannonian mixed forests.

Reference should be made to the fact Adriatic sub-regional cooperation has been in the past, even

outside the Barcelona Convention (institutional) framework, particularly accentuated in the field of

protection and preservation of the marine environment. However, prior to 1990, and particularly due

to the isolationistic policy of Albania, this was understood as a de facto cooperation between Italy

and the former Yugoslavia. The two States took active part in the existing Mediterranean cooperative

arrangements which included, beside the Barcelona system, also the General Fisheries Commission

for the Mediterranean, in the field of fisheries, and the Mediterranean Science Commission (CIESM),

in the field of marine scientific research, while specific sub-regional forms of cooperation were

primarily aimed at supplementing those already existing at the regional (Mediterranean) level.

The actions included in Pillar 3 represent a selection considered by the Thematic Steering Group.

Additional ideas for actions under this pillar are available in annex 6.2. The main topics covered

under this pillar are:

•

Topic 3.1 - Marine and coastal environment

Topic 3.2

–

Transnational terrestrial habitats and biodiversity

3.1

Topic

–

Marine and coastal environment

Global objectives.

Mitigation of/and adaptation to climate change might be possible by conserving

and sustainably using the ocean and marine resources for sustainable development. Ensuring good

environmental and ecological status of the marine and coastal environments in line with post-2020

biodiversity targets of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the relevant

EU acquis,

the ecosystem approach roadmap of the Barcelona Convention and looking towards the 2030 targets

in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (specially the 30x30 target). This also

includes also addressing threats to marine biodiversity and ensuring safety and security of green and

blue corridors. And to contribute to the aim of the EU biodiversity strategy that Europe’s biodiversity

will be on the path to recovery by 2030 for the benefit of people, climate, and the planet, in line with

the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and with the objectives of the Paris Agreement on

Climate Change and the EU strategy on adaptation to climate change.

Strategy objectives.

Therefore, the objective of this topic is to strengthen the collaboration in the

Adriatic-Ionian region in improving the marine and costal environment as well as biodiversity and

ecosystem services. This includes a range of different issues where joint or harmonised efforts to

analysing risks, mapping, monitoring, awareness raising, and action are required. Efforts are needed

to capitalise on existing networks, platforms and on results from EU-funded projects, especially in the

context of the Interreg ADRION Programme. This topic is also to be seen in the context of

strengthening circular economy activities in the region.

Specific objectives of the topic

In light of the above objectives, and the below challenges and opportunities, the activities under this

topic aim at:

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

•

improving biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Adriatic-Ionian region, through better

monitoring and management of the coastal and marine biodiversity and better coordination in

the fields of maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal zone management;

reducing the amount of microplastics, oil spills and other pollutants in seawater, leading to

improved water quality and reduced risks to human health and marine life;

reducing the introduction and spread of non-native species and pollutants into the sea;

adapt to new natural and biodiversity reality due the climate changes issue;

increase work on blue and green corridors to achieve good environmental status and ensure

safety and security management on that regard.

3.1.1

Strategy specificities opportunities & challenges

Linked to the above objectives, the Adriatic-Ionian region faces specific challenges and opportunities

which the revised action plan aims to address.

Opportunities:

•

The Adriatic-Ionian region contains unique marine and inland ecosystems, including karstic

regions and tectonic lakes.

The Adriatic and Ionian region is characterised by rich marine and coastal biodiversity. The

Adriatic Sea hosts nearly half of the recorded Mediterranean marine species and several

marine protected areas.

Challenges:

•

Adverse impact of fishing, extraction, and other human activities, especially on sensitive

species and seabed habitats.

Aquaculture is a rapidly growing industry but regulations ensuring its sustainability vary

widely across countries.

Excessive, uncontrolled, and illegal coastal development often leads to destruction of

habitats and to the loss of the natural capacity of coastal territories to adapt to changes

(resilience).

Increasing numbers of invasive alien species in farming activities where regulatory

frameworks are lacking and ballast water discharge can pose a threat to the ecosystem.

Intense maritime transport activities and hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation result in

oil spills, including large-scale pollution events, and noise pollution, could potentially, if

undertaken without adhering to the appropriate environmental standards.

Insufficient wastewater treatment in several participant countries leads to pollution from

rivers, exacerbated by use of nitrates on agricultural lands. Pollution is also caused by

ecologically unsound aquaculture practices and excessive use of chemical and

pharmaceutical products.

Marine litter stemming both from land and sea-based sources, such as lost and discarded

fishing gear and recreational activities poses a severe problem. There is insufficient marine

and riverine litter monitoring.

The increasing number of offshore wind turbines and solar farms (floating or fixed) presents

a new challenge in terms of spatial planning and the marine environment.

•

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

•

Recognise environmental and climate changes risks to be able to implement Preventive

actions on adaptation to climate change and prevent other environmental disasters.

Measures/interventions to adapt to climate change are insufficient, considering that the

Mediterranean has been identified as a hotspot by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate

Change.

There is a need to broaden and improve the coverage of habitat maps of the Adriatic and

Ionian Seas, marine and maritime monitoring, and cross-border data exchange.

Coverage in terms of offshore Marine Protected Areas beyond 12 nautical miles is the lowest

of all EU marine regions, while existing Marine Protected Areas are sometimes not

adequately managed. There is also an insufficient integration between marine conservation

and marine spatial planning processes.

3.1.2

Support to horizontal and cross-cutting topics

Activities under this topic contribute actively to the horizontal and cross-cutting topics of the revised

action plan.

Horizontal topics:

•

Enlargement.

In the context of the Strategy action plan’s

‘Marine

and Coastal Environment’

topic, the activity under the

‘Enlargement’

horizontal topic focuses on collaborative efforts

with EU candidate countries to enhance marine ecosystem protection. This collaboration

aims to harmonise marine conservation policies and practices across the region, aligning with

Chapter 27: Environment of the

EU acquis.

Key areas of focus include marine biodiversity

conservation, pollution control, and sustainable fisheries management. The expected result

of this activity is to

strengthen regional cooperation in marine conservation and achieve

harmonised policies across the EU Member States, San Marino, and candidate countries.

•

Capacity building.

Under the

‘Capacity

Building’ horizontal topic in the Strategy action plan,

an activity has been designed to enhance the capabilities of local communities, authorities,

and stakeholders in managing marine and coastal environments sustainably. This involves

comprehensive training programmes, workshops, and seminars covering marine biodiversity

conservation, sustainable fisheries management, pollution control, and coastal ecosystem

protection. These educational initiatives aim to empower local actors with the necessary

skills and knowledge for effective environmental stewardship. Aligned with Chapter 27:

Environment of the

EU acquis,

this capacity-building activity seeks to significantly improve

local and regional capacities in sustainable marine and coastal ecosystem management. The

progress and effectiveness of this initiative will be measured by the number of training

programmes conducted and the observed improvements in management practices.

•

Innovation and research.

Under the

‘Innovation

and Research’ horizontal topic in the

Strategy action plan, there is a dedicated activity focused on promoting innovation and

research to address marine and coastal environmental challenges. This involves the

development of advanced technologies and methods for controlling marine pollution, with a

particular emphasis on oil spill detection, plastic waste management, and sustainable

fisheries. This activity aligns with Chapter 27: Environment of the

EU acquis,

which

encourages innovative approaches to environmental conservation. The expected results

include the development and implementation of innovative technologies and practices that

will significantly improve marine conservation efforts and enhance pollution control.

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This topic, as well as related actions are connected to green transition challenges and needs as they

face environment degradation and contribute to strengthen climate action.

Cross-cutting topics:

•

Circular economy.

In the realm of Circular Economy, particularly under the Marine and

Coastal Environment, a pivotal activity involves the enhancement of recycling initiatives

coupled with a concerted effort to reduce waste in coastal regions. This initiative aligns

seamlessly with the Environment chapter of the

acquis,

emphasising Waste Management

and the principles of the Circular Economy. The primary goal of this activity is to promote a

decrease in marine pollution, concurrently driving an upsurge in recycling rates within

coastal communities. This integrated approach not only addresses the immediate

environmental concerns but also fosters a sustainable model for marine and coastal

conservation.

•

Green rural development.

As part of green rural development within the marine and coastal

environment, an essential activity focuses on supporting sustainable agricultural practices in

coastal rural areas, aimed at minimising runoff and pollution. This activity is linked with the

chapters of the

acquis

concerning Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as Water

Quality.

•

Digitalisation.

For Digitalisation in the Marine and Coastal Environment, a key activity

involves the development of community-based applications and platforms dedicated to

coastal conservation and awareness. This initiative aligns with the Digital Agenda and Civic

Participation chapters of the

acquis,

emphasising the role of technology in civic engagement.

The expected results from this undertaking include enhanced public engagement in coastal

conservation efforts and more effective dissemination of information related to coastal

environmental issues.

3.1.3

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Action

–

Enhancing coastal and marine biodiversity

Description of the action

Enhancing marine and coastal biodiversity

•

Promotion of sustainable blue economy of the Adriatic-Ionian region by

implementing Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Maritime Spatial

Planning including area-based conservation-management measures.

Establishment and further development of coastal and marine biodiversity

information networks and platforms for data and information exchange for all

relevant players. This will be conducted in constructive interaction with

platforms already existing at Mediterranean level, through the INFO/Regional

Activity Centre of the Barcelona Convention.

Deciding on priorities for new spatial protection of regional importance in

contribution to global and EU targets for biodiversity including identifying joint

approach on the conservation measures with neighbouring countries.

Research activities to develop knowledge on status of habitat types and

species and identifying restoration activities for reaching good environmental

status of marine ecosystems monitoring activities for migratory marine species,

including monitoring of threats and pressures and activities to address them

Promote the development of ecosystem services.

Expanding the network of Marine Protected Areas.

•

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•

Cooperation in management of marine protected species and of invasive alien

species. This may be done in cooperation with Action 3.1.3.

Development of measures/interventions to adapt to climate change,

considering that the Mediterranean has been identified as a hotspot by the

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Development of habitat maps coverage of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, marine

and maritime monitoring, and cross-border data exchange.

Overfishing, where it occurs, habitat degradation, and incidental catches pose

serious threats to marine biodiversity. Monitoring and enforcement, in some

cases, are insufficient.

Development of management of offshore Marine Protected Areas beyond 12

nautical miles is the lowest of all EU marine regions (focus on, existing Marine

Protected Areas and integration between marine conservation and marine

spatial planning processes).

Excessive, uncontrolled, and illegal coastal development often leads to

destruction of habitats and to the loss of the natural capacity of coastal

territories and ecosystems to adapt to changes (resilience).

The increasing number of offshore wind turbines and solar farms (floating or

fixed) represents a new challenge in terms of spatial planning and the marine

environment.

Mitigate the impacts of offshore renewables and adapt them to the needs of

nature protection, like e.g.:

a) Potential use of subsea offshore wind park infrastructure as artificial reefs

and breeding grounds for marine species, while fulfilling all applicable

environmental standards and ensuring proper environmental monitoring;

b) Testing nature restoration methods for management of degraded

ecosystems;

c) Deploying new methods and technologies for environmental monitoring

and management and mainstreaming successful approaches in line with

approached and methodological standards developed under the Marine

Strategy Framework Directive.

Improved biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Adriatic-Ionian region.

Better management of the coastal and marine biodiversity and better

coordination in the fields of maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal

management.

Improved habitat maps, monitoring, and cross-border data exchange.

Which

•

challenges and

opportunities is

this action

•

addressing?

•

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

•

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

Under flagship

‘Promotion

of Sustainable Growth of the Adriatic-Ionian region by

Implementing ICZM and MSP also to contribute CRF on ICZM of Barcelona

Convention and the Monitoring and Management of Marine Protected Areas', the

following strategic projects were developed:

Monopillar strategic projects

•

ICZM and MSP

- To promote a sustainable growth of the AI region by

implementing ICZM and MSP also to contribute CRF on ICZM of Barcelona

convention

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

•

3MPS

Monitoring and management of marine protected species

Cross-pillar strategic projects

•

CROSS-PILLAR ICZM&MSP

- Using high-quality research to strengthen

dialogues and institutional capacities for effective implementation of MSP/

Integrated Coastal Zone Management in support of inclusive and sustainable

growth in the AIR (Pillars 1 & 3)

Indicators

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

n.a.

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

How to

measure the

activities under

this action?

OI: Number of

transboundary

cooperation events in

the field of MSP

OI: Number of activities

supporting the

implementation of

global and EU targets

for biodiversity through

the participations in

joint training schemes

OI: Number of activities

supporting the

implementation of

global and EU targets

for biodiversity through

the participation in joint

actions across borders

RI: Biological diversity is

maintained or

enhanced. The quality

and occurrence of

coastal and marine

habitats and the

distribution and

abundance of coastal

and marine species are

in line with prevailing

physiographic,

hydrographic,

geographic and climatic

conditions

(2023)

TBD

EU Countries:

TSG3

questionnaire

TSG 3

RCO85 Interreg:

Participations in

joint training

schemes

0 (2023)

TBD(2030)

RCO81 Interreg:

Participation in

joint actions

across borders

0 (2023)

TBD (2030)

TSG 3

Annex I

DIRECTIVE

2008/56/EC and

Decision

IG.26/3 COP

Barcelona

Convention

3.1.4

Name of the

action

What are the

Action

–

Reduction of the pollution of the sea and inland waters

Description of the action

Reduction of the pollution of the sea and inland/transition waters

•

Cooperation on the assessment of the status, target setting, monitoring,

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

envisaged

activities?

•

reporting and implementation of measures related to marine litter and micro

litter.

Raise awareness about pollution deriving from maritime traffic and marine

litter from ships.

Support the implementation of the Adriatic-Ionian sub-regional oil spill

contingency plan (REMPEC).

Support for development of suitable measures, practical solutions, and policy

recommendations for the reduction of chemical and pharmaceutical

substances in agriculture/aquaculture practices.

Sharing of best practices in the field of waste management, including marine

litter.

Marine litter stemming both from land and sea-based sources, such as lost and

discarded fishing gear and recreational activities poses a severe problem. There

is insufficient marine and riverine litter monitoring.

Microplastic pollution in seawater threatens human and ecosystems health

with unknown impacts.

Intense maritime transport activities and hydrocarbon exploration and

exploitation could potentially, if undertaken without adhering to the

appropriate environmental standards, result in oil spills, including large-scale

pollution events, and noise pollution.

The Adriatic-Ionian region is characterised by high-traffic maritime pathways

that are accident hotspots, posing threats of mishaps, oil discharges, and

marine life disruptions.

Oil spills pose significant risks to marine ecosystems, habitats, and species.

Developing and approving oil spill contingency plans supports efforts to

mitigate these risks and protect vulnerable coastal areas, including sensitive

habitats, Marine Protected Areas, and fisheries grounds.

Monitoring the number of oil spill contingency plans reflects compliance with

different regulatory requirements (like International Convention on Oil

Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation and the EU Directive on

Maritime Spatial Planning) and demonstrates progress in implementing best

practices for oil spill management.

Agricultural nutrients and contaminants runoff to rivers and their consequent

load in coastal waters, as well as the laying of a submarine pipe in the intertidal

area to connect an offshore oil and gas platform to the terrestrial pipeline

network.

Which

challenges and

opportunities

is this action

addressing?

•

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

•

Joint measures, such as clean-up programmes, addressing marine litter

stemming from land-based sources, lost and discarded fishing gear, and

recreational activities.

Awareness-raising campaigns directed to managers, drivers and users of tourist

boats.

Reduction in the amount of microplastics and other pollutants in seawater,

leading to improved water quality and reduced risks to human health and

marine life.

Activities supporting the implementation of the sub/regional oil spill

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

•

contingency plan (REMPEC) for the Adriatic-Ionian region.

Improved of monitoring and the knowledge base of nutrient flows and load, to

enable better decision-making and more targeted interventions.

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

Under flagship Implementation of Adriatic-Ionian Sub-regional Oil Spill Contingency

Plan’

ASOSCoP

the following strategic projects were developed:

Monopillar strategic projects

•

NAMIRS

–

North Adriatic Maritime Incident Response System (Grant

agreement for project under DG ECHO

–

Union Civil Protection Mechanism:

•

NEATNESS

- cleaN thE AdriaTic aNd thE Ionian sea from the plaSticS)

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO81

Interreg:

Participation in

joint actions

across borders

Indicators

Baseline

value and

year

Target

value and

year

Data source

How to

measure the

activities under

this action?

OI: Number of activities

supporting the

implementation of global

and EU targets for

biodiversity through the

participation in joint actions

across borders

OI: Number of activities

supporting the

implementation of global

and EU targets for

biodiversity through the

participations in joint

training schemes

OI: Number of events on

pollution deriving from

maritime traffic and marine

litter from ships

RI: Marine litter does not

adversely affect the coastal

and marine environment

0 (2023)

tbd (2030)

TSG 3

RCO85

Interreg:

Participation in

joint training

schemes

0 (2023)

tbd (2030)

TSG 3

Completion of

joint training

schemes

(RCR81)

0 (2023)

3 (2023) TBD

TSG 3

questionnaire

RI: Concentrations of

contaminants are at levels

not giving rise to pollution

effects

Decision

IG.26/3 COP

Barcelona

Convention

Annex I

DIRECTIVE

2008/56/EC

Decision

IG.26/3 COP

Barcelona

Convention

Annex I

DIRECTIVE

2008/56/EC

TSG 3

questionnaire

RI: No. of dissemination

events of the REMPEC

contingency plan

RCO83

Interreg:

Strategies and

action plans

0 (2023)

TBD

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

jointly

developed

RCR79 Interreg:

Joint strategies

and action

plans taken up

organisations

RI: Human-induced

eutrophication is minimised,

especially adverse effects

thereof, such as losses in

biodiversity, ecosystem

degradation, harmful algal

blooms and oxygen

deficiency in bottom waters

? (2023)

TBD (2030)

Decision

IG.26/3 COP

Barcelona

Convention

Annex I

DIRECTIVE

2008/56/EC

3.1.5

Action

–

Reduced pollution through ballast water and other releases in the sea

and water

Description of the action

Reduced environmental problems deriving from ballast water and other releases

at sea from inland/transition waters

•

Raise awareness about environmental problems from ballast water and other

releases at sea and inland/transition water.

Promote the use of technical equipment on ships for cleaning ballast water.

Support the introduction of ship tracking by discharge via the Common

Information Sharing Environment system at the Maritime Administration.

Increasing numbers of non-indigenous species from other release (e.g. farming

activities) where regulatory frameworks are lacking, and ballast water

discharge threaten ecosystems.

Intense maritime transport activities and hydrocarbon exploration and

exploitation, could potentially, if undertaken without adhering to the

appropriate environmental standards, result in oil spills, including large-scale

pollution events, and noise pollution.

Reduced introduction and spread of non-native species and pollutants into the

sea.

Better environmental status of the sea.

Increase safety and security in the blue and green corridors to achieve good

environmental governance.

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Which

challenges and

opportunities

is this action

addressing?

•

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

•

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

Indicators How

to measure the

activities under

this action?

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO85

Interreg:

Participations

in joint training

schemes

RCO83

Interreg:

Strategies and

action plans

jointly

developed

RCO85

Interreg:

Participations

in joint training

schemes

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

OI: Number of events for

better environmental status

of the sea

0 (2023)

TBD

TSG3

questionnaire

OI: No. of dissemination

events on the IMO

Guidelines t

0 (2023)

TBD

TSG 3

questionnaire

OI: Number of activities

supporting the

implementation of global

and EU targets for

biodiversity through the

participations in joint

training schemes

OI: Number of activities

supporting the

implementation of global

and EU targets for

biodiversity through the

development of strategies

and action plans

RI: Non-indigenous species

introduced by human

activities are at levels that

do not adversely alter the

ecosystems.

0 (2023)

tbd (2030)

TSG3

RCO83

Interreg:

Strategies and

action

plans

jointly

developed

0 (2023)

tbd (2030)

TSG 3

Annex I

DIRECTIVE

2008/56/EC

and Decision

IG.26/3 COP

Barcelona

Convention

3.2

Topic

–

Transnational terrestrial habitats and biodiversity

Global objective.

Transnational terrestrial habitats and biodiversity is increasingly under threat, due

to human activities. Declining biodiversity and climate change effects are mutually reinforcing. This

pillar sets out to strengthen the collaboration in the Adriatic-Ionian region in improving the marine

and costal environment and transnational terrestrial habitats and biodiversity, by further

strengthening the development and use of common platforms for data exchange and joint

monitoring, supporting the implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) and Integrated

Coastal Zone Management, also at cross-border and transnational level, strengthening the exchange

of experience, and the development of innovative solutions in the region. Actions will ensure that the

results of existing cooperation efforts are disseminated and capitalised.

Strategy objective.

Therefore, the objective of this topic is to address threats to terrestrial

biodiversity and contribute to the aim of the EU biodiversity strategy, so that Europe’s biodiversity

will be on the path to recovery by 2030 for the benefit of people, the planet, the climate and

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

economy, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and with the objectives of the

Paris Agreement on Climate Change. In the context of the Adriatic-Ionian region the aim is to protect

and enhance natural terrestrial habitats and ecosystems with particular attention to the ecological

connectivity of blue and green corridors/infrastructure.

Specific objectives of the topic

In light of the above objectives, challenges and opportunities, the activities under this topic aim at:

•

reducing conflicts between humans and large carnivores, among others through improving

institutional capacities;

rehabilitating and restoring sites and habitats for migratory water birds occurring within the

Adriatic-Ionian region, and developing harmonised research and monitoring methods; and

improving the management of nature resources in protected areas and harmonisation of

national and transnational policies on management, including more environmentally friendly

farming practices, and better analysis and implementation of climate-related risk mitigation and

adaptation measures.

3.2.1

Strategy specificities opportunities & challenges

Linked to the above objectives, the Adriatic-Ionian region faces several specific challenges and

opportunities which the revised action plan aims to address.

Opportunities:

•

The Adriatic-Ionian region contains unique ecosystems, including karstic including

transboundary underground water bodies and habitats and tectonic lakes.

The Adriatic-Ionian region

provides habitats for Europe’s large carnivores, including the wolf,

the Eurasian lynx and the brown bear.

The Adriatic flyway is one of the main routes for millions of migratory birds crossing the

Mediterranean, with birds making a resting stop along the eastern Adriatic. Several bird

species also spend winter in the area.

Challenges:

•

Negative effects of human activities on transnational terrestrial habitats and biodiversity

(e.g. land-use intensification and fragmentation), i.e. long-term

viability of (large) carnivores’

populations is threatened by habitat fragmentation and destruction due to urbanisation,

farming and linear infrastructure.

Insufficient integral natural reserves and connections between protected areas in coastal,

transitional environment and wetlands to preserve biodiversity.

Increasing presence of non-indigenous invasive species also in coastal/terrestrial areas (not

only animals, but also plants and other species are threatening the endemic ecosystems).

Insufficient capacity of protected areas to manage natural resources and to harmonise

national and transnational policies on management and conservation of large carnivores.

Insufficient Adriatic-Ionian region-wide scientific evidence and coordinated monitoring of

transnational terrestrial habitats and biodiversity.

•

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

3.2.2

Support to horizontal and cross-cutting topics

Activities under this topic contribute actively to the horizontal and cross-cutting topics of the revised

action plan.

Horizontal topics:

•

Enlargement.

Under the

‘Enlargement’

horizontal topic in the Strategy action plan, an

initiative focusing on collaborative conservation efforts with EU members country and

Republic of San Marino and candidate countries is being proposed. This activity involves the

development and implementation of joint projects aimed at protecting and managing

transboundary terrestrial habitats and biodiversity. Such projects will focus on endangered

species and critical ecosystems. Aligned with Chapter 27: Environment of the

EU acquis,

this

activity emphasises nature protection and biodiversity conservation. The expected outcome

is an enhanced conservation of biodiversity across national borders, focusing on shared

terrestrial habitats.

•

Capacity building.

Under the

‘Capacity

Building’ horizontal topic in the Strategy action plan,

there is a key initiative to implement educational initiatives focused on terrestrial

biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration. This activity encompasses training on

effective biodiversity conservation strategies, habitat restoration techniques, sustainable

land management, and species protection. Aligned with Chapter 27: Environment of the

acquis,

this activity specifically targets education and capacity building in biodiversity

management.

•

Innovation and research.

Under the

‘Innovation

and Research’ horizontal topic in the

Strategy action plan, there is a significant focus on fostering innovative research projects

dedicated to habitat conservation, species protection, and sustainable land use. This activity

seeks to explore and develop new methods and strategies for terrestrial ecology and land

management. Aligned with Chapter 27: Environment of the

EU acquis,

the activity

emphasises innovative approaches to land and species conservation. The expected result is

the development and implementation of novel conservation strategies.

This topic, as well as related actions are strictly connected with green transition challenges and needs

as they face environment degradation and contribute to strengthen climate action.

Cross-cutting topics:

•

Circular economy.

In the area of Circular Economy, particularly within the scope of

Transnational Terrestrial Habitats and Biodiversity, a critical activity is the promotion of

sustainable land use and waste reduction strategies. This initiative is closely aligned with the

Environment chapter of the

acquis,

with a specific focus on waste management. The primary

goal here is to achieve enhanced biodiversity conservation, coupled with a reduction in the

ecological footprint across transnational terrestrial habitats.

•

Green rural development.

In the context of Green Rural Development concerning

Transnational Terrestrial Habitats and Biodiversity, there is a significant emphasis on

encouraging biodiversity-friendly agricultural practices in rural areas. This approach is in line

with the Agriculture and Rural Development and Environment chapters of the

acquis.

The

main objective of this activity is to enhance ecosystem services and conserve biodiversity

within rural landscapes.

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

•

Digitalisation.

Under the theme of Digitalisation in Transnational Terrestrial Habitats and

Biodiversity, a key activity is the development of digital tools for the monitoring of

biodiversity and habitat health. This initiative is aligned with the Digital Agenda and

Environment chapters of the

acquis,

highlighting the integration of technology with

environmental management. The expected outcome of this activity is to enhance the

monitoring capabilities and facilitate data-driven decision-making for the conservation of

habitat and biodiversity.

3.2.3

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Action

–

Joint population management for large carnivores

Description of the action

Joint population management for large carnivores and awareness rising activities,

protecting the habitats and working towards quality of life and coexistence

•

Joint mapping, monitoring and population management plans for large

carnivores and non-indigenous invasive species.

Development of joint monitoring such as standardised methods and protocols.

Support for international networking and exchange of experience between key

stakeholders and authorities.

Foster the coexistence of large carnivores and traditional agricultural activities,

such us grazing.

Capacity-building on population management for large carnivores, incl. cross-

sectoral cooperation (agriculture, spatial planning, hunting), stakeholder

engagement and awareness raising for improvement of sectoral plans and

practices and reduction of conflicts.

Support the rehabilitation of the key habitats of international importance and

improve connections between protected areas.

Support to integration of the results and findings on population management

for large carnivores in spatial planning and indicators measuring their

implementation.

Support to accession countries in aligning with

EU Nature acquis.

Insufficient integral natural reserves and connections between protected areas

in coastal, transitional environment and wetlands to preserve biodiversity.

Insufficient capacities of protected areas for management of nature resources

and to harmonise national and transnational policies on management and

conservation of large carnivores.

Insufficient Adriatic-Ionian region-wide scientific evidence and coordinated

•

Which

challenges and

opportunities

is this action

addressing?

•

The initiative to set up a transnational platform for large carnivores in the area of the Dinaric-Balkan-Pindos

was launched at the beginning of 2021. The aim of the platform is to set up a long-term mechanism for the

exchange of experiences and data management of large carnivores (Slovenia to Greece for bears and to

Bulgaria for wolves and lynxes). This approach reflects models established in other regions, such as the

Alpine Convention or the Carpathian Convention, in which there is already established cooperation on the

topic of tourism, agriculture, transboundary management of large animals, etc.

In 2022, the continuation of activities is financed by the Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU) which

runs the Advisory Assistance Programme to support projects aiming for environmental protection in the

countries covered by the programme. The target regions of the programme are the states of Central and

Eastern Europe, the Caucasian countries and Central Asia.

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

monitoring of transnational terrestrial habitats and biodiversity.

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

•

Human

–

large carnivore conflicts properly addressed and minimised in a timely

manner (communities and institutional capacity building implemented,

exchange and implementation of expertise, knowledge, best practices transfer

is improved).

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

Indicators How Indicator name

to measure the

activities under

this action?

OI: Number of cross-

border projects for large

carnivore conservation

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO81

Interreg:

Participation in

joint actions

across borders

RCO115

Interreg: Public

events across

borders jointly

organised

RCO83

Interreg:

Strategies and

action plans

jointly

developed

RCR79 Interreg:

Joint strategies

and action

plans taken up

organisations

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

0 (2023)

TBD

TSG 3

questionnaire

OI: Number of public

awareness-raising events

focused on large

carnivores

0 (2023)

TBD

TSG 3

questionnaire

OI: Number of activities

supporting the

implementation of global

and EU targets for

biodiversity through the

development of strategies

and action plans

TBD (2030)

TSG 3

OI: Number of activities

supporting the

implementation of global

and EU targets for

biodiversity through the

participation in joint

actions across borders

RI: Species show no

deterioration in

conservation trends and

status

RCO81

Interreg:

Participation in

joint actions

across borders

0 (2023)

TBD (2030)

TSG3

questionnaire

EU biodiversity

Strategy

dashboard

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

3.2.4

Name of the

action

Action

–

Conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats

Description of the action

Conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats: Support for

implementation and enforcement of Agreement on the Conservation of African-

Eurasian migratory waterbirds

(“the Agreement”)

•

Identify sites and habitats for migratory waterbirds occurring within their

territory and encourage the protection, management, rehabilitation, and

restoration of these sites.

Capacity building on the Agreement, incl. cross-sectoral cooperation

(agriculture, hunting, spatial planning), stakeholder engagement and awareness

raising for improvement of sectoral plans and practices.

Support to the harmonisation of

the Agreement’s

research and monitoring

methods in the Adriatic-Ionian region.

Awareness raising for the need to improve hunting legislation and its proper

implementation.

Support to accession countries in aligning with

EU Nature acquis.

Insufficient capacities of protected areas for management of nature resources

and to harmonise national and transnational policies on management and

conservation of waterbirds and their habitats.

Insufficient Adriatic-Ionian region-wide scientific evidence and coordinated

monitoring of transnational terrestrial habitats and biodiversity.

High risks of wildfires and the effects of heat and water scarcity on agriculture,

outdoor employment, and public health. Coastal areas are vulnerable to

flooding, erosion, and saltwater intrusion.

Migratory birds navigating across borders encounter numerous perils such as

hazards, habitat degradation, pollution, and deadly power lines.

Due to a small number of undisturbed wetlands on the eastern coast of the

Adriatic and the lack of hunting ban areas and hunting rules that are not in line

with EU legislation, the vulnerable, threatened, or endangered migratory bird

species are being killed. Moreover, in some countries there is an insufficient

law enforcement of the rules in place.

A comprehensive tracking of the number of rehabilitated and restored sites, to

provide a measurable way to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation efforts

in the Adriatic-Ionian region.

Rehabilitated and restored sites and habitats for migratory water birds

occurring within the Adriatic-Ionian region.

Harmonised of research and monitoring methods for the Agreement in the

Adriatic-Ionian region and rehabilitation of key habitats of international

importance.

Rehabilitation of the key habitats of international importance.

Improved management of nature resources in protected areas and

harmonisation of national and transnational policies on management and

conservation of large carnivores.

Improved scientific evidence and coordinated monitoring of transnational

terrestrial habitats and biodiversity in the Adriatic-Ionian region.

What are the

envisaged

activities?

•

Which

challenges and

opportunities

is this action

addressing?

•

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

•

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

Strategy

flagships and

strategic

projects

Indicators

‘PET

HAB ECO

–

Protection and enhancement of natural terrestrial habitats and

ecosystems’

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO81

Interreg:

Participation

in joint

actions across

borders

RCO85

Interreg:

Participations

joint

training

schemes

RCO81

Interreg:

Participation

joint

actions across

borders

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

How to

measure the

activities

under this

action?

OI: Number of surveys of

migratory water bird

populations

0 (2023)

TBD

TSG3

questionnaire

OI: Number of events for

improvement of sectoral

plans and practices and

to improve hunting

legislation

0 (2023)

TBD

TSG3

questionnaire

OI: Number of activities

supporting

the

implementation of global

and EU targets for

biodiversity through the

participation in joint

actions across borders

OI: Number of activities

supporting

the

implementation of global

and EU targets for

biodiversity through the

participations in joint

training schemes

RI: Species show no

deterioration in

conservation trends and

status

RI: No. of rehabilitated

and restored sites of

migratory water birds

and their habitats

0 (2023)

tbd (2030)

TSG3

RCO85

Interreg:

Participations

joint

training

schemes

0 (2023)

tbd (2030)

TSG3

EU biodiversity

Strategy

dashboard

RCO83

Interreg:

Strategies and

action plans

jointly

developed

RCR79

Interreg: Joint

strategies and

action plans

taken up by

organisations

0 (2023)

TBD

TSG3

questionnaires

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

3.2.5

Action– Improve interaction between anthropic and natural ecosystems and

habitats

Description of the action

Improve interaction between anthropic and natural ecosystems and habitats

•

Awareness rising activities on implementation and financial aspects of

environmentally friendly farming practices, with focus on the interaction

between anthropic and natural ecosystems and habitats.

Joint analysis on climate-related risks and mitigation and adaptation measures

(e.g. forest fires prevention, native forest restoration, campaigns to regenerate

the tree cover, nurturing patches of forest and woodland in agricultural/urban

landscapes).

Support the development of ecosystem services.

Lack of capacities of protected areas for management of nature resources and

to harmonise national and transnational policies on management and

conservation of large carnivores.

Absence of Adriatic-Ionian region-wide scientific evidence and coordinated

monitoring of transnational terrestrial habitats and biodiversity. Western

Balkan is one of the regions in Europe that is most heavily affected by the

impact of climate change due to considerable increases in temperature.

Consequently, it is necessary to introduce new best practice measures on

prevention of forest fires and forest restoration.

Implementing new best practices for fire prevention will help the countries to

adapt to changing climate conditions and mitigate the impacts of wildfires on

forests and its unique ecosystems.

Increase in adoption of environmentally friendly farming practices through

awareness-raising activities and financial support.

Improved analysis and implementation of climate-related risk mitigation and

adaptation measures, such as prevention of forest fires and native forest

restoration.

Improved management of nature resources in protected areas and

harmonisation of national and transnational policies on management and

conservation of large carnivores.

Improved scientific evidence and coordinated monitoring of transnational

terrestrial habitats and biodiversity in the Adriatic-Ionian region.

Raised awareness on financial aspects of environmentally friendly farming

practices, with focus on the interaction between anthropic and natural

ecosystems and habitats.

Joint analysis on climate-related risks and possible mitigation and adaptation

measures (e.g. forest fires prevention, native forest restoration, campaigns to

regenerate the tree cover, nurturing patches of forest and woodland in

agricultural/urban landscapes).

Promote the enhancement of ecosystem services.

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

•

Which

challenges and

opportunities

is this action

addressing?

•

What are the

expected

results/targets

of the action?

•

Strategy

flagships and

Under flagship PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT OF NATURAL TERRESTRIAL

HABITATS AND ECOSYSTEMS - PET HAB ECO the following strategic projects were

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

strategic

projects

developed:

Monopillar strategic projects

•

FOREST READAPT

- Renewal of the adaptation of coppice forests in a drastically

changing environment.

•

SEC-DIV-CONIFERS

- Secure diversity through a holistic approach for the most

threatened Mediterranean conifer ecosystems: combining genetic, physiology,

biodiversity indices, germination and restoration.

•

Bio-Shelters

- Botanical Gardens as Biodiversity Shelters and Nurseries

Indicators

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO116

Interreg: Jointly

developed

solutions

RCO85 Interreg:

Participations in

joint

training

schemes

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

How to

measure the

activities

under this

action?

OI: Number of projects

concepts addressing

anthropic-natural habitat

interaction

OI: Number of events

and activities on the

importance of ecological

connectivity and its

ecosystem services

RI: Introduction of new

best practice measures

on prevention of forest

fires and forest

restoration

0 (2023)

TBD

TSG3

questionnaires

0 (2023)

TBD

TSG3

questionnaires

RCO116

Interreg: Jointly

developed

solutions

RCR104

Interreg:

Solutions taken

up or up-scaled

organisations

0 (2023)

TBD

TSG3

questionnaires

OI: Number of activities

supporting the

implementation of global

and EU targets for

biodiversity through the

development of joint

solutions

OI: Number of activities

supporting the

implementation of global

and EU targets for

biodiversity through the

participations in joint

training schemes

RI: Significant areas of

degraded and carbon-

rich ecosystems are

RCO 116

Interreg: Jointly

developed

solutions

0 (2023)

TBD (2030)

TSG 3

RCO 85

Interreg:

Participations in

joint training

schemes

0 (2023)

TBD (2030)

TSG 3

EU biodiversity

Strategy

dashboard

–

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

restored. Habitats show

no deterioration in

conservation trends and

status.

Target 4

partially

modified to fit

action 3.2.3

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

4. Pillar 4

–

Sustainable Tourism

The Adriatic-Ionian region is rich in natural and cultural heritage. It comprises a number of Natura

2000 protected sites and 72 cultural and natural properties belonging to UNESCO World Heritage

List, plus 44 elements inscribed in the UNESCO list of Intangible Heritage Humanity. The heritage

sites, but also unexploited natural wealth, are a significant attracting factor. Recognising the

tremendous value that cultural and natural heritage brings to society it makes a lot of sense for these

natural allies to join

forces in order to help protect the EU’s exceptionally valuable yet fragile

heritage for future generations

[

The ecosystem services delivered by Natura 2000, the European

ecological network of protected areas and a pillar of the

EU’s

biodiversity strategy, have a great deal

of potential to highlight and enhance the strong links between cultural and natural heritage.

Indeed, incoming tourism in the Adriatic-Ionian region is growing steadily, despite the rebound

during the COVID-19 crisis. At the same time, new challenges such as climate change and natural

disasters, e.g. floods, droughts and heat waves, pose severe threats for the future.

The economy of the region is heavily depending on tourism

–

in most cases mass tourism. The issue

of high seasonality in tourism industry (often overlapping with period of major water stress) affects

employment, environment and availability of local services. In the most attractive places, it has

already created a situation of over-tourism at the expense of natural resources, cultural heritage and

welfare of local communities. At the same time, tourism offers an important development potential.

Innovation in tourism can help manage visitor flows and reduce the negative impacts on nature and

resources. Rural and cultural tourism provides development and employment opportunities to inland

marginal areas, isolated from the main areas of development.

There are notable differences in tourism infrastructure in the region, with most of the EU candidate

countries lagging behind in terms of marketing, promotion, quality standards of accommodation.

Although the digitalisation of the tourism industry offers new possibilities and increases the outreach

for new products (sites, experiences etc.) there is a low level of investment. However, new emerging

patterns in the tourism industry

–

in terms of customer approach, new products and experiences,

and supply side

–

demand quick innovative reactions.

In order to create a common understanding of sustainable and innovative destination management,

all countries can learn from the more experienced destinations in the region. Macro-regional routes

and cross-border networks can help to develop the Adriatic-Ionian region as one integrated tourism

area. This pillar focuses on promoting sustainable tourism in the Adriatic-Ionian region, taking into

consideration all the key dimensions of economic, environmental, cultural and social sustainability.

The work of the pillar will contribute to promotion of innovative ways for tourism and to building

resilience against global crises such as wars, climate change and loss of biodiversity. The actions of

Pillar 4 will be in accordance with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and

its commitment to support tourism that creates sustainable jobs and promotes local culture,

products and services.

The Strategy work in the field of tourism builds on the European Agenda for Tourism 2030 and will

contribute to the co-implementation process of the Transition Pathway for Tourism between the

European Commission, member states and tourism stakeholders.

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kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

It has the vision to promote innovative, resilient, sustainable and universally accessible tourism in the

Adriatic-Ionian region. The activities aim at helping to support the digital and green transition of the

tourism ecosystem considering relevant sectors and different public and private stakeholders. They

will contribute to create favourable framework conditions supporting the sustainable management

of destinations and to develop new capacities and skills to strengthen resilience and prepare the

sector for the future. This includes also ensuring the carrying capacities in relation to nature and

environment are not exceeded and the tourism pressure on the environment, in particular Marine

Protected Areas, is reduced.

The Strategy promotes the ecotourism, fishing tourism, agritourism and rural tourism and the

Mediterranean Diet and local organic and origin production as drivers of sustainable tourism and

socio-economic development within the Adriatic-Ionian region.

4.1

Topic

–

Facilitating digital and green transition of the tourism and cultural heritage

offer

Global objectives.

The tourism ecosystem was among the most severely affected ecosystems by

COVID-19. Resilient public policies and favourable framework conditions at national and regional

level aim at helping the tourism sector to recover and to develop a sustainable and resilient tourism

offer. The green and digital transition has to be promoted and implemented by all tourism

stakeholders to make the tourism and cultural heritage sector sustainable and resilient. Sustainable

tourism development makes optimal use of cultural and environmental resources, helping to

conserve nature and biodiversity. It also respects the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities,

conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values.

Strategy objectives.

The objective of this topic is to develop favourable framework conditions and

facilitate digital and green transition with the aim to diversify and strengthen the tourism offer in the

Adriatic-Ionian region. This covers the promotion of collaborative governance of tourism

destinations, improved exchanges and knowledge on statistics and indicators for tourism, and the

promotion of digital and green objectives in tourism strategies. Particular efforts are needed to

capitalise on existing networks, platforms and also on results from EU-funded projects, especially

ADRION. In the long-run, the Adriatic-Ionian region could become a global leader in sustainable

tourism, considering it is already one of the most extensively developed touristic macroregions in the

world.

Specific objectives of the topic

In light of the above objectives, challenges and opportunities below, the activities under this topic

aim at:

•

setting up macro-regional networks and routes, to promote collaboration of tourism

destinations and with other innovative stakeholders at local, regional and national level, and

lead to tourism services and products based on cross-border collaboration;

supporting countries in progressing towards improved tourism data systems, that are in line

with European data systems and include sustainability indicators;

helping tourism stakeholders to develop new capacities to integrate green and digital transition

in tourism strategies.

•

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4.1.1

Strategy specificities opportunities & challenges

Linked to the above objectives, the Adriatic-Ionian region faces several specific challenges and

opportunities which the revised action plan aims to address.

Opportunities:

•

Rich history and very diverse cultural heritage Rich customs tradition and intangible cultural

assets (including traditional food and beverages, crafts etc.).

Rich natural heritage, biodiversity and many protected areas.

Innovative way to deal with high-volume visitor inflows in most popular areas.

Large areas whose potential for tourism is not yet developed.

Existing collaboration through tourism clusters and networks.

Existing tourism strategies in most countries at national level to support the digital and green

transition.

Support digital and green transition in tourism through available EU and national funds.

Strong presence of CCIs in the Area, also working in close cooperation with the tourism

sector.

Challenges:

•

Intense seasonality of tourism.

Concentration on ‘sun and sea tourism’ products and services based on mass tourism.

Unbalanced territorial distribution of tourism offer in most countries (focus on urban and

coastal areas).

Poor implementation of sustainable tourism policies and responsible tourism concepts.

Insufficient data on smart and sustainable tourism.

Insufficient experience with sustainable tourism destination management.

New models and tools for stakeholder involvement (local population, communities, visitors).

Complex and not harmonised regulatory frameworks.

Lack of knowledge on innovation and digitalisation practices in tourism.

Lack of infrastructure to support digital and green transition of tourism.

Use of cultural heritage while ensuring its transmission to future generations

Lack of managerial capabilities within CCIs.

4.1.2

Support to horizontal and cross-cutting topics

Activities under this topic contribute actively to the horizontal and cross-cutting topics of the revised

action plan.

Horizontal topics:

•

Enlargement.

Activities help candidate countries to better integrate with EU member states

in field of sustainable tourism policies and related regulatory frameworks and activities in the

fields of data management and smart specialisation. Knowledge transfer will take place

during the TSG4 meetings and other Strategy thematic events dedicated to tourism and

culture by promoting best practices and presenting experiences. Strategy activities and

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kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

•

projects should also address the enlargement chapters: 1-9 related to the single market, 28

to consumer and health protection, 27 to environment and climate change, 15 to renewable

energy, 21 to Trans-European networks, 10 to Information society and media, 11 to

Agriculture and rural development, 12 to food safety, 18 to Statistics.

Capacity building.

The envisaged activities comprise, among others, capacity building on

data collection practices on tourism statistics and various efforts to strengthen the sharing of

knowledge and experiences of data using for policy planning e.g. concerning collaborative

sustainable destination management models, innovation of tourism products and services

and the cooperation between private, public and non-profit stakeholders.

Innovation and research.

The digital and green transitions of the tourism and cultural

heritage offer has a strong focus on innovation and great potential in the region. It is also

acknowledged as one of the key drivers of tourism transformation in the region within

respective S3s. Among others, it includes activities on sustainable innovation in tourism

destinations and promotes collaboration between tourism stakeholders dealing with

innovation and research. It also includes monitoring tourist trends in the region. In order to

ease the pressure of touristic flows during the pick season (classical mass tourism), the

Adriatic and Ionian region should start monitoring touristic trends in the region and strive

towards a balanced tourism development. In line with the Sustainable development goals

the UNWTO international network of sustainable tourism observatories is trending and, in

this respect, also a macro-regional observatory or information centre could be developed in

order to measure the impact of tourism on the cities/countries/region, in close cooperation

with CCIs.

Cross-cutting topics:

•

Circular economy.

Sustainable tourism is an important element of the transition to a circular

economy. Activities will contribute to raising awareness of the importance of the circular

economy in tourism as a key element of sustainable development that minimises its

environmental impacts, including waste and pollution as well as CO

emissions. Connecting

business models/initiatives (such as Climate-KIC) to support value chain development and

implementation of circular economy in participating countries.

Green rural development.

Activities under this topic will also address sustainable tourism in

rural areas and thus contribute to green rural development. The promotion of the green and

balanced tourism development will also include rural areas where is especially important to

take care of the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of tourism

development. Supporting smart community/village concept by increased digitalisation and

public services uptake to support tourism development in rural areas.

Digitalisation.

Digital transition of the tourism sector is addressed through activities

promoting green and digital transition in tourism strategies. Activities under this topic will

contribute to the innovations that ensure the continued competitiveness, growth and

sustainable development of the sector.

•

4.1.3

Action

–

Collaborative governance and sustainable innovation in tourism

destinations

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kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

Name of the action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Description of the action

Collaborative governance and sustainable innovation in tourism

destinations

•

Sharing knowledge and experiences on collaborative destination

management models, importance of circular economy and nature

conservation in tourism and the cooperation between private, public

and non-profit stakeholders.

•

Study and share best practice on sustainable destination governance,

innovation and management, e.g. related to cruising tourism and

nautical tourism, including with regards to navigational limitations for

nature protection and pollution prevention and remediation.

•

Developing a strategy or masterplan on green and balanced tourism

development. Most of the tourist visits are still oriented towards cities

or centres, based around the coast of the Adriatic and Ionian region. In

order to re-direct tourist flows towards the hinterland of the region

and rural areas, a strategy or masterplan should be developed,

specifying how to attract and engage local population towards the

development and investment into tourist offer. The Strategy also

should take into account the social and labour dimension, such as

permanent (not seasonal) workforce, tourist labour migration issues

etc.

•

Promote the collaboration between destinations and tourism clusters

to promote knowledge exchange on sustainable and smart innovation

in tourism and collaborative destination management, with a specific

focus on the exchange and transfer between EU and candidate

countries.

•

Promote the collaboration between tourism stakeholders with actors

dealing with innovation and research, nature, culture and creativity,

e.g. in the context of smart specialisation strategies.

•

Development of

‘niche’

tourism in connection to sustainable outdoor

activities could encourage the extension of the tourist season from

‘summer’

season to the whole year season. That could be supported by

different gastronomic offers and cultural activities and the inclusion of

local population. This shift would also reduce the Strategy’s region

form dependency on unbalanced tourism and contribute to the

Sustainable development of the region.

•

Protect and promote Europe’s cultural and natural heritage as a shared

resource in the green transition aiming a

t nature and

culture-based

solutions.

•

Intense seasonality of tourism.

Excessive focus

on ‘sun and sea tourism’ products and services based

on mass tourism.

Unbalanced territorial distribution of tourism offer in most countries

(focus on urban and coastal areas).

Insufficient experience with sustainable tourism destination

management.

Insufficient knowledge on innovation and digitalisation practices in

104

Which challenges

and opportunities

is this action

addressing?

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

•

What are the

expected

results/targets of

the action?

•

tourism.

Insufficient infrastructure to support the digital and green transition in

tourism.

Integration of cultural heritage in digital and green transition.

Macro-regional networks and routes developed.

Knowledge exchange on sustainable innovation in tourism and

collaborative governance between EU and candidate countries.

Increased collaboration between tourism destinations at all levels.

Sustainable innovation in tourism is facilitated through the cooperation

between tourism ecosystems and other innovative players at local,

regional and national level.

Cultural and natural heritage as a transformative force for community

regeneration being enhanced.

Strategy flagships

and strategic

projects

Under flagship EXPANDING THE TOURIST SEASON TO ALL-YEAR ROUND the

following strategic project was developed:

Monopillar strategic project

•

CruiseAir

- Destination Management Plans preparation for Cruise

destinations within the Adriatic-Ionian region

Cross-pillar strategic project

•

ADRIONCYCLETOUR

- ADRiatic IONian CYCLE route for sustainable

TOURism (Pillars 4 and 2)

Under the flagship

‘Development

of Sustainable and Thematic Cultural

Routes/Connecting Cultural Routes in EUSAIR’, the following strategic

project was developed:

Monopillar strategic project

•

AIR Cultural Routes

- Adriatic-Ionian region Cultural Routes Tourism

Governance Model: An Opportunity for the EUSAIR Area

Indicators

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO81

Interreg:

Participation

in joint actions

across borders

Baseline

value and

year

Target

value and

year

Data source

How to measure

the activities under

this action?

OI: No. of activities

promoting

collaborative

destination

management and

cooperation of

tourism stakeholders

with other sectors

OI: No. of activities

promoting

0 p.a. (2023)

5 p.a. (2030)

TSG4

RCO81

Interreg:

0 p.a. (2023)

5 p.a. (2030)

TSG4

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cooperation of

tourism actors with

other sectors/actors

(innovation, creative

sectors etc.)

OI: No. of activities to

promote and raise

awareness on the role

of cultural heritage in

the green transition

RI: Increase in the

number of

destinations that

apply collaborative

destination

management

RI: Destinations

develop innovative

tourism offer? based

on cultural heritage

Participation

in joint actions

across borders

RCO81

Interreg:

Participation

in joint actions

across borders

0 p.a. (2023)

5 p.a. (2030)

TSG4

RCR104

Interreg:

Solutions

taken up or

up-scaled

RCR104

Interreg:

Solutions

taken up or

up-scaled

0 p.a. (2023)

5 p.a. (2030)

TSG4

0 p.a. (2023)

3 p.a. (2030)

TSG4

4.1.4

Action

–

Promoting the use of smart and sustainable indicators for tourism

Description of the action

Promoting the use of smart and sustainable indicators for tourism

•

Sharing and transfer knowledge to candidate countries on requirements,

implementation needs and opportunities of European tourism data

systems, such as the European Tourism Dashboard, DATES Project or the

European Data Space for Tourism.

•

Exchanging experiences and best practices on smart tourism data and

indicator systems at national and regional level.

•

Organise workshops and capacity building on data collection rules on

tourism statistics and ways to include elements on economic, social and

environmental sustainability.

•

Analysing and preparing the use of sustainability indicators at destination

level that will contribute to the innovations and facilitate research.

•

Lack of data on smart and sustainable tourism.

Complex and not harmonised regulatory frameworks.

Name of the action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Which challenges

and opportunities

is this action

addressing?

What are the

expected

results/targets of

the action?

Participating countries are making progress towards improved tourism

data systems, which include sustainability indicators and are in line with

the European tourism data systems.

Improved collaboration between stakeholder in field of data collecting,

sharing and harmonising

Strategy flagships

Under flagship

‘RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FOR IMPROVEMENT OF SME’S

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kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

and strategic

projects

PERFORMANCE AND GROWTH-

DIVERSIFICATION’

the following strategic

project was developed:

Monopillar strategic project

•

CulTourAIR

- Survey on cultural tourism demand in the Adriatic-Ionian

Region

Indicators

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO81 Interreg:

Participation in

joint actions

across borders

RCO81 Interreg:

Participation in

joint actions

across borders

RCO81 Interreg:

Participation in

joint actions

across borders

Baseline

value and

year

Target

value and

year

Data source

How to measure

the activities under

this action?

OI: No. of activities on

EU tourism data

systems

OI: No. of activities

promoting integration

of sustainability in

tourism statistics

OI: Increased number

of stakeholders that

use tourism data

sources

RI: Number of

destinations

measuring and

collecting statistics

that include elements

on economic, social

and environmental

Sustainability

0 p.a. (2023)

5 p.a. (2030)

TSG4

0 p.a. (2023)

5 p.a. (2030)

TSG4

0 p.a. (2023)

5 p.a. (2030)

TSG4

RCO81

Interreg:

Participation in

joint actions

across borders

0 p.a. (2023)

5 p.a. (2030)

TSG4

4.1.5

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Action

–

Promoting the green and digital transition in tourism strategies

Description of the action

Promoting the green and digital transition in tourism strategies

•

Awareness raising and supporting the green and digital transition in all MS.

Stimulating exchanges of experiences and ideas regarding national or

regional strategies taking account of the green and digital transition of

tourism.

Disseminating best practices for digital, green transition as well as

participatory and inclusive Strategy development.

Developing of innovative and digital solutions. The digital solutions in

tourism and culture sector should be addressed (i.e. in relation to tourist

offer, management of tourism flows, promotion, reservation system) that

can contribute to a balanced development of the Adriatic and Ionian region.

Promoting the development of cross-border, transnational or macro-

regional strategies for sustainable tourism and green and digital transition

in tourism through organisation of capacity-building training.

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•

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Which challenges

and opportunities

is this action

addressing?

•

Focus on ‘sun and sea tourism’ products and services based on mass

tourism, lacking niche, quality-based products and services.

Unbalanced territorial distribution of tourism offer in most countries (focus

on urban and coastal areas).

Poor implementation of sustainable tourism policies and responsible

tourism concepts, accessible tourism including

Lack of models and tools for stakeholder involvement (local population,

communities, visitors).

Effective cooperation and an exchange of experiences on the green and

digital transition in tourism strategies have been established in the AI

region.

Best practices on the support/promotion of green and digital transition in

local, regional and national tourism strategies have been identified and

disseminated.

Exchange of experiences and ideas to develop cross-border, transnational

or macro-regional strategies for sustainable tourism and green and digital

transition in tourism.

What are the

expected

results/targets of

the action?

•

Strategy flagships

and strategic

projects

Under flagships

‘Development

of the Network of Sustainable Tourism Businesses

and Clusters’ and

‘Green

Mapping for The AI region - Supporting Development

and Market Access for Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Destinations

(Management) and Micro/SME Operations in the EUSAIR region’, the following

strategic projects were developed:

Cross-pillar strategic projects

•

BLUECULTURE

–

Development of Macro-Regional Cluster on Blue Culture

Technologies and creation of International Competence Centre (Pillars 4

and 1)

•

STETAI

- Sustainable Tourism through Environmental Energy Technologies

in Buildings of High Architectural Interest (Pillars 4 and 2)

Indicators

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO81

Interreg:

Participation in

joint actions

across borders

RCO81

Interreg:

Participation in

joint actions

across borders

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

How to measure

the activities

under this action?

OI: No. of

activities/projects

promoting the green

and digital transition

in tourism strategies

OI: No. of activities to

promote participatory

and inclusive Strategy

development in

tourism

0 p.a. (2023)

5 p.a. (2030)

TSG4

0 p.a. (2023)

5 p.a. (2030)

TSG4

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RI: Increased number

of data-driven

destination

management tools

and green certification

schemes

RCO116

Interreg: Jointly

developed

solutions

RCR104

Interreg:

Solutions taken

up or up-scaled

organisations

RCO83

Interreg:

Strategies and

action plans

jointly

developed

0 p.a. (2023)

5 p.a. (2030)

TSG4

RI: Participating

countries or their key

tourism regions to

have comprehensive

tourism strategies

0 p.a. (2023)

5 p.a. (2030)

TSG4

4.2

Topic

–

Preparing for the future: knowledge, skills and management

Global objectives.

Tourism is a unique economic sector that builds on effective management of

destinations and on quality services and products for visitors and travellers. The green and digital

transition offer new opportunities for tourism companies and destination management organisations

to become more sustainable, innovative and shock resilient. However, the knowledge on sustainable

practices and digital tourism is not yet present in all destination management organisations and

companies. Especially SMEs, which most often face structural challenges and lack the necessary

knowledge, skills and funds to introduce new sustainable, circular, energy-efficient or digital

solutions into their businesses. SMEs also have problems learning about new relevant skills and

capacities or to identify and access relevant training and education opportunities.

Strategy objectives.

This topic addresses knowledge gaps on sustainable destination management

and green and digital skills in tourism in the Adriatic-Ionian region. The objective is to raise

awareness on the opportunities of the twin transition and to develop, support and promote effective

dissemination, sharing and learning on green and digital skills among all tourism stakeholders,

especially destination management organisations, tourism business associations/cluster and SMEs.

Specific objectives of the topic

In light of the above objectives, challenges and opportunities below, the activities under this topic

aim at:

•

increasing the level of knowledge and capacities about sustainable and smart destination

management among tourism SMEs and tourism stakeholders;

a wide adaptation of education models and skills in tourism to the new tourism trends and

tourists needs including people with access needs, in particular to the digital and green

transition, e.g. through corresponding courses at universities/training centres and the

development/updating of national guidelines on training/education in the tourism sector.

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4.2.1

Strategy specificities opportunities & challenges

Linked to the above objectives, the Adriatic-Ionian region faces a number of specific challenges and

opportunities that the revised action plan aims to address.

Opportunities:

•

Rich history and very diverse cultural heritage.

Rich customs tradition and intangible cultural assets (including traditional food and

beverages, crafts etc.).

Rich natural heritage, biodiversity and many protected areas.

Innovative ways to deal with high-volume visitor inflows in most popular areas.

Large areas whose potential for tourism is not yet developed.

Existing collaboration through tourism clusters and networks.

Existing tourism strategies in most countries at national level to support the digital and green

transition.

Support available via EU and national funds to support the digital and green transition in

tourism.

Strong presence of CCIs in the Area, also working in close cooperation with the tourism

sector.

Challenges:

•

Lack of experience and knowledge on sustainable tourism destination management.

Lack of experience and knowledge on sustainability, energy efficiency, and circular

approaches in tourism SMEs.

Lack of knowledge on available funding opportunities for tourism actors.

Lack of experience and knowledge on digital practices in tourism at the level of SMES and

destinations.

Lack of awareness in SMEs on the need to develop new capacities and skills on digital and

green tourism solutions.

Lack of awareness in destination management organisations and tourism authorities on the

tourism pathways and the twin transitions.

Lack of visibility and knowledge on training and capacity-building opportunities on green and

digital tourism.

Need to integrate green and digital skills into the tourism education and training.

Lack of managerial capabilities within CCIs.

4.2.2

Support to horizontal and cross-cutting topics

Activities under this topic contribute actively to the horizontal and cross-cutting topics of the revised

action plan.

Horizontal topics:

•

Enlargement.

The activities help the candidate countries to better integrate with EU member

states in field of sustainable tourism policies and related regulatory frameworks and

activities related to knowledge management and skills in the field. The knowledge, best

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•

practices and experiences will be shared at the TSG4 meetings and other Strategy thematic

events. The Strategy’s activities and projects should also address the enlargement chapters:

19 related to Social Policy and employment, 20 to enterprise and industrial policy, 25 to

science and research, 26 to education and culture, 22 to regional policy and structural

instruments, 23 to fundamental rights.

Capacity building.

The envisaged activities comprise among others capacity building with a

strong focus on knowledge and skills needed for the future of the tourism sector, including

e.g. reskilling, upskilling and renewing tourism education with new skills profiles in vocational

education and training policy and curricula. The activities facilitate also learning in tourism

SMEs through providing user-friendly access points for tourism SMEs on self-learning

resources and through providing online spaces where tourism SMEs can connect with each

other to share learning. Only proper addressing of this issue can give proper answers to the

challenges of the modern society (transition to sustainable economy and society, de-

population of ageing society, brain drain, economic migration, digitalisation, green and blue

transformation, inclusion of youth).

Innovation and research.

The digital and green transition of the tourism industry and related

skills development has a strong focus on innovation in the field. The activities focus on

putting new solutions into practice, also in close cooperation with CCIs, and enable tourism

players to learn about them. Activities will contribute to the development of data-driven

destination management models and mechanisms as well as to innovative tourism services

using advanced technologies and digitised cultural heritage.

Cross-cutting topics:

•

Circular economy.

Sustainable tourism is an important element of the transition to a circular

economy. The envisaged activities include, among others, sharing of knowledge on best

practices and experiences with green transition of tourism stakeholders and SMEs, including

new skills necessary for circular economy approaches in tourism.

Green rural development.

Activities under this topic will also address sustainable tourism in

rural areas and thus contribute to green rural development, such as are: sustainable and

smart tourism management in rural destinations, promotion of knowledge and skills

necessary for stakeholders in rural tourism areas.

Digitalisation.

The digital transition of the tourism sector is addressed through activities

promoting digitalisation in tourism, and the need to strengthen digital skills of players in the

tourism sector. Activities will help to raise awareness on the need to develop digital skills as

well as promote the future digital skills needed by tourism, cultural and creative sectors.

•

4.2.3

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Action

–

Sustainable and smart tourism management and services

Description of the action

Promotion of sustainable and smart tourism management and services

•

Promoting the exchange of information on best practice, peer learning and

networking on sustainable, accessible and smart tourism management

practices and approaches.

Awareness-raising activities for tourism actors on the benefits of

digitalisation and on existing digitalisation programmes.

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•

Supporting the exchange of ideas and experiences on digitalisation in

tourism.

Sharing knowledge on best practices and experiences with green transition

of tourism stakeholders and SMEs, in particular CCIs, including circular

economy approaches in tourism.

Lack of experience and knowledge on sustainable tourism destination

management.

Lack of experience and knowledge on sustainability, energy efficiency, and

circular approaches in tourism SMEs.

Lack of knowledge on available funding opportunities for tourism

stakeholders.

Lack of experience and knowledge on digital practices in tourism at the level

of SMES and destinations.

Established an effective cooperation and exchange of experiences on the

promotion of sustainability, energy efficiency, circular economy and nature

conservation in tourism.

Increased knowledge and capacities among tourism stakeholders about

sustainable and smart destination management.

Available information for SMEs and destination management organisations

to learn from best practices and support ideas on the benefits and

implementation of digital and green tourism practices.

Which challenges

and opportunities

is this action

addressing?

•

What are the

expected

results/targets of

the action?

•

Strategy flagships

and strategic

projects

Under flagship DEVELOPMENT OF THE NETWORK OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

BUSINESSES AND CLUSTERS

GREEN MAPPING FOR THE AI REGION - SUPPORTING DEVELOPMENT AND

MARKET ACCESS FOR RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DESTINATIONS

(MANAGEMENT) AND MICRO/SME OPERATIONS IN THE EUSAIR REGION the

following strategic projects were developed:

Monopillar strategic projects

•

ProDestAIR

- Adriatic-Ionian strategy and Solutions for Smart Integrated

Destination Management based on Multiple Intelligence Systems

•

LIVING THE SEA 4.0

- Digitalisation of cultural heritage of fishing traditions

and fish industry for creation of virtual touristic points of interest in the

region

•

TG AIR

- Green Mapping for the Adriatic-Ionian region - Supporting

Development and Market Access for Responsible and Sustainable Tourism

Destinations and Micro/SME Operations in the region

Under flagship TRAINING AND SKILLS IN THE FIELD OF TOURISM BUSINESSES

(VOCATIONAL AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS) the following strategic project was

developed

Cross-pillar strategic project

•

ADRIONet

- Managing Tourism Flows in Protected Areas (Pillars 4 and 3)

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Indicators

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO81

Interreg:

Participation in

joint

actions

across borders

RCO85

Interreg:

Participations

in joint training

schemes

Baseline

value and

year

Target value Data source

and year

How to measure

the activities

under this action?

OI: No. of activities to

promote sustainable,

accessible and smart

tourism practices and

management

0 p.a. (2023)

5 p.a. (2030)

TSG4

OI: No. of activities on

the digital transition of

tourism

RCO81

Interreg:

Participation in

joint

actions

across borders

RCO85

Interreg:

Participations

in joint training

schemes

0 p.a. (2023)

5 p.a. (2030)

TSG4

OI: No. of activities on

the green transition of

tourism

RCO81

Interreg:

Participation in

joint

actions

across borders

RCO85

Interreg:

Participations

in joint training

schemes

0 p.a. (2023)

5 p.a. (2030)

TSG4

RI: Increased number of

destinations that offer

accessible and smart

tourism services

RCR12 Digital:

Users of new

and upgraded

digital services,

products and

processes

developed by

enterprises

RCO77

Number of

cultural and

tourism sites

supported

0 p.a. (2023)

5 p.a. (2030)

TSG4

RI: Increased number of

destinations using

advanced technologies

and digitised cultural

heritage

0 p.a. (2023)

5 p.a. (2030)

TSG4

RCR77 Visitors

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of cultural and

tourism sites

supported

RI: Increased number of

green tourism

destinations

RCO77

Number of

cultural and

tourism sites

supported

0 p.a. (2023)

5 p.a. (2030)

TSG4

RCR77 Visitors

of cultural and

tourism sites

supported

4.2.4

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Action

–

Knowledge and skills for the future

Description of the action

Knowledge and skills for the future

•

Awareness-raising activities on the need to develop digital and green skills

within the Tourism Transition Pathway to destination authorities,

destination management organisations, tourism business associations,

clusters and SMEs, in particular CCIs.

Developing opportunities to distribute information on key support

resources and funding opportunities for skill development and innovation

in tourism SMEs on European, national and regional level.

Developing and renewing tourism education: promoting the incorporation

of new skills profiles in vocational education and training policy and

curricula.

Facilitating learning through providing user-friendly access points for

tourism SMEs on self-learning resources and through providing online

spaces where tourism SMEs can connect with each other to share learning.

Promote the skills needed by cultural and creative sectors, including digital,

entrepreneurial, traditional and specialised skills.

Lack of awareness in SMEs on the need to develop new capacities and skills

on digital and green tourism solutions.

Lack of knowledge on available funding opportunities for tourism actors.

Lack of visibility and knowledge on training and capacity-building

opportunities on green and digital tourism.

Need to integrate green and digital skills into the training and education

curricula on tourism as well as to informal learning.

Raised awareness on the skills needed for the digital and green transition in

tourism.

Education models and curriculum in tourism adapted to new tourism

trends and tourists needs, in particular to the digital and green transition.

Tourism SMEs, students and workers, as well as tourism organisations,

clusters, universities and schools can find/feed information on education

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•

Which challenges

and opportunities

is this action

addressing?

•

What are the

expected

results/targets of

the action?

•

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

and skills in tourism in knowledge portals and e-learning platforms.

Strategy flagships

and strategic

projects

Under the flagship TRAINING AND SKILLS IN THE FIELD OF TOURISM BUSINESSES

(VOCATIONAL AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS) the following strategic project

was developed:

Monopillar strategic projects

•

DES_AIR

- Education for Integrated Sustainable Tourism Destination

Management

Indicators

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO85

Interreg:

Participations

in joint training

schemes

Baseline

value and

year

Target value

and year

Data source

How to measure

the activities

under this action?

OI: No. of activities to

promote new skills

and adapted curricula

in tourism

0 p.a. (2023)

5 p.a. (2030)

TSG

RCR81

Interreg:

Completion of

joint training

schemes

OI: No. of best

practices shared on

digital and green skills

in tourism

RCO85

Interreg:

Participations

in joint training

schemes

0 p.a. (2023)

5 p.a. (2030)

TSG4

RCR81

Interreg:

Completion of

joint training

schemes

OI: Information on

skills

needs and training

opportunities for twin

transition in tourism

disseminated

RI: New curricula in

tourism developed

and implemented

n/a

0 p.a. (2023)

5 p.a. (2030)

TSG4

RCO85

Interreg:

Participations

in joint training

schemes

0 p.a. (2023)

2 p.a. (2030)

TSG4

RCR81

Interreg:

Completion of

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joint training

schemes

4.3

Topic - Greening of Tourism products and services

Global Objectives

The concept of

‘green

products and services’ usually revolves around three main

pillars: environmental conservation, socio-cultural respect, and economic viability. These pillars guide

travellers, tour operators, destination and accommodation managers in adopting sustainable

practices that benefit both the environment and the communities they visit. In the context of the

European Union (EU), the green transition of tourism products and services is a crucial goal. The

primary goal is therefore to foster eco-friendly and nature based tourism initiatives that showcase

the region’s natural and cultural

and natural beauty while minimising environmental impacts. This

includes expanding sustainable tourism products and services such as nature trails, wildlife

observation, and eco-lodges that adhere strictly to sustainability principles. Alongside promoting

these ecotourism offerings, there’s an emphasis on implementing sustainable resource management

practices. This effort focuses on the conservation of water, energy, biodiversity and land,

encouraging the adoption of green technologies across the tourism sector. Additionally, enhancing

local community engagement and development is crucial. The Strategy supports initiatives that

empower local populations through job creation, skills training, and promotion of local crafts and

products, aiming to foster inclusive economic growth and the transition to a green and circular

economy within the tourism industry.

Strategy objectives.

The objective for greening tourism products and services is to integrate

environmental sustainability throughout all tourism operations and development processes in the

Adriatic-Ionian region. This approach involves supporting the preservation of the region’s natural and

cultural landscapes while promoting sustainable practices across member states. To achieve this, a

collaborative framework that includes government bodies, private sector entities, NGOs, and local

communities is essential. This collaboration will help: (i) develop sustainable infrastructure; (ii)

implement environmental education programmes; (iii) promote reliable ecolabels (such as the use of

the Natura 2000 logo on goods and services and the EU Ecolabel); (iv) promote environmental

management schemes such as EMAS; and (v) draw up unified sustainability standards. Moreover,

building resilience and adaptability to environmental challenges is a key focus. The region aims to

develop tourism strategies that enhance the sector’s ability to cope with climate change, biodiversity

loss, and pollution, ensuring that tourism growth contributes positively to environmental and cultural

resilience.

Specific objectives of the topic

The activities under this topic aim at the following.

•

Promoting Ecotourism, Agritourism and Fishing Tourism.

Promoting Rural Tourism.

Promoting the Mediterranean Diet and local Origin Products.

Supporting cultural preservation and enhancement, recognising and capitalising on the

Mediterranean diet and local, organic and origin products as essential components of the

region’s cultural heritage and identity. This recognition serves not only as a celebration of the

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•

region’s rich historical fabric but also as a crucial element in attracting culturally-minded

tourists.

Fostering sustainable economic growth, the initiative aims to stimulate economic development

and diversification in rural areas. This is achieved by promoting products of origin and organic

production, which are intrinsically linked to sustainable tourism practices. These efforts are

designed to enhance the economic viability of rural communities and reduce the economic

disparities between rural and urban areas.

Fostering practices that enhance soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem services, ensuring that

tourism and agricultural activities contribute positively to the environmental health of the

region. In terms of environmental sustainability, the focus must be on supporting the

sustainable management of natural and agricultural resources.

4.3.1

Strategy specificities opportunities & challenges

Linked to the above objectives, the Adriatic-Ionian region faces a number of specific challenges and

opportunities which the revised action plan aims to address.

Opportunities:

•

Improve knowledge and skills of actors on the operationalisation of multifunctional linkages

between tourism and agri-food.

Harmonise the legal and policy framework in participating countries for the implementation

of fishing tourism activities (e.g. pesca-tourism, itti-tourism) and agritourism.

Create institutional collaboration frameworks and platforms between tourism and agri-food

actors.

To systematically integrate the ‘Bio-district’ concept and experiences into the region-wide

tourist offers as well as in tourist and rural development strategies and policies.

Develop the interaction of small and medium-sized enterprises in agri-food and tourism.

Challenges:

•

Review the complex and not always harmonised regulatory frameworks in the interaction

between the tourism sector and agri-food one;

Balance territorial distribution of tourism and agri-food activities in most countries;

Avoid the abandonment of rural areas and migration especially of the youth;

Mitigate the high footprints of tourism activities causing high environmental footprints;

Limit the mass ‘sun-and-beach’ tourism, especially during summer putting pressure on

natural and cultural resources, thus reducing high pressure on the nature and environment in

coastal tourist areas;

To mitigate the migration of skilled individuals from rural and coastal regions to urban areas.

•

4.3.2

Support to horizontal and cross-cutting topics

Activities under this topic contribute actively to the horizontal and cross-cutting topics of the revised

action plan.

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Horizontal topics:

•

Enlargement.

The activities help the candidate countries to better integrate with EU Member

States in field of sustainable tourism policies and related regulatory frameworks and

activities related to knowledge management and skills in the field. The knowledge, best

practices and experiences will be shared at the TSG4 meetings and other Strategy thematic

events. The Strategy’s activities and projects should also address the enlargement chapters:

19 related to Social Policy and employment, 20 to enterprise and industrial policy, 25 to

science and research, 26 to education and culture, 22 to regional policy and structural

instruments, 23 to fundamental rights.

Capacity building.

The envisaged activities comprise among others capacity building with a

strong focus on knowledge and skills needed for the future of the tourism sector, including

e.g. reskilling, upskilling and renewing tourism education with new skills profiles in vocational

education and raining policy and curricula. The activities facilitate also learning in tourism

SMEs through providing user-friendly access points for tourism SMEs on self-learning

resources and through providing online spaces where tourism SMEs can connect with each

other to share learning.

Innovation and research.

The digital and green transition of the tourism industry and related

skills development has a strong focus on innovation in the field. The activities focus on

putting new solutions into practice, also in close cooperation with CCIs, and enable tourism

players to learn about them. Activities will contribute to the development of data-driven

destination management models and mechanisms as well as to innovative tourism services

using advanced technologies and digitised cultural heritage.

•

Cross-cutting topics:

•

Circular economy.

Sustainable tourism is an important element of the transition to a circular

economy. The envisaged activities include, among others, sharing of knowledge on best

practices and experiences with green transition of tourism stakeholders and SMEs, including

new skills necessary for circular economy approaches in tourism and knowledge of reliable

ecolabels and environmental management schemes such as EMAS.

Digitalisation.

The digital transition of the tourism sector is addressed through activities

promoting digitalisation in tourism, and the need to strengthen digital skills of players in the

tourism sector. Activities will help to raise awareness on the need to develop digital skills as

well as promote the future digital skills needed by tourism, cultural and creative sectors.

Green rural development.

As part of green rural development, an essential activity focuses

on supporting sustainable agricultural practices and organic farming in rural areas. This

activity is closely linked with the chapters of the

acquis

concerning Rural Development It can

significantly contribute to the sustainable tourism development in all region and better

connectivity with local society - It can significantly contribute to the sustainable tourism

development in all regions and better connectivity with local society in line with the 'farm to

fork' strategy. The expected outcomes of this initiative are multifaceted, including a

significant reduction in agricultural runoff, enhancement of water and local food products

quality, and consequent improvement in the health of marine, rivers, lakes and rural

ecosystems and rural tourism offer. The activity will also concentrate on the socio-economic

dimensions of agricultural production, including job creation, fostering entrepreneurial

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opportunities, and revitalising rural areas to enhance demographics in these regions. The

realisation of these goals requires the active participation and collaboration of various

stakeholders, such as cooperatives, tourism management authorities, cultural and

environmental NGOs.

4.3.3

Action

–

Promoting agritourism, ecotourism and fishing tourism

Description of the action

Promoting Agritourism, Ecotourism and fishing tourism

•

Harmonise policy framework for the rural and coastal tourism practices

within participating countries.

•

Promote income generating activities diversification within the rural

tourism sector, encouraging agritourism, ecotourism or fishing tourism

practices in participating countries.

•

Develop professional training to provide operators and actors with

sustainable tourism management skills.

•

Set up and strengthen regional network for common vision and

perspective and exchange.

•

Promote the investment in new technologies and modern tourism

infrastructure to enhance visitor experience aiming at the revitalisation

of rural and coastal destinations.

•

Promote reduction of waste generation and circular economy solutions.

•

Increase awareness and improve uptake of reliable ecolabels such as

the use of the Natura 2000 logo on goods and products, the EU Ecolabel

for tourist accommodations and of reliable environmental management

schemes such as EMAS.

•

Promote nature and biodiversity conservation.

•

Enhance local and traditional know-how as part of local heritage of the

territorial and regional identity.

•

Boosting environmental protection through responsible tourism

practices.

•

Safeguard of the historical background and a remarkably varied cultural

heritage. Deep-rooted traditions and intangible cultural treasures,

encompassing traditional cuisine, beverages, crafts, and more

traditional local cultural heritage, ensuring its preservation for future

generations.

•

Lack of harmonised legal and policy framework in participating

countries for the implementation of fishing tourism activities (e.g.

pesca-tourism, itti-tourism) and agritourism.

•

Migration of skilled individuals from rural and coastal regions to urban

areas.

•

Lack of experience and knowledge on innovation, sustainability and

diversification practices in tourism businesses.

•

Lack of public investment for diversification activities.

•

Non-structured and attractive valorisation of local and traditional

heritage.

•

Lack of information on the potential of local resources and existing

structures.

119

Name of the action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Which challenges

and opportunities

is this action

addressing?

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

•

What are the

expected

results/targets of

the action?

•

Strategy flagships

and strategic

projects

Indicators

Lack of knowledge and experience in applying for the EU Ecolabel and in

registering to EMA. Lack of knowledge and experience on managing

sustainable tourism in Natura 2000.

Lack of information on the opportunities that the use of the Natura

2000 logo could bring to local economies and nature conservation.

Employment opportunities generated, and thereby fostering economic

growth in rural and coastal areas.

Boosting environmental protection through responsible tourism

practices, in particular in protected areas. Existing partnerships

between tourism stakeholders and conservation organisations to

protect natural habitats and biodiversity in the Adriatic-Ionian area.

Sustainable agri-food, fishery and rural tourism practices, contributing

to agricultural and fishery diversification developed.

Opportunities for community-based tourism enterprises, empowering

locals to take ownership of tourism development created.

The existing macro-regional networks and routes have been

consolidated, to foster the collaboration of rural and coastal tourism

destinations and with other innovative stakeholders at local, regional

and national level.

Decrease of waste generation by tourists, increase circularity of

products in the tourism sector.

Increased uptake of EU Ecolabel and EMAS, resulting in increased offer

of sustainable tourist services. This will translate in reduced

environmental impacts from tourist accommodation and other tourist

services.

•

N/A - New topic

–

to be developed

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

Baseline

value and

year

Target

value and

year

Data source

How to measure

the activities under

this action?

Indicators will be

developed as part of

implementation

4.3.4

Action

–

Promoting rural tourism

Description of the action

Promoting rural tourism

•

Promoting Countryside activities: in mountains, lakes, rivers and forests,

while ensuring its conservation.

•

Promoting Rural heritage activities: Traditional, Architecture, craft

heritage, pre-history, castles and villages.

•

Promoting Rural life: Crafts, local events, Country food, Traditional

music, ethnographic museums.

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Name of the action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

•

Which challenges

and opportunities

is this action

addressing?

•

Promoting Rural Activities: birding, cycling, walking, water sports.

Developing the professional capacities in decision-makers, tourist and

rural actors in the development and management of rural cultural,

historical, biodiversity and environmental routes.

Promoting existing, ‘Bio-district-like’ initiatives in

the Adriatic-Ionian

region and encouraging transfer of knowledge and good practice

sharing.

Development of Rural Tourism in areas with low population density,

landscape and land use dominated by agriculture and forestry,

traditional social structure and lifestyle initiatives as part of the solution

for a sustainable, innovative and responsible tourism sector in the

Adriatic-Ionian region.

Coherent and systematic integration of

the ‘Bio-district’ concept and

experiences into the region-wide tourist offers as well as in tourist and

rural development strategies and policies.

Increase the connection between tourism and agri-food sectors in most

countries and regions.

Create institutional collaboration frameworks and platforms between

tourism and agri-food actors.

Develop the interaction of small and medium-sized enterprises in agri-

food and tourism.

Limit the mass ‘sun-and-beach’ tourism, especially during summer

putting pressure on natural and cultural resources, thus reducing high

pressure on the nature and environment in coastal tourist areas.

Mitigate the high footprints of tourism activities causing high

environmental footprints.

Incorporation of cooperatives, groups of growers and social economy

actors in the rural tourism activities.

Balance territorial distribution of tourism and rural agri-food activities

in most countries.

Avoid the abandonment of rural areas and migration especially of the

youth.

A positive trend of travel and tourism sector envisaged in the Adriatic-

Ionian region envisaged in the coming years supported also by the good

performances of some countries of the region.

The increasingly higher importance attached by the Strategy visitors to

the three key dimensions (economic, social and ecological) of

sustainable tourism as well as to innovative tourist offers capitalising on

territorial identities.

The Adriatic-Ionian region has a long tradition of gastronomy, healthy

cooking and Mediterranean diet that attracted in the past and will

continue to lure many visitors interested in food-motivated

travel. ‘Bio-

districts’ can contribute to,

preserve, and create economic value from

food culture, traditions, original tastes and recipes in connection with

their rural surroundings and historic heritage.

Diversity of traditional and typical agri-food products.

Developed agricultural, food and rural tourism sectors.

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What are the

expected

results/targets of

the action?

•

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

•

Increased awareness of tourism operators about sustainability.

Ongoing green transitions in tourism and agri-food sectors.

Enabling policy framework at the Strategy and EU level.

Ensure nature conservation as the main support of tourism activities,

and contribute to its protection whenever possible

N/A

–

New topic– to be developed

Strategy flagships

and strategic

projects

Indicators

•

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

Baseline

value and

year

Target

value and

year

Data source

How to measure

the activities under

this action?

4.3.5

Indicators will be

developed as part of

implementation

Action

–

Promoting the Mediterranean diet and local, organic and origin

production

Description of the action

Promotion of the Mediterranean diet and local, organic and origin

production

•

Exploit the value of geographical indications as driver of the

development of rural tourism that can contribute to socio-economic

diversification, rural communities development, and the enhancement

of image.

•

Increase the awareness, that GI is considered to be an essential

commodity as well as an integral part of social and cultural heritage.

•

Promote organic farming practices to enhance the sustainability of

agricultural systems, supporting biodiversity and the health of

ecosystems, which in turn strengthens the authenticity and appeal of

the region’s tourism offerings.

•

Foster dialogue, concertation and collaboration between tourist

operators and agri-food operators through multi-stakeholder

mechanisms such as thematic platforms, living labs, open innovation

hubs.

•

Increase the connection between tourism and agri-food sectors in most

countries and regions.

•

Incorporate the Mediterranean diet which was registered by UNESCO in

2010 as world cultural heritage.

•

Incorporate the local Origin Products which are considered as

intellectual property rights of the local communities in the WTO.

•

Enhance institutional collaboration frameworks and platforms between

tourism and agri-food actors.

•

Foster the interaction of small and medium-sized enterprises in agri-

food and tourism.

122

Name of the action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Which challenges

and opportunities

is this action

addressing?

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

•

Strategy flagships

and strategic

projects

Indicators

Limit the mass ‘sun-and-beach’ tourism, especially during summer

putting pressure on natural and cultural resources, thus reducing high

pressure on the nature and environment in coastal tourist areas.

Mitigate the high footprints of tourism activities causing high

environmental footprints.

Balance territorial distribution of tourism and agri-food activities in

most countries.

Halt the abandonment of rural areas and migration especially of the

youth.

Harmonisation of the regulatory frameworks ensuring the interaction

between the tourism sector and agri-food one in line with the EU 'farm

to fork' strategy.

Promote the use of the Natura 2000 logo on goods and services that are

in line or contribute to the conservation of Natura 2000 sites.

Develop the necessary knowledge, skills and funds for tourism

companies and destination management organisations to introduce and

maintain new sustainable solutions.

Improve knowledge and skills of actors on the operationalisation of

multifunctional linkages between tourism and agri-food.

•

N/A

–

New topic– to be developed

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

Baseline

value and

year

Target

value and

year

Data source

How to measure

the activities under

this action?

Indicators will be

developed as part of

implementation

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5. Pillar 5

–Improved

Social Cohesion

The Adriatic-Ionian region suffers from ageing, labour market disbalances, social exclusion, the inflow

of refugees, poverty and brain drain. On top of this, it was to a large extent impacted by the

pandemic, especially due to its dependency on tourism, highly affecting the labour market.

COVID-19 has exposed the region, as well as the rest of Europe, to further drastic changes in jobs,

education, economy, welfare systems and social life. Furthermore, other challenges in the Adriatic-

Ionian region are the demographic developments; ageing, the inflow of refugees, social exclusion of

vulnerable groups and a general trend where societies become more polarised with poverty pockets.

At the same time, the region has an active civil society which is an important asset for addressing

social issues in the context of the Strategy.

The main objective of this pillar is to align the Adriatic-Ionian region with the EU strategies and

policies for improving social cohesion, in line with the broader framework of the green and digital

transition. These strategies and policies are designed to create a demand and supply for new and

relevant skills, enhance the quality of education at all levels, swift adaptation to rapidly changing

economic landscape and increase resilience toward future crisis. Pillar 5 should promote social

cohesion, contribute from the macro-regional context to achieve equal opportunities, youth

engagement and access to the labour market.

In this respect, specific attention should be given to the European Pillar of Social Rights, and in

particular to the action plan for its implementation, endorsed by the three EU institutions, EU

member states and European Social Partners and Civil Society Organisations at the Porto Social

Summit on 7-8 May 2021.

Pillar 5 intends to address these challenges by taking into account the importance of preserving and

promoting the European social model, as well as the aspirations of EU candidate countries to join the

EU. Macro-regional cooperation through this pillar would be an additional tool for strengthening

European and national policies in relevant fields. Cooperation would include exchange of

experiences, coordination of policy measures, definition of priorities and standardisation of

approaches to solving social challenges that transcend national borders. It will also work as a

response to the requirements of the European Pillar of Social Rights initiative, and it will also be

aligned with the pillar on human capital of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western

Balkans.

The action plan identifies three areas for action

–

More and Better Jobs, Skills and Equality, Social

Protection and Inclusion

–

and three targets for upward convergence:

Employment: at least 78% of the population aged 20 to 64 should be in employment by

2030.

Training: at least 60% of all adults should be participating in training every year by 2030.

Reducing Poverty: a reduction of at least 15 million of the number of people at risk of

poverty or social exclusion by 2030.

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As Pillar 5 was only decided upon in May 2023, it is still under development. The scope of the pillar

will be further discussed and defined in the years to come. This work will be supported by the below

actions.

The following topics include are:

•

T1 Youth engagement and employment - empowerment of young generations, by increasing

their capacity to actively participate in the social and economic life.

T2 Promoting skills acquisition for future labour markets - promote life-long learning

opportunities and access to the labour market for the Adriatic-Ionian population.

T3 Equal opportunities in the labour market - by addressing current issues such as gender

inequality and discrimination, gender pay gaps, irregular work, precariousness, labour

exploitation.

T4 Social Innovations - to promote pressing as for example active and healthy ageing as a

response to a trend of ageing population in the region.

•

5.1.1

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Action

–

Further development of the pillar on improved social cohesion

Description of the action

Further development of the pillar on improved social cohesion

•

Perform the strategic consultation with relevant (including civil society)

stakeholders, as defined in the ‘Background document with the

Roadmap’.

•

Perform the thematic consultation with relevant (including civil society)

stakeholders, as defined in the ‘Background document with the

Roadmap’.

In the context of the further elaboration of the topics framing this pillar also

important social aspects such as equal opportunities, gender equality, social

inclusion of vulnerable groups, fight against discrimination, active ageing and

child poverty can be taken on board.

Which challenges

and opportunities

is this action

addressing?

What are the

expected

results/targets of

the action?

Strategy flagships

and strategic

projects

Indicators

to collect inputs from all national representatives of the Adriatic-Ionian region

in a short period of time.

to develop a new pillar aligned with the macro-regional needs and

expectations.

An effective new pillar aligned with the expectations and needs of the macro-

region.

Not relevant.

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

Baseline

value and

year

Target value Data source

and year

125

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

relevant

How to measure

the activities

under this action?

No. of stakeholder

consultation activities

under this pillar

RCO81

Interreg:

Participation in

joint actions

across borders

0 p.a. (2023)

1 (2024)

TSG

5.1

Topic

–

Youth engagement and employment

Global objectives.

Goals regarding youth and youth policy’s potential are stated in the EU youth

strategy, which is the framework for EU youth policy cooperation for 2019-2027. Through 11 goals,

the EU youth strategy should contribute to achieving a vision for young people by mobilising EU level

policy instruments as well as actions at national, regional, and local level by all stakeholders.

Collaboration on activities proposed will include various stakeholders in charge of youth. To

stimulate the empowerment of young generations, in particular young women, by increasing their

capacity to actively participate in the social and economic life, supporting their increased

participation in society and labour market, and fostering their skills to enhance employability. It is

important to involve youth in topics such as education, employment, cultural exchange, equal

opportunities, gender equality, social inclusion and environment protection, and all topics that have

an impact on young people’s lives.Goals

regarding youth and youth policy’s potential are stated in

the EU youth strategy and in the Youth action plan in the EU’s external action

. The EU youth

strategy is the framework for EU youth policy cooperation for 2019-2027. Through 11 goals, the EU

youth strategy should contribute to achieving a vision for young people by mobilising EU level policy

instruments as well as actions at national, regional, and local level by all stakeholders. The Youth

action plan in the EU’s external action is the EU’s operational roadmap for engaging young people in

EU external action. It aims to increase young people’s voices in policy and decision-making, provide

young people with the necessary skills and resources and foster opportunities for young people to

network and exchange with their peers. Collaboration on proposed activities will include various

stakeholders in charge of youth.

Strategy objectives.

The Strategy should give to their young population the tools and mechanisms

that will help them build their own capacities, foster their skills, and allow them to develop

innovative and entrepreneurial thinking, in order to be properly equipped for tackling joint existing

and future challenges within the region. This should not be limited to the capitals and cities, but it

should include youth from rural areas.

Specific objectives of the topic

In light of the above objectives, and the challenges and opportunities below, the activities under this

topic aim at:

•

creating a stronger link with EU policies;

amplifying the voice of young people in public policymaking as actors of change and including

young people and youth representatives in the decision-making process, e.g. through setting up

a Strategy Youth Council;

Youth action plan in EU external action 2022

–

2027, JOIN(2022) 53 final.

126

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

•

including youth representatives in the development and implementation of the Strategy to

make it more inclusive; and

promoting activities aiming at increased youth employability, focusing on skills, quality of

education, apprenticeships/traineeships and matching with employers/sectors in demand for

workers.

5.1.1

Strategy specificities opportunities & challenges

Linked to the above objectives, the Adriatic-Ionian region faces a number of specific challenges and

opportunities which the revised action plan aims to address.

Opportunities:

Existing youth councils at national level.

Existing and active civil society.

Some of the Adriatic-Ionian countries already have well-established cooperation

programmes between youth representatives and governing bodies.

•

Existing tools and initiatives at the EU level, such as EU Youth Dialogue and ALMA initiative;

The EU-funded Western Balkans Youth Labs.

•

Existing POPRI network of technology parks.

•

Youth empowerment for

more competitive participation in the labour market.

•

Development of new digital skills attractive for young people.

•

Capacity building activities for schools, VET, Youth, Sport and Higher Education.

Challenges:

•

Difficulty in engaging, and communicating with the local youth.

Lack of involvement and experience of youth in the Strategy and Interreg programmes.

Lack of knowledge of The Manifesto for Young People by Young People to Shape the

European Cooperation Policy.

Social exclusion of young people in vulnerable groups, including high dropout rates.

Obstacles in outreach to young people neither in employment nor in education or training in

activation programmes.

Limited access to entrepreneurial knowledge and skills relevant to labour market needs.

Opportunities still unbalanced between men and women.

High youth unemployment rates.

Skills mismatch between education and the labour market.

Lack of career guidance and entrepreneurship support.

Brain drain and skilled workforce shortages.

VET programmes are often underdeveloped and disconnected from market needs, and there

is a limited cooperation between schools and industries.

•

5.1.2

Support to horizontal and cross-cutting topics

Activities under this topic contribute actively to the horizontal and cross-cutting topics of the revised

action plan.

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kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

Horizontal topics:

Enlargement.

Within the topic youth engagement and employment, activities will be

oriented to help the candidate countries to better integrate with EU member states in field

of youth policies and participatory approaches to youth empowerment and start adjusting to

the EU Youth Policy, and the European Pillar of Social Rights. Regarding the

EU acquis,

activities are aligned with Chapter 26 Education and culture which put focus on Council

Recommendations in several areas related to school, vocational, higher, and adult education,

youth volunteering and mobility.

•

Capacity building.

The activities help to build capacities among the youth representatives

involved as well as among other players concerning the strengthened involvement of youth

representatives. Activities will aim at strengthening awareness of the importance of active

involvement of young people in the macro-regional Strategy, through training programmes,

workshops, participation in online meeting and conferences, etc. This is in accordance with

Youth Goal 1 Connecting EU with Youth and Goal 11 Youth Organisations & European

Programmes. Activities will also help boost youth employability.

•

Innovation and research.

The activities contribute to social innovation linked to the

involvement of youth representatives as drivers of change. They will be encouraged to

develop new innovative solutions within the activities carried out through this topic. Most

topics described under this pillar, especially those related to acquisition of (cutting-edge)

knowledge and skills for the future of youngsters and adults, go hand in hand with the

respective S3s goals and contribute to social cohesion in the region.

Cross-cutting topics:

•

Circular economy.

Cooperation between the education system and the economic sector is

extremely important. The emphasis must be on creating skills and jobs that are guided by the

principles of circular economy that are applicable in the labour market, and such skills and

professions

such skills and professions need planned and long-term investments.

Green rural development.

The topic does not include an explicit link to green rural

development activities, but activities will include promotion of youth development in green

and rural development, and focus will be placed on creating employment opportunities for

green jobs in rural areas according to dual transition framework. Activities envisaged through

this topic are in accordance with Goal 6 'Moving Rural Youth Forward' of the EU youth

strategy, to ensure sustainable, high-quality jobs created and accessible to young people in

rural areas. Also, to ensure active participating of young people in rural areas in decision-

making processes (especially in

the Strategy’s

EUSAIR Youth Council), and to be aware of

importance of protection of rural traditions. Supporting attractiveness of rural areas for

young people by supporting smart community/village concept also based on experiences in

other macro regions.

Digitalisation.

The development of different forms of digital skills attractive to young people

will lead to an increase in young people’s interest in digital jobs, leading to a greater degree

of digitalisation in line with the dual transition.

•

5.1.3

Name of the

Action

–

Promoting empowerment and involvement of youth

Description of the action

Promoting empowerment and involvement of youth

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kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Which challenges

and opportunities

is this action

addressing?

•

Exchange of good practices in creation and implementation of national

youth policies.

•

Address the Ministerial Declaration for youth empowerment adopted at

the Annual Forum held in Tirana in May 2022.

•

Social exclusion of vulnerable groups such as young people neither in

employment nor in education or training.

•

Building capacities regarding identification of youth needs, enhancing

skills and fostering civic engagement.

•

Difficulty in obtaining engagement and communicating with the local

youth.

•

Involvement of youth in the Strategy and Interreg programmes.

•

Lack of awareness of importance to implement needs of youth in broader

policy making.

•

Existing youth councils at national level.

•

Some of the participating

countries’ already have well-established

cooperation programmes between youth representatives and governing

bodies.

•

The existing network of youth in the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region.

•

Stronger engagement of young people with EU, macro-regional and

national policies.

Young people from candidate countries will be empowered through

sharing experiences with their EU colleagues.

/ The flagships for this topic is further support and development of the POPRI

youth process as a mechanism for knowledge transfer and improving the

employability of young people in the Strategy. The established Strategy

Knowledge Hub, composed of technology parks, schools, incubators and

companies, will continue under this flagship as it provides young people with

entrepreneurial skills to make them innovative, skilled and employable, thus

contributing to global and Strategy objectives.

Indicator name

Common

Baseline

Target value Data source

Indicator

value and

and year

name and

year

code, if

relevant

OI: Number of public

events to promote

empowerment and

involvement of youth

RI: Recommendations

on implementation of

EU policies regarding

youth adopted on

macro-regional level

RCO115 Public

events across

borders jointly

organised

RCO83

Interreg:

Strategies and

action plans

jointly

developed

RCR79

Interreg: Joint

(2023)

(2030)

TSG5

What are the

expected

results/targets of

the action?

Strategy flagships

and strategic

projects

Indicators

How to measure

the activities

under this action?

(2023)

(2030)

TSG5

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strategies and

action plans

taken up by

organisations

RI: Number of Interreg

projects in the

Adriatic-Ionian region

involving youth

N/A

(2023)

(2030)

Facility Point

and TSGs

5.1.4

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Action

–

Boosting youth employment

Description of the action

Boosting youth employment

•

Exchange of good practices in Youth Guarantee implementation (public

employment services, youth workers and youth workers associations,

relevant EU and other funds managing authorities, etc.)

•

Exchange of good practices in active measures for access of youth to

labour market, prevention of youth’s exploitation and promotion

equality and non-discrimination of youth in the labour market and the

society.

•

Exchange of good practices on preventive approaches/measures to

reduce the risk of becoming young people neither in employment nor in

education or training focusing on youth at a higher risk of early school

leaving in cooperation with social partners

•

Promote EU tools and initiatives in the field of youth employment, such

as ALMA initiative.

•

Capacity building for youth to enhance skills and improve job prospects.

•

Capacity building in schools, VET and higher education to modernise

education, enhance employability, and promote regional cooperation.

•

High rates of youth unemployment and young people neither in

employment nor in education or training.

•

Different employment rates between men and women.

•

Risk of brain drain since young people seek employment abroad.

•

Existing EU and national frameworks to promote youth employment and

activation of young people neither in employment nor in education or

training.

•

Existing ALMPs available to young people.

•

Skills mismatch between education and the labour market.

•

Lack of career guidance and entrepreneurship support.

•

VET programmes are often underdeveloped and disconnected from

market needs, and there is a limited cooperation between schools and

industries.

•

Harmonisation of youth employment policies at the macro-regional level.

•

Implementation of EU policy framework and initiatives for youth

employment and activation on the labour market

•

Strengthening of preconditions for better employment of young people.

130

Which challenges

and opportunities

is this action

addressing?

What are the

expected

results/targets of

the action?

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

•

Enhancement of youth employability through an improvement of

education.

Strategy flagships

and strategic

projects

Indicators

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO115

Interreg:

Public events

across borders

jointly

organised

RCO83

Interreg:

Strategies and

action plans

jointly

developed

RCR79

Interreg: Joint

strategies and

action plans

taken up by

organisations

Baseline

value and

year

Target value Data source

and year

How to measure

the activities

under this action?

OI: Number of public

events to harmonise

youth employment

policies

(2023)

(2030)

TSG5

RI: Recommendations

on implementation of

EU policies regarding

youth employment

adopted on macro-

regional level

(2023)

(2030)

TSG

5.2

Topic

–

Promoting skills acquisition for future labour markets

Global objectives.

The global objectives of this topic are to promote life-long learning opportunities

and access to the labour market for the Adriatic-Ionian population, by addressing current issues such

as quality of education, skills mismatching, brain drain, underemployment and precariousness, and

technological changes. To promote respect for diversities and equal opportunities in a social and

economic environment free from discrimination is a strong asset to promote sustainable

development, to contribute to the 2030 Agenda objectives, and to promote innovation at large.

Better cooperation and exchange can pave the way to enhance social cohesion in the region, and

promote quality of life, encouraging economic and social development.

Strategy objectives.

The Strategy should promote harmonisation of skill policies in the macro-region.

That includes joint work in development of school, higher education, VET and adult education

curricula and supporting their implementation. Since other pillar address sectoral skills (blue

economy, tourism), activities under this topic should also pay closer look at supporting such

activities. Objectives include a boost in upskilling/reskilling opportunities, better targeting of skill

policies for disadvantaged groups, such as people with disabilities, women, Roma etc.

Specific objectives of the topic

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In light of the above objectives, and the challenges and opportunities below, the activities under this

topic aim at:

•

supporting policy harmonisation in macro-region with emphasis on implementation of EU skills

frameworks and initiatives;

modernisation of school, higher education, VET and adult education curricula in line with the

labour market needs;

skills development for future labour markets.

5.2.1

Strategy specificities opportunities & challenges

Linked to the above objectives, the Adriatic-Ionian region faces a number of specific challenges and

opportunities which the revised action plan aims to address.

Opportunities:

•

Existing networks of educational institutions at all levels

Cooperation between PES (Public Employment Services), training institutions, social partners

Established EU policy frameworks and support from EU institutions

Development of programmes focused on the inclusion of disadvantaged groups into the

labour market

•

Capacity building in schools, VET and higher education

Challenges:

•

Brain drain, due to high levels of labour immigration

Unemployment, underemployment, precariousness and general lack of opportunities

–

targets are far from the targets adopted by the EU

High rates of early leavers from school in some of the regions

Low rates of participation in adult education

Low perception and desirability of VET

Large gender employment gap in the entire Adriatic-Ionian region

Segregation in the educational system

Limited use of technology and digital tools in education

Skills mismatch between education and labour market needs

Outdated curricula and teaching methods

Poor links between VET schools and industries

Limited apprenticeships and internships

Frequent policy changes and lack of a long-term education strategy

5.2.2

Support to horizontal and cross-cutting topics

Activities under this topic contribute actively to the horizontal and cross-cutting topics of the revised

action plan.

Horizontal topics:

•

Enlargement.

The activities will help the candidate countries to better integrate with EU

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Member States in field of education and skills policies, supporting the participation of the

candidate countries in the European Education Area, the European pillar of Social Rights and

activities related to reducing the brain drain from EU candidate countries to EU member

states. These activities are closely aligned with Chapter 19

Social policy and employment

acquis

which includes adoption of minimum standards in the areas of labour law, equality,

health, and safety at work and anti-discrimination. Chapter 26

Education and culture

acquis

consists of Council Recommendations in areas related to school, vocational, higher,

and adult education, youth volunteering and mobility, numerous Council Conclusions and

Resolutions.

•

Capacity building.

The activities are all geared towards increasing capacities, skills and the

quality of education in the region through supporting the development of apprenticeship

schemes and work-based learning respecting equal possibilities for all. Capacity-building

activities will be focused on promotion of open-mindedness and supporting the development

of interpersonal and intercultural skills. Sharing knowledge and experiences in creating and

implementing more personalised, participative, and cooperative learner-centred methods of

the education process is another way how to strengthen capacities of young people within

the Strategy.

•

Innovation and research.

Majority of topics described under this pillar especially those

related to acquisition of (cutting-edge) knowledge and skills for the future of youngsters and

adults go hand in hand with respective S3s goals and contribute in best manner to social

cohesion in the region. The activities may contribute to innovation by empowering more

people to enter research activities and encouraging cooperation between countries on

development of innovative solution for decreasing high rates of early leavers from school

and increasing the rates of participation in adult education on the other hand. The

approaches in increasing skills and reaching out to the relevant target groups may also

include aspects of policy innovation. Innovation and research processes will be encouraged in

creating new ways to stop the brain drain.

Cross-cutting topics:

•

Circular economy.

The topic does not include an explicit link to circular economy activities,

but activities within this topic will be oriented to raise awareness on importance of circular

economy and its benefits. Using already developed tools (and potentially new ones) of the

circular economy for skills development and upscale.

Green rural development.

Since skills are daily transformed and modernised, it is necessary

to take care of the simultaneous development of the green economy, and to forecast

activities which will ensure balanced skills supply/demand for green rural development. It is

important to ensure equal access to high-quality education for young people and afterwards,

sustainable, high-quality jobs, accessible to young people in rural areas.

Digitalisation.

The digital transition can be supported e.g. through the activities increasing

the skills level in the region related to digital literacy and encouraging the use of digital

learning tools. Also, due to rapidly transforming technological and socio-economic reality it is

necessary to adapt digital skills in a framework of dual transition.

•

5.2.3

Action

–

Harmonisation of skills policies

Description of the action

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Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Development and harmonisation of skills policies

•

Support and capacity building programmes that encourage higher

education, VET and adult education.

•

Exchange of good practices in mapping and tracking skills needs (with the

emphasis on green and digital transition).

•

Exchange of good practices in development of curricula for schools,

higher education, VET and adult education in line with the needs of the

labour market (European qualification framework) including

disadvantaged groups.

•

Support programmes that offer soft skills related to macro-regional

cooperation and civil society.

•

Cooperation between all stakeholders in promoting VET excellence.

•

Exchange of good practices in development of platforms and tools for the

implementation of EU initiatives, such as recommendations on individual

learning accounts and micro-qualifications.

•

Low level of participation in adult education.

High rates of early leavers from school in some of the regions.

Existing experience in ALMPs implementation.

Skills mismatch between education and labour market needs

Outdated curricula and teaching methods

Frequent policy changes and lack of a long-term education strategy

Which challenges

and opportunities

is this action

addressing?

What are the

expected

results/targets of

the action?

Strategy flagships

and strategic

projects

Indicators

•

Effective skills policies with better targeting of disadvantaged groups.

•

Better adaptation to future labour market needs.

Possible flagships could build on transnational projects aiming to harmonise

curricula in VET and adult education.

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO115 Public

events across

borders jointly

organised

RCO83

Interreg:

Strategies and

action plans

jointly

developed

RCR79

Interreg: Joint

strategies and

Baseline

value and

year

Target value Data source

and year

How to measure

the activities

under this action?

OI: Number of public

events promoting

skills

(2023)

(2030)

TSG5

RI: Recommendations

on implementation of

EU policies regarding

skills adopted on

macro-regional level

(2023)

(2030)

TSG5

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action plans

taken up by

organisations

5.2.4

Action

–

Promoting employment opportunities through upskilling/reskilling for

disadvantaged groups on the labour market

Description of the action

Promoting employment opportunities through upskilling/reskilling for

disadvantaged groups on the labour market

•

Support participation of disadvantaged groups in upskilling/reskilling

programmes, based on their needs (needs assessment could widely differ

between groups).

•

Support development of school, higher education, VET and adult

education curricula in line with labour market needs.

•

Support programmes that promote inclusive and equal work

environments based on their needs (needs assessment could widely differ

between groups).

•

Involvement of civil society and equality bodies (i.e. agencies, NGOs

advocating for equal rights) in the preparation of the activities.

•

Brain drain.

•

Unemployment, underemployment, precariousness, and general lack of

opportunities.

•

Large gender employment gap in the entire Adriatic-Ionian region.

•

Financing opportunities through the European Social Fund Plus, IPA,

Erasmus+ and INTERREG.

•

Targeting groups of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups to promote

participation in education and employment

•

Many disadvantaged groups, especially Roma communities and rural

populations, drop out of school early due to financial difficulties or social

exclusion

•

Lack of tailored vocational and adult education programs to meet their

needs.

Digital divide: Limited access to computers, internet, and online training

tools, especially in rural areas.

•

Higher participation level of disadvantaged groups in school, higher

education, VET and adult education.

•

Better quality of upskilling/reskilling programmes.

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Which challenges

and opportunities

is this action

addressing?

What are the

expected

results/targets of

the action?

Strategy flagships

and strategic

projects

Indicators

Indicator name

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

Baseline

value and

year

Target value Data source

and year

135

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relevant

How to measure

the activities

under this action?

Capacity-building

events across borders

jointly organised

RCO85

Interreg:

Participations

in joint

training

schemes

(2023)

(2030)

TSG5

RCR81

Interreg:

Completion of

joint training

schemes

Capacities for

upskilling/reskilling on

macro-regional level

strengthened

RCO85

Interreg:

Participations

in joint

training

schemes

(2023)

1 p.a. (2030)

TSG5

RCR81

Interreg:

Completion of

joint training

schemes

5.3

Topic - Equal opportunities in the labour market

Global objectives.

The global objectives of this topic are to promote gender equality and decent

work in the Adriatic-Ionian region, by addressing current issues such as gender inequality and

discrimination, gender pay gaps, irregular work, precariousness, labour exploitation (especially for

seasonal and cross-border labour, and particularly in sectors like tourism, agriculture and

aquaculture, services connected to transport, home care). To promote respect for diversities and

equal opportunities in a social and economic environment free from discrimination is a strong asset

to promote sustainable development, to contribute to the 2030 Agenda objectives, to achieve the

targets of the European Pillar of Social Rights and to promote innovation at large. Better cooperation

and exchange can pave the way to enhance cohesion in the region, and promote quality of life,

encouraging economic and social development.

Strategy objectives.

Objectives include better cooperation, coordination, and exchange of best

practices between public administrations, PES, labour inspectorates, social partners, and civil society,

to address phenomena of labour exploitation and discrimination and build an equal and inclusive

labour environment. Groups such women at work, vulnerable categories of workers, mobile seasonal

and migrant workers will be targeted and address the possible burden of double vulnerabilities i.e.

migrant women, women in rural areas, etc.

Specific objectives of the topic

In light of the above objectives, and the challenges and opportunities below, the activities under this

topic aim at:

136

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

•

supporting people in the Adriatic-Ionian region to overcome and prevent gender discrimination

at work and labour exploitation, and to build gender equality and decent work, in line with the

principles and targets of the European Pillar of Social Rights;

promoting equal opportunities in the labour market and thus reduce the gender gaps and

discrimination in terms of employment and payment; and

better protecting labour rights and conditions of the local population, and thereby increase the

employment rate and reduce gender related poverty.

5.3.1

Strategy specificities, opportunities & challenges

Linked to the above objectives, the Adriatic-Ionian region faces a number of specific challenges and

opportunities which the revised action plan aims to address.

Opportunities:

•

Existing networks and cooperation between PES (Public Employment Services), labour

inspectorates, and stakeholders notably social partners.

Existing EU, national and regional legislation and regulations.

Existing collective agreements and framework agreements.

Challenges:

•

Gender discrimination at work.

Gender pay gap.

Glass ceiling for women’s career opportunities.

Lack of social protection and services for women.

Pension segregation.

Unemployment, underemployment, precariousness, and general lack of opportunities

–

targets are far from the targets adopted by the EU.

Irregular work, labour exploitation

–

especially for seasonal and cross-border labour, and

particularly in sectors like tourism, agriculture and aquaculture, services connected to

transport, home care.

5.3.2

Support to horizontal and cross-cutting topics

Activities under this topic contribute actively to the horizontal and cross-cutting topics of the revised

action plan.

Horizontal topics:

•

Enlargement.

The activities of this topic will help the candidate countries to better integrate

with EU member states in field of gender equality and quality of employment, fight against

discrimination, the European Pillar of Social Rights and activities related to reducing labour

discrimination and exploitation. Activities will support mutual learning process and sharing

practices in creating measures for reducing gender discrimination. Proposed activities are

aligned with Chapter 19

Social policy and employment of acquis

which includes minimum

standards in the areas of labour law, equality, health and safety at work and anti-

discrimination. Also, activities will focus on finding and exchanging experiences in creating

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quality jobs which guarantee fair working conditions, working rights and the right of living

wage for all young people, in accordance with goal 7 of the EU youth strategy.

•

Capacity building.

The activities are all geared towards increasing capacities equal

opportunities in the labour market and equality and quality of employment. Also, activities

will help in development of civic and social skills to empower citizens and other stakeholders

and increase their sensitivity to gender inequality and labour exploitation prevention. It is

important to strengthen the linkage between stakeholders, such as relevant regional

administrations, employers, ministries of employment, civil rights and gender equality

organisations, with the objective of sharing experiences form all sides and finding common

solutions for equal opportunities in the labour market.

•

Innovation and research.

The activities may contribute to increase research activities and

innovation in the fields of gender equality and quality of employment. The activities to

address discrimination and exploitation, based on existing legal framework and regulation,

may improve their implementation and introduce elements of policy innovation.

Cross-cutting topics:

Circular economy.

The topic does not include an explicit link to circular economy activities.

Green rural development.

Activities promoting gender equality and quality of employment

are especially emphasised, since women in rural areas are usually less paid and have less

opportunities for employment. Gaining new knowledges about possibilities for green and

rural development could lead to better opportunities and equal possibilities in labour

market.

•

Digitalisation.

The digital transition can be supported e.g. through the activities increasing the

skills level in the region related to digital literacy. New digital skills and learning tools equally

available to both women and men will help to promote diversities and equal opportunities in a social

and economic environment.

•

5.3.3

Action

–

Enhance Strategy cooperation and exchange of best practices on

gender equality and quality of employment

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Description of the action

Enhance Strategy cooperation and exchange of best practices on gender

equality and quality of employment

•

Development of cooperation and exchange of best practices on Gender

Equality and Quality of Employment, involving: EU DG Employment,

European Labour Authority, Ministries of Employment, PES (Public

Employment Services), Labour Inspectorates, Relevant Regional

Administrations, Social Partners, Gender equality organisations,

Uniadrion.

•

Support preventive approaches/measures to reduce gender

discrimination at work, gender pay gap, glass ceiling for women’s career

opportunities, lack of social protection and services for women, pension

segregation affecting women.

•

Development of cooperation and exchange of best practices to reduce

irregular work, precariousness, labour exploitation

–

especially for

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seasonal and cross-border labour, and particularly in sectors like tourism,

agriculture and aquaculture, services connected to transport, home care.

•

Develop research and analysis to map and track such phenomena in the

region.

•

Development of cooperation and exchange of best practices for the full

implementation of existing legislation and regulations in the fields of

gender equality and decent work.

•

Improve cooperation on gender equality and decent work among

stakeholders active in the region.

Which challenges

and opportunities

is this action

addressing?

•

High levels of gender discrimination in the region.

•

High levels of unemployment, underemployment, precariousness, and

general lack of opportunities in the region.

•

High level of irregular work, precariousness, labour exploitation

–

especially for seasonal and cross-border labour, and particularly in sectors

like tourism, agriculture and aquaculture, services connected to

transport, home care.

•

Need to promote gender equality and decent work, and to combat

discrimination and exploitation, through better analysis, coordination and

cooperation, and policy action.

•

Better cooperation in prevention of gender discrimination and labour

exploitation.

•

Improved protection of rights and social inclusion in the region.

•

Developed preventive approaches/measures to reduce gender

discrimination.

•

Gender issues in the region mapped and tracked supporting research and

actions

What are the

expected

results/targets of

the action?

Strategy flagships

and strategic

projects

Indicators

Indicator na

Common

Indicator

name and

code, if

relevant

RCO81

Interreg:

Participation in

joint actions

across borders

Baseline

value and

year

Target value Data source

and year

How to measure

the activities

under this action?

OI: No. of activities

supporting the share

of practices on

prevention of gender

discrimination and

promoting gender

equality

OI: No. of activities

supporting the share

of practices on

prevention of labour

exploitation and

0 p.a. (2023)

(2030)

TSG5

RCO81

Interreg:

Participation in

joint actions

across borders

(2023)

(2030)

TSG5

139

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decent work

promotion

RI: Recommendations

on implementation of

EU policies regarding

prevention of gender

discrimination

adopted on macro-

regional level

RCO83

Interreg:

Strategies and

action plans

jointly

developed

RCR79

Interreg: Joint

strategies and

action plans

taken up by

organisations

RI: Recommendations

on implementation of

EU labour policy

initiatives adopted on

macro-regional level

RCO83

Interreg:

Strategies and

action plans

jointly

developed

RCR79

Interreg: Joint

strategies and

action plans

taken up by

organisations

(2023)

(2030)

TSG5

(2023)

(2030)

TSG5

5.4

Topic - Social Innovations

Global objectives.

The global objectives of the Social Innovations topic are to further promote this

concept in the Adriatic-Ionian region by addressing some of the most pressing issues that for

example include active and healthy ageing as a response to a trend of ageing population in the region

and in developed countries. Better cooperation and knowledge transfer between stakeholders can

promote the field of social innovations in the region and enhance the overall wellbeing of individuals,

including vulnerable groups such as older people and people with disabilities, while indirectly

contributing to overall better wellbeing and quality of life in our society as a whole.

Social innovations also enable the opportunity for knowledge transfer between different

stakeholders. State-of-the art analysis reveals that social innovations were successfully applied in

numerous fields, including active and healthy ageing and many other fields that have an important

societal impact. Implementing such solutions is especially beneficial for socially vulnerable groups or

individuals that we will address within the scope of this topic.

Strategy objectives.

Objectives include better collaboration and knowledge transfer between

national and public bodies, research and academia, business world and other organisations, and

professional and general public. Groups such as older people and people with disabilities and other

vulnerable groups will be targeted within the topic of Social Innovations, while at the same time we

must not neglect the population as a whole.

Specific objectives of the topic

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As a summary of the written text, we can conclude that the activities under the topic of Social

Innovations aim at:

•

promoting existing solutions for social innovations and social economy;

strengthening the capacities of decision-makers and transfer of knowledge in the field of social

innovations;

increasing the visibility of the social economy sector as attractive employer by combining

economic, sustainable and social goals;

promoting an active, strategic approach to the field of social innovation/social economy;

providing professional support in training and education to vulnerable groups;

information campaigns on the funding possibilities from EU and national level;

promoting age friendly and inclusive environments for all age groups;

enhancing life-long learning and knowledge-interaction for all generations.

5.4.1

Strategy specificities, opportunities & challenges

Linked to the above, we would like to highlight some potential opportunities and challenges.

Opportunities

Using the full potential of already established networks and collaboration between different

stakeholders functioning in the field of social innovation and social economy.

•

Gaining new knowledges regarding social economy.

•

Development of social innovation opportunities for vulnerable groups.

•

Development of new social innovation opportunities for active and healthy ageing.

•

Following the quadruple helix approach, including members from research and academia,

municipalities, ministries and other national and public bodies, and other interested

stakeholders.

•

Extending on existing EU, national and regional frameworks.

Challenges

•

Connecting stakeholders to an ecosystem of social innovations and social economy.

Above-average and rapid growth of older adults.

Life-long learning for all generations.

Providing appropriate training and education to vulnerable groups.

Intergenerational knowledge transfer.

Identifying social innovations that are the invention, development and implementation

phase.

Potential knowledge loss due to retirement and turnover.

Providing age friendly and inclusive environments.

•

5.4.2

Support to horizontal and cross-cutting topics

Activities under this topic are well aligned to the horizontal and cross-cutting topics of the revised

version of the action plan.

Horizontal topics

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Enlargement.

The activities help involved countries to develop and better function in the

field of social innovation/social economy and to provide a better environment that enables

higher quality of life and improvements in wellbeing for individuals, groups and society as a

whole and thus approximating to EU Standards in the social area.

•

Also, all countries will be encouraged to participate in the Employment and Social Innovation

strand of the European Social Fund Plus and to develop their social innovation policies.

Activities within this topic are aligned with stated in Chapter 19 Social policy and

employment and in Chapter 26 Education and culture of

acquis,

•

Capacity building.

All activities actively promote increased capacities of all included

stakeholders, with a particular emphasis on policy and decision-makers aiming to recognise

social innovation as one of the drivers of an inclusive society.

•

Innovation and research.

In line with this topic, it is integral that the research world and

academia are included. Also, the aim of these activities is to support innovative and

sustainable social innovations systems.

Cross-cutting topics

•

Circular economy.

The topic does not include an explicit link to this activity.

Green rural development.

The topic does not include an explicit link to this activity. Using

smart community/village concept to support vulnerable groups in rural areas, supporting

living conditions based also on experiences of other macro regions.

Digitalisation.

Digital skills are one important element when it comes to social innovations,

especially as the availability of digital technologies provides value to knowledge transfer. One

important avenue of this topic is also to increase the overall levels of digital literacy.

•

5.4.3

Name of the

action

What are the

envisaged

activities?

Action - Adriatic-Ionian Ecosystem for Social Innovation

Description of the action

Adriatic-Ionian Ecosystem for Social Innovation

•

Promoting existing social innovation and social economy ecosystems that

include a broad range of stakeholders and promote collaboration and

knowledge transfer.

Supporting the region with development of activities to overcome the

challenges associated with ageing of the population.

Promoting measures aimed at strengthening the capacities and

knowledge transfer of decision and policy makers in the field of social

innovations/social economy.

Promoting active, strategic approaches and measures in the field of social

innovations/social economy.

Sharing practices in developing training and education programmes for

vulnerable groups.

Supporting activities related to life-long learning and knowledge-

interaction for all age groups.

Use the full potential of existing network for social innovations/social

economy.

142

Which challenges

and opportunities

•

kom (2025) 0191 - Ingen titel

is this action

addressing?

•

Gaining knowledge from the quadruple helix approach and its members.

High level of older adults in the region.

Higher level of individuals included in the process of life-long learning.

Lack of age friendly and inclusive environments.

Reduce knowledge loss due to retirement and turnover.

Developing connections between stakeholders engaged in the field of

social innovation/social economy.

Enhanced awareness and knowledge about the field of social

innovation/social economy.

Improved quality of life and wellbeing of people, especially people in

vulnerable groups such as older adults.

The region strengthened to respond to current and future social

problems.

What are the

expected

results/targets of

the action?

•

Strategy flagships

and strategic

projects

Indicators

Possible flagships could build on the existing state within EU and national

frameworks in the field of social innovations/social economy and include a

vast number of potential activities between included stakeholders on all

levels, local, regional, national and cross-national.

Indicator name

Common

Baseline

Target value Data source

Indicator

value and

and year

name and

year

code, if

relevant

OI: No. of activities

supporting the share

of practices in the

field of social

innovation/social

economy

RI: Recommendations

on EU level social

innovation/economy

initiatives adopted on

macro-regional level

RCO81

Interreg:

Participation in

joint actions

across borders

(2023)

(2030)

TSG5

How to measure

the activities

under this action?

RCO83

Interreg:

Strategies and

action plans

jointly

developed

RCR79

Interreg: Joint

strategies and

action plans

taken up by

organisations

(2023)

(2030)

TSG5

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6. Annexes

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Annex 1

–

relevant policies

Relevant global policies include:

Relevant EU policies include:

Pillar 1

•

The UN Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals

–

•

The European Green Deal [COM(2019) 640 final]

•

A Farm to Fork Strategy [COM(2020) 381 final]

particular, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 8 (Promote

•

A long-term Vision for the EU's Rural Areas - Towards stronger,

sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and

connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040

productive employment and decent work for all) and 14

[COM(2021) 345 final]

(Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine

•

A sustainable Bioeconomy for Europe: Strengthening the

resources for sustainable development)

connection between economy, society and the environment

•

Convention on the protection of the Mediterranean Sea against

[COM(2018) 673 final]And Bioeconomy Progress Report (2022).

pollution (Barcelona Convention) [Document 21976A0216(01)]

•

Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) [DIRECTIVE

and its Protocols

2008/56/EC] and Water Framework Directive (WFD) [Directive

•

The Paris Protocol

–

A blueprint for tackling global climate

2000/60/EC] - including in terms of Good Environmental Status

change beyond 2020 [COM/2015/081 final]

and restoration of aquatic ecosystems

•

The Nature Restoration Law

Specific to Topic 1.1 Blue and green technologies

•

A new Circular Economy Action Plan [COM(2020) 98 final]

Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 [COM(2020) 380 final]

Digitising European Industry: Reaping the full benefits of the

“Shaping Europe’s digital future” [COM(2020) 67 final] and the

The EU has adopted the Nature Restoration Law on 17 June 2024 to contribute to the continuous, long-term and sustained recovery of biodiverse and resilient nature

across the EU’s land and sea areas through the restoration of ecosystems. The law establishes a framework in which Member States

will put in place restoration

measures which together shall cover

at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. This builds on the headline

ambition set out in the biodiversity strategy that by 2050 all ecosystems are restored, resilient and adequately protected, and that, as a milestone, Europe's

biodiversity is on the path to recovery by 2030. It is recognised that restoring nature will significantly contribute to the

EU’s climate mitigation and adaptation

objectives, to prevent and mitigate the impact of natural

disasters, and to the EU’s international commitments

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Relevant global policies include:

Specific to Topic 1.2 Fisheries and aquaculture

•

Relevant EU policies include:

“Digital Europe Programme” [Regulation (EU) 2021/694

•

European Cluster Partnerships

•

European Missions [COM(2021) 609 final] ] and especially the

Mission Ocean and waters

•

European Research Area (ERA)

•

A New European Innovation Agenda [COM(2022) 332 final]

•

Guidelines for the Implementation of the Green Agenda for the

Western Balkans [SWD(2020) 223 final]

•

Pact for skills - upskilling shipbuilding and maritime technology

workers in Europe

•

REPowerEU Plan [COM(2022) 230 final]

•

Strengthening Innovation in Europe's Regions: Strategies for

resilient, inclusive and sustainable growth [COM(2017) 376 final]

•

Sustainable Blue Economy [COM(2021) 240 final]

•

Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership [Horizon Europe]

•

Territorial Agenda 2030 - A future for all places

•

Zero Emission Waterborne Platform Partnership [Horizon

Europe]

•

The EU Action Plan: 'Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and

Soil'

•

Communication ‘Towards

a strong and sustainable EU algae

sector'

•

The Marine Spatial Planning Directive (MSPD)

•

Blue Transformation roadmap 2022-2023

•

The Common Fisheries Policy [Regulation (EU) no. 1380/2013 of

11 December 2013]

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Relevant global policies include:

Relevant EU policies include:

•

The European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy

[(COM(2018) 28 final]

•

The EU’s Directive on single-use

plastics [Directive (EU)

2019/904]

•

The EU’s Directive establishing a framework for maritime spatial

planning [Directive 2014/89/EU].

•

Directive on Nitrates [91/676/EEC]

•

EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 [COM(2020) 380 final]

•

The Nature Restoration Law

•

GFCM 2030 Strategy for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in

the Mediterranean and the Black Sea

•

Malta MEDFISH4EVER Ministerial Declaration

•

Strategic guidelines for a more sustainable and competitive EU

aquaculture for the period 2021 to 2030 [COM (2021) 236 final]

•

Natura 2000 Directives (2009/147/CE and 92/43/CEE)

•

EU Fisheries Package 2023 (February 2023):

i. Communication on the Energy Transition of the EU Fisheries

and Aquaculture sector

ii. Communication on the common fisheries policy today and

tomorrow

iii.

Report on the Common Market Organisation for fishery and

aquaculture products

•

Directive on establishing a framework for maritime spatial

planning [2014/89/EU]

European Research Area (ERA)

European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social

147

Specific to Topic 1.3 Maritime and marine governance and services

•

Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the

Mediterranean [2010/631/EU]

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Relevant global policies include:

Relevant EU policies include:

fairness and resilience [COM(2020) 274 final]

•

Sustainable Blue Economy [COM(2021) 240 final]

•

Territorial Agenda 2030 - A future for all places

•

The European Green Deal [COM (2019) 640 final]

•

The European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy

[(COM(2018) 28 final]

•

The EU Action Plan: 'Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and

Soil'

Pillar 2

•

The Paris Protocol

–

A blueprint for tackling global climate

change beyond 2020 [COM/2015/081 final]

Specific to Topic 2.1 Maritime transport

•

A long-term Vision for the EU's Rural Areas - Towards stronger,

connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040

[COM(2021) 345 final]

A new Circular Economy Action Plan [COM(2020) 98 final]

Directive on port reception facilities for ship-generated waste

and cargo residues [2000/59/EC]

Directive on port reception facilities for the delivery of waste

from ships [(EU) 2019/883]

Directive on river information services [2005/44/EC]

Directives and regulations on digital maritime systems and

services, including on the European Maritime Single Window

(EMSW) [2005/44/EC, 2010/65/EU, (EU) 2019/1239, (EU)

2023/204, (EU) 2023/205]

Regulation on the security on ships and in port facilities [(EC) No

725/2004]

Regulation (EU) 1315/2013 on Union guidelines for the

development of the trans-European transport network, currently

148

•

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Relevant global policies include:

Relevant EU policies include:

under repeal by the Proposal of the European Commission for

the new TEN-T Regulation.]

•

Regulation (EU) 2021/1153 establishing the Connecting Europe

Facility and repealing Regulations (EU) 1316/2013 and (EU)

283/2014, currently under amendment by the Proposal of the

European Commission for the new TEN-T Regulation

•

Regulation (EU) 913/2010 concerning a European rail network for

competitive freight, setting up the EU Rail Freight Corridors,

currently under: a) amendment by the Proposal of the European

Commission for the new TEN-T Regulation and b) potential

repeal by the Proposal of the European Commission for a

Regulation on the use of railway infrastructure capacity, with

effect from December 2023

•

The Fuel EU Maritime initiative.

•

The EU AFIR Initiative

•

Directive laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within

the Community the maximum authorised dimensions in national

and international traffic and the maximum authorised weights in

international traffic (Text with EEA relevance) [(EU) 2015/719]

Directive on the establishment of common rules for certain types

of combined transport of goods between Member States

[92/106/EEC]

Regulation concerning a European rail network for competitive

freight, setting up the European Rail Freight Corridors, currently

under revision [(EU) 913/2010]

Regulation on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-

European transport network [(EU) No 1315/2013]

Specific to Topic 2.2 Multimodal connectivity

•

Specific to Topic 2.3 Urban nodes

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Relevant global policies include:

Relevant EU policies include:

•

Regulation on guidelines for trans-European energy

infrastructure and repealing [No 347/2013]

•

Territorial Agenda 2030 - A future for all places

•

The New EU Urban Mobility Framework [COM(2021) 811 final]

•

An Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans

[COM(2020) 641 final]

A Renovation Wave for Europe Strategy: Greening our Buildings,

Creating Jobs, Improving Lives [COM(2020)662 final]

Directive on Energy Efficiency [(EU) 2018/2002]

Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings [(EU) 2018/844]

Directive on the Promotion of the Use of Energy from Renewable

Sources [(EU) 2018/2001]

European Investment Bank (EIB) Guidelines for (Energy) Project

Financing and Risk Assessment

Fit for 55 Package: Clean Energy for All Europeans Package

REPowerEU Plan [COM(2022) 230 final]

The Energy Community Treaty [2006/500/EC]

A Europe fit for the digital age

An Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans

[COM(2020) 641 final]

Council Regulation on enhancing solidarity through better

coordination of gas purchases, reliable price benchmarks and

exchanges of gas across borders [(EU) 2022/2576]

European Investment Bank (EIB) Guidelines for (Energy) Project

Financing and Risk Assessment

Fit for 55 Package: Clean Energy for All Europeans Package

150

Specific to Topic 2.4 Renewable energy sources

Specific to Topic 2.5 "Future-proof energy networks

•

The Central and South Eastern Europe energy connectivity

(CESEC)

•

East Mediterranean Gas Forum - Long-term strategy

•

South East Europe 2030 Strategy (Regional Cooperation Council)

•

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Relevant global policies include:

Relevant EU policies include:

•

Guidelines for the Implementation of the Green Agenda for the

Western Balkans [SWD(2020) 223 final]

•

Regulation on guidelines for trans-European energy

infrastructure and repealing (TEN-T) [No 347/2013]

•

Regulation on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-

European transport network [(EU) No 1315/2013]

•

REPowerEU Plan [COM(2022) 230 final] and Strategy for EU

External Energy Engagement [REPowerEU]

•

The Energy Community Treaty [2006/500/EC]

•

The European Green Deal [COM (2019) 640 final]

•

Directive on common rules for the internal market for electricity

[(EU) 2019/944]

•

Regulation concerning measures to safeguard the security of gas

supply [(EU) 2017/1938, (EU) 2022/1032]

•

Regulation on risk-preparedness in the electricity sector [(EU)

2019/941]

•

Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union and Action to

Confront Climate Change [(EU) 2018/1999]

•

Regulation on the internal market for electricity [(EU) 2019/943]

•

The European Green Deal [COM(2019) 640 final]

A Farm to Fork Strategy [COM(2020) 381 final]

A long-term Vision for the EU's Rural Areas - Towards stronger,

connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040

[COM(2021) 345 final]

Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 [COM(2020) 380 final]

The Nature Restoration Law

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

151

Pillar 3

•

The UN Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals

•

UN Convention Biological Diversity and its Kunming Montreal

Global Biodiversity Framework

•

Convention on the protection of the Mediterranean Sea against

pollution (Barcelona Convention) [Document 21976A0216(01)]

and its Protocols

•

Convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild

animals [Document 21979A0623(01)]

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Relevant global policies include:

Relevant EU policies include:

•

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

•

Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild

fauna and flora [92/43/EEC]

•

The Paris Protocol

–

A blueprint for tackling global climate

change beyond 2020 [COM/2015/081 final]

•

Directive on the conservation of wild birds [2009/147/EC]

•

Green Infrastructure

— Enhancing Europe’s Natural Capital

[COM/2013/0249 final]

•

Guidelines for the Implementation of the Green Agenda for the

Western Balkans [SWD(2020) 223 final]

•

Regulation on Invasive Alien Species [(EU) 1143/2014

Specific to Topic 3.1 Marine and coastal environment

•

UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

UN Resolution on Single-Use Plastics

•

8th Environment Action Programme

The Common Fisheries Policy [Regulation (EU) no. 1380/2013 of

11 December 2013]

EU Action Plan: Protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for

sustainable and resilient fisheries

Directive as regards reducing the consumption of lightweight

plastic carrier bags [(EU) 2015/720]

Directive on establishing a framework for maritime spatial

planning [2014/89/EU]

Directive on Nitrates [91/676/EEC]

Directive on port reception facilities for the delivery of waste

from ships [(EU) 2019/883]

Directive on quality of water intended for human consumption

[(EU) 2020/2184]

Directive on Urban Waste Water Treatment [(EU) 91/271/EEC]

Directive on Waste Framework [(EU) 2008/98/EC]

EU Action Plan: Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil

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Relevant global policies include:

Relevant EU policies include:

[COM(2021) 400 final]

•

European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN)

•

European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy [SWD(2018)

16 final]

•

Forging a climate-resilient Europe - the new EU Strategy on

Adaptation to Climate Change [COM(2021) 82 final]

•

Integrated Costal Zone Management (ICZM) [(EU) 2002/413/CE]

•

Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) [Directive

2008/56/EC]

•

Recovery and Resilience Facility [Document 02021R0241-

20230301]

•

Regulation as regards introducing new environmental economic

accounts modules (Natural capital accounting) [(EU) No

691/2011]

•

The European Green Deal [COM (2019) 640 final]

•

Water Framework Directive (WFD) [Directive 2000/60/EC]

•

New approach for a Sustainable Blue Economy in the EU

[COM/2021/240 final]

•

Council conclusions on a sustainable blue economy

acknowledging blue corridors [Council conclusions, May 2021,

9153/21]

•

The European Green Deal [COM(2019) 640 final]

Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory

Waterbirds (AEWA)

EU Environment Partnership Programme for Accession (EPPA)

Regulation as regards introducing new environmental economic

accounts modules (Natural capital accounting) [(EU) No

153

Specific to Topic 3.2 Transnational terrestrial habitats and biodiversity

•

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild

Fauna and Flora [CITES CoP19]

•

The Ramsar Convention

•

UNESCO World Heritage Convention

•

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Relevant global policies include:

Relevant EU policies include:

691/2011]

•

Regulation on the European Environment Agency and the

European Environment Information and Observation Network

[(EC) No 401/2009]

Pillar 4

•

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

•

The European Green Deal [COM (2019) 640 final]

Sustainable Blue Economy [COM(2021) 240 final]

A Farm to Fork Strategy [COM(2020) 381 final]

A long-term Vision for the EU's Rural Areas - Towards stronger,

connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040

[COM(2021) 345 final]

Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 [COM(2020) 380 final]

The Nature Restoration Law

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

Specific to Topic 4.1 Facilitating digital and green transition of the tourism and cultural heritage offer

•

UNESCO World Heritage Convention

•

A European Strategy for more Growth and Jobs in Coastal and

Maritime Tourism [COM/2014/086 final]

•

EuroVelo: the European cycle route network

•

European Agenda for Tourism 2030 - Council conclusions

(adopted on 01/12/2022)

•

National tourism strategies of EUSAIR participating countries

•

Resolution establishing the Enlarged Partial Agreement on

Cultural Routes [CM/Res(2013)66]

•

Resolution on establishing the EU strategy for sustainable

tourism [2020/2038(INI)]

•

Resolution on the implementation of the New European Agenda

for Culture and the EU Strategy for International Cultural

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Relevant global policies include:

Relevant EU policies include:

Relations [2022/2047(INI)]

•

Transition Pathway for Tourism, European Commission [DG

GROW]

•

New European Agenda for Culture [COM/2018/267 final] and

national cultural strategies

•

Digital Services Act [Directive 2000/31/EC and Regulation (EU)

2022/2065]

•

Creative Tourism Network (CTN)

•

Decision on establishing the Union action for the European

Capitals of Culture for the years 2020 to 2033 [No 445/2014/EU]

•

European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism

•

European Creative Hubs Network: A New European Agenda for

Culture [SWD(2018) 167 final]

•

European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN)

Specific to Topic 4.2 Preparing for the future: knowledge, skills and management

•

EuroVelo: the European cycle route network

•

European Agenda for Tourism 2030 - Council conclusions

(adopted on 01/12/2022)

•

National tourism strategies of EUSAIR participating countries

•

Resolution establishing the Enlarged Partial Agreement on

Cultural Routes [CM/Res(2013)66]

•

Resolution on establishing an EU strategy for sustainable tourism

[2020/2038(INI)]

•

Resolution on the implementation of the New European Agenda

for Culture and the EU Strategy for International Cultural

Relations [2022/2047(INI)]

•

Transition Pathway for Tourism, European Commission [DG

GROW]

•

New European Agenda for Culture [COM/2018/267 final] and

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Relevant global policies include:

Specific to Topic 4.3 Greening of Tourism products and services

•

WTO policy framework on Origin Products

•

UNESCO World Heritage Convention

Relevant EU policies include:

national cultural strategies

•

European Agenda for Tourism 2030 - Council conclusions

(adopted on 01/12/2022)

Resolution on establishing the EU strategy for sustainable

tourism [2020/2038(INI)]

Transition Pathway for Tourism, European Commission [DG

GROW]

Transition Pathway for Agri-food, European Commission [DG

GROW]

Digital Services Act [Directive 2000/31/EC and Regulation (EU)

2022/2065]

EC SWD (2023) 263 Co-creation of a transition pathway for a

more resilient, sustainable and digital agrifood ecosystem

A long-term Vision for the EU's Rural Areas - Towards stronger,

connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040

[COM(2021) 345 final]

The European Pillar of Social Rights [Document 52017DC0250]

and European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan [COM/2021/102

final]

Pillar 5

•

UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals

•

Specific to Topic 5.2 Youth engagement and employment

•

Council of Europe Standing Conference of Ministers of Education

(09/2023) document “The Transformative Power of Education:

Universal Values and Civic Renewal”

•

Manifesto for Youth by Youth to Shape European Cooperation

Policy

The European Union Youth Strategy 2019-2027 [Document

42018Y1218(01)]

Youth Guarantee [2020/C 372/01]

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Relevant global policies include:

Relevant EU policies include:

•

ALMA (Aim, Learn, Master, Achieve) [(EU) 2022/2175]

•

European Alliance for Apprenticeship (EAfA)

•

European Framework for Quality and Effective Apprenticeship

(2018/C 153/01)

•

Youth Employment Support Package

•

Quality Framework for Traineeships (Council Recommendation

10/03/2014)

•

Recommendation of establishing a European Child Guarantee

[(EU) 2021/1004]

•

Regulation on establishing Erasmus+: the Union Programme for

education and training, youth and sport [(EU) 2021/817]

•

Regulation on establishing the European Solidarity Corps

Programme [(EU) 2021/888]

•

Regulation on establishing the European Voluntary Humanitarian

Aid Corps [(EU) No 375/2014]

•

European care strategy [COM(2022) 440 final]

•

Building an economy that works for people: an action plan for

the social economy [SWD(2021) 373 final]

European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social

fairness and resilience [COM(2020) 274 final]

Harnessing talent in

Europe’s regions [COM/2023/32 final]

Recommendation on Upskilling Pathways: New Opportunities for

Adults [2016/C 484/01]

Recommendation on a European approach to micro-credentials

for lifelong learning and employability [COM(2021) 770 final]

Recommendation on individual learning accounts [COM(2021)

773 final]

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Specific to Topic 5.3 Promoting skills acquisition for future labour markets

•

Council of Europe Standing Conference of Ministers of Education

(09/2023) document “The Transformative Power of Education:

Universal Values and Civic

Renewal”

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Relevant global policies include:

Relevant EU policies include:

•

Regulation establishing the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)

[(EU) 2021/1057]

•

Regulation on establishing Erasmus+: the Union Programme for

education and training, youth and sport [(EU) 2021/817]

•

Strengthening Innovation in Europe's Regions: Strategies for

resilient, inclusive and sustainable growth [COM(2017) 376 final]

•

Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence Programme

(Horizon Europe)

•

Europe fit for Digital Age

•

EU Pay Transparency Directive [Directive (EU) 2023/970]

EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages [Directive (EU)

2022/2041]

EU Directive on Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions

[Directive (EU) 2019/1152]

EU Legal Framework on Labour Mobility

EU Legal Framework on Labour Migration, particularly Seasonal

Workers

EC Communication on decent work [COM(2022) 66 final]

Agenda towards sustainable Europe by 2030

Green paper on ageing

Building an economy that works for people: an action plan for

the social economy [COM(2021) 778 final]

A Europe fit for the digital age

Specific to Topic 5.4 Equal opportunities in the labour market

Specific to Topic 5.5 Social Innovations

•

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Annex 2 - Overview of the most relevant negotiating chapters for Cohesion Policy

The selected related negotiating chapters are listed below in accordance with the new

enlargement methodology that clusters the negotiating chapters thematically.

Cluster

Fundamentals

Related Chapters of

the Acquis

Chapter 23 – Judiciary

and

Fundamental

Rights

Summary

EU policies in the area of judiciary and fundamental rights aim

to maintain and further develop the Union as an area of

freedom, security and justice. The establishment of an

independent and efficient judiciary is of paramount importance.

Impartiality, integrity and a high standard of adjudication by the

courts are essential for safeguarding the rule of law. A solid

legal framework and reliable institutions are required to

underpin a coherent policy of prevention and deterrence of

corruption. Member States must ensure respect for

fundamental rights and EU citizens’ rights, as guaranteed by

the acquis and by the Fundamental Rights Charter.

EU rules ensure that public procurement of goods, services

and works in any Member State is transparent and open to all

EU companies on the basis of non-discrimination and equal

treatment.

EU rules require that Member States are able to produce good

quality statistics in line with the principles of the European

statistics Code of Practice and based on professional

independence, impartiality, reliability, transparency and

confidentiality. Common rules are provided for the

methodology, production and dissemination of statistical

information.

The EU promotes the reform of national governance systems

to improve managerial accountability, sound financial

management of income and expenditure, and external audit of

public funds. The financial control rules further protect the EU’s

financial interests against fraud in the management of EU

funds and the Euro against counterfeiting.

Citizens of one Member State have the right to work in another

Member State and must be given the same working and social

conditions as other workers.

EU rules protect free competition. They include antitrust rules

against restrictive agreements between companies and abuse

of dominant position, and also include rules on concentrations

between companies which would significantly impede

competition. EU rules also set out a system of State aid

control. Governments are only allowed to grant State aid if

restrictive conditions are met, with a view to preventing

distortion of competition.

The EU has common rules for technical and safety standards,

security, social standards, State aid and market liberalisation in

road transport, railways, inland waterways, combined

transport, aviation and maritime transport

EU energy policy covers energy supply, infrastructure, the

internal energy market, consumers, renewable energy, energy

efficiency, nuclear energy and nuclear safety, and radiation

protection.

Fundamentals

Chapter 5 -

Procurement

Public

Fundamentals

Chapter 18 – Statistics

Fundamentals

Chapter 32 - Financial

Control

Internal market

Chapter 2 – Freedom

Movement

Workers

Chapter

Competition Policy

–

Internal market

Green agenda

and sustainable

connectivity

Green agenda

and sustainable

connectivity

Chapter 14 - Transport

Chapter 15 – Energy

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Green agenda

and sustainable

connectivity

Green agenda

and sustainable

connectivity

Chapter 21 - Trans-

European Networks

The EU promotes trans-European networks (TENs) in the

areas of transport, telecommunications and energy to

strengthen the internal market and contribute to growth and

employment.

The EU promotes strong climate action, sustainable

development and protection of the environment. EU law

contains provisions addressing climate change, water and air

quality, waste management, nature protection, industrial

pollution, chemicals, noise and civil protection.

Chapter

Environment

Climate Change

–

and

The interconnections between the Chapters are particularly significant in terms of Regional

Policy. The ten chapters identified are part of three Clusters. Cluster 1 – Fundamentals,

which also covers the areas of economic criteria, functioning of democratic institutions and

public administration reform, as well as four chapters: 5, 18, 23 and 32. Furthermore, Cluster

2 on Internal Market combines two chapters: Chapter 2 – Freedom of Movement of Workers

and Chapter 8 - Competition Policy, while Cluster 4 – Green Agenda & Sustainable

Connectivity includes chapters 12, 15, 21 and 27 as the most important sectoral policies for

cohesion policy.

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Annex 3 - Indicative list of relevant funding sources and the embedding principle

By design, macro-regional strategies (MRS) such as the EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region

(EUSAIR) do not have their own funding. Successful implementation of a Strategy therefore depends

on the one hand directly on its absorption and generation of EU, national, regional and other public

and private funds. On the other hand, MRS comprise a variety of complex thematic policy fields,

which means that in the implementation process, it is vital to align and streamline EUSAIR Pillars and

Topics and to create synergies with other instruments and funding sources to secure a sound

implementation of the goals set.

The Strategy covers many fields

–

from business start-ups to transport links, climate action to green

multifunctionality... and much more. The Strategy is therefore a one-stop shop for news, stories,

funding opportunities, and related information on cooperation between the European Union and the

Western Balkans.

Indicative list of EU funds accessible to EU Member States only:

•

ERDF & CF

Interreg

RRF

Just Transition Fund

ESF+

EAFRD

EMFAF

Indicative list of EU funds accessible to EU candidate countries and potential candidates, in

cooperation with EU Member States:

•

Interreg IPA

LIFE

Horizon Europe

Digital Europe

Erasmus +

Creative Europe

European Solidarity Corps

Indicative list of EU funds accessible to EU candidate countries and potential candidates:

•

IPA

IPARD

IPA-IPA CBC

Initiative for coal regions in transition in the Western Balkans and Ukraine

Erasmus +

Creative Europe

European Solidarity Corps

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The Strategy also aims at stimulating an inclusive financial dialogue with financial vehicles like the

Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), banks like the European Bank for Reconstruction

and Development (EBRD) or the European Investment Bank (EIB), development agencies, etc.

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Annex 4

–

Stakeholders

Pillar

Topic

Relevant EU and other funds managing authorities.

Relevant IPA management and control systems’ bodies, including National IPA

Coordinators and IPARD Agencies

Relevant official bodies in charge of human and minority rights

Regional and National Environmental Protection Agencies

Authorities in charge of Protected Areas Management (local, regional, subregional

level)

Local and regional authorities

Regional Administrations

Local and regional authorities in charge of environment, biodiversity and nature

protection

Local and regional transport authorities of metropolitan and urban areas

Urban and regional planners in metropolitan and urban areas

Local energy agencies networks

Local and regional tourism offices and development agencies

Local, regional and national tourism boards and agrifood boards

Local and regional fisheries management organisations, such as the General

Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM)

EATIP and its mirror platforms in the Adriatic Ionian Region Sector-specific advisory

bodies Initiatives on RDI in the field of blue economy and other CSAs (ex.

BlueMed, Blue Mission MED)

International organisations and treaties, such as the Barcelona Convention through

its Regional Action Centres, ACCOBAMS, Bern Convention, etc

Trans-European Networks

–

Transport (TEN-T) stakeholders

Transport Community

Central and South Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity (CESEC) High-Level Working

Group

Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)

Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM)

1.1

1.2

1.3

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

3.1

3.2

4.1

4.2

4.3

5.2

5.3

5.4

5.5

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Pillar

Topic

Energy Community (EnC)

Energy Community Distribution System Operators in Electricity (ECDSO-E)

European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E)

European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSO-G)

Technical Assistance to Connectivity in the Western Balkans (CONNECTA)

International Energy Agency (IEA)

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER)

National regulatory agencies

European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA)

European Federation of Agencies and Regions for Energy and Environment

(FEDARENE)

European Labour Authority (ELA)

Airports authorities

Port authorities

Road authorities

Railway infrastructure managers and railway undertakings

Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAS)

Multilateral Environmental Agencies (MEAS)

Non-governmental organizations

Social Partners and civil society organisations

Gender equality organisations

Non-governmental organisations in the field of environment, biodiversity and

nature protection

Non-governmental organisations in the field of tourism, culture, natural protection

and heritage

Regional Fisheries Management Organizations

1.1

1.2

1.3

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

3.1

3.2

4.1

4.2

4.3

5.2

5.3

5.4

5.5

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Pillar

Topic

Regional Sea Conventions

Research institutes, academia and scientific organisations

Universities and educational institutions, including schools

Training institutions

Scientific institutions

International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (ex. CIHEAM)

International Development and Cooperation

Fisheries and Marine Management

Ministries of Culture and Tourism

Ministries of the Economy

Ministries of Maritime Affairs

Ministries of Universities, Research and Education

Ministries of Science and Technology

Ministries of SMEs

Ministries of Agriculture

Ministries for Rural Development and Food

Ministries of Forestry

Ministries of Fisheries and Aquaculture

Ministries for the Environment

Ministries of Transport and Infrastructure

Ministries of Labour / Employment

Labour Inspectorates

Civil protection and disaster control authorities

Planning Authorities

Port Authorities

1.1

1.2

1.3

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

3.1

3.2

4.1

4.2

4.3

5.2

5.3

5.4

5.5

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Pillar

Topic

Port Users

Local and private energy communities

Rural Communities and LAGs, Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs)

Business associations, SME associations, and clusters in the field of “blue

sustainable economy”

Chambers of Commerce

Business association, Chambers of Commerce, SME associations, and clusters in the

field of transport

Business association, Chambers of Commerce, SME associations, and clusters in the

field of tourism, and cultural and creative industries

Local environmental associations (e.g. Friends of the Earth)

Agricultural Associations and Associations of Agricultural Cooperatives and groups

of growers

REScoop.eu (European Federation of Citizen Energy Cooperatives)

National Associations for Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Efficiency

National energy RDI agencies

Consumers Associations

Public transport passenger associations

Cycling Associations and organizations,

Association of European Regions for Products of Origin (AREPO)

Agrofood Partnerships and clusters in the Supply chain

Business support organisations, innovation agencies/centres and technology parks

SMEs and large companies in the fish value chain (also cooperatives and consortia)

SMEs and large companies in the field of shipping and freight transport

Multimodal operators

Public transport operators

Organisations in charge of smart specialisation strategies

1.1

1.2

1.3

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

3.1

3.2

4.1

4.2

4.3

5.2

5.3

5.4

5.5

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Pillar

Topic

Social and Solidarity economy entities

Destination management organisations (DMOs) at national, regional and local level

Internation Union for Conservation of Nature (IUNC)

OECD

Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)

UN Conference of the Parties of the Framework Convention on Climate Change

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)

UNESCO

UNDP

UNWTO

UN Tourism (UNFAO)

Projects, networks, clusters in Horizon EU and the EIT

Projects funded by the Horizon EU Mission ‘Restore our Ocean and waters by 2030’

and the new Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership co-founded by the EU

Commission under cluster 6 of Horizon Europe

Initiatives on RDI in the field of blue economy (ex. BlueMed, Blue Mission MED)

Association of European Border Regions Young Leaders

Erasmus Student Network (ESN)

Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY)

EUSAIR POPRI network of technology parks

Young European Ambassadors (YEAs)

The European Youth Forum

Youth associations

Youth Regional Network (YRN)

Public employment services (PES)

National / regional youth workers and youth workers association

1.1

1.2

1.3

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

3.1

3.2

4.1

4.2

4.3

5.2

5.3

5.4

5.5

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Pillar

Topic

European Investment Bank (EIB)

Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF)

Adriatic and Ionian Interregional Group at the Committee of the Regions

Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)

Covenant of Mayors

Adriatic and Ionian Initiative (AII)

Forum of the Adriatic and Ionian Cities (FAIC)

Forum of the Adriatic and Ionian Chambers of Commerce (Forum AIC)

Association of Adriatic and Ionian Universities (UniAdrion)

1.1

1.2

1.3

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

3.1

3.2

4.1

4.2

4.3

5.2

5.3

5.4

5.5

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