The European Commission, supported by the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, has launched a call for evidence for a new EU Strategy for Coastal Communities. The strategy aims to strengthen resilience, support sustainable economic growth, and address the specific challenges facing Europe’s coastal regions. It contributes directly to the European Ocean Pact (adopted in June 2025) and is expected to be formally adopted in summer 2026, alongside a complementary strategy for coastal regions and island communities.
Background and relevance for the Black Sea region
Around 90 million EU citizens live in coastal areas. These communities face overlapping pressures, including climate change, environmental degradation, housing shortages, overtourism, and economic dependence on a limited number of sectors, notably fisheries and aquaculture. In the Black Sea region, these pressures are further intensified by geopolitical instability, ongoing economic transition, and the environmental impacts of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
What the new EU Strategy will address
The feedback collected through the call for evidence will help shape three objectives:
Boosting economic competitiveness: Unlocking the potential of the blue economy through innovation, decarbonisation and improved connectivity.
Enhancing resilience and adaptation: Strengthening climate adaptation, supporting energy independence, and protecting and restoring marine and coastal ecosystems.
Fostering inclusive and vibrant communities: Improving access to essential services, enhancing quality of life, and safeguarding the cultural identity of coastal communities.
Have your say
The Call for Evidence is open to everyone until 23 March 2026, with a particular invitation to coastal residents, local and regional authorities, blue economy actors, NGOs, academia, and youth organisations. The Commission is seeking input on three main questions:
what are the key challenges and priorities for coastal communities;
which existing EU policies and initiatives work, and how should the new strategy complement them;
and what concrete measures should the EU deliver.
In this regard, the CMA encourages all sea basin stakeholders, including National Hubs, Technical Groups, national coordinators, and local and regional authorities, to contribute. The experience and perspectives of the Black Sea region are particularly important in shaping a strategy that reflects real needs on the ground.
Submit your contribution here: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16853-EU-coastal-communities-strategy_en
Read the full Commission announcement: https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/news/commission-seeks-feedback-new-initiative-coastal-communities-2026-02-23_en