NEWS: A successful conclusion of the 9th EUSAIR Annual Forum
The 9th Forum of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region (EUSAIR) took place in Šibenik from the 15th to the 16th of May 2024. This event has brought Croatia’s Presidency to a successful completion with the signing of the Šibenik Declaration that reflects the common efforts and achievements under the Croatian EUSAIR Presidency and outlines the way forward for the EUSAIR and the Adriatic – Ionian Initiative, agreeing on past accomplishments and on main priorities for the future. The Forum gathered high-level officials from all EUSAIR participating countries and over 700 participants from the entire macro-region.
The Croatian Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds, Mr. Šime Erlić, opened the Forum and underlined the role and added value of the EUSAIR and stressed the importance of macro-regional cooperation and Cohesion Policy post-2027, as well as the establishment of the fifth Pillar of Cooperation to the EUSAIR portfolio dedicated to improved social cohesion.
One of the central themes of this year’s Forum was Cohesion Policy post-2027. The Forum marked the start of the EUSAIR Stakeholder Consultation on the EUSAIR perspective on Cohesion Policy post-2027. The EU discussion on the Cohesion Policy post-2027 took place at a conference of European Committee of the Regions in cooperation with Interact and the Croatian Presidency of the EUSAIR. The aim of the discussion was to bring the attention of decision makers to the crucial role that Interreg plays for regions and cities as well as cohesion, enlargement, and the relations with the EU neighbouring countries.
In this light, the High-Level Panel discussion was likewise focused to the Cohesion Policy post-2027 and related pre-accession policies that could contribute to enhanced cooperation in the Adriatic and Ionian Region, as well as the priorities at the EU level in the following years and their relevance to the needs of the Adriatic and Ionian Region.
In addition, this year’s Forum’s focus was presentation of the results of EUSAIR revision process which aimed at rejuvenating the Strategy and making it more relevant an up to date, more operational and more capable of effectively addressing future challenges.
Further, the Forum acknowledged the addition of a new fifth Pillar of cooperation to the EUSAIR portfolio, which aims at further aligning the Adriatic-Ionian Region with the EU strategies and policies for improving social cohesion, in line with the broader framework of green and digital transition. To match the ambition of the New Action Plan, the Croatian Presidency also led the successful completion of the revision of the EUSAIR Governance Architecture.
The involvement of youth in the Strategy is another key aspect, marked by defining steps towards the establishment of the EUSAIR Youth Council. With it, youth of the Adriatic-Ionian region will gain a platform for wider collaboration and active participation in shaping the socio-economic development of their living space. In the weeks following the Forum, the EUSAIR Youth Council Call for Applications was successfully completed, with 185 applications received. The actual establishment of the EUSAIR Youth Council is planned for this Fall.
One of the new cross-cutting themes within the EUSAIR Action Plan is digitalization. In this light, the Special EUSAIR Presidency Conference explored the challenges, opportunities and best practices associated with digital transformation of public administration services, and stimulate discussions on potential joint projects among countries of the Adriatic and Ionian Region.
The forum concluded with a symbolic passing of the Presidencyof EUSAIR from Croatia to the Hellenic Republic. The Helenic Presidency to EUSAIR kick-off announcing priorities is planned for this Fall – more information will be published in due time.
Read a comprehensive summary report of all sessions here or you might want to watch the recordings of the sessions on the EUSAIR website under each Pillar.