Macro-Regional Strategies

A 'Macroregional strategy' is an integrated framework endorsed by the European Council, which may be supported by the European Structural and Investment Funds among others, to address common challenges faced by a defined geographical area relating to Member States and third countries located in the same geographical area which thereby benefit from strengthened cooperation contributing to achievement of economic, social and territorial cohesion.

Four EU macro-regional strategies, covering several policies, have been adopted so far:

• The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (2009)
• The EU Strategy for the Danube Region (2010)
• The EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (2014)
• The EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (2015)

All adopted macro-regional strategies are also accompanied by a rolling action plan to be regularly updated in light of new, emerging needs and changing contexts. The four macro-regional strategies concern 19 EU member-states and 8 non EU countries.

Official Documents

Council conclusions on the implementation of EU macro-regional strategies - 21 May 2019

Factsheet What is an EU macro-regional strategy? -

Study Macro-regional strategies and their links with cohesion policy
Data and analytical reports:

• EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region
• EU Strategy for the Alpine Region
• EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region
• EU Strategy for the Danube Region

Second Report on the implementation of EU macro-regional strategies - COM(2019) 21 final - - and annex

Council conclusions on the implementation of EU macro-regional strategies - 25 April 2017

First Report on the implementation of EU macro-regional strategies -COM(2016) 805 final - Report on Eur-Lex - and annex

Report concerning the governance of macro-regional strategies - COM(2014) 284 final - Report on Eur-Lex

Council conclusions on the governance of macro-regional strategies - 21.10.2014

Report concerning the added value of macro-regional strategies - 27.06.2013 - COM(2013) 468 final - Report on Eur-Lex

Council conclusions on added value of macro-regional strategies - 22.10.2013