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

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

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

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the implementation of EU macro-regional strategies - 16.12.2016 - COM(2016) 805 final - Commission staff working document - Accompanying the ‘Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the implementation of EU macro-regional strategies’ - 16.12.2016 -SWD(2016) 443

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions concerning the governance of macro-regional strategies - 20.05.2014 - COM(2014) 284 final

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

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - concerning the added value of macro-regional strategies - 27.06.2013 - COM(2013) 468 final

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