Title: Policies for European Islands
Chair:
Prof. Stella Kyvelou
Department of Economic and Regional Development
Panteion University Athens
Prof. Emeritus Nikitas Chiotinis
Department of Interior Architecture
University of West Attica
Abstract/Description:
This Special Session addresses policies concerning European islands and island regions. The islands of the European Union face persistent structural disadvantages, including geographic, economic, demographic, and climate-related constraints, such as isolation, ice melt, high transport and energy costs, housing pressure, labour shortages, and excessive dependence on tourism. However, European islands are of strategic importance. They are also essential to the EU’s geopolitical position, migration management, maritime security, and energy transition. Their marine ecosystems and corresponding exclusive economic zones (EEZs) support the objectives of the blue economy and the biodiversity conservation. Despite recognition in the EU Treaty (Article 174 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union) and in policy declarations, the specific challenges of islands are not adequately addressed by EU sectoral policies. Clear policy gaps and implementation deficits remain. Funding, governance instruments, and legislative mechanisms are still fragmented. At the same time, islands have the potential to function as laboratories of innovation and sustainability, demonstrating solutions for climate change adaptation, renewable energy, marine conservation, and sustainable tourism—thereby building resilience and creating opportunities. The session will discuss the need for a systemic approach in order to establish an effective EU policy for islands and island territories more broadly (including outermost regions and lake regions), aimed at connectivity, economic diversification, social cohesion, ecological, social and economic resilience, and geopolitical preparedness. It will also focus on Greek islands and island regions with an emphasis on small islands. Papers from all over Europe and comparative studies on the situation of EU islands are mostly welcome.
Keywords: insularity, island policies and governance, Cohesion policy, Blue economy, climate change, maritime security, EEZs, energy transition and renewable energy, sustainable tourism, resilience, innovation and sustainability in island regions, Smart Specialisation strategies.