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CRETE, May 6 (FENA) – Social innovation, as an alternative approach to meeting citizens' needs and shifting policy focus toward the people, is the central theme of the 10th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR), held on May 6–7, 2025, in Georgioupolis on the Greek island of Crete.
This major event marks the culmination of Greece’s one-year presidency of the Adriatic and Ionian Strategy and celebrates a decade of joint efforts toward regional integration and sustainable development among member countries, FENA correspondent reports.
The Forum explores key aspects of the EUSAIR strategy, beginning with a review of past achievements and strategies for the future.
Greece’s EUSAIR presidency and the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative are celebrating ten years of progress, reflecting on past initiatives and setting a course for the coming years through a revised Action Plan adapted to evolving regional and global contexts.
A central focus will be on encouraging youth engagement, highlighting the contributions of the EUSAIR Youth Council, and exploring ways to further empower young voices in shaping regional policies.
The Forum will also address sustainability and resilience in the Adriatic-Ionian region, analyzing key areas such as the blue economy, energy and climate change, environmental protection, and sustainable tourism.
The Forum is organized by Greece’s Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in close cooperation with the European Commission and the EUSAIR Facility Point.
The hosts of the Forum are high-level officials from EUSAIR participating countries, representatives of the European Commission, regional stakeholders, and members of civil society.
Since its launch in 2014, EUSAIR has served as a dynamic platform for fostering dialogue, aligning strategic priorities, and implementing impactful cross-border cooperation.
From sustainable blue growth and environmental protection to improved connectivity and cultural preservation, each country has played a vital role in a decade of collective progress.
Bosnia and Herzegovina held the one-year presidency of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) from 2022 to 2023.
During its presidency, Bosnia and Herzegovina focused on accelerating European integration, enhancing youth inclusion, developing innovative products and services in tourism and culture, and protecting the environment through the implementation of the European Green Deal and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.
The focus also included advancing the circular economy through a zero waste management concept and improving regional connectivity, particularly in energy and transport networks.
The EUSAIR strategy includes ten countries: four EU members (Croatia, Greece, Italy, and Slovenia) and six non-EU countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, San Marino, and Serbia).
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