Source: European Union 2 Published on: 2026-06-12
• SQUARE, Mont des Arts, 1000 Brussels
terrace entrance
Registrations are now open for the Macro-regional and Sea Basin Strategies Days 2026, taking place on 8–9 July 2026 in Brussels. You may register via the following link:
https://register.event-works.europa.eu/dgscic/Sea_Basin_Strategy_Days2026/e/lk/g/91040/k/
Please note that the registration deadline is 24 June 2026.
The EU Macro-regional and Sea Basin Strategies Days are coming back in July 2026! The event is co-organised by the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) and the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE).
On 8 and 9 July in Brussels, the eight strategies (Alpine, Danube, Adriatic-Ionian, Baltic Sea, Atlantic, Western Mediterranean, Black Sea and Greater North Sea) will come together during a two-day event in Brussels.
What to expect this year?
The year 2026 will be shaped by further orientations of the new European Commission and by early signals emerging from negotiations on the post-2027 programming period and the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). These initial developments point towards an increased emphasis on security, resilience, competitiveness, enlargement, and place-based delivery of EU priorities, against a backdrop of persistent geopolitical instability, climate pressures, and socio-economic transformation.
Macro-regional and Sea Basin Strategies operate at the intersection of these dynamics. Their flexible, multi-sectoral, and cooperative nature allows them to accompany evolving EU priorities and to provide frameworks for coordination across borders, governance levels, and policy domains. The 2025 edition of the Strategies Days confirmed that the eight Strategies collectively represent a mature cooperation system, increasingly positioned to move from coordination towards collective delivery. It also highlighted key areas for further evolution, notably in governance, visibility, embedding into EU and national funding frameworks, and joint action.
In 2026, the Macro-regional and Sea Basin Strategies Days will build on these reflections by offering space to take stock of ongoing developments, exchange perspectives on emerging policy directions, and explore how the Strategies can continue to position themselves in view of post-2027 programming. The event will provide a platform to reflect on challenges and opportunities ahead, and to support dialogue on how Macro-regional and Sea Basin Strategies can remain relevant and responsive to EU instruments for territories, citizens and stakeholders in the years to come.
Objectives of the event
The Macro-regional and Sea Basin Strategies Days 2026 aim to:
• provide a strategic space to reflect on the outcomes of the new Commission and their implications for the Strategies;
• strengthen positioning post-2027, clarifying how the Strategies can contribute to the future Cohesion Policy architecture and broader EU delivery frameworks;
• facilitate exchange, coordination and cooperation among the eight Strategies, EU institutions, national and regional authorities, stakeholders and civil society;
• build on the concrete outcomes and practical recommendations emerging from the 2025 edition, particularly in relation to governance, visibility, embedding, and joint action.
Have you missed the Strategies Days 2025? Please visit this webpage to know more.
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Accommodation
Due to the high demand for accommodation in Brussels on 1–2 July 2026, many hotels in the city centre are already fully booked. While limited availability remains at centrally located hotels such as Ibis and Novotel Grand Place, participants are encouraged to also consider hotels in other areas that are well connected to the city centre by public transport. Options such as Courtyard by Marriott Brussels EU, Thon Hotel EU, and Mix Brussels may offer additional availability. We recommend booking accommodation as early as possible.
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Agenda and more information about the event coming in the following weeks.
Registrations will open soon. Keep an eye on this page for updates.
Do you have questions about the event? Please send an email to: REGIO-EU-STRATEGIES-DAYS@ec.europa.eu
Call for stands: Showcase your work at Strategies Days 2026.
Draft Agenda of the Strategies Days 2026
English
(PDF)
Download
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Find the draft agenda of the event below (please notice the agenda will be continuously updated in the course of next months):
Agenda
English
(PDF)
Download
–>
Parallel Workshops (July 8 from 15:30 to 17:00)
Macro-regional and Sea Basin Strategies as tools to support EU candidate countries and the accession process
Macro-regional and Sea Basin Strategies have an active role in facilitating and promoting a collaborative dialogue among EU member states and candidate countries, specifically this can be further developed within the Danube Strategy, the Adriatic-Ionian Strategy and the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea.
The two macro-regional strategies have set the topic of enlargement as part of their agendas in 2026, as well as in previous agendas, making enlargement a horizontal topic throughout the work of the various pillars and priority areas. The Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea provides a ground for cooperation on maritime topics between member states and candidate countries, reinforcing communication and active involvement on their priorities.
This workshop will build on last two years’ participation of the candidate countries in the Strategies, taking into consideration the current geopolitical situation and political priorities of the European Commission.
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Concept note
English
(PDF)
Download
–>
Social Sustainability for Green & Digital Transition
Across Europe’s macro-regions, we are facing significant transitions linked to green and digital development, demographic change and labour shortages. While much attention is given to competitiveness and technological innovation, these transitions ultimately depend on people having the right skills and the possibility to participate in working life.
Although our macro-regions differ in geography and structure, we share similar challenges: supporting young people into employment, including vulnerable groups, strengthening skills in rural and sparsely populated areas, adapting to ageing populations and retaining talent. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated efforts that go beyond national borders; this is where macro-regional cooperation can add concrete value.
In this workshop, we like to explore how macro-regional cooperation can strengthen skills ecosystems and support sustainable participation in working life. Through different regional perspectives, we aim to show how social sustainability is a prerequisite for successful green and digital transition.
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Concept note
English
(PDF)
Download
–>
Sharing experiences between the Baltic and Black Sea Regions on resilience and civil preparedness
Evolving security and geopolitical concerns along the EU’s eastern border are calling for increased regional coordination and cooperation on priorities as security, resilience, and civil preparedness. The workshop will look at the ongoing initiatives in the Baltic Sea and Black Sea regions, focusing on common challenges, progress, concrete outcomes and planned priorities tailored to an evolving security and geopolitical environment , aligned with the political goals for 2024-2029.
The workshop will provide an opportunity to share experiences and practices based on past and ongoing projects and initiatives launched by the two sea basins in the field of resilience and civil preparedness, and to promote approaches relevant for the implementation of the EU strategic approach to the Black Sea region, the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea and the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.
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Concept note
English
(PDF)
Download
–>
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Workshop 4 – Transnational Interreg programmes: strengthening cooperation in Macro-regions and Sea basins
This workshop will explore how Interreg Transnational programmes actively contribute to the implementation of Macro-regional and Sea basin strategies. It aims to raise visibility of the added value Transnational programmes bring, while fostering a forward-looking dialogue on shaping cooperation beyond 2027. Participants will reflect on current successes, identify areas for joint improvement, and generate ideas for stronger collaboration. A key feature of the session will be an interactive discussion with Macro-regional and Sea Basin strategies stakeholders, ensuring a collaborative approach to future improvements.
Concept note
English
(PDF)
Download
–>
Europe’s sturgeons, flagships for Macro-regional and Sea-Basin Cooperation
This workshop will explore why sturgeons, an ancient group of migratory fish now teetering on the brink of extinction in European waters, are flagships for multilevel governance cooperation within, between and beyond EU macro-regions. During their life cycles sturgeons cross many national borders within rivers and sea basins. Therefore, the event is intended for participants from EU Macro-Regions and Sea Basins responsible for biodiversity, fisheries or water management, navigation or hydropower but also for the Strategies’ governance systems in general. It will reflect on existing multilevel approaches in practice in the Danube, Black Sea and Baltic Sea Region, discuss approaches also useful for other biodiversity topics and solutions for remaining gaps. It will showcase the need to foster capacity exchange and to exploit the full potential of the Strategies to help save Europe’s ancient river giants.
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Concept note
English
(PDF)
Download
–>
Security across the EU Macro-regional Strategies – Thematic workshop by Youth Councils
Security has undeniably moved to the centre of the EU policy agenda In this context, the four EU Macro-regional Strategies each operate within wider, interconnected security challenges. Each covers a distinct geography but each encounters and withstands a security dimension influenced by its specific borders, infrastructures and socio-economic circumstances. Yet security is rarely discussed across the strategies in a coordinated way, despite the obvious value of comparing approaches and identifying shared challenges.
The Youth Councils of the four Macro-regional Strategies propose a roundtable that brings these perspectives together. By featuring one senior speaker per macro-region, each addressing the security dimension most relevant to their territory, the session will offer a cross-regional reading of how the macro-regional cooperation framework is responding to today’s deteriorating security environment and where exactly coordination across strategies could add value.
Side workshops
Strengthening cooperation in Macro-Regions and Sea Basins with different funding sources
(July 8 at 10:30 – 12:00)
This workshop will explore how different funding sources actively contribute to the implementation of the EU Macro-Regional Strategies (MRS) and Sea Basin Strategies (SBS). It aims to raise the visibility of the added value of Embedding while fostering a forward-looking dialogue on shaping cooperation beyond 2027. Participants, including youth council representatives, will reflect on current successes, identify areas for joint improvement, and generate ideas for stronger collaboration.
Consultation with regional, local authorities and socio-economic stakeholders on the Atlantic Macro-Region
(July 9 at 14:30 – 16:00)
On 18 December 2025, the European Council has tasked the European Commission to create a new Atlantic Macro-regional Strategy, taking into account the Atlantic Maritime Strategy. Therefore, this new strategy intends to build on the existing scope of the Atlantic Maritime Strategy, while providing a more integrated territorial and strategic framework addressing the wider challenges and opportunities of the Atlantic Area.
This workshop aims to have an interactive dialogue with regional, local public authorities and representatives of the Atlantic civil society in an inclusive manner to understand how the future Strategy could amplify existing cooperation initiatives.
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Security across the EU Macro-regional Strategies – Thematic workshop by Youth Councils
Security has undeniably moved to the centre of the EU policy agenda In this context, the four EU Macro-regional Strategies each operate within wider, interconnected security challenges. Each covers a distinct geography but each encounters and withstands a security dimension influenced by its specific borders, infrastructures and socio-economic circumstances. Yet security is rarely discussed across the strategies in a coordinated way, despite the obvious value of comparing approaches and identifying shared challenges.
The Youth Councils of the four Macro-regional Strategies propose a roundtable that brings these perspectives together. By featuring one senior speaker per macro-region, each addressing the security dimension most relevant to their territory, the session will offer a cross-regional reading of how the macro-regional cooperation framework is responding to today’s deteriorating security environment and where exactly coordination across strategies could add value.
–>
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Share this page
Agenda and more information about the event coming in the following weeks.
Registrations will open soon. Keep an eye on this page for updates.
Do you have questions about the event? Please send an email to: REGIO-EU-STRATEGIES-DAYS@ec.europa.eu
Call for stands: Showcase your work at Strategies Days 2026.
Parallel Workshops (July 8 from 15:30 to 17:00)
Macro-regional and Sea Basin Strategies as tools to support EU candidate countries and the accession process
Macro-regional and Sea Basin Strategies have an active role in facilitating and promoting a collaborative dialogue among EU member states and candidate countries, specifically this can be further developed within the Danube Strategy, the Adriatic-Ionian Strategy and the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea.
The two macro-regional strategies have set the topic of enlargement as part of their agendas in 2026, as well as in previous agendas, making enlargement a horizontal topic throughout the work of the various pillars and priority areas. The Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea provides a ground for cooperation on maritime topics between member states and candidate countries, reinforcing communication and active involvement on their priorities.
This workshop will build on last two years’ participation of the candidate countries in the Strategies, taking into consideration the current geopolitical situation and political priorities of the European Commission.
Social Sustainability for Green & Digital Transition
Across Europe’s macro-regions, we are facing significant transitions linked to green and digital development, demographic change and labour shortages. While much attention is given to competitiveness and technological innovation, these transitions ultimately depend on people having the right skills and the possibility to participate in working life.
Although our macro-regions differ in geography and structure, we share similar challenges: supporting young people into employment, including vulnerable groups, strengthening skills in rural and sparsely populated areas, adapting to ageing populations and retaining talent. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated efforts that go beyond national borders; this is where macro-regional cooperation can add concrete value.
In this workshop, we like to explore how macro-regional cooperation can strengthen skills ecosystems and support sustainable participation in working life. Through different regional perspectives, we aim to show how social sustainability is a prerequisite for successful green and digital transition.
Sharing experiences between the Baltic and Black Sea Regions on resilience and civil preparedness
Evolving security and geopolitical concerns along the EU’s eastern border are calling for increased regional coordination and cooperation on priorities as security, resilience, and civil preparedness. The workshop will look at the ongoing initiatives in the Baltic Sea and Black Sea regions, focusing on common challenges, progress, concrete outcomes and planned priorities tailored to an evolving security and geopolitical environment , aligned with the political goals for 2024-2029.
The workshop will provide an opportunity to share experiences and practices based on past and ongoing projects and initiatives launched by the two sea basins in the field of resilience and civil preparedness, and to promote approaches relevant for the implementation of the EU strategic approach to the Black Sea region, the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea and the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.
Europe’s sturgeons, flagships for Macro-regional and Sea-Basin Cooperation
This workshop will explore why sturgeons, an ancient group of migratory fish now teetering on the brink of extinction in European waters, are flagships for multilevel governance cooperation within, between and beyond EU macro-regions. During their life cycles sturgeons cross many national borders within rivers and sea basins. Therefore, the event is intended for participants from EU Macro-Regions and Sea Basins responsible for biodiversity, fisheries or water management, navigation or hydropower but also for the Strategies’ governance systems in general. It will reflect on existing multilevel approaches in practice in the Danube, Black Sea and Baltic Sea Region, discuss approaches also useful for other biodiversity topics and solutions for remaining gaps. It will showcase the need to foster capacity exchange and to exploit the full potential of the Strategies to help save Europe’s ancient river giants.
Security across the EU Macro-regional Strategies – Thematic workshop by Youth Councils
Security has undeniably moved to the centre of the EU policy agenda In this context, the four EU Macro-regional Strategies each operate within wider, interconnected security challenges. Each covers a distinct geography but each encounters and withstands a security dimension influenced by its specific borders, infrastructures and socio-economic circumstances. Yet security is rarely discussed across the strategies in a coordinated way, despite the obvious value of comparing approaches and identifying shared challenges.
The Youth Councils of the four Macro-regional Strategies propose a roundtable that brings these perspectives together. By featuring one senior speaker per macro-region, each addressing the security dimension most relevant to their territory, the session will offer a cross-regional reading of how the macro-regional cooperation framework is responding to today’s deteriorating security environment and where exactly coordination across strategies could add value.
Strengthening cooperation in Macro-Regions and Sea Basins with different funding sources
(July 8 at 10:30 – 12:00)
This workshop will explore how different funding sources actively contribute to the implementation of the EU Macro-Regional Strategies (MRS) and Sea Basin Strategies (SBS). It aims to raise the visibility of the added value of Embedding while fostering a forward-looking dialogue on shaping cooperation beyond 2027. Participants, including youth council representatives, will reflect on current successes, identify areas for joint improvement, and generate ideas for stronger collaboration.
Consultation with regional, local authorities and socio-economic stakeholders on the Atlantic Macro-Region
(July 9 at 14:30 – 16:00)
(July 9 at 14:30 – 16:00)
On 18 December 2025, the European Council has tasked the European Commission to create a new Atlantic Macro-regional Strategy, taking into account the Atlantic Maritime Strategy. Therefore, this new strategy intends to build on the existing scope of the Atlantic Maritime Strategy, while providing a more integrated territorial and strategic framework addressing the wider challenges and opportunities of the Atlantic Area.
This workshop aims to have an interactive dialogue with regional, local public authorities and representatives of the Atlantic civil society in an inclusive manner to understand how the future Strategy could amplify existing cooperation initiatives.