On 3 December 2025, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted its opinion on the 5th Report on the implementation of EU macro-regional strategies (MRS). Covering the period from mid-2022 to mid-2024, the report assesses progress across the four existing macro-regions — the Baltic Sea, Danube, Adriatic-Ionian and Alpine — at a time marked by geopolitical instability, climate pressures and socio-economic transformation.
“The European Economic and Social Committee with this opinion is calling for stronger governance, clearer funding and deeper civil-society involvement in the EU’s macro-regional strategies (MRS). These strategies have proved their value during recent crises, supporting regional cooperation on the green and digital transitions, youth participation, climate action and responses to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. A renewed political commitment is needed to fully unlock their social, economic and environmental benefits,” said Elena Calistru, President of the EESC’s ECO Section.
The EESC further notes that macro-regional strategies remain a relevant framework for tackling shared challenges that transcend national borders. In an increasingly complex policy environment, MRS have facilitated coordination between countries, regions and stakeholders, functioning as practical platforms for dialogue and cooperation across multiple levels of governance.
Progress made, but uneven
The opinion acknowledges positive developments, including updated action plans and improved alignment with wider EU priorities such as the green and digital transitions, social inclusion and territorial cohesion. In several macro-regions, this has translated into concrete cooperation projects and stronger links between EU policies and regional needs.
The EESC also notes growing awareness of the importance of inclusive governance. Greater involvement of local and regional authorities, civil society organisations, social partners, academia and young people is increasingly recognised as essential to the credibility and effectiveness of macro-regional strategies.
Persistent structural challenges
At the same time, the opinion is clear about the limitations that continue to undermine the impact of MRS. Governance arrangements remain uneven, administrative capacity varies significantly between countries and regions, and coordination across policy areas is often weak. These shortcomings affect the ability of macro-regional strategies to deliver results in a consistent and sustainable manner.
Funding is identified as a further structural challenge. While MRS are intended to rely on the better alignment of existing EU and national funding instruments, the EESC underlines that this “mainstreaming” remains incomplete. As a result, macro-regional priorities are not always sufficiently reflected in cohesion policy programmes or other EU funding streams.
The EESC also highlights the low visibility of macro-regional strategies beyond specialist circles. Limited public awareness and unclear communication continue to restrict broader engagement and ownership at local level.
Looking ahead
In its conclusions, the EESC calls for renewed political commitment to macro-regional cooperation. This includes strengthening governance structures, improving coordination between EU and national policies, and ensuring that civil society and social partners are meaningfully involved in both design and implementation.
The opinion stresses the importance of the next EU budgetary cycle in determining the future of macro-regional strategies. Better integration of MRS priorities into the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework would be essential to move from coordination in principle to impact in practice.
Overall, the EESC’s assessment presents macro-regional strategies as tools with clear potential, but also with well-known weaknesses. Whether they can evolve into more effective instruments for cooperation will depend less on new ambitions and more on sustained political support, adequate resources and inclusive governance capable of delivering results on the ground.
