This year marks the 10th anniversary of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) – a forward-looking initiative that has united 10 countries in their pursuit of regional cooperation, sustainability, and innovation.
To mark this milestone, each month the EUSAIR Facility Point spotlight how one country has contributed to shaping a more sustainable, connected, and resilient Adriatic and Ionian region. Here is the summary of the Croatian perspective.
Croatia steps up: Driving regional cooperation in the Adriatic and Ionian Region
As one of four EU Member States in the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR), Croatia continues to strengthen its role in macro-regional development through active dialogue and cross-border collaboration. Croatian representatives stress that recent progress across the region stems from working closely with partners – despite the complexity of aligning ten countries.
Key contributions and achievements
🔹 Stronger regional tourism cooperation
Croatia, co-leading the Pillar on Sustainable Tourism, champions a shift towards greener, more culturally rooted tourism. During the pandemic, it helped steer the region away from mass tourism, developing seven flagship projects, including manuals for community-driven and storytelling-based tourism.
🔹 A social dimension for macro-regions
Under Croatia’s 2023/2024 presidency, a fifth Pillar on Social Cohesion was introduced. Co-coordinated with Bosnia and Herzegovina, it promotes inclusion, youth participation, employment, gender equality, and social innovation—closely aligned with EU Cohesion Policy objectives.
🔹 Youth at the core
Croatia has prioritised youth involvement. The first EUSAIR Youth Council met in Dubrovnik in 2024, opening the door for young people to shape regional policies and tackle shared challenges like youth migration.
“The future of the macro-region lies with the youth,” says Lidija Pansegrau Hadrović, National Coordinator, underlining Croatia’s vision: a connected, inclusive, and sustainable Adriatic and Ionian region built on cooperation and shared responsibility.
🔹 Boosting connectivity through transport and energy
Thanks to regional cooperation, Croatia expanded its presence in the TEN-T network from two to four corridors. It also plays a leading role in developing joint regional energy strategies amid shifting geopolitical conditions.
🔹 Safeguarding the environment and blue economy
Croatia has been a regional leader in marine protection, contributing to projects on marine waste, biodiversity, and maritime spatial planning. Initiatives like RESISTANCE and local actions in Podstrana support sustainable governance of marine and coastal resources, while educational campaigns promote heritage protection.
🔹 Improving strategic governance
Croatia co-leads the SP4EUSAIR strategic project, aimed at improving governance and preparing future infrastructure initiatives—further reinforcing its leadership in the Strategy’s implementation.
Read the full report here.
