Reporting Period: September 2025 – September 2026

by Agneta Wackström
Chair, European Small Islands Federation (ESIN)
Företagsam Skärgård, Åland Islands

Chair’s Introduction

The period 2025–2026 has been a significant year for the European Small Islands Federation (ESIN) and for small island communities across Europe. As discussions surrounding the development of the first-ever EU Strategy for Islands gathered momentum, ESIN worked actively to ensure that the perspectives and needs of small islands were represented in European policymaking. Through advocacy efforts, participation in high-level conferences, and collaboration with key stakeholders, ESIN further strengthened its position as the leading network representing Europe’s small island communities.

Throughout the year, ESIN continued to promote sustainable development, renewable energy, cultural heritage, and knowledge exchange among member islands. New initiatives such as A Meal with History highlighted the rich traditions and cultural diversity of European islands, while ESIN’s continued engagement in the Clean Energy for EU Islands Initiative demonstrated the important contribution island communities can make to Europe’s green transition.

This report presents ESIN’s key activities and achievements during the period September 2025 to September 2026 and reflects the federation’s ongoing commitment to supporting vibrant, resilient, and sustainable island communities throughout Europe.

Overview

During the period September 2025 to September 2026, the European Small Islands Federation (ESIN) continued its mission as the collective voice of Europe’s small island communities. Representing islanders across Europe, ESIN worked to increase the visibility of island issues, influence policy development, and support sustainable and resilient island futures.

A central focus of ESIN’s work was contributing to the growing European discussion on the establishment of the first comprehensive EU Strategy for Islands. The federation advocated for stronger recognition of the unique challenges and opportunities facing small islands, including demographic change, connectivity, access to services, climate resilience, and economic sustainability. ESIN also emphasized the importance of improved island data collection, island-proofing European legislation, and creating long-term institutional mechanisms to ensure island concerns are systematically addressed within EU policymaking.

Representation at European Level

Advancing the EU Strategy for Islands

One of the year’s most important developments took place in December 2025, when ESIN Vice-Chair for the Mediterranean, Ivan Matić, representing the Croatian Island Movement (Pokret Otoka), met with European Commissioner Costas Kadis at the invitation of Member of the European Parliament Tonino Picula. The meeting focused on preparations for the first-ever EU Strategy for Islands.

ESIN welcomed the Commissioner’s clear confirmation that the future strategy would be developed as a stand-alone policy document rather than being merged into existing strategies. During the meeting, ESIN representatives presented Habitability, a new island-specific development framework developed by ESIN members within the Island Archipelago Institute at Åbo Akademi University. The framework offers a more accurate understanding of island realities through innovative indicators tailored to island communities.

Commissioner Kadis also emphasized that reliable and comparable data must form one of the pillars of the future strategy, a position that aligns closely with ESIN’s long-standing advocacy efforts.

Swedish Island Parliament

In March 2026, ESIN Chair Agneta Wackström participated in the Swedish Island Parliament (Ö- och Skärgårdsriksdagen). Together with Roland Engkvist from CPMR, she took part in discussions on the expectations, opportunities, and potential benefits of a future EU Strategy for Islands. The session highlighted how a dedicated strategy could strengthen island development and provide better support for sustainable island communities across Europe.

SEARICA Anniversary Event

In April 2026, ESIN participated in the SEARICA Anniversary Event, “United for Islands, Coastal Areas and Outermost Regions: Shaping an Ambitious EU Strategy.” Representing ESIN, Ivan Matić highlighted the importance of stronger island representation, improved statistical data, and dedicated policy instruments tailored to island needs.

The event provided an important opportunity to strengthen dialogue between island stakeholders and European institutions at a crucial stage in the development of future EU island policy.

CPMR Islands Commission General Assembly

Later in April, ESIN participated in the CPMR Islands Commission General Assembly held in Cagliari, Sardinia. The event brought together representatives of island regions, European institutions, and island organizations to discuss the future strategic framework for islands, competitiveness, connectivity, and the green and social transformation of island territories.

ESIN was represented by Ivan Matić, who emphasized the importance of community participation, multi-level governance, and policy solutions specifically designed for island realities. He stressed that small islands must have a strong voice in shaping Europe’s first comprehensive EU Strategy for Islands.

High-Level Conference in Cyprus

In June 2026 , ESIN participated in the High-Level Conference Strengthening Islands and Coastal Communities of the European Union in Cyprus, co-organized by the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Commission.

ESIN was represented by Tuuli Rantala, Erika Englund, Pia Prost, and Ivan Matić, ensuring that the perspectives of small islands were included in discussions on sustainability, resilience, connectivity, and future European policy frameworks for Islands and coastal communities.

COTER meeting in Cáceres*
Ivan Matić will participate in the COTER external meeting in Cáceres on 17 September 2026, where he will contribute to a debate on the EU Strategy for Islands. During the session, representatives from island regions and European institutions will discuss the European Commission’s strategy presented in June 2026, focusing on opportunities, challenges, and future policy measures to strengthen the sustainable development and competitiveness of Europe’s islands. The meeting provides an important platform for ESIN to present the perspectives and priorities of island communities at the European level.

Sustainable Energy and Resilient Communities

ESIN has been supporting the West Cork Islands of Bere and Sherkin as well as the island of Inishbofin in their effort to fulfil their renewable energy ambitions as part of “the 30 Islands for 2030” program initiated by the Clean Energy for EU Islands Secretariat. This year was the last year of the current Secretariat ‘s work and as part of the yearly forum which took place this year in Palma de Mallorca, decisions makers and politicians from every nation state whose islands are involved in the program, were invited to take part and hear what obstacles islands were confronted with in the way of fulfilling their renewable ambitions. 

Together with Údarás na Gaeltachta, the Irish Gaelic development agency, ESIN was successful in inviting an Irish politician to the forum, ESIN having organised together with the Irish Islands Federation an online event to prepare for the forum where members of the development agencies were invited.  A report from the consortium’s energy consultants was presented showing the state of play for the Irish islands at present and the obstacles they face due to legislation lagging. 

The three islands’ ambition is to pilot microgrids to power homes and businesses and produce surplus energy that could go towards powering the small ferries that link them to the mainland. They have now reviewed the schemes that were created using the data they provided and are very keen on their implementation should the legislation governing community power generation improve to allow them to put their plans in practice. The islands are now also able to input their ambitions in the new spatial planning process for Ireland and its islands which is now being done. ESIN has been able to support the 3 islands in their journey and bring them the confidence to interact with their decision makers to make their voices heard. It’s ongoing work, but results so far are very encouraging, and the challenges met by the smaller islands without their own municipalities is now much better known within the secretariat and its partners. 

Cultural Heritage and Knowledge Exchange

Alongside its advocacy work, ESIN continued strengthening connections among member islands through the sharing of innovative practices, cultural heritage initiatives, local food traditions, and community development experiences.

A key activity during the year was the launch and promotion of A Meal with History, an initiative celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Europe’s islands through traditional recipes, local food culture, and storytelling. The project demonstrates how cultural traditions can strengthen island identity, preserve local knowledge, and foster cooperation between island communities across Europe.

As part of the initiative, ESIN organized a series of online cooking and networking events, where participants explored traditional island dishes from different regions, including Åland Pancake from Åland, Oven-baked Baltic Herring Casserole from Pellinge (Finland), Hapurokk from Muhu (Estonia), and Pike Perch from Hjälmaren (Sweden). These virtual gatherings provided an informal and engaging platform for cultural exchange, allowing participants to share stories, culinary traditions, and experiences from their island communities.

Recipes and cooking instructions were made available through the ESIN website, enabling wider participation and knowledge sharing. The initiative culminated in an in-person gathering during the ESIN Annual General Meeting in Houtskär, where participants will touch up on a traditional Finland-Swedish crayfish party during dinner, further strengthening the relationships and networks built through the project.

Governance and Board Activities

Throughout the year, the ESIN Board met regularly to oversee the federation’s activities, coordinate advocacy efforts, and guide the organization’s strategic priorities.

Board members represented ESIN at European conferences, policy discussions, and stakeholder events, ensuring that the perspectives of small island communities remained visible at both national and European levels. The Board also supported the development of new initiatives, strengthened cooperation among member organizations, and contributed to the preparations for the ESIN AGM and Conference 2026.

Through active engagement across Europe, the Board continued to strengthen ESIN’s position as the leading network representing Europe’s small island communities.

Looking Forward

As Europe moves closer to adopting a dedicated strategic framework for islands, ESIN remains committed to ensuring that small island communities are heard and represented in European decision-making. Through advocacy, partnership building, project development, cultural initiatives, and active participation in European forums, the federation will continue working towards vibrant, sustainable, and resilient island communities throughout Europe.

ESIN Board 2025–2026

Executive Board

• Chair: Agneta Wackström (Åland)
• Vice-Chair, Atlantic Region: Aisling Moran (Ireland)
• Vice-Chair, Nordic Region: Erika Englund (Finland)
• Vice-Chair, Mediterranean Region: Ivan Matić (Croatia)
• Secretary: Rhoda Twombly (Ireland)
• Treasurer: Anette Larm Johansson (Sweden)

Board Members and Deputies

Country	Board Member	Deputy
Åland	Agneta Wackström	John Wrede
Finland	Erika Englund	Pia Prost
Sweden	Sten-Åke Persson	Anette Larm Johansson
Denmark	Kirsten Sydendal	Lise Thillemann Sørensen
Greece	Spiros Argyros	Lefteris Kechagioglou
Croatia	Ivan Matić	Maja Jurišić
Estonia	Annely Holm	–
Ireland	Aisling Moran	Cathy Ní Ghoill
Scotland	Luke Fraiser	Camille Dressler
France	Carole Charuau	Erwan Tonnerre

Picture 4, Delegates from the AGM 2025 in Waterloo