The Republic of San Marino is a landlocked country in the Italian peninsula. Located on the northeastern slopes of the Apennines, on Mount Titano, and bordered by the Emilia-Romagna and Marche regions, it covers an area of 61 km² and has a population of about 34,000 inhabitants. According to tradition, San Marino was founded in 301 AD by the stonemason Marinus from the island of Rab, in today’s Croatia, and is considered the oldest Republic in the world. San Marino is a parliamentary Republic with two Captains Regent (Heads of State) and a Parliament composed of 60 members. The official language is Italian.

As of today, San Marino maintains official relations with 158 countries, 157 of which at diplomatic level, and is a member of the major International Organizations, such as the United Nations and the Council of Europe.

San Marino joined the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) in 2022, after participating in the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative since 2019 and initiating an Association Agreement process with the EU in 2015. Though not a Member State, San Marino established official relations with the European Union in 1983 and currently maintains various agreements with the Union, such as the Cooperation and Customs Union Agreement and the Monetary Agreement, which grants San Marino the right to use the Euro as its official currency.

San Marino attaches great importance to its participation in EUSAIR, which in the past three years has enabled the Republic to strengthen regional cooperation with the other nine countries, with which it enjoys excellent bilateral and multilateral relations.

Since joining, San Marino has increased youth involvement in EUSAIR’s governance, with two national delegates in the inaugural Youth Council. San Marino students have also participated in the POPRI competition, highlighting youth entrepreneurship and innovation.

San Marino strengthens regional role through active participation in the Strategy

San Marino, the first small state in EUSAIR that is neither an IPA country nor an EU member state, has taken part in Strategy governance structures, steering groups, and high-level forums. On two annual Forums since accession, San Marino was represented by its Minister of Foreign Affairs and took a part in shaping strategy priorities. At the 9th EUSAIR Annual Forum in Šibenik  in 2024, Foreign Minister Luca Beccari stated: “San Marino is culturally European and firmly believes that through integration, territorial cohesion and strengthened dialogue, it will be possible to face the next global challenges with awareness and responsibility for a peaceful Europe.“

These engagements have allowed the country to contribute directly to shaping regional strategies in key areas covered by the Strategy. The country’s participation reflects not only its geographic relevance to the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region but also its political commitment to multilateral and regional cooperation.

The country can now participate in IPA ADRION calls for proposal as an associated partner and project partner, but cannot benefit from EU funding.

Strategic youth empowerment through EUSAIR

In 2023, San Marino hosted the seminar “Opportunities for Educational Institutions and Local Communities” to promote youth engagement in EU-funded regional initiatives. Organized with the Cooperation and Development Institute and the European Commission, the event supported the EUSAIR Youth Manifesto and encouraged youth participation in regional policy-making.

The Minister for Education and Culture Andrea Belluzzi emphasized in his opening speech: “The young San Marino citizen, precisely through cultural exchange, will be able to build their identity as a citizen of the Union. This is a mutual opportunity.”

San Marino invests a lot into youth policy and regional cooperation to enable its students and institutions to participate in programmes like Erasmus+. As a non-member state San Marino does not automatically access these EU programs and EUSAIR is seen as an important instrument to engage youth in international cooperation.

San Marino actively supported the EUSAIR Youth Council selection process, building on its growing youth diplomacy. These international exchanges offer young people vital experience, networking, and understanding of regional cooperation.

International involvement empowers young people

San Marino has competed in the POPRI International Youth Business Model Competition since 2023. The contest brings together youth innovators from the Adriatic-Ionian region to pitch impactful business ideas. In 2023, four students debuted with an innovative business model, marking a national step toward aligning education and innovation with EUSAIR’s vision.

In 2024, local organizers evaluated 13 projects, selecting the CAP project which features a neural implant translating thoughts into images to aid communication for people with disabilities. This high-tech idea remarkably represented San Marino in Šibenik, Croatia.

In 2025, four students from the University of San Marino competed in Crete, Greece with the project Algaepack on sustainable packaging and environmental protection, underscoring the alignment of national priorities with EUSAIR’s sustainable development goals.

San Marino’s consistent participation in POPRI highlights its dedication to youth empowerment, innovation, and macro-regional integration. Through these competitions, students gain international experience, while the country strengthens its role in shaping the future of regional cooperation and entrepreneurship.

Building up skills for sustainable growth

In 2023, San Marino hosted the AI-NURECC PLUS side-event “Skills Development for the Sustainable Growth of the Adriatic-Ionian Region.” This was a major milestone showcasing its growing influence in European regional cooperation, particularly in sustainability and youth empowerment.

The event gathered policymakers, EU representatives, and civil society members. As host, San Marino demonstrated its capacity for fostering macro-regional dialogue despite its small size. The conference emphasized the country’s proactive role in the European Year of Skills and sustainable development.

The Minister for Tourism and Cooperation, Federico Pedini Amati, presented San Marino’s commitment to sustainable growth, referencing initiatives like The Lovely Places—a project linking San Marino with Italian regions to promote responsible tourism and heritage.

Hosting the event gave San Marino the opportunity to become familiar with EU resources like the GreenComp sustainability competence model and gain insights on green labor markets from the European Training Foundation. These tools help adapt national education and training systems to evolving environmental and technological demands.

In sum, the AI-NURECC PLUS event was a strategic success, strengthening San Marino’s integration into regional frameworks, enhancing its visibility, and advancing sustainability goals. For San Marino, it marked a meaningful step toward a more connected and resilient Adriatic-Ionian future.