The four EU Macro-Regional Strategies (EUSBSR, EUSDR, EUSAIR and EUSALP) have taken an important step towards strengthening the role of macro-regional cooperation in the future European Union policy and funding framework. On 7 July 2026, the TRIO Presidencies of the four Strategies met in Brussels to agree on common strategic orientations and advocacy messages regarding the upcoming EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034.
Under the leadership of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) and with the support of the Danube Strategy Point, the four Macro-Regional Strategies jointly prepared, for the first time, the document “Advocacy Guidance and Strategic Orientations on the Role of EU Macro-Regional Strategies in the EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034.”
The paper highlights macro-regional cooperation as a proven framework for linking EU priorities with territorial needs, supporting policy implementation, and delivering concrete results across borders. It also reflects the shared commitment of the four Strategies to ensuring that macro-regional cooperation remains a strong component of the future EU policy and funding architecture.
The joint advocacy paper calls for:
- stronger links between EU Macro-Regional Strategies and future EU funding instruments;
- greater consideration of macro-regional priorities in national and regional programming processes;
- effective governance structures that support coordination, stakeholder engagement and knowledge exchange;
- a stronger contribution of Macro-Regional Strategies to EU enlargement, cooperation with candidate countries and territorial cohesion;
- improved coherence across funding programmes, sectors and governance levels; and
- recognition of the strategic importance of coastal, riverine, mountain, border and sparsely populated regions.
The shared position was endorsed by the current Presidencies of the four Strategies: Denmark (EUSBSR), Bulgaria (EUSDR), Italy (EUSAIR) and Bavaria (EUSALP), with the support of their respective secretariats.
Together, the four EU Macro-Regional Strategies advocate for a stronger place-based, transnational and cooperative dimension in the future EU policy and funding framework, reaffirming their role as connectors, multipliers and facilitators of cooperation across Europe.
The document is available here.