EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Brussels, 23.3.2020
COM(2020) 104 final
REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION
TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS AND THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK
on the implementation of the Commission Communication on a stronger and renewed strategic partnership with the EU's outermost regions
1. Introduction
This report reviews progress made in implementing the Communication “A stronger and renewed strategic partnership with the European Union outermost regions” (the Communication) 1 .
The EU outermost regions - Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Reunion Island and Saint-Martin (France), the Azores and Madeira (Portugal) and the Canary Islands (Spain) - face permanent constraints linked to their remoteness, small size, vulnerability to climate change and insularity 2 , which put a brake on their growth and development. It is in this context that the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (Article 349 TFEU), provides for specific measures to support the outermost regions, including tailor-made conditions for the application of EU law in these regions and for access to EU programmes.
Scattered across the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean basin, Latin America and the Indian Ocean, the outermost regions provide the EU with unique assets: rich biodiversity, strategic location for space and astrophysics activities, extensive maritime economic zones, proximity to other continents.
In October 2017, the Commission adopted a Communication strengthening the partnership with the outermost regions and the respective Member States and reinforcing its commitment to supporting these regions on their path to growth. In April 2018, the Council welcomed the Communication and invited the Commission to continue working on specific measures for these regions in accordance with Article 349 TFEU 3 .
This report presents actions undertaken by the Commission, the outermost regions and the respective Member States in the sectors set out in the Communication 4 ; it highlights achievements 5 ; and it suggests to focus efforts on addressing climate change, protecting biodiversity, introducing circular economy and boosting renewable energy. These are key challenges for these regions as recognised in the flagship initiative European Green Deal 6 which stresses that the Commission will pay particular attention to the outermost regions taking into account their vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters and their unique assets such as biodiversity and renewable energy sources. The report further highlights the need to strengthen efforts in other key sectors such as the blue economy and connectivity.
A new governance based on a strong partnership
Since 2017, as set out in the Communication, the Commission has systematically taken into account the concerns and interests of the outermost regions in policy-making.
In 2018, the Commission enshrined the specificities of the outermost regions in 21 proposals for EU programmes 2021-2027 in a wide range of sectors including cohesion, agriculture, fisheries, research, environment, transport and digital connectivity as well as international cooperation. As such, the Commission created new opportunities and secured tailor-made provisions for these regions across most EU programmes.
In 2019 the Commission recommended that France, Portugal and Spain invest cohesion policy funds in their outermost regions on key sectors such as the circular economy, connectivity, skills and early school leaving in the context of the European Semester country reports. The Council’s country specific recommendations call on these Member States to use cohesion funds taking into account regional disparities and the situation of the outermost regions. The respective 2020 country reports also highlight outermost regions’ specificities.
The Commission analysed the possible impact of trade agreements under negotiation on the outermost regions’ key economic sectors 7 . As a result, the 2019 political agreement on the trade part of the EU-Mercosur Association agreement contains a safeguard clause to protect outermost regions’ local production. The outermost regions’ specificities are being analysed in the on-going review of State aid legislation and of these regions’ special taxation regimes.
The Commission consulted the outermost regions on their needs and provided tailor-made support accordingly. For example, the Commission consulted the outermost regions on their climate change adaptation needs and reflected them in the LIFE 8 programme’s 2019 call for proposals. It further organised two events to support these regions in shaping blue growth strategies 9 . The outermost regions have increased efforts to voice their interests by contributing with some 30 responses to public consultations. Finally, the Commission has reached out to the people of the outermost regions through citizens dialogues: in Martinique and the Canary Islands in 2018, in the Azores and Madeira in 2019.
EU cohesion, agriculture, fisheries and maritime policy funds have deployed significant means to support local investment strengthening the partnership with the outermost regions and the respective Member States, in particular the competitiveness of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), employment and social inclusion, environment and connectivity 10 . The support from those funds amounts to over €13 billion for 2014-2020.
The Commission has set up two task forces dedicated to supporting Reunion Island on energy transition and the Canary Islands on waste management, bringing together Commission services with national and regional stakeholders.
The EU statistics office (Eurostat) developed an internet page on outermost regions’ data 11 . In 2019, the Commission launched a study to improve data and knowledge for sustainable management of fisheries and conservation of fish stocks in these regions. France’s statistical office is cooperating with Saint-Martin and Sint-Maarten to collect local data. Portugal’s statistical office is working with Madeira and the Azores on agriculture, sea and transport data; the Azores are improving blue economy data and the Canary Islands local production data.
The Commission enshrined the outermost regions’ concerns in an unprecedented number of EU initiatives and the regions redoubled efforts to provide input to policy-making. There is scope to explore further the potential of task forces. Data collection at outermost regions’ level is needed to support policy-making adapted to these regions.
2. Building on the outermost regions’ assets
The Communication highlights the outermost regions’ assets – including blue economy, biodiversity, renewable energy sources – and puts forward action to develop opportunities in these sectors with a view to supporting growth.
Blue economy
The Commission strengthened the legal and financial framework to enhance blue economy in the outermost regions, while ensuring a sustainable management of marine resources and ecosystems. In 2018, the Commission revised the EU State aid guidelines to allow public support for the acquisition of fishing vessels in the outermost regions under a set of conditions aimed at securing sustainable fisheries.
The Commission further proposed specific measures for the outermost regions in the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund 2021-2027, including an earmarked budget for these regions both for structural investments and for compensation of additional costs. The Commission further proposed that each Member State develops an action plan to address fisheries and sustainable blue economy-related challenges in their outermost regions.
In 2019, the Commission created an Advisory Council for the Outermost Regions to consult stakeholders from these regions on issues related to fisheries and ensured that the EU-Mercosur Association agreement commits the parties to combating illegal fishing. As regards fleet capacity, in 2019 the Commission presented an evaluation of the “Entry/Exit” scheme under the Common Fisheries policy. In Its Green Deal Communication of December 2019, the Commission stressed the central role of blue economy in tackling climate change and announced its intention to propose ways to manage maritime space more sustainably.
The Council adopted conclusions on Oceans and Seas stressing the importance of European Maritime and fisheries policies in supporting the outermost regions’ blue economy, and these regions’ vulnerability to climate change affecting their coasts, ecosystems and biodiversity 12 .
The outermost regions are shaping blue economy strategies aimed at achieving a sustainable use of marine resources and preserving biodiversity - progress is uneven and varies in scope and focus. Some regions are improving maritime spatial planning for a better use of oceans in particular the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands and Reunion Island with the support of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. Many regions have developed support measures such as financial instruments for small-scale operators (Madeira credit line for small enterprises, French Guiana loans to small operators; Mayotte aid for acquisition of vessels), and skills development (Martinique, the Azores, Madeira).
The outermost regions are investing further in emerging sectors, such as the monitoring and exploration of maritime spaces (Azores Atlantic Observatory), or marine renewable energy (Canary Islands PLOCAN platform). All outermost regions fostered the sustainable development of fisheries through the ORFISH project; and some are promoting sustainable blue tourism, for example in the Caribbean Sea.
To boost blue growth, the regions need tailor-made, comprehensive blue economy strategies encompassing traditional and innovative sectors. Focusing on innovative activities, improving scientific knowledge on fisheries and marine areas and maximising EU and national support are important in this regard.
Agriculture and rural development
The Commission’s proposal to reform the Common Agricultural Policy 2021-2027 provides specific conditions and derogations reflecting the outermost regions’ needs. The proposals envisage that national strategic plans take into account the specific circumstances of the outermost regions; and that these regions benefit from the maximum co-financing rates under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development; and from a set of specific favourable conditions.
In addition, the Commission proposed to continue the EU agricultural scheme POSEI for the outermost regions, thus maintaining direct payments to farmers in these regions. In 2017-2019, the POSEI scheme supported agricultural production and employment in the outermost regions, guaranteed the supply of selected agricultural products to these regions, and mitigated the additional costs of transporting such products.
With the support of their EU co-financed rural development programmes, the outermost regions helped young farmers to grow and market products such as avocado, bananas, sugar cane, and developed agro-environmental measures and LEADER 13 initiatives. These measures put strong emphasis on improving the living conditions of the rural population.
Several outermost regions have developed quality schemes for agricultural products in combination with marketing measures. Others invested in new agriculture technologies, such as growing plants and vegetables without soil in Saint-Martin, using remotely piloted aircrafts in the Azores, and testing the use of organic resources in French Guiana. The French government is also developing risk management tools for example for banana production.
Agriculture remains a key sector: ensuring quality and innovation in local production, a fair income to farmers and optimising support tools are key challenges to overcome.
Biodiversity
To support the outermost regions in preserving their unique biodiversity, in 2019 the Commission launched a call for projects tailored to the needs and capacity of these regions (Life4BEST). The Commission proposed that the LIFE programme 2021-2027 supports nature and biodiversity in the outermost regions; and provides special regard to these regions in its award criteria. Biodiversity projects are in addition eligible for funding under the Commission proposal for the European Regional Development Fund 2021-2027.
The Commission highlighted outermost regions’ unique biodiversity in its Green Deal, which presents climate change as one of the key drivers of biodiversity loss.
France has intensified efforts to support biodiversity in its outermost regions with a dedicated action plan (2018). The French agency for biodiversity is supporting over 80 projects in the outermost regions. Portugal financed projects to support biosphere reserves in the Azores and Madeira. French Guiana, Reunion Island, Guadeloupe and Mayotte are setting up regional biodiversity agencies. Martinique launched a programme to preserve and value biodiversity (2019) while Reunion Island and the Azores are protecting local habitats and endemic species with support from the European Regional Development Fund 14 and the LIFE programme.
In addition, the outermost regions increased their cooperation on biodiversity with Overseas Countries and Territories or third countries under Interreg programmes.
The outermost regions host an important share of EU biodiversity that constitutes one of their major assets. Sustained and coordinated efforts across policies are required to preserve these regions’ biodiversity while exploring its potential.
Circular economy
The Commission specifically targeted the outermost regions in the LIFE work programme 2018-2020. Waste management in these regions features amongst the themes of this work programme. Furthermore, upon request of the Canary Islands and with the support of Spain, the Commission has set up a task force to identify obstacles and shape solutions to improve waste collection, reuse, recycling, and traceability on these islands, bringing together European, national, regional and local administrations. The Commission further proposed that the European Regional Development Fund supports transition to circular economy in 2021-2027.
In its conclusions of October 2019 on the circular economy, the Council stressed the need to take into account the specific situation of the outermost regions and to ensure a fair and inclusive transition. In addition, in March 2020 the Commission adopted a new Circular Economy action plan covering the entire lifecycle of products and focusing on high intensity sectors, which highlights the specificities of the outermost regions.
In 2019, France declared the intention to progress towards “zero waste” in its overseas territories 15 . The French regions are developing regional plans for preventing and managing waste; the Azores revised its regional waste strategic plan.
Most outermost regions are shaping circular economy action plans encompassing sustainable production and consumption as well as waste management. Several regions developed projects to introduce circular economy models, reduce waste and eliminate plastic waste. In 2018-2019, most French outermost regions launched calls for projects to develop circular economy with the support of the French environment and energy agency. For example, Reunion Island implemented 22 circular economy-related projects ranging from design and life duration of products to recycling; Martinique created repair services and organised awareness campaigns on reducing waste.
The outermost regions have much to gain from putting in place circular economy models as an essential condition for sustainable growth. It is important to speed up efforts on waste management, in particular on improving circularity in bio-waste management and treatment and in reducing waste through reuse or repair.
Climate change
In its 2018 evaluation of the EU adaptation strategy, the Commission underlined the need to switch from generating knowledge to using it to shape action in the outermost regions. As announced in the Green Deal Communication, the Commission intends to adopt an ambitious EU strategy on adaptation to climate change. The LIFE 2018-2020 work programme specifically sets out projects on preparedness for extreme weather events in the outermost regions. In this context, LIFE is supporting Guadeloupe and French Guiana in restoring their ecosystems to protect their territories against climate change effects such as sea level rise.
The Commission further proposed climate change as one of its investment priorities in the European Regional Development Fund 2021-2027 16 . The Commission further deployed €49 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund to support the reconstruction of Saint-Martin and Guadeloupe which were severely hit by hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. This fund was also mobilised to support the Azores which were hit by hurricane Lorenzo in October 2019 17 .
In 2019, France appointed a delegate to accelerate preventive and adaptation measures in the French outermost regions. The Azores adopted a regional Climate Change programme in September 2019, while the Canary Islands set up an Observatory on Climate Change in 2018.
The outermost regions are particularly vulnerable to severe weather events linked to climate change. There is a need for sustained and coordinated action at all levels, across policies, channelling investments to enhancing adaptive capacity, resilience building, prevention and preparedness to climate change.
Energy
The EU adopted legislation to support renewable energy and energy efficiency. For example, the 2018 Renewable energy Directive 18 – to be transposed by mid-2021 - acknowledges the role of local communities in the clean energy transition, a role particularly important in isolated territories such as the outermost regions.
In the context of the “Clean energy for EU islands” initiative, the Commission is providing advice to Guadeloupe, the Azores and the Canary Islands on how to develop strategies and projects on clean energy, and has promoted outermost regions’ knowledge on renewable energy in the initiative’s annual forum in the Canary Islands in 2018. In addition, in 2019, the Commission put in place a facility 19 , supported by Horizon 2020, to mobilise at least €100 million in sustainable energy projects in European islands, including the outermost regions, and committed itself in its Green Deal Communication to developing a long-term policy framework to accelerate EU islands’ transition, as supported by Member States.
As from 2021, the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is due to provide important opportunities for the outermost regions: a preferential rate for energy (and digital and transport) works and special attention in the award criteria. The Commission further proposed to focus the European Regional Development Fund’s investments in 2021-2027 on energy efficiency measures and renewable energy as one of its priorities for a greener Europe.
Upon request from Reunion Island, the Commission has set up a task force on energy transition in 2018 with representatives from national and regional services and the private sector, leading to an action plan to improve coordination between different initiatives.
In 2019, France launched calls to support areas non-connected to the continent: over one third of the €530 million budget is dedicated to deprived populations. Spain supports training and dissemination of knowledge on renewable energy and energy efficiency in the Canary Islands.
The outermost regions launched their own strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase renewable energy and energy efficiency. They also developed projects with EU or national funding such as solar or biomass based electricity production (Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana) and smart micro grids (Reunion Island). Many outermost regions invested in electric mobility. Since 2017, the Canary Islands have more than doubled the amount of time during which the El Hierro Island is using 100% renewable energy.
Given the outermost regions’ dependence on imported fossil fuels, sustained efforts are needed to accelerate energy transition, in particular investing in smart grids and storage, in renewable energy sources, including marine energy, in clean transport solutions and in energy efficiency thus contributing to energy autonomy in these remote regions as well as to carbon neutrality.
3. Enabling growth and job creation
The Communication puts forward action to unlock growth in the outermost regions including investments in research and innovation, entrepreneurship, skills development, as well as digital and transport connexions.
Research and innovation
To boost the outermost regions’ research potential, the Commission launched a dedicated call for a coordination and support action under the EU research programme Horizon 2020. This resulted in the FORWARD project bringing together universities, industry, civil society and governments of all outermost regions to map their research capacities, identify fields of excellence, and support their participation in international research projects.
In addition, the Commission proposed that the EU programme “Horizon Europe” 2021-2027 extends its “widening participation and spreading excellence” actions to the outermost regions. Furthermore, in 2021-2027, these regions can benefit from the new instrument for interregional innovation investments within European territorial cooperation to participate in global value chains and increase their linkages with other European regions in common areas of smart specialisation.
Most outermost regions are evaluating their smart specialisation strategies 20 to adapt their innovation ecosystems to the most promising sectors. The Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands are shaping the Macaronesia trans-regional specialisation strategy. The outermost regions have developed initiatives to foster local actors’ integration in international research networks and to improve their participation in EU-funded research (e.g. Azores’ Plan for the Internationalisation of Science and Technology). France has further endeavoured to boost the innovation capacity of its regions with the French Great Investment Plan 2018-2022.
The targeted sectors vary according to the regions. Some regions focused on blue economy, for example with the Horizon 2020 project on climate change impacts from maritime transport, tourism, energy and aquaculture involving Macaronesia and Caribbean regions. Others invested in space, for example the Azores and Portugal with the new international spaceport and the Portuguese space agency on the island of Santa Maria. Other regions have invested on energy transition (Reunion Island’s and Canary Islands’ action to decarbonise energy systems), on healthcare (Madeira, Guadeloupe); and on the development of agro-resources or cosmetic products based on natural substances (French Guiana).
Developing the outermost regions’ research and innovation potential is key to boost growth in these regions. Increasing their participation in international research networks and global value chains both within Europe and with third countries can help the outermost regions to strengthen their innovation systems and create employment.
Employment, education and training
EU cohesion and agriculture policy funds are providing substantial support to social development in the outermost regions 21 .
The Commission’s proposal for the European Social Fund Plus 2021-2027 safeguards the highest co-financing rates for the outermost regions, sets up a specific additional allocation to support employment, education and inclusion in these regions, and earmarks 15% of the national strand to support young people in those outermost regions with a significant rate of young people not in employment, education or training.
In 2018, the Commission improved access to microfinance in the French outermost regions by increasing the Employment and Social Innovation Programme’s guarantee to an association supporting small entrepreneurs, ADIE. In addition, the Commission further increased the Youth Employment Initiative’s allocation for France, including its outermost regions, as well as the European Social Fund resources for Spain, including the Canary Islands.
In the same year, within Erasmus+, the Commission increased the monthly grant for outermost regions’ residents and the travel grants for Mayotte and Reunion Island citizens 22 . The Commission also extended Erasmus’ specific conditions for outermost regions’ citizens to the European Solidarity Corps. In its proposal for Erasmus 2021-2027, the Commission committed to increasing the outermost regions’ participation in mobility schemes, including with neighbouring countries, and to monitoring this participation.
France has revised its legislation 23 with a view to developing apprenticeship contracts with neighbouring third countries. Most outermost regions – Martinique, Reunion Island, the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands – have developed action plans to improve entrepreneurship within the GROWRUP Interreg project aimed at the unemployed in the blue and green economy sectors. French Guiana created a professional bachelor degree in aerospace; Reunion Island is investing in its regional university; the Azores launched several initiatives to promote young people’s employment.
Improving skills, in particular among young people, is essential to match labour market needs and enhance citizens’ employability. Further investment in international mobility would improve cooperation with neighbouring countries and support regional integration.
Competitiveness, entrepreneurship and Single market
The EU cohesion and agriculture policy provide substantial support to boost SME competitiveness in the outermost regions 24 .
To improve these regions’ access to funding, the European Investment Advisory Hub analysed the situation of each region and proposed ways to maximise financial support, including from the European Fund for Strategic Investments 25 . The Commission fostered discussions with national and regional authorities and financial institutions on the solutions proposed and encouraged their implementation. In addition, the Commission proposal for the InvestEU programme encourages Member States to address market failures in the outermost regions, using the programme to attract private investment and increase funding leverage.
In 2019, the Commission launched a call for proposals under Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs, encouraging applicants to include entities from the outermost regions. As a result, a first contact point in Martinique is supporting local entrepreneurs. The Commission’s proposal for the Single Market Programme 2021-2027 further stresses the need to better integrate the outermost regions in the internal market. In addition, the Commission proposed that the European Regional Development Fund continues providing a specific allocation to offset the additional costs faced by enterprises located in these regions. Support from the Enterprise Europe Network is available in the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Martinique, Guadeloupe and Reunion Island.
France supported outermost regions' companies with specific fiscal schemes or funding conditions. The Canary Islands and Martinique drew up internationalisation strategies. Some regions intensified trade relations with neighbour third countries. For example, Guadeloupe supported businesses in exporting to the USA; the Reunion Island created a service to support start-ups in Mozambique and financial instruments for SMEs supported by the European Regional Development Fund. Mayotte and Reunion Island are establishing Technopoles.
Greater efforts are needed at all levels to improve entrepreneurship and to boost competitiveness on high potential sectors, such as biodiversity and blue economy.
Digital accessibility
In 2017, the Commission launched the EU network of broadband competence offices to support Member States and regions in designing and implementing strategies to bring broadband to areas not served by commercial deployment. The Commission has encouraged outermost regions’ participation in this network, and has recommended that Member States support their involvement. The Commission also approved two major projects for high-speed broadband networks in Reunion Island (2018) and Martinique (2019), to be supported by the European Regional Development Fund. In its proposal for the Digital Europe programme 2021-2027, the Commission envisaged specific digital entities in the outermost regions and singled out these regions in the award criteria. In addition, under the Connecting Europe Facility 2021-2027, projects supporting new or upgraded backbone networks, including submarine cables between Member States and between the Union and third countries, will be eligible for support. Furthermore, the indicative list of digital connectivity infrastructure projects of common interest accompanying the Connecting Europe Facility proposal 26 as modified by the European Parliament and the Council 27 includes a new submarine cable linking Madeira, the Azores and Portugal mainland. Digital connectivity projects in the outermost regions can benefit from a higher co-financing rate.
France raised digital skills by investing in education centres, while Madeira and the Canary Islands developed new courses. In 2019 Portugal created a working group to prepare the replacement of the submarine cables between its outermost regions and the mainland. In addition, Madeira and French Guiana planned to connect to the submarine cable linking Portugal with Brazil with EU support of €26.5 million.
Increasing outermost regions’ digitalisation on the basis of good connectivity to the EU and third countries is important to enable these regions to take advantage of the digital single market and do business internationally. The broadband competence offices network can help the outermost regions in reinforcing their capacity to implement projects in this sector through exchange of good practices and technical support.
Transport
The Commission proposed specific provisions for the outermost regions in the Connecting Europe Facility 2021-2027: transport works such as connections to airports, ports, urban nodes in these regions are eligible for funding and can benefit from a higher co-financing rate.
Furthermore, the Commission proposed that, as an exception, the outermost regions can use the European Regional Development Fund 2021-2027 to invest in airport infrastructure. In 2019, the Commission also provided the outermost regions with an analysis of their connectivity needs, identifying potential infrastructure and service-related projects.
The Commission intends to propose a review of the Trans European Transport Network guidelines in 2021, and to analyse the outermost regions’ specific concerns in this context. Finally, the European Investment Bank invested respectively €100 million and €60 million in the airports of Reunion Island and Guadeloupe with support from the European Fund for Strategic Investments.
The outermost regions continued to improve internal road and maritime transport infrastructure with the support of the European Regional Development Fund. This includes improving the safety of road infrastructure and developing public transport in Madeira, French Guiana and Mayotte; and improving the accessibility of various islands in the Azores. In addition, French Guiana is establishing new maritime transport routes with third countries and Guadeloupe a new flight connection with the United States.
Sustained efforts at EU, national and regional levels are required to support connectivity in the outermost regions. Shaping a sound pipeline of projects and optimising available support are important in this regard.
4. Scaling up outermost regions’ cooperation with their neighbourhood and beyond
The Commission’s proposal for European Territorial Cooperation 2021-27 seeks to facilitate cooperation between the outermost regions and their neighbours with a ring-fenced budget and flexible rules on cooperation aligned with the external funding instrument. In this context, the outermost regions have exchanged good practices to facilitate joint projects in 2019 and have set up common platforms involving external programmes.
The EU launched negotiations with the African Caribbean and Pacific States on the post-Cotonou agreement, with a negotiating mandate that enshrines the need to consider the concerns and situation of the outermost regions. This agreement is important in shaping cooperation on global issues such as ocean governance.
In 2019, Guadeloupe became a member of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and Saint-Martin requested to become an observer. French Guiana launched a study on the obstacles faced by local companies, while Martinique and Reunion Island supported internationalisation of local enterprises and Reunion Island and Mayotte supported student mobility to third countries. The outermost regions participated in regional cooperation projects with their neighbours on e.g. transport, health, blue tourism, skills. The Macaronesia regions strengthened cooperation with Cape Verde, Mauritania and Senegal through the Hexagone project under their territorial cooperation programme. In 2018 and 2019, the Caribbean Sea countries, together with the outermost regions in the area, engaged in a joint exercise to test the Tsunami Early Warning System.
Some outermost regions are facing important socio-economic challenges due to migration. In this context, national programmes supported through several EU Funds include a number of dedicated actions. For example, the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the Internal Security Fund supported the handling of requests for asylum in French Guiana, the development of the European Border Surveillance system in the Azores and Madeira, and the integration of migrants in society and in the labour market in the Canary Islands. France created services specialised on migration in Mayotte. In Madeira, the cohesion policy funds supported projects to provide healthcare, education, social security and housing to citizens from Venezuela. Concerning mobility with neighbours, the EU reinvigorated relations with Morocco, as confirmed by the EU-Morocco Association Council of June 2019.
Building trust in neighbouring countries and developing common practices for sharing resources are key to exploit the new opportunities for cooperation. Platforms involving both European Regional Development Fund and European Development Fund stakeholders could support this purpose. Mobility partnership agreements could ease regional integration.
5. Conclusions
The implementation of the 2017 Communication “A stronger and renewed strategic partnership with the EU outermost regions” is on the right track. In just over two years, the Communication has triggered concrete positive results for the outermost regions.
The Commission has delivered on its commitments by creating specific opportunities for the outermost regions in a wide range of EU programmes, by consistently adapting EU legislation, policies and tools to their needs and interests, and by providing tailor-made support to these regions. It is important that the European Parliament and the Council adopt EU programmes 2021-2027 that provide tailor-made access and specific conditions for the outermost regions as proposed by the Commission.
The outermost regions and the respective Member States have played their part by adopting regional and national strategies and developing concrete initiatives to implement the Communication, and by making their voice heard in policy-making.
Taking into account progress made, fully implementing the Communication requires speeding up and focusing efforts, at all levels, on key sectors: addressing climate change, protecting biodiversity, introducing circular economy and shifting towards renewable energy. Investment in these sectors is particularly important to secure sustainable growth in these vulnerable, remote and isolated EU regions. This is why the Commission will pay particular attention to the role of the outermost regions in the Green Deal, taking into account their vulnerabilities and assets. The European Regional Development Fund constitutes an important source of funding to invest in these sectors.
In addition, there is a need to pursue efforts to continue developing the blue economy, and improving connectivity in the outermost regions. Investing on skills remains a key factor to support job creation and entrepreneurship across sectors.
A robust partnership and close cooperation between the European Union, the outermost regions and the respective Member States remains key to developing the potential of these remote regions and to support their transition towards a green economy that puts people first. While the situation of each outermost region varies considerably, there is still a long way to go to bridge inequalities between these regions and the European continent.
Reaching out to the outermost regions contributes to building an inclusive European Union that leaves no one behind. In turn, the outermost regions, with their unique assets, can contribute significantly towards a greener, climate neutral and sustainable European Union.
COM(2017) 623 final.
The outermost regions are all islands or archipelagos except French Guiana which is situated in Latin America
Conclusions of the General Affairs Council of April 2018.
The report covers actions since the adoption of the Communication.
The Annexes present the actions undertaken by each outermost region and the respective Member State.
The European Green Deal - Commission Communication COM(2019) 640 final, 11.12.2019.
Council Decision (EU) 2020/13 on the negotiation directives of Economic Partnership Agreements with the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and regions states that these agreements “provide for specific measures in favour of products from the outermost regions, aimed at their integration into intra-regional trade”.
L’Instrument Financier pour l’Environnement.
Outermost Regions Forum for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in 2018 and 2019.
https://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/2014-2020/2014-2020-RUPs-OR-EU-planned-investment/8gwq-ke5u
Regions and cities’ illustrated: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/RCI/#?vis=outermost.economy&lang=en
Council conclusions on Oceans and Seas of 19 November 2019.
Programme LEADER: Liaison entre actions de développement de l'économie rurale.
The European Regional Development Fund allocated over €54 million to biodiversity in the outermost regions in 2014-2020.
Trajectoire outre-mer 5.0.
The total European Regional Development Fund planned support for climate change in all the outermost regions in 2014-2020 is around €1.1 billion.
An advance on the expected European Union Solidarity Fund assistance was paid in December 2019.
Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).
https://www.nesoi.eu/
Putting in place smart specialisation strategies to support regions and Member States in their economic transition is a pre-condition for benefiting from European Structural and Investment Funds in 2014-2020.
The European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development together have allocated over €3 billion to support social inclusion, education, vocational training and employment in the outermost regions in 2014-2020.
https://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/2014-2020/2014-2020-RUPs-OR-EU-planned-investment/8gwq-ke5u
By creating exceptional travel grants for residents travelling from over 8 000 km away.
“Loi relative à la liberté de choisir son avenir professionnel”, 5.9.2018.
The European Regional Development Fund and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development are co-financing projects to support SME competitiveness in the outermost regions worth €1.5 billion in 2014-2020
https://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/2014-2020/2014-2020-RUPs-OR-EU-planned-investment/8gwq-ke5u
https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/policy/themes/outermost-regions/pdf/rup_2019/invest_platform_feasibillity_study_en.pdf
Part V of the Annex to the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Connecting Europe - COM(2018) 438 final.
Trilogue on the Regulation establishing the Connecting Europe Facility on 7 March 2019.
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Brussels, 23.3.2020
COM(2020) 104 final
ANNEX
to the
REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS AND THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK
on the implementation of the Commission Communication on a stronger and renewed strategic partnership with the EU's outermost regions
Table of Contents
1. France
2. Guadeloupe
3. French Guiana
4. Martinique
5. Reunion Island
6. Saint-Martin
7. Mayotte
8. Portugal
9. Azores
10. Madeira
11. Spain
12. Canary Islands
1.France
Due to its institutional organisation, France sets strategic frameworks for public policies in many sectors covered by the Communication on the outermost regions at national and local level.
·Adopted a “Blue book” for France’s outermost regions and overseas countries and territories in June 2018, following consultations in 2017.
·Launched the Overseas 5.0 trajectory in April 2019 aimed at zero carbon, zero waste, zero agricultural pollutant, zero exclusion, zero vulnerability.
·Is improving the collection of data in the outermost regions, in particular in Mayotte, and cooperating with Saint-Martin authorities to meet the territory's specific needs.
Blue economy
·Is cooperating with regions and local stakeholders to finalise by 2020 a strategic document for each sea basin as part of implementing the 2017 national strategy for the sea and coastline to support “blue growth” and protect the marine environment.
Biodiversity
·Adopted in July 2018 an action plan to strengthen biodiversity conservation.
·Is organising the World conservation Congress in Marseille (June 2020) contributing to develop cooperation with African, Caribbean and Pacific regions to promote common objectives within international agreements on issues such as coral reefs conservation.
·Is planning to deploy representatives of the French Biodiversity Office in France’s outermost regions to co-operate with the local biodiversity agencies.
·Has set up a national service in charge of economic projects promoting biodiversity in French Guiana in April 2019.
Agriculture and rural development
·Is implementing the mutual fund on risk management in agriculture for the next programming period 2021-2027 as planned in the law on real equality in the overseas 1 .
·Is discussing risk management tools with insurers to cover specifically banana crops by the end of the current programming period.
Climate change
·Adopted the second National Climate Change Adaptation Plan (December 2018) identifying the challenges in overseas territories, particularly on data collection, biodiversity and natural resources preservation, tourism and financial levers.
·Appointed an interdepartmental delegate for major risks in overseas territories in April 2019.
Employment, education and training
·Led and published a study on the mobility of young overseas residents mapping main actors and mobility schemes in June 2019.
·Introduced the possibility of work contracts allowing the acquisition of professional qualifications with States in the neighbourhood of the outermost regions, as established in the law on the freedom to choose one's professional future 2 .
Energy
·Is working with the local authorities of Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Mayotte and Reunion Island on the revision of their multiannual energy plans.
·Signed an ecological transition contract to support ecological transformation at local level in Reunion Island (April 2019) and French Guiana (July 2019).
·Programmed in 2019 an amount of €530 million over the next five years for all French non-interconnected areas to the continental electricity grid to control energy demand: 35% of the aid is for consumers in precarious situations, including in the outermost regions.
Circular economy
·Concluded a study on the optimisation of European funds for waste management projects in favour of circular economy in the outermost regions in February 2020.
Competitiveness, entrepreneurship and single market
·Lowered the thresholds for innovation projects in the outermost regions to access national financing support; extended a loan scheme for outermost regions to companies less than three years old, and improved its financing conditions (June 2019).
·Is planning to launch a €15 million call for interest dedicated to innovation in the French outermost regions and overseas countries and territories in the first quarter of 2020.
Digital accessibility
·Financed 15 education centres in its outermost regions to enhance digital skills.
Cooperation with the neighbourhood and beyond
·Enacted a law strengthening State services’ means of action as regards immigration control and asylum (September 2018); launched a pilot on the processing of asylum applications in French Guiana in April 2018.
·Set up operational headquarters in Mayotte and an interdepartmental investigation group specialising in financial aspects of illegal immigration.
2.Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe is advancing in implementing the Communication on the outermost regions with a focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Blue economy
·Inaugurated a naval construction site in Marie-Galante Island in May 2019, to provide training in local know-how with a view to supporting sustainable fisheries.
·Lead the ORFISH pilot project (2017-2019) which supported exchange of knowledge on low-impact fishing techniques among fishermen from all outermost regions and sought to alleviate pressure on coastal fish resources (90% EU co-financing).
Agriculture
·Launched a project to promote and sell spirits and agro-food products in the United States in 2019 in partnership with companies of the sector, Business France and the French Ministry for Overseas.
Biodiversity
·Is establishing a regional biodiversity agency.
Circular economy
·Launched in October 2018 a regional “2035 zero waste plan” to reduce waste per inhabitant and energy dependency, and to create eight waste collection points.
·Supported local companies with the European Regional Development Fund in treating metallic waste and damaged vehicles caused by the hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Energy
·Inaugurated car charging stations based on solar energy in June 2018 to promote the use of solar energy surplus.
·Launched a photovoltaic installation project in the Sainte Rose municipality’s waste management centre (March 2019) to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency.
·Created a new municipal public lighting power plant in February 2019 expected to reduce energy consumption by 75%; improved public lighting in two municipalities with European Regional Development Fund support.
Research and innovation
·Installed wave recorders to improve prevention of major natural risks associated with the sea (March 2019).
·Installed new cancer diagnostic equipment and launched the first cancer diagnostic management centre in the Caribbean in June 2018.
Transport
·Opened a new airline connection between Pointe-à-Pitre and New York in February 2020 to improve connectivity.
Cooperation with the neighbourhood and beyond
·Joined the Organisation of States of Eastern Caribbean in 2019.
·Launched a project (“Ready Together”) for a more efficient coordination of aid in the event of natural disasters in the Caribbean.
3.French Guiana
French Guiana is progressing at a steady pace on the priorities of the Communication with a focus on education and training and the sustainable use of resources. Many initiatives are currently in the planning phase.
Blue economy
·Developed a regional blue economy strategy in December 2019.
·Created a financial instrument in the form of a loan scheme of €4.7 million for small operators, including in the fisheries sector.
·Converted an advisory service project led by the regional development agency and the local authority for local fishermen into a permanent service.
Agriculture
·Finalised a study and started preparing an experimental farming pilot project, aimed at putting in place testing stations to develop methods to use organic resources better.
Biodiversity
·Is establishing a regional biodiversity agency.
Circular economy
·Is drawing up a regional waste prevention and management plan with the support of the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME).
Energy
·Is building new electricity installations based on biomass to cover an energy demand of 40 Megawatt by 2023 and keep up with rising demand and demographic growth.
Research and innovation
·Organised a research and innovation forum in April 2018 bringing together stakeholders from local authorities, research and business sectors, to feed into the ongoing review of its smart specialisation strategy.
·Signed an agreement with a French perfumes and cosmetics business cluster to boost local research on Guiana’s natural substances and develop products based on local plant resources, including a partnership between university centres (November 2018).
Employment, education and training
·Established an agreement with the region’s educational institutions, AFMAé (an association for aviation training), and aerospace company Ariane Group, to develop a bachelor degree course in the field of aerospace industry for 2020.
·Launched a project with French employer federation MEDEF and the national employment agency Pôle emploi to place 300 young people in local businesses (2019); set up a contact point to advise local businesses on vocational integration.
Digital accessibility
·Is preparing the roll out of a submarine cable linking French Guiana with the EllaLink submarine fibre optic cable that will connect Europe and Latin America in 2020 and become operational in 2021, with European Regional Development Fund and European Investment Bank support.
·Is preparing measures to establish the region as an economic activity zone for data storage on servers (“Datacentre”).
·Is rolling out broadband in 17 isolated areas; acquired satellite bandwidth in April 2019 to facilitate digital connectivity of schools in remote areas.
·Created 44 access points to the network in Saint Laurent du Maroni (sites of economic interest and remote areas), with European Regional Development Fund support.
Transport
·Is developing a wide-scale project creating lanes reserved for public transport in the capital city of Cayenne.
·Is setting up a new ferry connection between Saint Laurent du Maroni and Albina in Suriname with the support of Interreg.
Cooperation with the neighbourhood and beyond
·Launched a study to assess local businesses’ needs and measures to improve exchanges with the neighbourhood.
4.Martinique
Martinique is implementing the Communication achieving results in fields such as circular economy, energy, competiveness as well as employment, education and training.
Blue economy
·Programmed a feasibility study in early 2020 on establishing an Aquaculture Institute.
·Confirmed the launch of new training programmes focusing on fisheries and domains linked to blue economy via a dedicated vocational training centre (POLE MER).
Biodiversity
·Signed a framework agreement between the local authority, the Nature Reserve Park and the French authorities in June 2019 to establish a regional preservation programme and improve knowledge and awareness of the nature reserve.
Circular economy
·Launched a public consultation and adopted (end of 2019) a plan for the prevention and management of waste, to pave the way for a local circular economy strategy.
·Initiated information campaigns against food waste in local schools in view of raising pupils’ awareness on sustainability.
·Launched an awareness campaign in 2018 “Kaz Zéro gaspi” in the framework of the eco-consumption week.
·Is undertaking 14 projects including studies on the reuse of medical utilities and furniture, the set-up of a mobile facility offering repair services (“Repair Truck”) and the extension of a repair service facility offering workshops (“Repair Café”).
Energy
·Launched a project to support the installation of photovoltaic panels to improve energy self-sufficiency in 2017 and two calls for proposals for the construction of energy-efficient buildings in 2019.
·Is rolling out an energy-efficient public lighting network to save at least 30% of electricity by 2020.
·Launched a five-year’ energy savings support programme of €100 million and focusing on approximately 60 actions to save electricity consumption (2019-2023).
·Set up an information platform 3 on energy transition including information on mobility, renewable energies, domestic utilities and thermal insulation in 2019.
·Installed refuelling stations with 100% solar energy for electrical cars in the framework of the Green Drive project.
·Plans to gradually deploy 250 solar charging stations in the framework of “Madin’ Drive”.
Employment, education and training
·Organised a competition for apprentices in vocational training in March 2019.
·Organised a local job and education fair focused on digital recruitment in June 2019.
Competitiveness, entrepreneurship and Single market
·Adopted the Local Scheme for Economic Development, Innovation and Internationalisation in 2017 providing funding to improve production, performance and employability; set up a partnership to provide information services to businesses.
·Started an annual 3-day business forum “OSE!” in 2018, to provide a networking opportunity for established businesses and guidance on starting up a business.
Digital accessibility
·Is rolling out fibre optic connecting educational institutions with the support of the European Agricultural Rural Development Fund and optical-fibre high-speed broadband networks with the support of the European Regional Development Fund.
·Displayed a “digital village” at the 2019 forum “OSE!” in view of promoting the take-up of digitalisation – for example 3D printing - amongst local businesses.
Cooperation with the neighbourhood and beyond
·Organised three Councils of Ministers of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States in the fields of health, education, and environment.
·Launched the project for Trade Enhancement for Eastern Caribbean (TEECA) in January 2018 to assist 30 local businesses in exporting to Caribbean states.
·Collaborated as a partner in the Odyssea project (February 2019) in the field of blue economy aimed at enhancing blue tourism and growth in the Caribbean.
5.Reunion Island
Reunion Island is focusing on many sectors of the Communication, in particular circular and blue economy, energy, research and cooperation with neighbourhood countries.
Blue economy
·Launched a maritime spatial planning project (2018-2020) in the south-western Indian Ocean basin (OCEAN MÉTISS) in partnership with the State, the Indian Ocean Commission and the European Commission.
·Set up a “Blue Institute” in March 2019 to coordinate and design public policies in blue economy.
Agriculture and rural development
·Is developing an agricultural model promoting local production and ensuring agro-ecological transition (AGRIPEI 2030 project).
Biodiversity
·Provided training and support to set up projects with EU financing from LIFE and BEST in 2018 and 2019.
·Carried-out projects with European Regional Development Fund support to protect endangered species: the Maillard harrier and plants’ species (ESPECES project).
Circular economy
·Designed a regional waste prevention and management plan with the State and local authorities, setting up regional objectives e.g. “zero waste" and ensuring coordination.
·Developed a regional action plan on the circular economy to define the strategic vision and concrete measures to achieve the “zero waste” objective.
·Implemented 22 circular economy projects (February 2018 – June 2019) ranging from design and life duration of products to recycling.
·Is participating in the REPLACE project (August 2019, funded by Interreg Europe), with the aim to define and implement policies for circular economy.
Energy
·Has set up a task force on energy transition together with the State and the European Commission in February 2018.
·Is implementing two projects with European Regional Development Fund support:
oSOLARPLEXUS, to design an innovative system providing remote sites with access to electricity, water and communication services;
oMICRO-MAFATE NETWORK, experimenting an electric micro grid in the Mafate circus, with the aim to achieve self-sufficiency.
·Has been conducting thermal renovation works in 18 secondary schools since 2018.
·Is developing sustainable vehicles such as electrical scooters for urban mobility with European Regional Development Fund support (Project VELOCE of March 2018).
Research and innovation
·Is implementing the project VALOBIO (supported by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, May 2019) using an innovative method to transform discarded fish co-products thrown in the sea into liquid organic fertilizers for sustainable agriculture.
·Launched the assessment of its smart specialisation strategy in April 2019 to analyse the regions’ potential in various areas and identify niche markets of strategic interest.
Employment, education and training
·Set up the CAMPUS SUD project in November 2017 with European Regional Development Fund support, to regroup and extend the offer of the regional university, as well as creating a techno pole ("Vallée Blanche" project).
Competitiveness, entrepreneurship and Single market
·Created the "Financière Région Réunion" Fund worth €50 million (European Regional Development Fund, European Investment Bank, region) to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through a loan and a private equity instrument. As of June 2019, the Fund financed 135 SMEs with €13 million.
·Participates in the REACT project supported by HORIZON 2020 to decarbonise the energy systems of the island.
Digital accessibility
·Is completing broadband rollout expecting to reach all non-covered areas by the end of 2022, with European Regional Development Fund support (major project 2019).
Cooperation with the neighbourhood and beyond
·Is implementing a project (TIS AEDES OI, under Interreg) exploring a technique to control the Aedes “tigre” mosquito.
·Is reinforcing the capacity of private and public structures in partner countries by sending local graduates to these countries, with the support of Interreg.
·Concluded framework agreements with neighbours under the “Indian Ocean” Interreg programme (for example in April 2019 with Seychelles), improving coordination on areas of common interest.
·Created a business support service in July 2019 in Mozambique to support the internationalisation of local enterprises and regional cooperation.
6.Saint-Martin
Saint-Martin is implementing the Communication on the outermost regions within the particular context of the post-Irma island reconstruction. The focus is therefore on rebuilding improved infrastructure and providing adequate responses to climate change.
Blue Economy
·Is providing professional training on related sea activities as from 2018.
Agriculture
·Is planning to launch innovative solutions for agriculture such as cultivating without soil, and investing in removable enclosures of livestock farms, to be dismantled in case of bad weather.
Circular economy
·Is raising awareness and implementing communication actions on recycling and waste sorting, as well as establishing a waste collection point and carrying out a joint study for the island as a whole (supported by the Interreg Caribbean programme) to improve waste management.
Climate change
·Has set up in 2018 a risk management system for disasters by carrying out warning exercises, raising public awareness, assessing the alert systems, and acquiring a meteorological radar to improve weather forecasts (Interreg Caribbean).
Energy
·Initiated pre-feasibility studies on potential geothermal resources on the islands of Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Kitts and on electricity interconnection between the islands to promote renewable energy (Interreg Caribbean, July 2019).
Digital accessibility
·Is establishing underground optical fibre networks, to improve digital connectivity in all districts, as part of the reconstruction.
·Is carrying out prefeasibility studies for digital interconnection between the Leewards islands (northern islands of the Lesser Antilles chain).
Cooperation with the outermost regions’ neighbourhood and beyond
·Was granted the observer status in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.
7.Mayotte
Mayotte is implementing the 2017 Communication with a significant focus on blue economy.
Blue economy
·Launched a working group in 2018 to prepare a regional blue economy strategy: collecting data on blue economy sectors and organising exchanges with stakeholders on blue growth (training, tourism, fisheries and aquaculture).
·Is drawing up a Regional Spatial Planning scheme, with a specific chapter on sea planning, as the basis for all activities related to the coast.
·Is developing a fleet management plan together with the national authorities, as well as a master plan for aquaculture.
·Is investing in previously abandoned aquaculture facilities and supporting the capacity of local stakeholders.
Biodiversity
·Is setting up a regional biodiversity agency in partnership with the national authorities.
Energy
·Is implementing a pilot project involving electric vehicles and charging stations powered 100% by solar energy for sustainable transport (2019).
·Is studying the potential of photovoltaics in schools and public buildings, as solar energy is the most important renewable energy of the region.
Competitiveness, entrepreneurship and Single market
·Launched a technopolis project in 2017 to bring together manufacturing and service companies in the high-tech sectors aimed at enhancing the capacity of their businesses to operate in the single market.
Transport
·Is working on an inter-urban transport project setting up three bus lines to connect south, centre and north of Mayotte with the capital Mamoudzou, and involving potential maritime links for 2021 to improve connectivity.
·Launched a project to improve safety at Mayotte’s airport in 2018 with European Regional Development Fund support.
Cooperation with the neighbourhood and beyond
·Signed an agreement to make it possible for Mayotte university students to undertake mobility in East African countries, in the fields of digital technology, animation and culture (February 2019).
8.Portugal
Portugal works closely with the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira to implement the 2017 Communication, particularly on circular economy, climate change and research.
·Developed cooperation in 2018-2019 between the National Institute for Statistics and the Regional Statistics Departments of the Azores and Madeira to improve data collection and management, in particular in the fields of agriculture, sea and air transport.
Circular economy
·Supported projects promoting a more efficient use of resources in Madeira and the Azores under the national Environmental Fund in 2018 and 2019.
·Facilitated the participation of citizens from Madeira and the Azores in events on the circular economy and climate change in continental Portugal (higher reimbursement of expenses).
Climate change
·Provided support to projects promoting the installation of charging stations for electric vehicles in the Azores, through calls under the Environmental Fund in 2018 and 2019.
·Provided Madeira and the Azores with funding under the Programme “Environment, Climate Change and Low Carbon Economy”.
·Organised sessions in Madeira and the Azores in March 2019 to present the EEA-Grants Financial Mechanism 4 .
Biodiversity
·Launched in 2019 a call for projects to promote sustainable development models in all Portuguese Biosphere Reserves, five located in Madeira and the Azores.
Research and innovation
·Started the International Satellite Launch Programme in September 2018, to create an international spaceport on the island of Santa Maria, in the Azores; the spaceport is due to be operational by end 2021.
·Established the Portuguese Space Agency, in March 2019, located on the island of Santa Maria in the Azores.
Digital accessibility
·Created the Working Group “Submarine cables CAM – Mainland, the Azores and Madeira” in May 2019 to analyse the best way to replace the submarine cables that ensure communication connections from Madeira and the Azores to the mainland. The group issued conclusions in December 2019.
Transport
·Proposed to include the airports of Funchal, Porto Santo and Ponta Delgada in the TEN-T core network, in reply to the consultation on the revision of TEN-T guidelines.
9.Azores
The Azores are implementing the 2017 Communication focusing mainly on blue economy as well as on energy and research.
·Is collecting data on employment and activities in the fisheries sector for all islands.
Blue economy
·Created a working group in 2018 to set up the Atlantic Observatory dedicated to maritime scientific research, including the protection, research, monitoring and socio-economic exploitation of maritime spaces.
·Is leading the MarSP project (2018-2019), to develop Maritime Spatial Planning schemes in the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands.
·Concluded MISTIC SEAS II and is coordinating the MISTIC SEAS III project (2019), to evaluate the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
·Is participating in the AQUA-LIT project (2019) to prevent marine littering from aquaculture activities and to remove litter from aquaculture facilities.
·Launched the pilot project “E-log” (2019) to electronically monitor small-scale fishing and support local actors.
·Promoted the Azores Declaration for the Defence of Pole and Line Tuna Fishing (October 2018), to raise awareness on sustainable fishing techniques.
·Established the “School of the Sea” (2019), to foster qualifications and training and is participating, under Erasmus, in the MATES project (2018-2021) aimed at fostering a Marine Technology Skilling Strategy.
Agriculture
·Plans to complete a “Strategic Plan for the dairy sector” in 2020, to identify new markets and promote innovation and internationalisation of dairy products.
·Supported the use of remotely piloted aircrafts for forest management (co-financed with the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development).
Biodiversity
·Is assessing the pollution caused by plastics in deep sea with European Regional Development Fund support (PLASTDEEP 2019).
·Is carrying out three projects supported by the EU LIFE programme: LIFE VIDALIA (2018-2023) for the conservation of flora species at risk of extinction; LIFE-IP AZORES NATURA (2019-2027) for the preservation of habitats and protected species; and LIFE Beetles (starting in 2020) to reduce risks to endangered species.
·Is implementing the project MOVE I (2018-2021) and launched MOVE ON (2019-2022) in compliance with the EU Biodiversity Strategy, to map and assess the state of the ecosystems and their services.
·Supported the project BIOINVENT to study soil microbial diversity in grassland ecosystems in the Azores, and the project MARFOR to study the dynamics of responses of marine forests to global change (both 2017-2020).
Climate change
·Approved, in September 2019, the Regional Programme for Climate Change, aimed at minimising greenhouse gas emissions and reducing exposure to climate risks.
Circular economy
·Is due to adopt the Tourism Management Programme for sustainable development in the sector.
Energy
·Launched the “Azorean Energy Strategy 2030” in October 2018 to exploit the potential of natural resources and emerging technologies; and is working on the “Azorean Action Plan for Energy Efficiency”.
·Established the 2018-2024 “Action Plan for Electric Mobility in the Azores”, which includes the operation of charging points for electric vehicles on the nine islands.
·Is developing an energy transition agenda supported by the Clean Energy for EU Islands initiative; is analysing the use of undersea cables to connect the power grids of its islands.
·Is participating in a Horizon 2020 project (2019-2021) on deep geothermal energy and in the Interreg E-MOBICITY project (2019-2023), for the optimisation of public policies regarding electric mobility in urban areas.
Research and innovation
·Launched an international spaceport on the island of Santa Maria in September 2018, which is expected to be operational by the end of 2021.
·Approved the “Plan for the Internationalisation of Science and Technology” in 2018 aimed at promoting science and attracting external projects and partnerships.
·Approved, in 2018, the Transfer+ initiative and participates in the FANBest project to promote technology transfer in local SMEs, in particular in the blue economy.
Employment, education and training
·Promoted employment through the initiatives INOVAR (since March 2019) for the young unemployed, Berço de Emprego (updated in 2019) for temporary replacements; and Movemprego (in 2020) to promote geographical mobility of human resources.
Digital accessibility
·Launched the Action Plan for Scientific and Technologic Culture in 2018, which supported the establishment of school labs for informatics, robotics and programming.
Transport
·Launched an international tender to build one ship for passengers, vehicles and freight to connect all the islands all-year round (January 2019).
Cooperation with the neighbourhood and beyond
·Is participating in the Marine-Earth Observation project to develop tailor-made technology based on Copernicus Downstream Services aimed at improving maritime awareness.
10.Madeira
Madeira is progressing in the implementation of the 2017 Communication, focusing on the blue economy, circular economy, climate change, research, energy, employment and skills.
Blue economy
·Launched the INVESTE RAM2020 credit line in 2018, a financial instrument to facilitate access to finance for small-scale operators (€20 million).
·Developed the Maritime Environment Spatial Plan, a territorial management tool to promote sustainable blue economy.
·Created in 2019 a consortium responsible for the Integrated International Centre for Training Education for the Sea in Madeira due to start providing training in 2020.
Agriculture and rural development
·Introduced legislation establishing a technical commission for the evaluation of conformity of agricultural products and foodstuffs of Madeira in 2018 to ensure that products benefiting from an EU quality scheme are in conformity with EU legislation.
Biodiversity
·Strengthened the management of protected areas and Natura 2000 network sites (since 2017) by reviewing and updating management plans, strategies and classified areas.
Circular economy
·Developed a Regional Agenda for the Circular Economy to mitigate the environmental impact in pursuit of sustainable economic growth (2019).
·Prepared the “Waste strategy 2020-2030” to enhance waste management (2019).
Climate Change
·Boosted the implementation of the Regional Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change through projects supported by Interreg and the EU LIFE programme and started updating it.
·Is developing a software and systems to evaluate, prevent and mitigate forest fire risks and improve forest fires’ management with Cohesion Fund support .
Energy
·Implemented the project “Sustainable Porto Santo – Smart Fossil Free Island” (2019) aimed at promoting electric vehicle use and smart charging systems.
·Is about to conclude the expansion of the hydroelectric project Calheta III supported by the Cohesion Fund.
·Participated in several EU energy projects including ENERMAC (2017-2019) on the planning of strategies for the implementation of renewable energy infrastructures.
·Is promoting clean transport with European Regional Development Fund support: purchase of 5 electrical minibuses and 25 clean buses (2019).
Research and innovation
·Cooperated in the SMART4HEALTH project since 2019 to enable citizens to manage and keep records of their own health data throughout the EU and beyond.
·Reassessed the Regional Strategy for Smart Specialisation (2019) to prepare the launch of strategy 2.0 for the period 2021-2027.
Employment, education and training.
·Developed measures to support the unemployed, including programmes aiming at job creation for young people, such as PROJOVEM. In 2018, the 68 approved projects under the Unemployed Entrepreneurship Stimulus Programme created 118 new jobs. These measures covered 5 512 people during 2018.
Digital accessibility
·Signed a contract in 2018 for the supply of a new telecommunications link in submarine optical cable between Madeira and the Portuguese continent.
·Developed courses to improve digital skills in schools (2018-2019) through the "Strategic Plan for Educational Innovation of Schools”, including STEM projects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
·Introduced the “Future Classroom Lab”, providing robotics kits to schools in 2018-2019.
Transport
·Approved the Action Plan for Sustainable Mobility in Madeira (June 2019). The plan is due to support the transition towards clean and safe transport.
Cooperation with the neighbourhood and beyond
·Re-launched the Macaronesia Archipelago Summit in 2018, which fosters debate on joint challenges related to the environment and climate change, economy of the sea, trade and investment promotion, training, as well as student and teacher mobility.
·Is participating in the INTEGRA project, aimed at market integration and development of the economic and social neighbourhood of Macaronesia, approved in June 2019 (Interreg Madeira-Azores-Canary Islands –MAC programme).
11.Spain
Spain implements the 2017 Communication together with the outermost region of the Canary Islands within the framework of the constitutional distribution of competences.
Circular economy
·Participated in the launching of the Waste task force in November 2018 and in its subsequent meetings through the Ministry of Ecological Transition and the Customs and Excise Department; and is supporting the implementation of its action plan.
·Analysed the Comprehensive Waste Plan of the Canary Islands (PIRCAN) 2018-2025.
Energy
·Is supporting, within the EU Clean Energy Package, actions to introduce renewable energies in the islands, save energy, improve energy efficiency and promote sustainable mobility, including renewable energy auctions, interconnections between islands, and electric charging stations for vehicles.
·Developed and supported training and technological dissemination actions in the field of renewable energies.
12.Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are implementing the 2017 Communication with a focus on energy, research and circular economy.
·Are developing official data on local production since July 2018 through an agreement with the local Statistical Institute (ISTAC).
Blue economy
·Set up a working group on blue economy in February 2018; carried out a SWOT analysis for all blue economy sectors to pave the way for the Blue economy Strategy planned for the first half of 2020.
Agriculture and rural development
·Implemented a strategy to differentiate products based on their quality to increase consumption, promote ecological production and facilitate contacts between the agro-food sector and the administration.
Circular economy
·Launched a project for a biogas plant in 2017 with European Regional Development Fund support to valorise livestock waste.
·Cooperated in the creation of a Waste taskforce in November 2018, facilitating communication between stakeholders at all levels (European, national, regional and local) and in the shaping of an action plan for improving waste management.
·Set up a working group on Circular Economy in February 2018, carrying out a preliminary diagnosis of the situation on the islands.
·Adopted guidelines and recommendations for the reduction and recycling of single-use plastic waste in August 2018.
·Approved the Canary Islands Strategy for plastics in April 2019.
Climate change
·Launched the Canary Islands Observatory for Climate Change, a body for consultation, participation and development of actions (July 2018).
·Are updating the regional Climate Change Strategy.
Energy
·Participated in the Clean Energy for EU Islands Initiative: organised the second Clean Energy Forum for the EU islands in Lanzarote in November 2018; La Palma is implementing a pilot project in the framework of this initiative.
·Installed two innovative prototypes in 2019 for the use of marine wind energy on the PLOCAN platform.
Research and innovation
·Are leading the EU research FORWARD project to improve all outermost regions’ participation in international research networks and programmes.
·Relaunched the project RIS3-Net2 in October 2019 (as project leaders) in the framework of the Interreg programme Madeira-Azores-Canary Islands (MAC) to define a common framework for trans-regional RIS3 strategies.
·Are participating in the SOCLIMPACT project aimed at modelling climate change effects and their socio-economic impacts on European islands in the context of blue economy sectors.
·Are participating in the REACT project supported by HORIZON 2020 to decarbonise the energy systems of the islands.
Employment, education and training
·Are leading the GROW RUP project, co-financed by Interreg Europe since January 2017 to tackle long-term unemployment in the field of the green and blue economies.
Competitiveness, entrepreneurship and Single Market
·Launched an operational strategy for the internationalisation of the Canary Islands' economy in January 2018 with the objective of enhancing business competitiveness and entrepreneurship.
Digital accessibility
·Set up two calls for proposals to support the deployment of high-speed broadband infrastructures (in 2018 and 2019).
·Supported organisations to provide training on digital skills totalling 71 projects (in 2017-2019).
Cooperation with their neighbourhood and beyond
·Are leading the Interreg MAC HEXAGONE project with Madeira and the Azores to boost cooperation with neighbouring Mauritania, Senegal and Cape Verde by strengthening coordination between the European Regional Development Fund and European Development Fund programmes in the area (ends in December 2022).
·Implemented the VALCONMAC Interreg project focusing on the protection and development of forest habitats in the Macaronesia Atlantic archipelagos.