“Is home a physical place, a memory, or something I build as I move?” This timeless question continues to resonate deeply across the Adriatic-Ionian region—a place where identity, aspirations, and the feeling of belonging often intersect in complex ways.

With the theme “Bridging Horizons: Strengthening Cooperation, Resilience and Cohesion in the Adriatic-Ionian Region,” the 10th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) kicked off the 6th of May on the scenic island of Crete.

This year’s 10th EUSAIR Forum also celebrates a major milestone — the Strategy’s 10-year anniversary.

The European Commission has officially adopted an updated Action Plan for the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR), signifying a major step forward in fostering regional collaboration and sustainable development.

On the afternoon of the EUSAIR Forum’s second day in Georgioupolis, the focus shifted to Pillar 4—Sustainable Tourism—highlighting how cultural tourism and the Mediterranean Diet can serve as catalysts for sustainable growth in the Adriatic-Ionian Region.

At the EUSAIR Forum in Georgioupolis, the conversation around social cohesion took center stage during the Pillar 5 session on the second afternoon of the event.

On the first day of the 10th EUSAIR Forum, the afternoon was dedicated to critical environmental challenges, with a special focus on marine protection under Pillar 3 – Environmental Quality.

The evaluation of the implementation process of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) for the period 2020–2024, carried out by M&E Factory from March 2024 to March 2025, has now been concluded.

The Barcelona Convention—formally known as the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution—was established in 1976 as a regional agreement to combat pollution in the Mediterranean.

From April 7 to 9, 2025, the island of Corfu, Greece, hosted the 22nd session of the EUSAIR Thematic Steering Group for Pillar 3 – Environmental Quality, alongside the event Accelerating Climate Change Adaptation in the Adriatic-Ionian Region.