EU ‘Right to Stay’ Strategy
The European Commission has launched a public Call for Evidence to help shape its upcoming “Right to Stay Strategy: Your Region, Your Future”, marking an important opportunity for regions, communities, organisations, and businesses to influence future European regional policy.
The consultation is open until 5 June 2026 and invites contributions from citizens, businesses, local and regional authorities, civil society organisations, and experts.
Across Europe, many regions are facing serious demographic and economic challenges. According to the European Commission, more than 135 million people now live in regions that have experienced stagnant or declining economic growth over the past two decades. Many communities are confronting population decline, ageing populations, youth outmigration, limited access to services, and reduced economic opportunities.
The Commission specifically highlights that rural areas, islands, outermost regions, mountain regions, border regions, and remote territories are among those most exposed to these challenges.
The upcoming Right to Stay Strategy aims to establish a more coordinated European approach to supporting regions facing structural decline and demographic pressures. It will guide future EU action and help Member States and regional authorities design policies that better support communities while strengthening resilience, competitiveness, and quality of life.
Why this consultation matters
The Commission is using this call for evidence to understand:
The key challenges facing regions and communities today
How well existing EU policies and programmes support struggling regions
What new actions or policy changes could better support local communities
How to ensure regions remain attractive places to live and work, particularly for young people
How to strengthen access to jobs, services, infrastructure, housing, and connectivity
The feedback gathered will directly inform the development of the strategy, which the Commission plans to adopt in late 2026.
A chance for regional and island voices to be heard
Too often, the realities facing remote, rural, and island communities are underrepresented in policy discussions at national and European levels. This consultation is a rare opportunity for those living, working, and operating in these regions to ensure their experiences and priorities are reflected in future EU policy.
Submissions do not need to be long or technical. Practical insights from local experience, whether related to housing, healthcare, transport, tourism, energy, digital connectivity, entrepreneurship, education, or public services, are valuable contributions.
How to participate
You can review existing submissions and submit your own feedback through the European Commission’s Have Your Say portal:
The process requires a simple login or registration.
Additional information on the initiative can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ywNx-P_4bu1N0dTbrfMbqYe8ss1uMxLL/view?usp=sharing
Need support preparing a submission?
If you would like guidance on preparing a short submission or outlining the key issues affecting your island community or organisation, support is available.
You can get in touch at:
adam@oilean.ie
Ensuring that island and regional perspectives are reflected in European policymaking depends on active participation from communities across Europe. This consultation is an important opportunity to help shape the future direction of EU regional policy and support for communities facing demographic and economic change.
The deadline for submissions is 5 June 2026.
