Stratus Blog

The European Commission adopted a report on progress made under the 2017 Strategic Partnership with the EU’s outermost regions, which strengthened the cooperation between the EU outermost regions, the respective Member States and the European Commission. The report shows that this strengthened partnership is bearing fruit: building on the outermost regions’ strongest assets, regional and national actions are now up and running to foster growth in areas such as agriculture, the blue economy, biodiversity and circular economy, energy, research and innovation, employment, education and training, digital accessibility, transport and cooperation with neighbours.

European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, said: “Whether near or far, the European Union leaves no one behind. This is what today’s report shows: the European Commission has fully delivered on its commitment to taking into account the specificities of the outermost regions across EU policies. I am most pleased that these regions are now capitalising on their unique assets, as illustrated in today’s report. We are on the right track to turn our strategic partnership into positive change and a better future for our outermost regions.”

Taking into account progress made, the report suggests that further efforts at all levels are required to address climate change, protect biodiversity, introduce circular economy and shift to renewable energy in the outermost regions. Key sectors such as the blue economy also need continuous investment.

Note: this an EC news. Read full article here

ERDF-funded researchers in Spain and Portugal are testing organic compost to understand how it could reduce the concentration of pollutants in wastewater and lessen soil degradation. By testing different mixtures, researchers are hoping to produce better-quality compost.

The Res2ValHUM project looks to better understand the substances in organic compost. They have developed new mixtures made from green urban residues (such as tree or flower trimmings), manure, algae and worms.

The new compost is already showing strong potential. Based on observations, researchers believe it could be used as a filter for water treatment to remove pollutants, like drugs, that exist in huge amounts in wastewater.

Another team of researchers is analysing the compost’s potential to improve poor agricultural soil. Working in a lab and on a small plantation, the scientists are monitoring how the compost impacts the growth of plants and fungi by testing it on different crops. Results already show that it increases the strength, growth and proliferation of roots and affects fungi.

Research will continue to see how it can be applied at industrial scale.

Source: EFE

For precautionary reasons related to current developments with the Coronavirus, the Outermost regions Forum initially planned on 24-25 March in Brussels will not take place.

The Outermost Regions Forum 2020 is a high-level dialogue platform for the nine outermost regions of the European Union – Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Reunion Island, Saint-Martin (France), the Azores, Madeira (Portugal) and the Canary Islands (Spain), their Member States, the European Union institutions and civil society.

This event brings together the Presidents of the outermost regions, Ministers from their Member States, the Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms and other members of the Commission, stakeholders and experts interested in learning from the experience of these special EU regions.

The Forum will review progress made under the 2017 Communication on a renewed strategic partnership with the EU’s outermost regions, based on the Commission’s implementation report due to be presented on this occasion.

In addition, the Forum will address three major themes for the outermost regions: climate change and biodiversity, circular economy and blue economy.

Discussions will shade light on solutions to develop the outermost regions potential. How can outermost regions capitalise on their unique assets and become frontrunners in adapting to climate change and protecting biodiversity, shaping insular circular economy solutions and developing a sustainable blue economy? The Forum will look at this through the lens of outermost regions’ success stories and challenges, exploring opportunities for these regions to provide innovative solutions to global challenges.

You can participate in the discussions trough Q&A sessions, live interviews, surveys, as well as networking events. When registering, you can have your say on what are the most important topics for the outermost regions and indicate your interest in meeting stakeholders.

This is a paperless Forum. We have taken the engagement to plant a tree per participant to offset flight emissions, and not to use plastics.

We look forward to meeting you at the Forum. As space is limited, we encourage you to register at your earliest convenience!

Interpretation in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish will be provided.

The deadline for registrations is 6 March 2020.