The Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) is a European organisation representing over 150 coastal and peripheral regions from 24 countries. Since its creation in 1973, the CPMR has advocated for more balanced territorial development across Europe, focusing on policies with strong regional impact such as cohesion, maritime affairs, transport, energy, and climate. Its mission is to ensure that the needs and perspectives of maritime and peripheral regions are fully reflected in EU policymaking and investment strategies.
Against this backdrop, the NESOI Plus – Island Outermost Regions project was prominently featured during the CPMR General Assembly in Barcelona. This gathering brought together regional leaders committed to shaping a sustainable and inclusive European future, making it an ideal occasion to showcase how NESOI Plus supports islands as key actors of the energy transition.
At the Assembly, NESOI Plus was presented as a comprehensive support mechanism empowering islands to turn their local clean‑energy ambitions into concrete investments. The project offers technical and financial assistance, tools and reference materials adapted to island needs, and matchmaking opportunities with investors. A key pillar of its approach is the creation of a digital One‑Stop‑Shop designed to guide communities from initial ideas to investment‑ready projects, complemented by training and capacity‑building activities.
NESOI Plus is currently being piloted in the Azores, the Canary Islands, and Martinique, where its methods are being tested and refined. Through two open calls, up to 30 local projects will receive tailored support, helping ensure that the project’s tools can be replicated across many more European islands. The initiative is coordinated by Sinloc and implemented by a consortium of partners from Belgium, Spain, Greece, France, Portugal, and Italy, all bringing extensive regional, technical, and financial expertise.
By featuring NESOI Plus at its General Assembly, the CPMR reaffirmed that Europe’s transition cannot succeed without the full involvement of its peripheral and island regions. The project demonstrates that islands are not only vulnerable front‑line territories but also essential hubs of innovation capable of shaping a greener, more resilient European future.
