Experience with the existing macro-regional strategies shows that good and stable governance mechanisms are crucial for effective implementation.

Governance in macro-regional strategies is not about new funds nor bureaucracy, but how and by whom the priorities important for the benefit of the region and its people are implemented through aligned policies, joint actions and projects. Governance must have both a political and operational dimension, with line ministries and implementing bodies setting strategic objectives and at the same time engaging and exchanging with funding institutions as well as partnerships and networks in the regions, ensuring effective delivery of better results and impact.

Governance and management architecture

In this context, governance functions across three complementary levels:

  • The political level provides strategic direction and ensures high-level commitment. It brings together ministers, senior officials and key decision-makers who endorse shared priorities, give political legitimacy to the process, and create the conditions for long-term continuity of the strategy.
  • The coordinative level links political guidance with day-to-day implementation. National Coordinators, Thematic Coordinators and managing structures act as the backbone of the strategy, facilitating cooperation among participating countries, aligning policy frameworks, ensuring coherence between pillars, and translating political decisions into concrete implementation pathways.
  • The operational level focuses on delivery. Here, line ministries, implementing agencies, project promoters and regional stakeholders work together to turn agreed priorities into actions, projects and funding opportunities. This level ensures that coordination results in tangible outputs, visible benefits, and measurable impact for the macro-region.

Together, these three levels ensure that strategic decisions are aligned with practical action, that cooperation is both politically supported and technically feasible, and that the macro-regional strategy delivers results for the region and its citizens.

Additionally, the EUSAIR Youth Council plays a consultative role within the governance framework, providing perspectives, recommendations and insights from young people across the region. At the same time, the EUSAIR Governance Point—composed of three projects, Facility Point, StEP and SP4EUSAIR—provides a support function, offering technical, administrative and coordination assistance to ensure smooth functioning and continuous strengthening of the overall governance system.

Supporting projects

  • EUSAIR Facility Point Supporting the EUSAIR governance for improved cooperation

    The EUSAIR Facility Point has the main supporting and coordinating role in facilitating governance bodies in administrative and technical manner, in decision-making and capacity building, in communicating the Strategy and in monitoring and evaluation of the Strategy. It also ensures support is delivered in all 10 participating countries with corresponding partnership.

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  • EUSAIR StEP – EUSAIR STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGEMENT POINT

    The EUSAIR Stakeholders Engagement Point encourages engagement with stakeholders, supports financial dialogues and embedding of the Action Plan and together with the Strategic Implementation Project focuses on the support to the Action Plan implementation.

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  • SP4EUSAIR – EUSAIR Strategic Implementation Project – Support to Development and Implementation of Strategic Implementation Formats

    The EUSAIR Strategic Implementation (SP4EUSAIR) main function is support to the development of EUSAIR strategic implementation formats, such as flagships strategic projects, networks, initiatives.

    Strategic projects are implemented and financed under the Priority 4 – Supporting the Governance of the Adriatic-Ionian region of the INTERREG IPA ADRION 2021-2027.

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National coordinators

National Coordinators serve as the main contact points in each participating country, ensuring national alignment, coordination, and contribution to the Strategy.

EUSAIR ministers

The EUSAIR Ministers provide political leadership and strategic direction for the Strategy. They endorse key decisions and ensure highlevel commitment from participating countries.

MRS high level group

This group ensures political coordination across all EU MacroRegional Strategies and supports alignment with broader EU priorities and policies.

Pillar 1

Pillar 1 focuses on innovative and sustainable economic growth, fostering competitiveness and supporting entrepreneurship in the Adriatic-Ionian region.

Pillar 3

Pillar 3 works on environmental quality, focusing on biodiversity, pollution reduction, and sustainable management of natural resources.

Pillar 4

Pillar 4 advances sustainable tourism, promoting balanced development, cultural heritage, and responsible tourism models across the region.

Pillar 5

Pillar 5 supports research, education, and youth engagement, fostering innovation, skills development, and knowledge exchange.

Pillar 2

Pillar 2 promotes a sustainable and connected transport and energy network, improving accessibility, energy efficiency, and regional interconnectivity.

Governing board

The Governing Board (GB) coordinates the work of the Thematic Steering Groups in charge of implementation through strategic guidance with respect to management and implementation of the EUSAIR and its Action Plan.

The GB is presided by the participating country holding the pro tempore Presidency of the EU Strategy for Adriatic and Ionian Region.

GB standing members are:

  • National Coordinators: Each participating country is represented by two formally appointed Nantional Coordinators.
  • Pillar Coordinators, formylly appointed.
  • Commission services: DG REGIO, DG MARE and DG ENEST. Other Directorates-General (DGs) may participate as appropriate.
  • A representative of the European Parliament.
  • A representative of the Committee of the Regions accompanied by a representative of its Adriatic-Ionian Interregional Group.
  • A representative of the European Economic and Social Committee.
  • The Permanent Secretariat of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative.
  • The Managing Authority of the IPA ADRION programme
  • EUSAIR Youth Council representative
  • Representatives of the EUSAIR Governance Point

European Commission

The European Commission provides strategic guidance, technical expertise, and ensures alignment between EUSAIR activities and wider EU policies and programmes.

Presidency and trio

The rotating Presidency, supported by a Trio (the past, current and next presidency), manages the annual agenda, leads key processes, and ensures continuity in the implementation of EUSAIR.

Pillar coordinators

Pillar Coordinators steer thematic work within each Pillar, coordinate activities among countries, and guide the implementation of specific actions under the Action Plan.

EUSAIR Youth Council – EYC

The EUSAIR Youth Council provides young people from the region with a platform to contribute ideas, perspectives, and recommendations to EUSAIR decisionmaking.

EUSAIR Governance Point (FACILITY POINT, STEP, S4EUSAIR)

The EUSAIR Governance Point consists of three projects providing administrative, technical, and capacitybuilding support to all EUSAIR structures, ensuring smooth coordination and implementation of activities.