The publication of the Final Report of the ESPON 2030 project “Orientations for the Development of an Atlantic Macro-Region (Atlantic MRS)” is now available. Led by Technopolis Group Portuguese office, in collaboration with its Belgian and French offices, and the Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning of the University of Lisbon (IGOT), the study provides a rigorous evidence base and strategic orientation to inform ongoing discussions on the potential establishment of an Atlantic Macro-Regional Strategy (AMRS).
A robust analytical framework to support Atlantic cooperation
Covering more than 687,000 km² and 45 regions across France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and the UK’s relevant maritime territories, and home to over 81.5 million inhabitants, the study proposes an integrated reading of the Atlantic area as a coherent macro-regional space. Building on ESPON’s analytical standards, the report combines multiple layers of evidence, including:
- Territorial analysis at NUTS II and III levels, supported by an extensive indicator dataset (socioeconomic, environmental, demographic, connectivity, R&I).
- Interactive territorial atlases showcasing spatial patterns, disparities, and development trajectories across the Atlantic area.
- Governance and cooperation assessment, examining barriers, coordination gaps and institutional fragmentation.
- Stakeholder engagement through structured interviews, surveys, workshops and Steering Committee consultation, ensuring policy relevance and territorial validation.
- Comparative benchmarking with existing macro-regional strategies (Baltic Sea, Alpine, Adriatic–Ionian) and the Arctic Council, identifying transferable governance, funding and monitoring practices.
This rigorous approach underpins a set of evidence-based recommendations aimed at reinforcing policy coherence and enabling structured cooperation across the Atlantic façade.
Key findings: territorial challenges, cooperation gaps and strategic opportunities
The analysis underlines a series of shared challenges across the Atlantic territories, including:
- persistent socioeconomic disparities and demographic decline in several regions;
- exposure to climate change impacts such as sea-level rise, coastal erosion and biodiversity loss;
- limited cross-border and transnational transport connectivity, particularly in rail;
- energy infrastructure bottlenecks despite significant offshore renewable potential;
- digital divides affecting rural and peripheral areas;
- fragmented governance with limited integration across sectors and administrative levels.
At the same time, the report shows that the Atlantic area is well placed to leverage shared opportunities in the blue economy, offshore renewable energy, smart specialisation, sustainable tourism, maritime research and enhanced regional connectivity. The report evidences that these opportunities could be significantly amplified through a macro-regional framework that aligns national, regional and local strategies around a common vision.
Policy recommendations and options for an Atlantic Macro-Regional Strategy
The Final Report presents a set of thematic recommendations structured around four priority domains:
- Socioeconomic development and territorial cohesion
- Sustainable and green growth
- Environmental resilience and climate adaptation
- Innovation, digitalisation and knowledge collaboration
In addition, the study provides operational guidance for structuring an AMRS, including:
- Governance options tailored to Atlantic cooperation needs, drawing on macro-regional best practices.
- Funding pathways, mapping alignment opportunities with EU Cohesion Policy, EMFAF, CEF, Horizon Europe, and national/regional instruments.
- Monitoring, evaluation and learning frameworks to ensure strategic alignment, accountability and continuous improvement.
Case studies illustrate concrete governance models, funding mechanisms and multi-level coordination tools that can inform AMRS implementation and help avoid known pitfalls.
Final report available
The Final Report – Orientations for the Development of an Atlantic Macro-Region (Atlantic MRS) – July 2025 is now available for download. It provides a comprehensive evidence base and actionable policy guidance for policymakers, regional authorities and stakeholders involved in shaping the future cooperation architecture of the Atlantic area.
