Cyprus unveils Right to Stay strategy to revitalize Europe's struggling regions
The Cyprus Presidency has unveiled the Right to Stay strategy to breathe new life into Europe’s stagnant regions. The initiative aims to address long-standing economic disparities that force many to leave their hometowns. A public consultation on the plan is now open, inviting input from citizens, regions, and member states until early June. The European Commission’s framework for the strategy highlights a stark reality. One in three Europeans lives in an area that has shrunk in population over the past 20 years. Over 60 million EU citizens reside in regions where GDP per capita is lower than in 2000, while 75 million live in places with almost no economic growth.
Finance Minister Makis Keravnos recently addressed the European Parliament on the issue. He argued that mobility should be a choice, not a necessity driven by unequal opportunities. When prosperity is concentrated in a few areas, people often feel compelled to abandon their roots, losing what he calls their right to stay.
To shape the strategy, the Commission has already gathered insights through a Eurobarometer survey of 50,000 Europeans. The survey explored the key factors influencing their decision to stay in or leave their region. Cyprus will also host an Informal Ministerial Meeting on cohesion policy on 4 and 5 June 2026, with a focus on island regions and the right to stay.
Cohesion policy itself was introduced in 1988 as a counterbalance to the Single Market. Its goal was to ensure that economic integration benefited all regions, not just the wealthiest. Keravnos has warned that without action, Europe risks a new geography of discontent, where entire areas feel left behind. The Right to Stay strategy seeks to reduce regional inequality and give people more control over where they live. The public consultation runs until early June, offering a chance for broad participation in its development. The upcoming ministerial meeting in Cyprus will further advance discussions on cohesion and the challenges faced by Europe’s most vulnerable regions.
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