On 31 August 2026, SGI Europe joined the Committee of the Regions at the Fortezza Pisana in Marciana, Elba, for a high-level dialogue on the first-ever EU Strategy for Islands and the practical conditions needed to make the Freedom to Stay a reality for island communities. The event brought together local and regional leaders, local SGI providers, entrepreneurs, and island inhabitants to examine how the new Strategy can translate into tangible improvements in services of general interest across Europe’s islands.

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The meeting's setting underscored its message. Held in a historic fortress on a small island, the dialogue highlighted the specific territorial and demographic challenges faced by island communities, and the role of services of general interest in enabling people to remain where they choose to live. It was the first local dialogue organised on this theme, with the online participation of Enrico Letta, author of the report "Much More than a Market" that first introduced the concept of Freedom to Stay, who called for organising as many local dialogues as possible to listen to the needs of those on the ground to deliver. Commenting on the timely significance, Valeria Ronzitti, Secretary General of SGI Europe, stated:

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“Elba is a living example of why the Freedom to Stay cannot remain an abstract slogan. The discussion confirmed that the partners of the Coalition well identified the most pressing challenges experienced by citizens and enterprises who want to be free to make a real choice on where to live and establish their business: continuity of transport, a fair housing market, digital connectivity, accessible healthcare and education”

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“At the same time, the debate confirmed why a broad coalition is necessary: only by an integrated approach involving public authorities, SGIs providers and enterprises, mainly SMEs, can the voice of those who experience daily the dilemma of whether to stay or to move be heard. Even a small territory like Elba Island experiences fragmentation, duplication of efforts and administrative burden: the invitation is for the local actors to join the Coalition for the Freedom to Stay and help us turn the Freedom to Stay into a concrete reality also for island communities”

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The dialogue was organised by Luca Menesini and Marie-Antoinette Maupertuis from the European Committee of the Regions, the Province of Livorno, the Municipality of Marciana and SGI Europe, as part of ongoing work to ensure that the EU Islands Strategy and the Right to Stay strategy are judged by their ability to make the Freedom to Stay a genuine reality for island communities.