About ISLA - Background

The ISLA project was established by five European partners to encourage sustainable social and economic development on small islands on the periphery of north west Europe.

While island populations are historically very resilient, conditions have deteriorated particularly over the past two centuries as the effects of economic and social marginalisation became stronger. Many islands have been depleted of their population, and have often lost their most dynamic community members, contributing further to the cycle of decline. Such islands are economically and environmentally fragile and without appropriate interventions will become more marginalised.

Islands have particular characteristics and qualities which set them apart from other places but also affect their ability for sustainable conservation and development. Solutions that work in other areas in north west Europe will not work in these island locations. In addition, it is not appropriate to take a generalised approach to spatial planning in these locations as this could detract from the islands’ uniqueness and contribution to the culture and society of north west Europe.

This requires Europe-wide recognition that island-settings are unique and that the harmonisation of environmental legislation, agricultural reform and economic development can have serious consequences for islands. This clearly calls for specific approaches to sustainable development to be identified, tested and adapted to island settings.