Investment is crucial to providing good quality services and infrastructure in cities as well as to triggering other investments, stimulating jobs and growth. More long-term investment is needed at local level to respond to pressing public concerns such as climate change and social cohesion as well as foster growth and innovation.

Public procurement can be a key tool for cities in driving the development of innovative goods and services. By working together and pooling their resources, cities, central purchasing bodies, and other major public procurers can maximise their market power and impact.

At the EU level, too, cities need to be more involved in shaping the content as well as in the management of future funding programmes, and elements of the EU budget that can contribute to sustainable urban development and cohesion, such as through the European Regional Development Fund and Invest EU.

Our European projects in this area include PROSPECT+, Sharing Cities and Big Buyers for Climate and Environment.