With the European Commission’s proposals for the next seven-year EU budget now on the table, Europe’s local leaders are making it clear to the EU institutions that they must be significantly improved to meet cities’ needs.
The Commission proposes 27 National and Regional Partnership Plans which it says will simplify the budget and reduce disparities. In reality, the plans risk re-nationalising EU funds, side-lining cities and repeating the mistakes of the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility, where local authorities were too often left out, and money failed to reach citizens.
To make this position clear, city leaders in the Eurocities Shadow Commission this week travelled to Strasbourg, the seat of the European Parliament, to meet with MEPs and European Commissioners.
At the meeting, which took place one year after Eurocities first European Mayors Summit, the Shadow Commissioners stated that they are ready to work alongside EU leaders to ensure local priorities are embedded in Europe’s long-term vision.
They pressed for an EU budget that truly matches cities’ ambitious role in delivering the green, digital and social transitions, with a clear, direct role for cities and the resources to match.
They also urged that the upcoming EU Policy Agenda for Cities, expected in December, should recognise cities as strategic partners, with governance, funding and accountability to back it up.
Making the EU budget work for cities
In discussions with MEPs, city leaders explained that the proposals for the EU budget 2028-2034 lack the “strong governance” needed for local governments to implement the EU policy objectives. They called for cities to have a direct say in EU policy decisions and for EU funds to be earmarked for city governments.
André Sobczak, Secretary General of Eurocities, explained that if cities are not given the EU funding they need, “they may not be able to deliver on citizens’ needs and expectations because their fiscal autonomy is increasingly limited and national support is also reducing.”
“Cities are responsible for delivering many of the EU’s objectives,” Sobczak stated. “We cannot rely on national governments, which are increasingly competing with city leaders, to integrate spontaneously urban challenges in the national plans. Therefore, we need to make sure there is a mandatory urban chapter. We are also worried that there is no earmarking for cities, which could allow national governments to completely bypass local authorities.”
Strengthening cities means strengthening Europe and our European democracy
Supporting this position, Javi López, Vice-President of the European Parliament, called the Commission’s proposal “a decisive moment.” He explained: “The fate of Cohesion Policy will be a key part of this discussion, and it is time for cities to make themselves heard.”
López continued: “Cities are the first space for democratic life, where citizens feel either neglected or supported. Trust across Europe heavily depends on cities’ ability to respond to people’s needs.”
He said more must be done to ensure EU funds can “reach cities more directly,” including simplifying EU regulations and ensuring cities have a say in EU polices.
He also praised cities’ work on housing, explaining that housing policy is an area where the EU institutions have been listening to, and cooperating with, cities. Commending the work of Eurocities and its members to the European project, he added: “Strengthening cities means strengthening Europe and our European democracy.”
Towards an effective EU Policy Agenda for Cities
As the European Commission finalises the new EU Policy Agenda for Cities, local leaders are urging EU leaders not to repeat recent budget mistakes and to work with cities as strategic partners in designing policy, not just delivering it.
In a meeting with Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, who is responsible for developing the Cities Agenda, they called for improved and regular collaboration between the Commission and cities, along with a clear EU urban governance framework.
Vice-President Fitto called this a “moment for action,” noting that the Policy Agenda proposals “can still be improved.” Looking to the next EU budget, he argued it is vital to “modernise Cohesion Policy” and to “reinforce the role of cities and regions” within the new budget plans.
Jeanne Barseghian, Mayor of Strasbourg and Eurocities Shadow Commissioner for Local Europe, pressed for mandatory local participation in the EU budget plans, stating her concerns about the increased centralisation of funds and asking, “How can we ensure that we really have an urban dimension in a regional and national plan?”
How can we ensure that we really have an urban dimension in a regional and national plan?
Adding to the debate, Filipa Roseta, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Public Works of Lisbon, and Eurocities Shadow Commissioner for Housing outlined the need to opening finance from the European Investment Bank to non-profit housing co-operatives, arguing that “thousands of small projects” could drive urban rehabilitation where commercial banks will not lend.
Meanwhile, Elina Rantanen, Vice Mayor for Children and Young People of Turku, warned that without urban earmarking, for example on the EU Skills Agenda, cities cannot meet EU targets.
Keeping ambition high on climate and social priorities
When it comes to climate action, city leaders continue to call on the EU to commit to a clear, ambitious and legally binding 2040 climate target of at least a 90% net emissions reduction.
In a discussion with Teresa Ribera, European Commission Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, mayors highlighted cities’ central role in implementing the EU’s climate adaptation, tackling energy poverty and creating sustainable buildings.
They pointed to the findings of the Eurocities Pulse Mayors Survey, which consistently show that climate action remains the top priority for mayors across Europe.
Vice President Ribera said it was positive to hear such strong commitment to climate action from Europe’s city leaders. She explained that the EU institutions have a responsibility to understand the needs of local authorities, as the level of government closest to citizens.
Calling for joint work on renovation, local energy communities and housing, she added: “You are my heroes in these complicated times.”
You are my heroes in these complicated times
Jeanne Barseghian noted the significance of this recognition, explaining: “It is very important for us to have a seat at the table at EU level. We want to push ambitious action on climate at both the local and the European level, and that includes investing now.”
Rutger Groot Wassink, Deputy Mayor of Amsterdam and Eurocities Shadow Commissioner for Welcoming Cities, supported the push to involve city governments but warned that, in the Netherlands, national authorities often exclude them. He called for EU mechanisms to include local authorities in climate implementation.
Responding, Vice-President Ribera acknowledged differences between member states and urged practical collaboration. She said it would be good to identify “concrete proposals” where different levels of government can work together, such as on housing policy.
Stronger cities, a stronger Europe
As Europe prepares its next long-term budget and new Policy Agenda for Cities, the message from Strasbourg was clear: Europe’s future depends on its cities.
Without direct access to funding, simplified rules, and a stronger say in EU governance, cities cannot deliver on Europe’s shared ambitions.
As André Sobczak concluded: “The EU Cities Agenda will be a very useful framework to structure our cooperation with the institutions. But if cities do not get the financial support they require, they will be unable to implement the sustainable and just transformation that Europe and its people need.”
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View photos from the meeting, on the Eurocities Flickr account and from the European Parliament.
Read Eurocities’ reaction to the European Commission’s EU budget proposals.
Read Eurocities’ response to the EU’s call for evidence on the Policy Agenda for Cities.
Photos in this article are © City of Strasbourg.
