The upcoming EU Policy Agenda for Cities comes at a critical time, as urban areas are increasingly at the forefront of addressing Europe’s most pressing challenges, including climate change, social inequalities and urban resilience.
With over 75% of the population living in cities, they are uniquely positioned to transform EU ambitions into tangible actions, driving progress on priorities such as the European Green Deal, competitiveness, digital transformation and social cohesion.
However, to fully contribute to these priorities, cities need stronger tools, direct EU funding, and supportive EU regulatory frameworks.
This Eurocities policy statement, published in May 2025 in response to the European Commission’s consultation on the EU Policy Agenda for Cities, outlines the shared position and recommendations of Eurocities and its network of over 200 member cities.
The policy statement makes it clear that the new EU agenda is not just desirable, but necessary. It must serve as a model for EU-local government partnerships, fostering long-term collaboration and providing cities with the resources, support and frameworks they need to effectively deliver on EU priorities.
- Read the full policy statement: Eurocities contribution to the call for evidence on a new policy agenda for cities.
- Or view a shorter summary of the Eurocities recommendations.
Why a new EU Agenda for Cities is essential
Cities are central to implementing EU priorities, but they face significant challenges, including limited financial resources, fragmented regulations, and a lack of integrated delivery mechanisms.
The policy statement calls for the EU Policy Agenda for Cities to address these issues by promoting cohesive territorial cooperation, particularly at the metropolitan level, to ensure policies complement one another and avoid fragmentation. Cities are not islands: they are embedded in wider functional territories. They must be integrated into broader territorial frameworks that support cooperation across regions and enable sustainable growth.
The EU agenda should also avoid pitting cities against rural areas. Cities and rural regions are interdependent, and policies must work in harmony to strengthen all territories. Cities must be involved in co-designing, guiding, and evaluating EU policies in a collaborative, systemic framework, rather than simply implementing top-down policies.
A truly impactful EU agenda, says the statement, must be shaped around tackling major challenges such as climate change and social inequality. The EU must work in strategic partnership with cities to develop effective solutions. An effective governance structure should be developed, including a high-level EU Urban Sounding Board and thematic steering groups, to coordinate and monitor progress across all levels of government.
Key recommendations
Regulatory coherence and multi-level governance: Cities are often the main implementers of EU policies and have great potential to lead on sustainable development, acting as key entry points for investment and innovation. However, they often face regulatory misalignment and limited involvement in shaping policies they must implement. The new agenda must recognise cities as full EU policy actors, introducing structured engagement mechanisms like thematic boards and localised implementation strategies. Better intergovernmental cooperation and harmonised frameworks are essential to ensure feasibility and impact at local level.
Dedicated funding and financing mechanisms: Without dedicated EU and national resources, the agenda will lack local impact. This is a key opportunity to set clear access conditions for local authorities under the next EU budget. The new budget must include an urban chapter in national plans to localise EU priorities and earmark funding (e.g. at least 15% from Cohesion Policy) for city-led action. Expanding the European Urban Initiative and creating an EU Urban Investment Platform will unlock investment-ready projects, de-risk private capital, and support innovation ecosystems.
Capacity Building and Public Sector Innovation: Effective implementation requires local capacities. The agenda must offer a coordinated and well-funded capacity-building framework for cities. The statement proposes a three-tier approach:
- A strengthened EU framework (e.g. EUI, Urbact, and coordinated programmes);
- A city-specific Technical Support Instrument as a targeted reform lever;
- Locally tailored support via national investment plans.
Capacity-building should be hands-on, flexible, and aligned with real projects, helping cities upskill, hire strategic staff, and foster innovation.
Eurocities’ contribution
By promoting territorial cooperation, a mission-oriented framework, and recognising cities as full partners in policy development, the EU can empower cities to drive Europe’s future. The Eurocities policy statement shows that cities need stronger operational tools, funding, and capacity-building support to make meaningful changes for their residents.
With stronger partnerships and targeted support, the EU can work in close partnership with cities to build a more just a resilient future for the people of Europe.
