The European Commission’s proposal for the next seven-year EU budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), risks side-lining the local and regional governments that are best placed to deliver on Europe’s priorities. A centralised approach that does not reflect local realities and priorities threatens not only delivery on the ground, but also Europe’s long-term societal, democratic and economic resilience and competitiveness.
In response, the Local Alliance – a coalition of Europe’s leading local and regional government networks, including Eurocities – has put forward a 10-point action plan to ensure the next EU budget delivers tangible results for people in every territory across Europe and beyond.
Cities and regions need a budget that helps to build the EU from the ground up, with local and regional authorities recognised not only as implementers, but as co-creators of Europe’s future. Local and regional governments are Europe’s frontline for delivering change: they are the democratic level closest to citizens, trusted by a majority of Europeans, and directly or jointly responsible for implementing most EU legislation.
They mobilise the bulk of climate-relevant investment, drive innovation and competitiveness, and safeguard cohesion and a just transition by ensuring that no community is left behind. Without their leadership, Europe cannot meet its green, digital, social and competitiveness ambitions.
With negotiations on the next MFF already underway, the Local Alliance calls on the European Parliament and the Council of the EU to seize this opportunity to put democracy, territorial cohesion and competitiveness at the heart of the EU budget by recognising local and regional governments as indispensable partners. Europe cannot achieve its strategic objectives without working hand in hand with its towns, cities and regions.
The Local Alliance – made up of the Association of Cities and Regions for sustainable Resource management (ACR+), The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), Climate Alliance, Energy Cities, Eurocities, FEDARENE, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and POLIS – aims to ensure that local constituencies have the competences and resources needed to reinforce Europe’s resilience, competitiveness and decarbonisation.
The members of the Local Alliance share a common vision for the 2028-2034 MFF as a strong, democratic and future-proof tool that drives cohesion across territories, strengthens Europe’s competitiveness and enables a just transition to a climate-neutral and resilient Europe.
For the next MFF, the Local Alliance 10-point action plan calls for:
1. Stronger multilevel governance mechanisms to deliver both reforms and investments.
2. A stronger partnership principle for the implementation of the MFF.
For the National and Regional Partnership Plans:
3. Mandatory regional and territorial chapters in all National and Regional Partnership Plans, with a clear section on cities.
4. Earmarked resources for a just transition and affordable living for all.
5. A genuine EU programme for cities of all sizes under the proposed EU Facility.
6. Safeguard mechanisms at local and regional level to guarantee their access to EU funds.
7. Performance indicators that are clearly linked to EU law implementation and territorial delivery.
For the European Competitiveness Fund and Horizon Europe:
8. Explicit recognition of cities and regions as innovators and investors within the Competitiveness Fund and Horizon Europe.
For Horizon Europe:
9. Continuation and strengthening of the Missions approach under Horizon Europe.
For the Global Europe Facility:
10. Stronger support for accession cities and regions, as a key investment in the future of European cohesion.
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