Policy and advocacy
Eurocities advocacy efforts reflect positions agreed through our member cities. Cities are where EU policy becomes reality. Read our latest policy positions below to find out how we transform broader ambitions into urban action for a new sustainable, inclusive and prosperous future.
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Eurocities proposals for the future of European Capitals of Culture
Eurocities’ January 2026 submission to the Commission’s call for evidence sets recommendations to strengthen the European Capital of Culture action, based on members’ experience and city input.
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Cities addressing the housing crisis: Innovative and integrated approaches
This thematic report takes a look at how cities across Europe address rising housing costs through innovative governance, financing, and urban planning solutions.
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Making the EU Budget work for cities & regions: Local Alliance’s 10-point action plan
The European Commission’s proposals for the next seven-year EU budget risk side-lining city and regional governments. In response, the Local Alliance has set out a 10-point plan to ensure the next budget delivers tangible results for people in all territories in Europe and beyond.
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Cities and railways unite for a European high-speed rail network
Following the announcement of the EU's plan for a pan-European high-speed rail network, Eurocities and the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies have issued a joint declaration outlining recommendations to make high-speed rail a cornerstone of Europe’s sustainable mobility future.
3 minute read
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Reducing urban air pollution with new Ecodesign rules for solid-fuel heaters
Air pollution is responsible for 240,000 premature deaths annually across the EU making exposure to fine particulate matter a pressing public health emergency.
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Cities to the EU: help enforce traffic rules on foreign vehicles
In a joint letter, 20 cities call on the European Parliament to help municipalities fine foreign drivers breaching local traffic rules.
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Unpacking the Packaging Waste Regulation
The European Commission is proposing some major changes to the way we handle packaging waste.
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Cities welcome Nature Restoration Law
Despite push-back from some member states, cities welcome the new Nature Restoration Law, and its legally binding targets for local ecosystems. However, some concerns remain.
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New Urban Waste Water Directive
Three out of five wastewater operators are public companies owned by public authorities. The new Urban Waste Water Directive needs their input to achieve its ambitions.
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Could new EU targets melt into air?
How would you rate air quality legislation that will have difficulty improving overall air quality, will not be acted upon in time, and is contradicted by other regulations? If we don’t close loopholes now, this could be what the EU’s revised Ambient Air Quality Directive leaves us with.
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Hope is in the air (quality)
A new position paper by Eurocities contends that despite strong action in recent decades, EU activities to combat poor air quality do not go far enough towards meeting the union’s own target of halving the number of premature deaths linked to air pollution by 2030.
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Full stop: fossil-fuelled mobility in cities
The transport sector needs to cut its emissions drastically to meet Europe’s climate ambitions. A new position paper from Eurocities set out top recommendations for how to get there.
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Future-proofing urban waste water
Eurocities shares recommendations on the management of urban waste water, especially in the context of new challenges stemming from climate change and new contaminants entering the water system.
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