ACR+ voices local priorities in the European Commission’s 'EU Agenda for Cities' initiative

From April to May 2025, the European Commission opened a call for evidence for its initiative "EU agenda for cities". This initiative will put forward an EU agenda for cities that takes stock of EU initiatives and instruments in order to streamline the current support for cities. It will strengthen the EU’s ambition for cities by improving processes through which issues facing cities can be better integrated into future EU policymaking. The initiative will supplement related deliverables, such as the European affordable housing plan. ACR+ subsequently contributed feedback: 
 
Cities play a key role in delivering EU policies, not only by implementing them, but also as investors, innovators, producers, and consumers. However, they rely on regions for the resources and energy that power their contributions. A territorial approach is needed to achieve EU goals like decarbonisation, competitiveness, and social cohesion. This means placing local and regional governments at the center of the transition, supported by flexible regulations and bottom-up planning that draws on local expertise. 

Empowering local actors to design solutions where they are most effective requires capacity building, such as peer-to-peer initiatives like the EU Taiex. No single city can address industrial or ecological challenges alone, making cross-border cooperation and joint investments vital. Finally, cities must embrace the circular economy, expanding initiatives like the Covenant of Mayors to include it as a tool for climate action, resource autonomy, and competitiveness. 
 
Read the feedback here.