Making the Next EU Budget work for cities and regions: the Local Alliance’s 10-Point Action Plan

The European Commission has issued a revised proposal for the next long-term EU Budget (the "Multi-annual Financial Framework" (MFF)) - one that strengthens governance and better includes local and regional perspectives. It is a step in the right direction, but cities and regions need it to be stronger and smarter. Together with the Local Alliance, ACR+ developed a 10-Point Action Plan to improve the Commission's proposal and ensure the EU budget delivers tangible results for people in every territory across Europe and beyond. 

In the EU's new proposal, the Local Alliance welcomes: 

• Stronger wording on the involvement of local and regional authorities from design to implementation  

• A 10% rural earmarking supporting the “right to stay”  

• A channel of direct communication between regions and the Commission  

• A new “regional check” of National Partnership Plans to ensure cohesion objectives are delivered  

• Annual strategic debates with the Parliament for more transparent political steering  

However, key elements are still missing:  

• A mandatory territorial chapter 

• Place-based earmarking and explicit support for local transition 

• Means to the EU’s objectives to restore and protect nature 

• Clear continuity of the Mission approach  

While these proposed changes mark important progress, further adaptations are needed to ensure EU funds are allocated in a democratic, transparent, and territorially relevant manner -- so that every city and region in Europe can thrive.   

How to get there? Find out more by reading the Local Alliance’s 10-point Action Plan.