Shaping the next EU Budget with cities and regions

Cities and regions are at the heart of Europe’s progress and resilience; they are where innovation happens, and where meaningful projects take shape. This was the central message of the European Urban Forum: “Shaping the Next EU Budget with Cities”, co-organised by the Local Alliance (a coalition of Europe’s leading local and regional government networks, including ACR+, CEMR, Climate Alliance, Energy Cities, Eurocities, FEDARENE, ICLEI Europe, and POLIS). The event brought together mayors, Members of the European Parliament, the European Commission, and representatives of the European Committee of the Regions to discuss how the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) can better support local and regional authorities.

Participants all highlighted the need to safeguard EU funding for cities and regions and to uphold the fundamental principles of partnership and multilevel governance. These principles have enabled the success of EU Cohesion Policy until now and must continue. With the Local Alliance the commitment is clear: to build a Europe that works for all, by working with all.