The advocacy work of our national associations: the case of Slovenia
As negotiations on the next EU long-term budget move forward at both European and national level, CEMR is calling for a stronger role for local and regional governments in shaping EU investments and priorities.
In a recent video message, Samo Turel, Mayor of Nova Gorica and President of the Association of Urban Municipalities of Slovenia, says that the current proposal does not fully reflect the needs and realities of cities. Speaking from Nova Gorica, a border city that has experienced firsthand how European cooperation and EU funds shape local development, he highlights, in particular, that a weaker cohesion policy could widen development gaps between regions rather than closing them, pulling Europe away from its shared goals.
The Association of Urban Municipalities of Slovenia has been active both nationally and at European level, engaging directly with national ministries, the European Commission and Slovenian Members of the European Parliament to argue that involving the local level in policymaking leads to better outcomes for citizens.
Our views on the current EU budget proposal
CEMR calls for stronger guarantees for multilevel governance and partnership, greater flexibility for local governments to respond to crises, and a budget that reflects today’s challenges: from climate adaptation and housing to digital services and territorial cohesion.
The message behind the campaign is simple: when local and regional governments are involved from the start, Europe delivers better results for citizens.
For months, CEMR has been calling for:
- A strong role for local and regional governments in EU programmes and funds
- Clear guarantees for multilevel governance and partnership
- Greater flexibility so local governments can respond quickly to crises
- A budget that matches today’s real challenges, from climate adaptation to housing, digital services and territorial cohesion
CEMR’s EU budget campaign centres on one simple truth: When local and regional governments are involved from the start, Europe delivers better results for its citizens.
This is how democracy works — through cooperation, partnership and decisions made close to the people they affect.
Join us in defending that principle.
Learn more about the CEMR EU budget campaign
For more information, contact:
Director – Policy & Impact
