The advocacy work of our national associations: the case of Finland
As negotiations on the next EU long-term budget move forward at both European and national levels, CEMR is calling for a stronger role for local and regional governments in defining the priorities of this new EU budget.
Miikka Lönnqvist, City Councillor of Hollola (Finland) and representative of the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities (Kuntaliitto), sets out what the association wants to see in the next EU budget: fair competition for businesses; investment in innovation; greater weight to security, preparedness and resilience at local level; and sustainable growth reaching every town, city and region, not just national capitals. Kuntaliitto is also pushing for local governments to have a significant role in designing and implementing the EU budget, not simply receiving it.
This advocacy campaign of the EU budget is not only happening in Brussels. The Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities (Kuntaliitto) has taken its message directly to national decision-makers, engaging with parliamentary committees in the Finnish Parliament and participating in discussions with Finland’s Prime Minister’s Office and national ministries as the country’s position on the EU budget takes shape. Alongside this, Kuntaliitto has worked with municipalities, cities and local governments across Finland to build and promote a common national position on the EU budget.
Kuntaliitto’s call to fellow associations across Europe is to do the same: engage in the budget negotiations as early as possible and make sure the local voice is heard by those designing and implementing the new EU budget at national level.
Our views on the current EU budget proposal
CEMR calls for stronger guarantees for multilevel governance and partnership, greater flexibility for local governments, 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.
Read CEMR’s position paper on the next EU budget
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
