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HETZ Léa Agathe
In EU budget, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Society, Press, Projects and Programmes, Twinning

Policy recommendations on AgoraEU

EU financing opportunities - News

Committee of the Regions adopts AgoraEU opinion with CEMR’s key policy recommendations at its core

742 words
3–5 minutes

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) adopted its opinion on the proposed AgoraEU programme at its 171st plenary session. Drafted by rapporteur Csaba Borboly (RO/EPP), Vice-President of Harghita (Romania) County Council, the opinion sends a clear message to EU institutions: local and regional governments are essential implementing partners in Europe’s cultural, media and democratic future.

AgoraEU is the Commission’s proposal to merge Creative Europe and the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme into a single framework for the EU budget 2028–2034, covering three strands: culture, media, and democracy. While the ambition to create coherence is welcome, CEMR and the CoR have both underlined that this merger must not dilute the specific objectives and funding of each stream.

Ahead of the CoR’s deliberations, CEMR submitted several policy recommendations to the European Committee of the Regions, which have been reflected across four critical areas.

Town twinning: from omission to recognition

The most important alignment concerns town twinning and networks of towns. CEMR called for twinning to be recognised as a strategic democratic instrument with a clearly earmarked budget line — a cost-effective vehicle for civic participation, intercultural dialogue and European identity-building, especially in the context of geopolitical instability and enlargement process.

The CoR echoes this directly, calling for twinning networks and cross-border municipal partnerships with dedicated multi-annual funding. It also formally regrets that the Commission’s proposal dropped the twinning actions provided for under CERV and calls for their reinstatement. Town twinning reaches hundreds of thousands of citizens each year, including in small towns and rural areas rarely served by complex EU funding instruments. A CEMR Analysis of Twinning in Europe in 2023 showed that local and regional government associations (LRGAs) play an important role in twinning. More than 80% of respondents stated that they have been active in this field in the last two years and 75% declared interest to continue and to develop activities even further including cultural exchange, peer learning and joint project implementation.

National Contact Points and simplified access

National local and regional government associations and city networks have a proven track record in channelling EU funding to grassroots actors. CEMR argued that well-resourced National Contact Points, hosted by national associations of local and regional governments, are essential to reach smaller municipalities, rural areas and first-time applicants, and that national associations and municipal networks should be formally recognised as strategic bridge actors empowered to manage Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) mechanisms.

The CoR moves in the same direction, though with its own framing. It stresses that proportionality must be assessed not only in policy scope but in accessibility and inclusivity, and endorses simplified grant formats, capacity-building support and two-step application and cascade grant processes that have proven their value in previous programmes. It also calls for AgoraEU contact points to be established at least at national level, and where appropriate at regional level. Critically, it proposes that own contribution requirements for small-scale and grassroots initiatives be capped at 10% of total eligible costs, coverable through national, regional or local co-financing — a practical measure that directly addresses one of the most persistent barriers to bottom-up participation.

Embedding local governments within the programme’s governance framework

The CoR holds that AgoraEU must fully align with active subsidiarity and multilevel governance, calling for the role of LRAs to be formally recognised in the regulation, for territorial participation indicators to be introduced, and for evaluation criteria to be explicitly linked to territorial cohesion and citizen engagement.

What comes next

The CoR opinion is a strong institutional signal. The challenge now is to carry this territorial voice into the EU budget negotiations between the European Parliament and the Council.

CEMR will continue to advocate for the four pillars essential to making AgoraEU work for local and regional governments: a protected budget line for twinning actions; well-resourced National Contact Points with a genuine territorial mandate; formal recognition of intermediary organisations to facilitate the access to small subgrants; and meaningful participation of LRGs representatives in programme governance from the outset.

Culture, media and democracy are lived every day in town squares, local theatres and municipal councils across Europe. AgoraEU has the potential to reinforce that. The CoR has made clear what it takes — now it is up to the European Parliament and the Council to move towards this direction.

Read the Committee of the Regions’ adopted opinion [here]

Discover CEMR’s EU budget campaign

For more information, contact:

BORDELOT Federica
In EU budget, Impact community Cohesion, Press

Local Alliance calls for multilevel governance

EU budget 2026 news

Local Alliance urges the EU leaders to support the vision for multilevel governance in the next EU budget

1,141 words
5–7 minutes

As negotiations on the EU’s next long-term budget enter a crucial phase, mayors and local leaders from across Europe are urging national leaders to ensure that cities and regions remain central to EU investment.

Ahead of the European Council meeting on 18 – 19 June, CEMR, as part of, and in partnership with the Local Alliance – a coalition of the Europe’s leading networks of local and regional governments representing more than 1,800 cities, 60 regions, 60 energy agencies and 42 national associations – has issued an open letter to Heads of State and Government.

The letter was signed by the presidents of all eight member networks, alongside over 50 additional signatories — including municipalities such as Barcelona, Budapest, Lisbon, Paris and Rome, as well as provinces, networks and associations.

Local and regional governments translate EU priorities into concrete projects, services and investments that improve the daily lives of their citizens. From expanding public transport and protecting water quality to modernising schools, hospitals and social housing, most EU priorities are implemented locally.

This is why the Local Alliance has consistently called for the next EU budget to be place-based, grounded in multilevel governance, and designed to deliver our shared European goals, including competitiveness and the green transition. 

The coalition therefore welcomes the adoption of the European Parliament’s recent interim report on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), and the draft reports on the European Competitiveness Fund and the National and Regional Partnership Plans.

Ahead of the Council meeting, the open letter urges national leaders to uphold the Parliament’s key positions, including:

  • On the overall EU budget: Clearly define budget allocations for key programmes serving local and regional governments – including Cohesion Policy, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF) and LIFE. This would prevent uncertainty and competition with other priorities like the Common Agricultural Policy. Mayors also call for safeguards to ensure local beneficiaries are not penalised when EU funds are suspended at Member State level due to rule-of-law concerns.
  • On the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs): Require mandatory regional and territorial chapters in national plans, make multilevel governance a core principle, allocate resources to strengthen administrative capacity, and protect integrated territorial and urban development tools through dedicated ERDF funding.
  • On the Competitiveness Fund: Maintain support for territorial innovation with dedicated mechanisms, provide predictable funding streams specifically for local and regional investment pipelines, and explicitly recognise local authorities as eligible beneficiaries and implementation partners.

The Local Alliance stands ready to provide practical evidence from cities and regions and to contribute to a structured dialogue on implementation.

About the Local Alliance

The Local Alliance is an informal coalition of Europe’s leading networks representing local and regional governments, including CEMR, ACR+, Climate Alliance, Energy Cities, Eurocities, FEDARENE, ICLEI Europe, and POLIS. Together, they advocate for a stronger, more inclusive European Union that empowers local democracy.

Statements from signatories:

“Navigating the next budget period, the MFF 2028-2034 must at once bolster competitiveness, invest in sustainability, and restore stability to our economies, as well as societies and ecosystems. At this critical junction, Europe needs cities and regions now more than ever. Successfully delivering for EU citizens requires the work of local and regional authorities — those on the ground who know their challenges best. Cities and regions are the theatre of the European project, indispensable to the twin green and digital transitions, and indeed at the very centre of the circular economy. ACR+ endorses this letter to Heads of State and Government because these common goals require our cumulative strength and multilevel governance.”

Hugh Coughlan, acting president of ACR+

“The next EU budget must deliver competitiveness, cohesion and trust in every territory. That means a budget with clear and predictable funding for cohesion, genuine multilevel governance, and a real role for local and regional governments in shaping and implementing the instruments that will carry Europe’s priorities to the ground.”

Arjen Gerritsen, King’s Commissioner of Flevoland and CEMR spokesperson on the EU budget

“Europe’s ambitions on climate, sustainability and resilience cannot be achieved by Member States alone. Regions, cities and towns are key partners in delivering EU priorities on the ground. The European Council now has an opportunity to ensure the next EU budget reflects this reality through genuine partnership and adequate, predictable funding.”

Andreas Wolter, Councillor and former Mayor for the City of Cologne, Germany

“Local authorities turn Europe’s competitiveness and cohesion goals into tangible results for businesses and citizens on the ground.
Cities and towns are already building a more resilient energy future, through renovation, decarbonisation and local energy infrastructure projects, one building and one neighbourhood at a time.
The next European budget should recognise this role by making us full partners in the design and delivery of EU programmes, and by investing directly in the place-based projects that strengthen our communities and economies.”

Mohamed Ridouani, President of Energy Cities and Mayor of Leuven

“Europe is at a decisive moment in the MFF negotiations. This is not only about the EU budget, it is about how Europe governs, invests and delivers. We support simplification through the National and Regional Partnership Plans, but it must not lead to centralisation or disconnect decision-making from local delivery. Cities and regions are where EU priorities become reality, from climate and innovation to housing, mobility and social inclusion. The European Parliament’s position is moving in this direction, and national governments should take these messages into account.
 Over the past year together with 20 other Belgian city mayors, we have consistently called on the Belgian governments to ensure stronger recognition of cities and local governments in the next EU budget. We now urge the Belgian government, and all member states in the European Council, to set a clear direction for a budget that delivers competitiveness, cohesion and trust across all territories.”

Mathias De Clercq, President of Eurocities and Mayor of Ghent

“The credibility of the next EU budget will be measured not only by what it promises, but by whether it will work in practice. To build a more resilient, competitive and climate-neutral Europe, cities and regions need predictable investment, genuine partnership and a stronger role in shaping the programmes they are expected to implement. The European Council should ensure the next MFF empowers local and regional governments as full partners in Europe’s future.”

Martin W. W. Horn, ICLEI Europe President and Mayor of Freiburg

“From sustainable mobility to climate adaptation, cities are where Europe delivers results for citizens. In Ljubljana, EU funding has helped us create safer streets, greener neighbourhoods and better public transport. These investments show what is possible when European priorities are matched with local action. The next EU budget must continue to empower cities as key partners in building a competitive, resilient and sustainable Europe.”

Dejan Crnek, President of POLIS and Deputy Mayor of Ljubljana

For more information, contact:

GAUDRON Marine
In EU budget, Impact community Cohesion, Press

Event: future Cohesion Policy

Future Cohesion policy news

Event “Strengthening the territorial dimension in the future EU-Cohesion Policy”

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2–3 minutes
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12oct17h0020h30Strengthening the Territorial Dimension in the future EU-Cohesion Policy (in-person)CCRE-CEMR, Square de Meeus 1, 1000 Brussels

Event Details

This high-level Brussels event, held during the European Week of Regions and Cities 2026, will bring together EU, national and local leaders to discuss the future of Cohesion Policy and its territorial dimension. It will focus on upcoming decisions on the EU budget and investment framework, while promoting balanced, place-based development across urban and rural areas and strengthening cooperation between key European stakeholders.

Organisers: German Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building in cooperation with the German Association for Housing, Urban and Spatial Development (DV) and Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR)

Time

2026 10 12 5:00pm - 8:30pm(GMT+02:00)

Location

CCRE-CEMR, Square de Meeus 1, 1000 Brussels

Other Events

Against the backdrop of the European Week of Regions and Cities 2026, this high-level evening event in Brussels creates a timely political space to take stock of where Cohesion Policy is heading—and what is at stake for the territorial dimension in the next EU programming period.

The Week brings together European institutions, Member States and local and regional leaders around the central question of how Europe can deliver place-based solutions to shared transitions. This event deliberately connects that overarching debate with one of the most consequential upcoming decisions: the shaping of the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the emerging architecture of National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs), where priorities, governance and delivery tools for future EU investment will be negotiated.

In this context, the territorial dimension is not a technical add-on, but a core condition for impact. Climate neutrality, competitiveness, social inclusion and resilience will only be achieved if EU investment recognises different territorial starting points and capacities across cities, surrounding areas, functional regions and rural territories.

The event responds to this moment with three interconnected objectives:

  1. To anchor key recommendations for a strong territorial dimension in the forthcoming negotiations on the MFF and NRPPs;
  2. To safeguard a balanced territorial approach that addresses urban and rural territories in a complementary way; and
  3. To strengthen a European coalition for integrated territorial approaches bringing together Member States, European institutions and the organised local and regional government community, notably through CEMR, the Committee of the Regions and the European Commission.

Designed as a politically oriented panel discussion followed by a networking reception, the event will convene a targeted community of decision-makers and practitioners: representatives from EU institutions, national and regional managing authorities, cities and regions with hands-on experience in territorial tools, European associations, as well as researchers, think tanks and civil society organisations working on cohesion policy and spatial development.

By combining policy dialogue with exchange among practitioners, the event aims to build shared understanding—and strengthen alliances—at precisely the time when Europe’s future place-based investment framework is being defined.

Please note that spaces are limited. Your registration does not constitute confirmation of participation. You will receive a separate confirmation once your participation has been approved.

For further information on the event, you can reach: r.hohmann@deutscher-verband.org.

Future of Cohesion policy event flyer

For more information, contact:

Meritxell PARRAMON VILA
In About CEMR, EU budget, Impact community Climate, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Press

Leaders’ Summit in Rovaniemi

CEMR Leaders Summit 2026 - Rovaniemi

CEMR local leaders adopt a political declaration calling for cohesion, competitiveness and global partnerships at the heart of the next EU budget 

Gathered at the CEMR Leaders’ Summit in Rovaniemi, around 150 local leaders call on EU Heads of State to include the European Parliament’s EU budget recommendations on multilevel governance, territorial delivery and predictable funding into their negotiations with the Council 

Over 150 local leaders from 29 countries across Europe gathered in Rovaniemi, Finland, for the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) Leaders’ Summit, engaging in timely discussions on key European priorities. 

A political declaration at a pivotal moment 

One of the Summit’s main outcomes was the adoption of a political declaration signed by 55 local leaders who are calling on EU Heads of State to incorporate the European Parliament’s key recommendations on the next EU budget (2028-2034) into their negotiations in the European Council. Adopted during the CEMR Leaders’ Summit in Rovaniemi, the declaration comes at a crucial stage in the interinstitutional discussion on the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). 

By endorsing this declaration in support of an EU budget that works for every territory, CEMR members urge that cohesion, competitiveness and global partnerships remain at the core of the next long-term EU budget. Addressed to national leaders, the declaration advocates for a place-based, predictable budget grounded in genuine multilevel governance. 

The declaration follows the European Parliament’s adoption of its interim report on the 2028–2034 EU budget on its plenary meeting of 28 April 2026, in which the Parliament set out its political priorities and will be the basis of negotiations with the Council.   

Given that the Member States will finalise their position at the Council meeting to be held on 18 and 19 June, CEMR calls on them to take into consideration the position and proposals put forward by the European Parliament towards an EU budget that delivers competitiveness, cohesion, and trust across all territories. 

Christoph Schnaudigel, CEMR president, stated that: “The next EU budget must work for every territory in Europe. Cities and regions are where European policy meets real life — where floods are managed, where people need cooling centres, where businesses invest or leave. Europe’s competitiveness and resilience will only be as strong as its weakest territory. The time to act is now”. 

Local leaders attending the CEMR Leaders’ Summit also had the opportunity to exchange views on the interinstitutional negotiations on the next MFF with the Member of the European Parliament, Vice-chair of the EU Budget Committee, Giuseppe Lupo. During the discussion, Luppo stated that “we are asking for the Council’s official position, therefore it is extremely important to develop any initiative in order to convince member states to accept the European Parliament proposal.” 

Local and regional governments: strengthening resilience through foresight and preparedness 

The Summit also provided a platform to discuss how local and regional governments can better use foresight and preparedness to anticipate and mitigate the impacts of crises and emergencies. 

As the host country, Finland—internationally recognised as a global leader in crisis preparedness and long-term strategic foresight—offered valuable insights. Participants explored how democratic institutions at all levels must evolve to govern effectively in an era marked by uncertainty and disruption. 

Katri Kulmuni, Former Deputy Prime Minister of Finland and the northernmost Member of the European Parliament, stated that “preparedness is a broader way of living. It is not a cost but an investment, and it will only work if the local communities are involved.”   

The political discussion included voices from across the continent, from north to south. 

Director of Technical Service of the City of Rovaniemi, Pertti Onkalo, expressed that “across Europe, cities and regions face similar challenges, even though each has its own unique characteristics. By sharing lessons learned, we can ensure that no one has to reinvent the wheel”. He also added that “these days the importance of preparedness is increasingly recognised; but preparedness must be built before a crisis, not during it.” 

This is what Elisabeth Unell, the mayor of Västerås in Sweden, stated: “Building preparedness means practising different scenarios and preparing together. We need stronger coordination and experience sharing among local governments across Europe.” 

“Preparedness and foresight are getting more into our DNA, especially in the western part of Europe. When there is a crisis, the most vital thing is the structure. But it is not always the government that can instantly help. It is also important to invest in the local governments.“ Ap Reinders, the Mayor of Stichtse Vecht. 

The Mayor of Estarreja (Portugal), Isabel Simoes Pinto, argued that “for citizens, preparedness cannot be an abstract concept. It needs to come from the confidence of the local leaders. We must transform preparedness into a normal dimension of governance, a daily aspect of life.” – Mayor of Estarreja (Portugal), Isabel Simoes Pinto 

Christoph Schnaudigel appointed CEMR President 

During the Summit, the CEMR Policy Committee appointed Christoph Schaudigel as the new President of the organisation, following the resignation of Gunn Marit Helgesen after her election as President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CLRAE).  

CEMR local leaders also decided that Gunn Marit Helgesen will continue to serve as CEMR Co-President alongside Philippe Laurent and Vince Maple. 

In his initial speech, Christoph Schnaudigel stated: “I am honoured to take on the role of President of CEMR at such a crucial moment for Europe’s towns, cities and regions. As the negotiations on the next EU budget unfold, and as our values and local democracy are increasingly challenged in a turbulent geopolitical context, our unity matters more than ever. I look forward to working even more closely with all our members to ensure that local voices are heard and involved in the European process of decision-making. This also includes strengthening CEMR’s commitment to international partnerships to uphold peace, democracy, sustainability and solidarity.” 

Christoph Schnaudigel is the President of the German Section of CEMR (RGRE) and the President of the County of Karlsruhe (Germany). He has been an active member of CEMR’s leadership since 2017, when he became the Spokesperson on Public Services. 

Marking CEMR’s 75th anniversary 

The Rovaniemi Summit built on CEMR’s 75-year legacy of supporting towns, cities and regions through major transformations—from post-war reconstruction to today’s climate and social transitions. 

Local leaders celebrated this milestone with the launch of a new CEMR video presentation, as well as a series of interviews titled “Voices of our 75-year history.” A photobooth featuring a “Local Time” newspaper, showcasing “Our local leaders” as protagonists, also formed part of the celebrations. 

The CEMR Leaders’ Summit in Rovaniemi was hosted by the city of Rovaniemi and the Association of Finnish Cities and Municipalities (Kuntaliitto). 

For more information, contact:

BORDELOT Federica
In EU budget, EU budget, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Press, Publications

EU budget political declaration

Leaders Summit Finland 2026

CEMR local leaders adopt a political declaration in support of an EU budget that works for every territory

Read the declaration

Gathered in Rovaniemi on 5 June, local leaders call on the EU’s Heads of State and Government to include the European Parliament’s EU budget recommendations on multilevel governance, territorial delivery and predictable funding into their negotiations with the Council

Local leaders of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) Policy Committee have adopted a political declaration calling on EU Heads of State and Government to incorporate the European Parliament’s key recommendations on the next EU budget (2028-2034) into their negotiations in the European Council. The declaration, with 55 signatories, approved during the CEMR Leaders’ Summit in Rovaniemi, comes at a crucial moment in the interinstitutional discussions on the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

By endorsing this declaration in support of an EU budget that works for every territory, CEMR members urge to ensure that the next long-term budget is fit for the EU ambition for cohesion, competitiveness and global partnership. Addressed to national leaders, the declaration makes the case for a budget that is place-based, predictable, and grounded in genuine multilevel governance.

A particularly significant timing

The declaration follows the European Parliament’s adoption of its interim report on the 2028–2034 EU budget on its plenary meeting of 28 April 2026 in which the Parliament set out its political priorities and will be the basis of negotiations with the Council.

As Member States meeting on 18-19 June Council will finalise their position, CEMR calls on them to take into consideration the position and proposals put forward by the European Parliament towards an EU budget that delivers competitiveness, cohesion, and trust across all territories.

Key asks of the political declaration

In practical terms, the declaration encourages Heads of State and Government to uphold the European Parliament’s key recommendations on multilevel governance, territorial delivery and predictable funding under the future National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPP). It also calls for the continuation of territorial innovation and competitiveness tools, as well as stable and predictable support for innovation, scale-up and investment in towns, cities and regions under the future European Competitiveness Fund (ECF).

Local and regional governments are essential to turning EU priorities into concrete projects, services and investments on the ground. Among the main calls of the political declaration, it urges to preserve strong and clearly allocated funding for Cohesion Policy, which will secure key investments for economic, social and territorial cohesion in all regions.

It also insists that local and regional governments must be properly involved in the design and implementation of future NRPP.

The text further calls for the protection of integrated territorial and urban development tools, stronger administrative capacity for local and regional governments, and a more realistic approach to performance and delivery rules for long-term investment.

On competitiveness, the declaration argues that the future ECF must be accessible across all territories and better connected to local realities. It also calls on the EU to recognise local and regional governments as full partners in external action and development cooperation.

The overall message is clear: if the EU wants its next budget to produce tangible results for citizens, it must give local and regional governments the means and the role to make that happen.

CEMR advocacy campaign on the next EU budget

This action is part of CEMR’s wider campaign on the future EU budget. The campaign stresses that the decisions now being negotiated will shape the European Union’s ability to invest in people and places for the next decade. It also warns that greater flexibility in the new budget architecture must not come at the expense of safeguards for place-based investment, multilevel governance and predictable funding for towns, cities and regions.

For more information, contact:

GAUDRON Marine
In EU budget, Impact community Cohesion, Press

CEMR welcomes Parliament’s direction on NRPP

ODELL - Democracy news

Our reaction to the European Parliament draft report on National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPP)

The European Parliament has taken a significant step towards shaping the future EU budget for 2028–2034 with the publication of its draft report on National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs). Drafted jointly by three Members of the Parliament (MEPs) from REGI (Andrey Novakov), BUDG (Karlo Ressler) and AGRI (Elsi Katainen) Committees, the draft report is a first steps towards the Parliament’s position on how EU funding should be designed and delivered across Europe’s regions and cities. 

For the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), the report sends an encouraging signal: local and regional governments must remain at the heart of EU investment policy. 

The draft report reflects several key CEMR amendment proposals. These include: 

  • Stronger and enforceable multilevel governance, recognised as a horizontal conditionality.  
  • A dedicated earmark for integrated territorial and urban strategies  
  • More favorable conditions for local and regional governments including reduced national co-financing, increased pre-financing and the return to N+3 decommitment rule.  

It also secures concrete gains such as support for administrative capacity building and clearer territorial delivery tools, acknowledging the central role of local authorities in delivering EU priorities on the ground.  

A particularly important provision for CEMR is the proposal to earmark a share of EU funding for integrated territorial and urban strategies: 

“We welcome the proposal to secure at least 11% of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding for integrated territorial and urban strategies. This reinforces a place-based approach and gives local and regional governments the certainty to plan, invest and deliver results.” 

Kamila Blahova, Mayor of Litvínov, CEMR Spokesperson on Territorial Cohesion.  

This commitment would help ensure that investments respond directly to the needs of communities, while strengthening the ability of cities and regions to plan long-term development. 

Full details of CEMR’s amendments are available here. 

Cities and regions united 

CEMR is part of the Local Alliance, a coalition of leading networks representing around 2,000 cities and regions across Europe, which has jointly reacted to the Parliament’s report. The Alliance welcomes the strengthened role for local and regional authorities and calls on EU institutions to ensure that these commitments are fully reflected in the final EU budget. 
 
Read the full Local Alliance press release here

18-May-2026-Local-Alliance-press-release-nrpp-draft-reportDownload

For more information, please contact:

BORDELOT Federica
In EU budget, Impact community Cohesion, Press

EU budget campaign – The Czech Republic

The advocacy work of our national associations: the case of the Czech Republic

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, Richard Vereš, Mayor of Slezská Ostrava and CEMR Vice-President, warns that the current proposal risks moving decision-making further away from the territories most affected by EU policies. Speaking from the Moravian-Silesian region in the Czech Republic, he highlights in particular the absence of clearly dedicated funding for the Just Transition and the broader risk of weakening citizens’ trust in European institutions.

The Union of Towns and Municipalities of the Czech Republic (SMO ČR) has been active both nationally and at European level, working alongside CEMR and the European Committee of Regions to advocate for a less centralised EU budget proposal that better reflects the needs of cities and regions.

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:

GAUDRON Marine
In EU budget, Impact community Cohesion, Press

Parliament questions centralised MFF model

MFF - banner text

European Parliament sets MFF 2028–2034 priorities, questions the “one plan per Member State”

On 28 April 2026, the European Parliament adopted its interim report on the Commission proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034, a key political milestone as this will be the basis for the European Parliament to engage in negotiations with the Member States in the Council on the next long-term budget for the EU. With this report, the Parliament sends a clear signal: the budget architecture proposed by the European Commission risks recentralising decision-making and weakening place- based investments.

Many of the report’s messages echo CEMR’s calls to have a budget that strengthens Europe through its towns, cities and regions.

 In particular, while confirming new priorities in defence and competitiveness, the EU Parliament safeguards funding for the Cohesion policy and the Common Agricultural policy. It also emphasises the need to make partnership and multilevel governance a reality, especially in the proposed National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs).

Arjen Gerritsen, King’s Commissioner of Flevoland (NL) and CEMR spokesperson on EU budget, pointed to the significance of the Parliament’s stance:

“Cities and regions plan investments in regional innovation, sustainability and strategic autonomy over decades. The next MFF must guarantee predictable funding and support long term sustainable investments at local and regional levels.”

What the European Parliament’s interim report says

A more ambitious EU budget, shielded from inflation and debt pressures

Parliament calls for the MFF to reach 1.27% of EU Gross National Income (GNI), and insists that NextGenerationEU debt servicing should be treated outside the MFF ceilings (i.e., not competing with programme spending). It also supports an adjustment method that better protects the budget’s purchasing power during inflationary shocks. This allows the Parliament to increase the budget of the three main headings: Europe’s social model and quality of life (including the NRPPs); Competitiveness, prosperity and Security (including European Competitiveness Fund and Horizon); and Global Europe by about 10% compared to the Commission’s proposal.

 A firm rejection of the “à la carte approach” for Member States
One of Parliament’s strongest political messages is its opposition to the Commission’s approach of “one plan per Member State”, warning it risks renationalising EU policies, undermining the European dimension of spending, creating competition between beneficiaries, and weakening subsidiarity and multilevel governance.

Ring-fenced funding for cohesion and social priorities
Parliament calls for strong, clearly distinct and adequate funding for cohesion policy, the European Social Fund (ESF+), and other long-standing policies, and argues that “non-ringfenced” amounts under NRPPs should be fully allocated to provide predictability for beneficiaries. It also stresses cohesion policy’s treaty basis and calls for a dedicated and robust envelope for cohesion funds. However, one of the great omissions in the report is the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, which is the only Cohesion Policy fund not clearly allocated a specific budget, putting at risk rural municipalities and regions relying on the rural development fund

Clearer governance: regional chapters and full involvement of local and regional governments
The interim report calls for the establishment of regional chapters (in line with Member States’ institutional frameworks) and the full involvement of regional and local governments in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes, explicitly referencing shared management, partnership and multilevel governance. It also notes that shortcomings seen in the Recovery and Resilience Facility model were not sufficiently addressed in the NRPP proposal. 

New priorities with territorial impact: housing, resilience and crisis response
Parliament flags the housing affordability and availability crisis and calls for more strategic investment in decent, sustainable and affordable housing, energy and security across the different headings. It also pushes for stronger crisis-response instruments and a dedicated solidarity reserve for natural disasters.

“We welcome the European Parliament’s position—it sends a clear signal in support of multilevel governance and the role of local and regional governments in delivering EU investments,” said the CEMR spokesperson. “As negotiations move forward, it will be crucial for local and regional governments to actively support these priorities in their dialogue with national authorities.”

Just as the European Parliament was adopting its interim report, the CEMR Expert group on territorial cohesion met to exchange with Member States representatives on the state of play of MFF negotiations and on the ongoing process of elaboration of the National and Regional Partnership Plans. Discussions highlighted that this process is already underway in several Member States, with varying levels of involvement of local and regional government associations.

For more information, please contact:

Meritxell PARRAMON VILA
In About CEMR, EU budget, Governance, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Society, Local democracy, Local Insights, Press

Meet Emil Boc (Cluj-Napoca)

Cluj Napoca - Local Heroes 2026

Meet the Local Hero: Emil Boc. From national leadership to local transformation — and a call to put cities at the heart of Europe’s future

For Emil Boc, leadership has never been confined to a single level of governance. A former Prime Minister of Romania until 2012 turned long-serving mayor of Cluj-Napoca since then, his career reflects a rare continuity between national vision and local delivery. 

Today, as Europe debates its next budget, Boc’s message is direct: without cities and regions at the table, the European project risks losing both effectiveness and legitimacy. 

From Prime Minister to Mayor: why vision comes first 

Boc’s years as Prime Minister fundamentally reshaped how he approaches local governance. 

“The first lesson,” he explains, “is that no country — and no city — can develop without a clear vision, followed by a strategy and a concrete plan.” 

Returning to Cluj-Napoca after his time in national office, he applied this logic with precision. The city identified its competitive advantage — universities, education, and innovation — and built a development model around a knowledge-based economy.

But beyond economic strategy, Boc insists leadership is about more than administration: 

“A leader is not just there to keep the lights on or clean the streets. You need a long-term vision, and the discipline to follow it.”

Turning Cluj-Napoca into a pro-European city 

Over the past two decades, Boc has overseen a profound transformation. 

Once considered one of the most Eurosceptic cities in Romania, Cluj-Napoca — a city of around 300,000 inhabitants in the northwest of the country, with a dynamic, university-driven and innovation-based economy — is now, in his words, “the most pro-European city in the country.” 

This shift did not happen overnight. It was built “day by day,” by embedding what Boc calls a European way of life: openness, tolerance, and cooperation — combined with strategic use of EU funds. 

The results are visible everywhere: infrastructure, schools, public transport, and urban regeneration. For Boc, these are not abstract policies but tangible proof of what Europe delivers. 

“If someone asks me why Europe matters,” he says, “I just go outside. The schools, the roads, the parks — they are there because of European funding.” 

At the core of this transformation is a simple idea: freedom to stay. 

“People should not be forced to leave their city or country for economic reasons.
Europe must guarantee not only freedom of movement, but also the freedom to build a life at home.”

This message resonates particularly strongly in Romania, a country that has experienced one of the largest waves of emigration within the European Union. Since the early 2000s, millions of Romanians — many of them young, educated, and highly mobile — have left to study and work abroad, seeking better economic opportunities and living conditions. While this mobility reflects one of the EU’s core freedoms, it has also created deep territorial imbalances, with cities and regions losing talent at a critical stage of their development.  

What’s at stake in the next EU budget 

As negotiations intensify over the next Multiannual Financial Framework, Boc warns that the role of cities and regions is far from secure. 

His concern is not rhetorical — it is structural. 

First, he argues that local governments must move from consultation to real decision-making power: “We want to be at the table, not on the menu.” 

A key issue is how the European Commission plans to introduce so-called “regional checks.” Without legal weight, Boc fears these could become a box-ticking exercise rather than a genuine partnership. 

His proposal is clear: a binding subsidiarity clause, ensuring that municipalities and regions are involved at every stage — from design to implementation and evaluation — and can reject national plans that ignore them. 

Second, he pushes back against proposals to merge cohesion policy funding with other priorities, particularly agriculture. 

“These are two pillars of the European Union. If they are put in the same pot, cities and regions risk losing out.”

Third, Boc insists that cohesion policy must remain universal. Limiting access only to less-developed regions would weaken Europe’s ability to address inequalities across all territories. 

“Cohesion is the glue that keeps Europe together — and that glue is needed everywhere.” 

Finally, he calls for dedicated regional chapters in national plans to ensure that local perspectives are not sidelined. 

 
From climate to defence: investing in cities is investing in Europe 

For Boc, the debate about the EU budget ultimately comes down to credibility. 

“Europe has the vision. Now it needs the resources to deliver.”

He points to climate policy as a concrete example. Cities are expected to lead the transition — including initiatives like climate-neutral urban development — but without sufficient funding, ambitions risk remaining theoretical. 

At the same time, he highlights the growing interconnection between policy areas. Investments in urban infrastructure, such as metro systems, serve multiple purposes: sustainability, mobility, and even resilience in times of crisis. 

“Look at how metro systems are used in emergencies,” he notes. “This is not just climate policy — it is also about security and preparedness.” 

 
A Europe built with its cities 

Boc’s argument is ultimately political as much as financial. 

The European Union, he says, cannot be reduced to negotiations between capitals. 

“It is not just a union of states. It is a union of municipalities, regions, and cities.” 

Excluding them from decision-making would not only weaken policy outcomes but also erode the diversity and cohesion that define Europe itself. 

As the EU looks ahead to 2034 and beyond, Boc’s message is a warning — and a roadmap: 

Without strong local governments, there is no strong Europe. 

Cluj-Napoca is member of CEMR national association Romanian Municipalities Association.

Check out our EU budget campaign and what we have produced so far:

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LAVORGNA Fiorella
In EU budget, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Society, Press

Call Simone EU budget episode

Who Decides Europe’s Future? The Battle Behind the EU’s Next Budget

Listen to the episode

Who decides Europe’s future—the Member States, the EU institutions, or the cities and regions that implement policies on the ground?

This is the question at the heart of the negotiations for the European Union’s next long-term budget (2028–2034), and the starting point of the latest Call Simone episode with Jan Olbrycht, former Member of the European Parliament and one of the most experienced figures in EU budget negotiations.

What may appear as a technical discussion about figures and funding lines is, in reality, a political struggle over power, priorities, and governance. And it comes at a moment when Europe must define what it wants to become: a more centralised political actor, or a union that remains fundamentally different from the United States—more negotiated, more decentralised, and ultimately dependent on consensus.

A budget under pressure

As Olbrycht explains, the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is being shaped by an unusually heavy context: war at Europe’s borders, growing global competition, the repayment of pandemic-era debt, and the prospect of enlargement.

The European Commission has proposed a significantly larger budget—potentially close to €2 trillion. But this ambition depends on new sources of revenue. Without them, the EU risks financing new priorities by cutting existing ones, turning the negotiation into a zero-sum game.

A shift in how Europe spends and governs

One of the central points raised in the discussion is that the most controversial change is not the size of the budget, but its structure.

Rather than organising spending around established policies like cohesion and agriculture, the proposal introduces broader categories and national plans that bundle different funding streams together. According to the Commission, this is meant to simplify the system and make it more flexible in times of crisis.

In practice, however, it redistributes power.

It strengthens the role of national governments while allowing the Commission to impose mandatory priorities—such as minimum spending on climate or support for less developed regions. As Fiorella Lavorgna, host of the podcast points out in the conversation, this creates a hybrid system that raises a key question: is this simplification, or a new form of centralisation?

The real fault line: who gets a say

This leads to one of the clearest political fault lines discussed in the episode: governance.

Will cities and regions be co-authors of these national plans, or merely consulted?

For organisations like CEMR—where Jan Olbrycht also served as of the vice presidents between 1995 and 2001—this is a red line. The experience of recent instruments, such as the Recovery and Resilience Facility, showed that consultation without real involvement risks weakening both effectiveness and accountability.

The European Parliament has taken a relatively strong position in favour of reinforcing the role of local and regional authorities. But within the Council positions remain divided, reflecting different national governance models.

Competitiveness vs cohesion

Another key tension highlighted in the discussion concerns the balance between competitiveness and cohesion.

The proposed competitiveness fund reflects a shift toward innovation, strategic industries, and investment attraction—an acknowledgement that Europe must strengthen its global economic position. This raises concerns about the future of cohesion policy, which has long been central to reducing regional disparities.

This is not simply a budgetary trade-off. It is a political one: a more competitive Europe that deepens internal inequalities risks undermining its own foundations.

Enlargement and the limits of unity

The conversation also touches on enlargement.

Integrating countries like Ukraine or Moldova is not only a financial challenge—it is a political one that requires unanimity among Member States. As Olbrycht stresses, enlargement ultimately depends as much on the willingness of current members as on the readiness of candidate countries.

This reinforces a central feature of the EU: its dependence on consensus.

Not a United States of Europe

When asked who one should “call” to speak to Europe in ten years’ time, Olbrycht’s answer is telling: not one leader, but several—reflecting a system where authority is shared rather than concentrated.

For him, the EU is not moving toward a single-leader model like the United States. Instead, it will maintain its own specificity: a political system built on balance between institutions and Member States, where decisions emerge from negotiation rather than hierarchy.

The next EU budget embodies this reality. It is not just a financial framework, but a test of how Europe functions: whether it can act strategically without becoming centralised, and whether it can remain cohesive without becoming fragmented.

Ultimately, what is at stake is not only how much Europe spends, but how it governs itself. And in that sense, the outcome of these negotiations will say as much about the EU’s political future as any treaty reform.

Learn more about our key asks on the EU budget 2028-2034

Download here the uncut episode transcript

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