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Impact community Cohesion102

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

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, Latest, 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, Latest

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, Latest

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, Latest

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, Latest, Local democracy, Local Insights

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:

For more information, contact:

GAUDRON Marine
In Housing, Housing, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Latest, Publications

CEMR Housing Task Force

EU housing news 2026

Affordable, sustainable, livable: what local governments need from the EU on housing 

Read the full policy paper

The housing crisis has become one of the defining societal challenges of the 21st century, affecting communities across Europe: from major cities to rural areas, and reshaping social, economic, and demographic realities. Rising housing costs, homelessness, and chronic underinvestment are undermining equality, cohesion, and sustainability. Addressing this emergency requires integrated, place-based solutions that link housing with services, mobility, jobs, and quality of life. As frontline actors, local and regional governments must be recognised as key partners in Europe’s response, working with national and EU institutions to deliver affordable, sustainable, and inclusive homes for all.  
 
Europe’s housing crisis is felt most sharply where people live, work and study. On 9 April 2026, CEMR’s Housing Task Force brought together local and regional perspectives on how to measure affordability and how to respond to short‑term rentals and accelerate housing delivery.  

The discussion comes at a pivotal moment as the European Commission’s European Affordable Housing Plan has placed housing firmly on the EU agenda, and preparations are underway for an Affordable Housing Act aimed at supporting public authorities in addressing pressure in “areas under housing stress”, including through measures linked to short‑term rentals. With the European Parliament also intensifying its work on the housing crisis, the political momentum is clearly rising.  

Affordability beyond a single number 

A key takeaway following an exchange with Sandra Di Biaggio, Research and Policy Manager at ESPON for a presentation on the project Housing4All, was that affordability is multidimensional. It cannot be reduced to prices alone: income and residual income matter, but so do energy bills, mobility costs, access to services and housing quality. Participants also stressed that data gaps, including limited harmonised income data at the local level, can make comparisons difficult, reinforcing the need for place‑based analysis.  

Tailor-made policy mixes 

The Task Force discussion underlined that no single instrument can fix affordability everywhere. Housing pressures vary widely from urbanisation and tourism to student demand and financialisation, alongside supply constraints such as rising costs and construction capacity. This calls for policy mixes adapted to local realities, where EU action adds value by enabling conditions (investment, legal clarity, better data, smart simplification) rather than prescribing uniform solutions.  

Short‑term rentals and local autonomy 

On short‑term rentals, participants highlighted the need for legal certainty for local governments when adopting policies on short-term rentals,  without undermining local competence. Overly rigid definitions in the norm risk limiting local capacity to act, especially if rules apply only within narrowly defined “stress areas”. At the same time, better enforcement of existing tools and clearer guidance on what is compatible with EU law could strengthen local action.  

Building faster and better. Finally, the Task Force discussed how industrialisation, standardisation and digitalisation in construction, alongside renovation, circularity and energy performance, could speed up delivery while supporting Europe’s climate objectives.  

CEMR will continue to bring local and regional perspectives into the EU debate as work progresses towards the Affordable Housing Act (expected for the end of 2026).  

Learn more about the CEMR position on Housing

For more information, please contact:  

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

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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BORDELOT Federica
In EU budget, Impact community Cohesion, Latest

EU budget campaign – The Netherlands

EU budget campaign 2026

The advocacy work of our national associations: the case of the Netherlands

As negotiations on the next long-term EU budget move forward on two fronts—both between the EU institutions and within each member state among national governments, stakeholders, and regional and local networks—CEMR is sending a clear message: Europe works best when towns, cities, and regions have a real seat at the table.

In this video message, Arjen Gerritsen, King’s Commissioner of Flevoland and CEMR spokesperson on the EU budget, highlights why the stakes are high — not just for local governments, but for every European community.

Town, cities and regions are where EU policies become real. This is where roads are built, where homes are planned, where climate protection happens, where small businesses get support, and where essential public services are delivered every single day. Europe’s ambitions only work when they work locally.

The most crucial discussions are now taking place within the Council and the European Parliament. This is why conversations in the capitals of the different member states are more relevant than ever. CEMR is mobilising its full strength to advocate at the national and regional levels, drawing on the influence of our national associations in the member states.

In this video, Arjen Gerritsen stresses that organisations like the Association of Provinces of the Netherlands (IPO) are already working to ensure regional voices are heard at the national level. But this effort needs to be shared across Europe, and he invites every local and regional politicians to do the same: “Talk to your governments. Raise your voice. Defend multilevel governance.”

Our views on the current EU budget proposal

The current proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) risks shifting decisions further away from local and regional governments. And when choices are made too far from the ground, investments become less effective — and citizens feel the gap.

That’s why CEMR’s message is clear: partnership should not be optional — it must be the standard.

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:

BORDELOT Federica
In Housing, Housing, Impact community Society, Latest, Publications

Housing policy paper

Housing policy paper - News 2026

A local housing plan to strengthen the role of cities, towns and regions in addressing Europe’s housing challenges

Read the position paper

Europe’s housing crisis has reached unprecedented levels, with direct consequences for citizens living in towns, cities and regions across the continent. The European Commission’s EU Affordable Housing Plan is a meaningful step forward, but it will only deliver if the full potential of local and regional governments is unlocked.

CEMR’s new position paper, “A local plan for housing”, sets out proposals to the EU Affordable Housing Plan, arguing that Europe’s ambitions will only translate into real results if towns, cities and regions are fully empowered to act.

To make this happen, CEMR identifies four priorities that must be unlocked so local and regional governments can deliver on the ground:

1. Mobilise investment where it matters most

Inadequate and unpredictable funding is one of the main barriers to expanding affordable and sustainable housing for towns, cities, and regions. Local and regional governments need long‑term investment frameworks. CEMR calls for:

  • Simpler and wider access to EU and national funding, including cohesion policy and EU budget 2028-2034 instruments, so municipalities of all sizes can plan and deliver.
  • Reforms to fiscal rules and modernisation of State aid, treating affordable and energy‑efficient housing as long‑term investment rather than ordinary expenditure.
  • Support to strengthen construction capacity and innovation, from skills to circular, climate‑resilient building and renovation.

2. Enable faster and more coherent planning to accelerate delivery

Fragmented, complex procedures delay urgently needed homes across Member States. CEMR urges EU and national authorities to:

  • Streamline planning and environmental assessments, reducing duplication while upholding strong sustainability standards.
  • Enable place‑based approaches, giving towns, cities and regions the flexibility to access land, regenerate brownfields and plan integrated, inclusive neighbourhoods.
  • Advance the single market for construction, harmonising technical standards to reduce delays, boost innovation and lower costs.

3. Improve efficiency through digital permitting

Digital permitting can bring faster renovation and new construction, but many local and regional governments lack resources to implement it. CEMR calls for:

  • Dedicated funding, training and technical assistance are needed for interoperable local–national–EU permitting systems.
  • Clearer guidance for applicants and developers will improve submission quality.

4. Activate Europe’s full potential through a real multilevel partnership

The EU Affordable Housing Plan will only succeed through genuine cooperation across levels of government. CEMR asks for:

  • Structured multilevel governance, with local and regional governments fully involved in design, implementation and monitoring.
  • Stronger municipal autonomy and legal clarity, ensuring responsibilities are matched with financing.
  • Adequated resources for the European Housing Alliance with structured participation of local and regional governments, which also serves to cooperate beyond the EU to address shared housing challenges.

Europe’s housing challenge demands swift and coordinated action. The EU Affordable Housing Plan sets an important framework, but its success will depend on how well it empowers the governments closest to citizens. By unlocking investment, planning flexibility, digital efficiency and genuine multilevel governance, Europe can move from ambition to delivery.

CEMR’s “Local Plan for Housing” offers a clear pathway: start locally, invest wisely and collaborate across levels of government. Only by working through cities, towns and regions can Europe ensure that affordable, sustainable and inclusive homes become a reality for all.

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