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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
Register here

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:

BENNIS Hamza
In Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Press, Public services, Public services, Publications

Statement on public procurement

Public procurement services news

Call on European institutions to safeguard public-public cooperation and in-house provision in the Revision of the Public Procurement Directives 

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1–2 minutes
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Public-public cooperation and in-house provision are essential tools enabling local and regional governments to organise, deliver, and manage public services directly — whether through cooperation with other public authorities or through entities under their control — without resorting to external operators.  

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) released a statement in which it expresses its strong opposition to calls and proposals that further restrict public-public cooperation and in-house provision in view of the upcoming Revision of the EU Public Procurement Directives.  

In this new statement, CEMR argues that public-public cooperation and in-house provision are firmly grounded in the EU Treaties, the Public Procurement Directives, and the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Local and regional governments must retain the freedom to choose the delivery model that best serves their communities — including direct provision and cooperation with other public authorities.  

CEMR also takes aim at the notion that public-public cooperation or in-house provision harms competition. There is no evidence to support that claim; if anything, these models can improve efficiency, support investment, and strengthen essential public services for citizens.  

Additionally, at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty, cybersecurity risks, and growing pressure on public services, local authorities cannot afford to lose the flexibility to organise critical services in-house or through trusted public partnerships.  

CEMR calls to the European institutions for greater legal certainty — not further restriction — in the revision of Article 12 of the Public Procurement Directive, while safeguarding the right of local and regional governments to organise public services according to local needs and democratic choices.  

To complement this information, you can also read here CEMR’s position paper setting out what local and regional governments need from the revision of the 2014 Public Procurement Directives. 

For more information, contact:

GAUDRON Marine
In Impact community Cohesion, Local finances, Press

Local finance and housing crisis

Fiscal tools must play a central role in tackling the housing crisis

On 10 June 2026, CEMR held an online event that brought together policymakers, local leaders, researchers, EU institutions and financial experts to explore how local and regional public finance shapes housing affordability, availability and investments.

A key message emerged from the discussion: Europe’s housing crisis cannot be addressed through planning or construction policy alone. It also depends on whether local and regional governments have the fiscal room, investment tools and policy flexibility to act.

Opening the event, Ellen van Selm, Mayor of Purmerend (The Netherlands) and CEMR spokesperson on housing, underlined that housing must be approached as an integrated territorial challenge rather than a single policy field. “There are as many housing markets as there are local realities,” she said, warning against one-size-fits-all solutions. Her intervention set the tone for the discussion: local governments are on the frontline of housing pressures, yet they do not always have the resources, instruments or flexibility needed to respond effectively.

Why local solutions are a must in the housing crisis

Benedikt Herrmann from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre invited participants to look more closely at the incentives created by local tax systems. His key point was that local finance does not simply support housing policy: it can also shape it in unexpected ways. Property taxation, often seen as a stable and appropriate local tax, may create unintended incentives when municipalities depend on rising property values for revenue. “Local taxes can play a fundamental role for mitigating local housing crisis. The property taxes on residential property can be a hidden catalyst of local housing crisis,” he noted. 

Building on this framing, CEMR presented the first results of its survey on the links between local finance and housing. The preliminary findings point to a familiar but important contradiction: towns, cities and regions hold many of the practical responsibilities related to housing, but their room for manoeuvre often remains limited. In many countries, local governments rely heavily on property-related taxes, but within national limits that constrain their ability to use such tools strategically. At the same time, more targeted instruments, such as taxes on vacant dwellings or short-term rentals, remain fragmented, underdeveloped or unevenly available across Europe.  

…And why so is multilevel governance

The panel discussion confirmed that housing is fundamentally a multilevel governance issue. Bringing the OECD perspective, Yugo Kimura from the Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities, highlighted both the scale of subnational involvement and the need for stronger coordination. Across OECD countries, local and regional governments account for a very large share of public expenditure linked to housing and community amenities. Yet many of them struggle to access funding, mobilise their own revenues, or navigate fragmented support structures. “Housing is not only cross-sectoral, it spans many policy sectors as well, but it’s also a multilevel governance issue,” he said. 

This point resonated strongly with Michaela Haga, Councillor of the Region Stockholm and CEMR spokesperson on local finances, who brought the conversation back to the political reality faced by towns, cities and regions. In her intervention, she stressed that local and regional governments are expected to deliver housing solutions while also financing the wider ecosystem that makes housing liveable: transport, schools, care services, utilities and social infrastructure. “The real question is whether all places have the tools and resources they need to respond to their own realities,” she argued. Her final message was also one of the clearest takeaways of the day: match responsibilities with resources, make investment easier and more strategic, and trust local governments more and equip them better.   

From EU frameworks to local realities

The event also offered a timely look at how housing is moving up the EU agenda. Edit Lakatos, from the European Commission’s Housing Task Force, explained the significance of the 2026 European Semester, which for the first time includes dedicated housing annexes in the country reports and a stronger housing dimension in the policy guidance to Member States. For local and regional governments, this matters because it opens a new channel to connect national reforms, investment priorities and local housing realities. She also pointed to the work under way on the Affordable Housing Act, which is expected to provide a framework for public authorities in areas under housing stress, including the possibility to address the impacts of short-term rentals. 

This EU-level perspective found a strong echo in the contribution from Marlies Stubits, from the Austrian Association of Cities and Towns, who showed how Austrian cities combine fiscal instruments, regulation and investment strategies to respond to housing and tourism pressures. She pointed in particular to the Viennese model, where public land policy, limited-profit housing and long-term investment help the city to actively shape the market rather than merely react to it. At the same time, she highlighted the specific difficulties faced by smaller tourist municipalities in dealing with vacancy, holiday homes and short-term rentals. “The most effective Austrian approaches combine regulation, taxation and investment,” she said, insisting that taxation alone is not enough without a broader and more coherent housing strategy. 

From the European Investment Bank, Grzegorz Gajda focused on the practical conditions needed to turn policy ambitions into housing delivery. Access to finance remains a major challenge, especially where local governments or housing providers struggle to build robust project pipelines or meet creditworthiness requirements. At the same time, he stressed that European-level decisions on state aid, procurement and debt treatment can make a decisive difference for what becomes possible locally. His message also added an important nuance to the debate: tools alone are not enough if decision-makers are not incentivised to use them. “We really need to work on both ends,” he said: both on the tools available, and on the motivations and incentives shaping local action. 

The path forward

One conclusion stood out across all interventions: housing policy cannot be separated from local finance. Whether through land policy, taxation, transfers, investment rules, planning, or social infrastructure, the financial frameworks around housing shape what local and regional governments can actually do. If Europe wants more affordable, sustainable and inclusive housing, it must give local governments not just expectations, but also the means to act.  

The discussion will now feed into CEMR’s ongoing analytical work on local finances and the housing crisis, with a publication expected in fall 2026. By connecting evidence, practice and policy, CEMR aims to continue strengthening the case for a housing agenda that fully recognises the role of cities, towns and regions in delivering solutions on the ground.  

For more information, contact:

GRIFFON Axelle
In Climate, Environment, Impact community Climate, Press

Climate Chance Summit 2026

Climate Chance Summit 2026

Cities and regions must lead Europe’s climate adaptation 

CEMR participated on 3 and 4 of June in the Climate Chance Europe Summit 2026 organised in Brussels by The Climate Chance association. The two-day event brought together local and regional leaders, European institutions, businesses, NGOs and civil society networks around a shared theme: climate adaptation as a lever for resilience and prosperity in Europe.  

The message shared by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) was that towns, cities and regions must be recognised as strategic partners in designing Europe’s climate response, not merely as implementers on the ground.  

The summit echoes the key messages of CEMR’s position paper “Adapting Together – A territorial approach to resilience and risk management”, published in February 2026. In this position paper, CEMR makes a case for a territorial approach to climate resilience, grounded in multi-level governance. A fundamental gap is highlighted: local and regional governments already implement most adaptation measures, yet their role remains insufficiently recognised and supported in EU and national frameworks.  

To close this gap, CEMR continues to flag six priorities:  

  1. Empowering local and regional governments with clear mandates and flexibility to act 
  1. Strengthening local capacity through better access to data and peer learning 
  1. Securing predictable and accessible funding for adaptation investments 
  1. Improving preparedness and disaster risk management 
  1. Restoring ecosystems and scaling nature-based solutions 
  1. Ensuring water resilience through integrated, locally driven water management 

The summit organised by Climate Chance came at a critical political moment. The European Commission is currently developing a new integrated framework for European Climate Resilience and Risk Management, expected to be adopted in the second half of 2026.  

Ronan Dantec, CEMR Spokesperson for Climate: “Climate adaptation will only succeed if local and regional governments are recognised as full partners in the future resilience framework. Territories need a common trajectory, the tools to understand their vulnerabilities and the long-term funding to turn resilience into reality.” 

Discussions at the summit on multi-level governance, funding adaptation and resilience at local level, technical support for LRG to prepare risk management strategies and investments, and solidarity mechanisms all reinforced what our position paper argues: coherent and effective climate action requires local and regional governments at the table from the very beginning — in the design, financing and monitoring of policy, not just its delivery. 

The summit closed with the adoption of the Brussels Declaration of European Non-State Actors on Climate Change Adaptation, signed by a wide range of local government networks, economic actors networks, and NGOs, including: Eurocities, FEDARENE and Association internationale des maires francophones (AIMF). 

It commits all signatories to playing an active role in shaping Europe’s climate resilience policies and calls for adaptation to be built into every level of decision-making, from EU policy down to local plans. 

CEMR will continue to push this message forward in the lead-up to the adoption of the EU framework by the end of the year. Europe’s resilience starts in its territories. 

Connie Heedegard, Chair of the Climate Adaptation Mission and former Commissioner for Climate Action: “Adaptation is crucial for resilience, but it is also key for citizens safety. The EU Adaptation Mission has laid the foundations; now is the time to harvest the fruits and scale up implementation.” 

Read our position paper Adapting Together – A territorial approach to resilience and risk management  

For more information, contact:

BENNIS Hamza
In Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Press, Public services, Publications

Reaction to the EU procurement rules

Public Procurement news

CEMR calls for a simpler, fairer revision of the EU public procurement directives, putting local realities at the centre of the reform

Read full position paper here
526 words
2–3 minutes

Local and regional governments (LRGs) are Europe’s largest public investors, spending more than €3 trillion a year through procurement. From care services to construction, from digital tools to energy infrastructure, every euro spent through public contracts has a direct impact on citizens’ daily lives. Yet the rules governing how LRGs buy are growing increasingly fragmented, complex, and out of sync with local realities.

As the European Commission prepares to revise the 2014 Public Procurement Directives, CEMR has adopted a position paper setting out what LRGs need from the reform. The message is clear: the revision must prioritise simplicity, flexibility, and subsidiarity instead of adding new layers of mandatory obligations to already overstretched towns, cities and regions.

A flexible framework that works for all

Most LRGs in Europe are small, operating with limited legal, technical, and administrative capacity. The current framework, scattered across more than 60 EU sectoral legislative acts, was not designed with them in mind. CEMR calls for a directive-based approach that preserves flexibility, and for EU-level clauses on environmental, social, and innovation considerations to remain voluntary. A comprehensive review mechanism should consolidate procurement obligations across sectoral legislation to eliminate contradictions and reduce the burden on contracting authorities.

Higher thresholds, fewer unnecessary procedures

EU procurement thresholds have not been changed in over a decade, despite significant inflation and rising costs. As a result, an ever-growing number of public purchases are now subject to full EU-level procedures, despite no real cross-border interest. Indeed, direct cross-border procurement accounts for just around 2% of all contract awards. CEMR calls for a substantial increase in thresholds, in line with cumulative inflation since 2014, alongside an automatic indexation mechanism to prevent the same problem from recurring.

Made-in-Europe and strategic goals must not come at local cost

CEMR supports the Commission’s broader ambitions on European competitiveness and strategic autonomy, goals that matter equally to LRGs who depend on resilient supply chains. However, a “Made in Europe” approach will significantly increase costs for contracting authorities if applied broadly. LRGs must not be penalised when EU supply is unavailable and must not be responsible for verifying complex supply chain origin documentation. That responsibility should lie with economic operators, supported by EU-level certification.

Protecting public-public cooperation and in-house provisions

LRGs regularly collaborate across boundaries to pool resources and deliver services more efficiently, especially in rural or low-capacity areas. Yet, Article 12 of the current directive remains too restrictive and unclear, creating legal uncertainty for many legitimate forms of public-public cooperation and in-house arrangements. CEMR therefore calls for a broader and clearer exemption for genuine cooperation between public authorities, and for in-house procurement to be protected from market-oriented interpretations, allowing LRGs to retain the democratic discretion to organise and deliver public services in the way that best serves their communities.

CEMR will continue to engage actively with the European institutions throughout the revision process to ensure that the voices of local and regional governments shape the outcome of this crucial reform.

Read our latest statement on our position paper here

For more information, contact:

GRIFFON Axelle
In Climate, Environment, Impact community Climate, Press, Water

New MFF: EU funding and water 

Climate - Water management

Webinar report: EU funding opportunities for water resilience in local governments

Read the full report here

How can towns, cities and regions secure the investments needed to strengthen water resilience in the face of climate change, ageing infrastructure and growing regulatory requirements?

On 13 May 2026, CEMR and Aqua Publica Europea (APE) hosted a webinar bringing together representatives from the European Commission, the European Investment Bank (EIB), local and regional governments, and public water operators to discuss EU funding opportunities for water resilience.

The discussions highlighted both the opportunities available under the current EU budget and the challenges that local and regional governments may face under the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The key messages and recommendations from the event are now available in a new webinar report jointly published by CEMR and APE.

Water resilience starts locally

Opening the webinar, Andrea Carli, CEMR spokesperson for Environment and Regional Councillor of Friuli Venezia Giulia, highlighted the growing pressures facing towns, cities and regions across Europe. From droughts and water scarcity to flooding, local and regional governments are increasingly at the forefront of climate adaptation while also facing rising investment needs.

For CEMR, this reinforces the need for strong governance frameworks, technical support and sufficient financial resources to ensure sustainable and affordable water services for all communities.

Financing remains the key challenge

A central message emerging from the discussions is clear: financing remains the main barrier to achieving Europe’s water policy objectives.

APE and CEMR highlight the significant investment gap identified by the European Commission, while also pointing to governance and capacity challenges that can limit access to available funding. Although water resilience has been recognised as a priority area in the mid-term review of cohesion policy, many local and regional governments and water operators continue to struggle to secure the resources needed for critical investments.

Looking ahead to the next MFF

With negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) underway, the webinar explored how the proposed future funding architecture could affect water investments.

While the new National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPP) may offer greater flexibility, they also raise important questions about the involvement of local and regional governments in setting investment priorities. CEMR continues to advocate for a strong cohesion policy and meaningful participation of towns, cities and regions in shaping and implementing the future EU budget.

New opportunities through the EIB

During the webinar, participants also heard about EIB’s growing role in supporting water investments, including the forthcoming Sustainable Water Advisory Facility. The initiative aims to help local and regional governments and water operators access financing and advisory support more easily, strengthening the preparation and delivery of water projects across Europe.

As discussions on the future EU budget continue, achieving Europe’s water resilience objectives will require long-term investment, strong local governance and a central role for towns, cities and regions.

Read the webinar report to discover the main conclusions from the discussion, the latest funding opportunities, policy developments and recommendations for local and regional governments.

Read the article on APE´s website here: APE and CEMR host webinar on EU funding opportunities for Water Resilience | Aqua Publica Europea

 Check the presentations used during the event:

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). 

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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.

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OKKALI AKTAS Ayben
In About CEMR, Press

Christoph Schnaudigel: new CEMR President

Leaders Summit 2026 - New presidency

Christoph Schnaudigel appointed as the new CEMR President

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has appointed Christoph Schnaudigel as its new President, following the decision of former President Gunn Marit Helgesen to step down after her election as President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CLRAE).

At this June edition of the Leaders´ Summit in Rovaniemi, from 4 to 5 June, the Policy Committee warmly congratulated Gunn Marit Helgesen on her new role and appointed Christoph Schnaudigel, until now serving as Co-President, as the new President of CEMR.

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.

“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 matter 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, the newly elected CEMR President

Continuity and commitment at the heart of CEMR’s leadership

The transition reflects CEMR’s commitment to stability and continuity at a pivotal moment for Europe’s local and regional governments. During his period as CEMR Co-President, Christoph Schnaudigel has been closely involved in shaping CEMR’s political direction and is well placed to lead the organisation through the current mandate.

The remaining leadership structure remains in place:

  • Philippe Laurent, CEMR Co-President; President of AFCCRE; Mayor of Sceaux; Vice-President of Territoire Vallée Sud – Grand Paris; Member of the Ile-de-France Regional Council
  • Vince Maple, Chair of the CEMR Financial Management Committee; Councillor of Medway; Vice-President of CEMR (Local Government Association, UK)

You can consult all the CEMR governance details here.

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