Introduction
Several events during The European Week of Regions & Cities hosted by DG REGIO and the European Committee of the Regions provided context for the proposed reforms to cohesion funding in the EU’s draft budget from 2028 and for Horizon Europe place based initiatives such as Mission Cities and the New European Bauhaus.
Cohesion funding sits alongside other key budget lines in the European Commission’s draft budget proposal for 2028-2034 – the Multiannual Financial Framework such as the new European Competitiveness Fund and Horizon Europe (Framework Programme 10).
The events surfaced key challenges and opportunities for EU residents and citizens that resonate well beyond the EU’s borders.
Key discussions throughout the week were as follows:
- Cohesion policy and funding is set to evolve under new National & Regional Partnership Plans under the EC draft budget proposal for 2028-2034.
- The agenda for cities including citizens’ concerns and future opportunities were much discussed.75% of the EU’s population will live in cities by 2030.
Reports from key events
Key points raised across several events were as follows:
- National & Regional Partnership Plans form the main part of the next Cohesion budget proposal with investment priorities in social and physical infrastructure proposed to be co-designed closer to citizens geographically. Eastern border regions, security, resilience and emergency relief are also in focus for the Commission.
- Cohesion policy and funding and the proposed ECF need to complement each other’s contributions within Member States and across borders.
- The debate on cohesion policy under the next EU budget cycle will be harder than the current round. There needs to be simplified implementation and strengthened public trust and visibility of EU funding, at a local level.
- Cohesion policy reduces inequality, binds together the single market, and is a decentralised and long-term stabilising investment tool of the EU.
- The EU subsidiarity principle should remain sacrosanct i.e. the Union supporting only where Member State action alone is insufficient.
- Member States need capacity to manage funds nationally.
- The methodology to allocate funding under new National Plans territorially should be clarified. Long-term funding predictability is essential. Local governance levels also need to be able to influence cohesion policy itself.
- Local government, mayors and municipalities play a pivotal role in coordinating EC territorial policies and funding on the ground.
- The agenda for cities and digitalisation provide key opportunities. It needs clear objectives and budget.
- Cities should join up learning across regions, borders and countries
- Synergies between competitive EU funds for cities should be enhanced.
- Cities are clearly economic motors within the EU but also surface key concerns and issues for residents such as a lack of affordable housing, homelessness, the need for climate action, unemployment, digitalisation, sustainable and accessible transport, people’s experiences of poor-quality public services, and poverty/social inclusion and equality issues.
- Ensuring people have a sense of involvement in local democracy is key.
- Universities can act as local economic and social anchors.
Key session recordings
The opening session is available to view online with key interventions from:
- Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament
- Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
- Raffaele Fitto, the Executive VP of the European Commission for Cohesion & Reforms
- President of the European Committee of the Regions, Kata Tüttő delivered her State of Regions and Cities in the European Union Annual Address.
The event No future of cohesion without representation is available to view online with representatives of the #Cohesion Alliance partner associations and President Tüttő.
The High-level session: EU Agenda for Cities – Shaping Europe’s Urban Future is available to view online with representatives of cities and regions.