News
23/01/2025

Local Alliance shares vision for next EU Budget (2028-2034)

The Local Alliance—a coalition of Europe’s leading city and regional networks comprising ACR+, CEMR, Climate Alliance, Energy Cities, Eurocities, FEDARENE, ICLEI Europe and POLIS—calls for an acknowledgement of the unique perspective of local and regional governments on how the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) should be shaped.

With negotiations for the 2028-2034 MFF underway, the Local Alliance highlights the indispensable role of local and regional governments in shaping Europe’s future; these governments are responsible for implementing 70% of EU Green Deal legislation and nearly 69% of climate-related public expenditures, which means that their unique insights, grounded in proximity to citizens, are critical to addressing Europe’s intertwined challenges.

'Cities and regions are the beating heart of Europe’s prosperity, resilience, and democracy, driving the transition to a fair and climate-neutral future,' said André Sobczak, Secretary General of Eurocities. 'The next EU budget must empower local governments with the resources they need to deliver lasting results, including greener cities, stronger economies, and better quality of life. By prioritising place-based investment and stronger multi-level governance, we can ensure no one and no territory is left behind, transforming Europe’s ambitions into meaningful outcomes for everyone in Europe."


A unified vision for Europe’s future

The paper 'A grounded EU budget: Investing in Europe, our local communities and citizens for a competitive, resilient and fair future' provides a comprehensive analysis of current funding gaps and offers actionable recommendations for aligning EU investments with the needs of local communities.

Key recommendations offered by the paper include:

  • A Place-based approach: Investments should reflect the unique needs of local territories, driving innovation, creating jobs, and improving quality of life;
  • Strengthened governance: Effective multilevel governance and meaningful partnerships between all government levels are essential for mobilizing resources efficiently;
  • Cohesion and competitiveness: Cohesion Policy must remain central to the EU budget, tackling inequalities while enabling green and digital transitions;
  • New indicators for success: Future frameworks should incorporate indicators that prioritize environmental boundaries, citizens' rights, and equitable access to essential resources such as clean air and water.

Why this matters

As Europe faces a critical decade marked by economic, environmental, and social challenges, the Local Alliance stresses that no EU-wide goal can succeed without the full partnership of cities and regions. A future-proof EU budget must address the realities of a rapidly changing world, ensuring local economies are resilient, citizens’ quality of life is enhanced, and Europe remains competitive on the global stage.

'The next EU budget is a pivotal opportunity for shaping a Europe that is built on thriving communities, cities, and regions,' said Wolfgang Teubner, Regional Director of ICLEI Europe. 'By simplifying support for place-based investments and elevating the role of local governments, the EU can turn the vision of climate neutrality into reality and support a strong and competitive European economy. In a rapidly changing world, this is a once-in-a-generation chance to create a competitive, resilient, and equitable Europe.'

Claire Roumet, Director of Energy Cities, emphasised the transformative potential of the new MFF, stating: 'The local transformations we will go through in the coming years are as big as when cars appeared and radically changed the economy. Building resilient communities grounded in the wise use of resources is key to creating a better future for EU citizens. This future can only be shaped with better public funding.'


The need for European support

POLIS, as the leading EU network of cities and regions working on sustainable transport innovations, joins the Local Alliance in highlighting, above all, the need for strong investment in mobility systems: 'Local and regional transport systems are essential to reach the EU’s sustainability goals and for the continent to stay economically competitive,' declared Karen Vancluysen, Secretary General of POLIS. 'Those deciding on the MFF should be aware that local and regional authorities in charge of mobility need European support. The new EU Financial Framework should answer that challenge.'