New EU Agenda for Cities shows strong recognition... and major gaps in local empowerment
The European Commission has unveiled its new EU Agenda for Cities, a framework designed to organise EU initiatives for urban areas, simplify access to support, and strengthen dialogue with cities.
Two contrasting truths can coexist: the Agenda does acknowledge the essential role of Europe’s cities, yet the resources committed remain inadequate for the challenges ahead.
Clear recognition of cities’ role
The Agenda acknowledges that cities—home to around 75% of Europe’s population—are critical to delivering EU priorities, from sustainable mobility and decarbonisation to social inclusion. POLIS, alongside with the rest of the Local Alliance, welcomes the Commission’s effort to consolidate existing tools and introduce a new EU Cities Platform and web portal, which could help reduce fragmentation and improve access to guidance, funding information, and technical assistance.
The introduction of annual political and technical dialogues with cities also responds to longstanding calls from local authorities and networks.
A major resource gap remains
Despite this improved strategic framing, the Agenda does not introduce dedicated EU funding for cities. Instead, it encourages Member States to consult local and regional governments when drafting their National and Regional Partnership Plans without making such consultation mandatory.
Crucially, under the proposed EU Facility, cities are grouped together with unrelated priorities such as social innovation and employment, leaving only €11 billion for all three areas combined under the 2028–2034 MFF: without proper funding, the risk remains that cities will not have the means to implement the policies Europe expects them to deliver.
Gaps in governance and territorial focus
While the Agenda references local involvement, it leaves Member States free to decide if and how to consult cities. POLIS echoes the position of many urban networks calling for:
- Mandatory local and regional chapters in National and Regional Partnership Plans;
- Clear territorial allocations and simplified access to EU funding;
- Stronger alignment of urban policy with mobility, housing, and climate priorities.
Without these governance mechanisms, the Agenda risks remaining largely descriptive rather than transformative.
Opportunities ahead
Implementation of the Agenda begins now and will extend into the next programming period. Upcoming opportunities, such as the 2026 European Urban Initiative Innovative Actions call and the State of European Cities Report, could further support local action.
However, meaningful progress will require the next MFF to embed urban needs in funding design, ensure direct access for cities, and reinforce support for sustainable mobility, public transport, and climate-neutral transport systems.
POLIS and the Local Alliance will continue working with their members and partners to ensure that the EU Agenda for Cities is fully reflected in negotiations for the next EU budget, so that cities have the resources, capacity, and governance tools needed to accelerate Europe’s green and just transition.
