15 June 2026

Press release: Cities urge European Council to back Parliament budget recommendation

Cities and regions urge EU leaders to support Parliament’s vision for a place-based budget

Brussels/Frankfurt, 15 June 2026 – 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, 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 and ensure the new framework strengthens, rather than undermines, Europe’s territorial cohesion and democratic governance.

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Download the open letter

Andreas Wolter

Councillor and Former Mayor, City of Cologne, Germany

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.

_{Climate Alliance}
_{For over 35 years, Climate Alliance member municipalities have been acting in partnership with indigenous rainforest peoples for the benefit of the global climate. With some 2,000 members spread across more than 25 countries, Climate Alliance is Europe’s largest city network dedicated to comprehensive and equitable climate action. Recognising the impact our lifestyles can have on the world’s most vulnerable people and places, Climate Alliance pairs local action with global responsibility.}

_{The Local Alliance}
_{The Local Alliance brings together eight leading networks of municipalities and regions from across Europe to speak with one voice to EU heads of state and government on energy and climate issues. In this alliance, Climate Alliance has been working alongside ACR+, CEMR, Energy Cities, Eurocities, FEDARENE, ICLEI Europe and POLIS since 2024 to turn the European Green Deal into reality for every citizen across Europe and to ensure the voices of cities and regions are heard in key EU policy arenas.}

Have questions? Get in touch!

Sarah Mekjian

T. +49 69 717139-20
E. s.mekjian@climatealliance.org