This week, ICLEI’s leading Members gathered in Brussels (Belgium) to ensure that the voice of cities and regions is heard at the highest levels of EU decision-making. As part of the ICLEI Europe Regional Executive Committee (RexCom), mayors and local leaders engaged in strategic discussions with key EU officials on EU competitiveness, affordable energy, and the next EU budget—critical issues for local and regional governments.

Discussions focused on the need for an Ambitious City Agenda that recognises the role of local governments and addresses their capacity and financial needs. Ensuring a strong territorial approach in the next EU Budget (MFF 2028–2034) was a key priority, as local-level investments drive tangible change and support EU-wide objectives. City leaders also highlighted the essential role of local governments for fostering the EU’s competitiveness, and an affordable energy transition.

In a meeting with the European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, ICLEI and its RexCom members offered their expertise in shaping the EU’s planned Affordable Housing Strategy and Citizen Energy Package, emphasising that policies must be designed with direct input from cities and their networks. Concretely, ICLEI leaders called for targeted meetings and to establish an advisory group of cities and networks to co-design EU policies.

Wolfgang Teubner, Regional Director for ICLEI Europe, highlighted that: "As the EU shapes its next budget, ambitious cities' agenda and competitiveness debate, amplifying the voice of cities and regions in Brussels has never been more critical. Cities and regions are not just implementers of EU policies—they are engines of economic growth, innovation, and the green transition. We are grateful for the strong support of our Members in championing EU policies that recognise that a sustainable and competitive Europe starts with resilient, empowered cities. We stand ready to collaborate with EU institutions to craft policies that harness the full potential of local action and drive impactful change across Europe."

Local and regional governments are key partners in shaping a sustainable, competitive, and cohesive Europe. As such, the next EU budget needs to reflect this role through access for local and regional governments to key innovation funds such as Horizon and a strong and ambitious cohesion agenda. ICLEI and its members remain committed to ensuring that cities and regions are at the heart of EU decision-making and supported in their important role as the decision makers closest to citizens.

For more information about ICLEI’s position on the EU competitiveness agenda and the next EU budget, click here and here.