The Local Alliance – a coalition of Europe’s eight leading city and regional networks – share a vision for the next EU budget (2028–2034) to become a strong, comprehensive tool for a democratic, just, climate-neutral, secure and competitive Europe. This position paper has been developed in the framework of the European Commission’s consultations on the next EU budget (EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) – implementing EU funding with Member States and regions) and represents the above-mentioned networks’ joint position.
European cities and regions are at the heart of the European Union’s competitiveness, with their investments accounting for about two thirds of the increase in total public investments in the EU in 2023, mostly on key sectors like energy, social affairs
and transport3. They play a pivotal role in shaping the conditions for industries and businesses through land-use planning, infrastructure development, education, housing, research, training, and the quality of life. Cities, regions and their energy agencies
across Europe also support SMEs and large industries in increasing their competitiveness through tailored programmes for innovation and decarbonisation.