Making the next EU budget (2028-2034) work for cities and regions

The negotiations on the next EU budget (MFF) are underway. This is a key moment for cities and regions to demonstrate the value of EU funding for their citizens and to ensure essential safeguards in the next budget.

Share your story
ICLEI members are invited to share short examples of how EU funding has made a difference locally, as part of the "EU funding in my city" campaign to underpin our arguments concretely.
Contact us at [[email protected]].

Engage nationally
To reach out to national governments and MEPs, ICLEI Europe, together with the Local Alliance, produced a mobilisation kit. The kit includes:

• Key contacts in the European Parliament to reach out to;
• Concrete amendments to both the National and Regional Partnerships Plans (NRPPs) and the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF);
• Template letters to send to national ministries and Members of the European Parliament;
• In addition, an open letter to national ministries on the preparation of the NRPPs is available here for all local governments wishing to ensure an inclusive design of the funds.

Latest news, updates and anlysis:

• New EU Agenda for Cities offers strong recognition - but few resources
• Local Alliance shapes the next EU budget with cities and the European Parliament at the European Urban Forum
• Cities and regions warn new EU budget risks sidelining local action
• EU fit for local governments: ICLEI mayors meet in Brussels for strategic talks
• Local Alliance outlines recommendations for the next EU budget
• Is Europe’s climate transition held back by flawed rules on local finance?

• The EU’s next long-term budget (MFF 2028–2034) will define Europe’s key investments and programmes.
• The Commission’s proposal introduces a new structure for EU funds which largely sidelines local and regional governments, even though they deliver most climate investment, competitiveness and cohesion.
• With the negotiations underway, ICLEI - as partner of the Local Alliance - is working towards ensuring the next budget recognises and empowers local and regional governments as indispensable partners

• Open letter to national ministries for "Ensuring Transparency in the drafting of the National and Regional Partnership Plans" 
• ICLEI Position Paper on the Next EU Budget
• Local Alliance 10-Point Action Plan: Making the Next EU Budget Work for Cities and Regions
• EU Budget: Reinforcing European industry’s competitiveness and strategic autonomy through a place-based approach
• EU Budget: Shared governance of strategies, priorities and policies for an efficient use of EU Budget and implementation of EU priorities
• EU Budget: Better Reforms - Reinventing public support for a grounded Europe
• A grounded EU budget: Investing in Europe, our local communities and citizens for a competitive, resilient and fair future
• The place of Cultural Heritage within the Culture Compass & the next MFF