18 May 2026
Leading European networks representing some two thousand cities and regions across Europe (the Local Alliance) welcome the European Parliament’s draft report on the proposed National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs) within the next EU budget for 2028–2034. The joint report from the REGI, BUDG and AGRI Committees marks an important step in shaping a future EU budget that is both effective and responsive to territorial realities.
The Local Alliance particularly welcomes the Committee’s push to strengthen the role of regional and local authorities in the design and implementation of EU funding instruments, reinforcing partnership principles, and multilevel governance. The report also highlights the importance of territorial innovation and transition plans such as Territorial Just Transition Plans and Smart Specialisation Strategies and calls for dedicated funding for all regions and for sustainable urban development in a bid to safeguard cohesion policy principles and preserve place-based approaches.
The European Parliament’s proposed improvements respond to growing concerns over the possible dilution of cohesion policy objectives, the marginalisation of regions and cities in delivering EU priorities and the risk of weaker transparency and accountability in the allocation of EU funds.
For the next steps of the negotiations, we call on the co-legislators to follow the European Parliament’s clear positioning and ensure that the future EU budget:
- Preserves a strong and adequately funded cohesion policy as a cornerstone of European integration and solidarity;
- Guarantees meaningful involvement of local and regional authorities through robust multilevel governance and partnership principles;
- Maintains a clear territorial dimension, ensuring that policies are tailored to the diverse needs and capacities of Europe’s regions;
- Ensures transparency, accountability, and accessibility in the design and implementation of NRPPs.
The Local Alliance also welcomes the draft report’s recognition of local climate and energy planning, notably through references to the Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans developed under the EU Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. This recognition acknowledges the central role cities and regions already play in turning EU climate and energy goals into concrete investment priorities – a message recently conveyed by Covenant of Mayors Board Members to the report’s co-rapporteurs.
Jakub Mazur, Deputy Mayor of Wroclaw and Member of the ICLEI Europe Regional Executive Commttee says: "The next EU budget must provide not only sufficient financial resources, but also the governance frameworks necessary to fully harness the expertise and capacity of cities and regions. Without strong partnership mechanisms, the EU risks undermining its ability to effectively deliver on its strategic priorities".
As the legislative process on the EU budget moves forward, the Local Alliance remains committed to engaging constructively with co-legislators to ensure the new framework strengthens, rather than undermines, Europe’s territorial cohesion and democratic governance.
About the Alliance:
Undersigned networks from the Local Alliance: ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, Association of Cities and Regions for sustainable Resource management (ACR+); The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR); Climate Alliance; Energy Cities; and Eurocities.
