Future EU budget: regions and cities call for stronger cooperation with the EU to prevent widening innovation and social gaps

Local and regional leaders debated on 28 November how the EU long-term budget proposals for 2028–2034 will affect Europe's policies in research and innovation, education and mobility opportunities, social rights, culture and democracy. They warned that centralising funds and excluding regions from decision-making could deepen regional innovation gaps, increase social inequalities and weaken Europe’s competitiveness and long-term development.

During the meeting of the Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture (SEDEC), members discussed the proposed Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034, continuing the debates held across other European Committee of the Regions (CoR) commissions. The discussion focused on upcoming SEDEC opinions that will address the next EU budget, with the participation of the rapporteurs and Sari Rautio (FI/EPP), president of the European People's Party in the CoR. and rapporteur for the opinion on ‘Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) post 2027, including own resources package".

The rapporteur on the opinion "Erasmus+", Roberto Pella (IT/EPP), Mayor of Valdengo, said that the programme should be designed to give greater attention to the specificities of European territories, such as inner-city areas, as well as cities and regions with demographic challenges linked to depopulation and urbanisation. He stressed that investing in sports within the programme is vital to promote social inclusion and called for ambitious investments, increased flexibility and simplification as well as real cooperation with regions and cities for effective results. 

Csaba Borboly (RO/EPP) Vice-president of the Harghita County and rapporteur on the opinion on "AgoraEU" argued that the new programme must be strengthened to reach local communitie effectively s. He called for a territorial participation mechanism to support local dialogues, regional communication and democratic engagement. He also pointed out that the European Commission (EC) has removed the scheme for small local grants and called for the introduction of ‘Territorial Impact MicroGrants’ to allow smaller organisations and rural areas to participate in a meaningful way.

Carlos Martinez Minguez, (ES/PES) Mayor of Soria, and rapporteur on the opinion "European Social Fund opinion (ESF)" stated that merging EU funds into a single national plan risks limiting local and regional authorities' capacity to build long-term strategies. He stressed that inequality is growing even in territories that show economic dynamism, slowing development and fuelling instability, and highlighted the vital role of territorial public policies as instruments of social cohesion. He called for a strong ESF+, with a clear and protected budget line within the MFF.

Debate on the CoR-EC cooperation in the field of Research and Innovation

SEDEC members also had an exchange of views with Director-General Marc Lemaître from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (R&I) on the CoR–EC cooperation under the Joint Action Plan (JAP), which is due to be renewed in the near future. The EC representative noted that the proposal for the upcoming FP10 was built on existing strengths, while opening the programme to dual-use research as well. Members called for a ring-fenced seven-year FP10 budget with regional and local authorities as full partners, stressing that territorial balance, strong regional ecosystems and stable public investment are essential for R&I to deliver real benefits for citizens.

EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy

SEDEC members adopted a draft opinion on the EU Start-up and Scale-up Strategy and underlined that the initiative launched by the European Commission in May 2025 is crucial to strengthening Europe's innovation capacity and competitiveness. They highlighted persistent regional disparities and noted that the strategy’s success depends on empowering regional innovation ecosystems through better access to funding, talent and infrastructure. They called for stronger synergies between EU funding programmes, reduced administrative burden and entrepreneurship initiatives tailored to local realities.

Rapporteur Jozef Viskupič (SK/Renew Europe), Chairman of the Trnava Self-Governing Region, said: "This opinion sends a clear message: Europe can deliver on the promise “Choose Europe to stay” not only for start-ups in global hubs, but for entrepreneurs and innovators in every European region. By reducing administrative barriers, improving access to finance, and empowering regional ecosystems, we can build a stronger, more innovative and competitive Europe."

Debate on combating gender-based violence

A representative of European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) presented the new findings showing that 31% of working women are victims of sexual harassment at work and in 88,3% of cases the perpetrator is a man. The CoR Rapporteur on gender equality, Carina Ohlsson, (SE/PES) member of Municipal Council, Lidköping Municipality, stressed that women’s rights must be protected and that prevention requires addressing gender stereotypes, with boys and men as part of the solution.

Finally, SEDEC members appointed five new rapporteurs:

• Carlos Martinez Minguez, (ES/PES) Mayor of Soria, for the opinion on "European Social Fund";
• Markku Markkula, (FI/EPP) Member of the Espoo City Council for the opinion on "A European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures";
• Susanne Wahlström (SE/EPP) Mayor of Habo Municipality, for the opinion on “Union of Equality: LGBTIQ+/ Equality Strategy 2026-2030";
• Tanya Hristova (BG/EPP)  Mayor of Gabrovo Municipality, for the opinion on "Culture Compass for Europe";
• Pär Löfstrand (SE/Renew Europe), Member of Municipal Council, Östersund Municipality, for the opinion on "Anti-racism strategy" – pending publication and attribution.

 Background

• Video and photos from the meeting.
• Video of the CoR members for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, on 25 November.