Regions and cities at the heart of EU policy: NAT commission debates opinions on the European budget after 2027

In the context of the long-term EU budget proposals for 2028-2034, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is stepping up its efforts to secure major changes to the package proposed by the European Commission. Its aim is to safeguard cohesion and agricultural policies as core European investment strategies, ensure predictable financing for cities and regions, and keep shared management as a cornerstone of Cohesion Policy to effectively reduce territorial and social inequalities. Across all six CoR commissions, local and regional leaders are developing concrete proposals to improve the future EU budget, that will be included in a series of opinions to be adopted in the coming months.   

On 19 November, members of the CoR’s Commission for Natural Resources (NAT) convened for the first debates on issues related to the post-2027 EU long-term budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The commission will be preparing four key opinions addressing these priorities. 

• ‘Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) for the period from 2028 to 2034’, led by rapporteur Piotr Calbecki (PL/EPP), Chair of NAT and Councillor of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship. The proposed post-2028 CAP risks weakening its regional dimension, reducing funding predictability and limiting the ability of local and regional authorities to tailor measures to territorial needs. Members of the NAT commission therefore call for stronger LRA involvement, clearer governance, and safeguards to ensure fair farmer support, environmental ambition and coherence across Member States. 

• ‘The Common Market Organisation (CMO) in agricultural products and EU School scheme’, by rapporteur Alessio Mammi (IT/PES), Regional Minister of the Emilia-Romagna Region. Until now, the EU has consistently provided financial support to Associations of Producers’ Organisations to strengthen their position in the market. The current CMO proposal, however, creates a significant risk of an unlevel playing field, as financial support would depend on national plans and the availability of national co-financing. The revision of the CMO must go further to strengthen farmers’ position in the agri-food chain, ensure fair incomes and support generational renewal, especially in vulnerable rural areas.

• ‘Common Fisheries Policy, to the European Ocean Pact and of the Union’s maritime and aquaculture policy’, by rapporteur Thibaut Guignard (FR/EPP), Mayor of Ploeuc-l'Hermitage. During the debate, NAT members warn that integrating fisheries, the Ocean Pact and aquaculture into a single National and Regional Partnership Funds risks watering down the sector. They call for strong safeguards, adequate resources, and empowered local and regional authorities to protect coastal communities, small-scale fisheries and marine ecosystems. 

• ‘Union Civil Protection Mechanism’, led by rapporteur Adam Banaszak (PL/EA), Councillor of Inowrocław County. For local and regional representatives, the revised Union Civil Protection Mechanism must fully recognise the central role of local and regional authorities in disaster prevention, preparedness and response, ensuring they have the resources and involvement needed within the new governance architecture. They support stronger multilevel coordination, knowledge-sharing and capacity-building to improve disaster preparedness and resilience and deliver faster, more coherent crisis responses across the EU. 

Sari Rautio (FI/EPP), rapporteur for the opinion on ‘Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) post 2027, including own resources package’, and Vasco Alves Cordeiro (PT/PES), Chair of the COTER commission and co-rapporteur for the opinion on 'National and Regional Partnership Plans – NRPP', actively participated in the discussions to ensure a coherent and coordinated position across the CoR commissions. 

Also in the meeting 

Members of the NAT commissions also exchanged views on the forthcoming draft opinion on the EU Stockpiling Strategy, led by rapporteur János Ádám Karácsony (HU/ECR), Vice-President of the County Council of Pest Vármegye, as well as on the Medical Countermeasures Strategy, aimed at preparing the EU for the next health crisis, with the opinion to be led by Antonio Aurigemma (IT/ECR), President of the Regional Council of Lazio. 

Background 

• Video and photos from the meeting. 

• The #CohesionAlliance calls on EU institutions to give regions, cities and municipalities full partnership rights in the future Cohesion Policy after 2027, and to oppose its nationalisation and centralisation. Press release.