EU budget post-2027: regions and cities warn that only decentralised long-term investment can tackle present and future challenges

New own resources, a strong and reformed Cohesion Policy, and a bigger fund to deal with emergencies are among the main requests  

In a resolution adopted by unanimity at the Plenary session on 15 May, local and regional leaders outlined their proposals for an ambitious EU long-term budget post-2027 which would enable the Union to deliver on pressing priorities such as security and climate resilience while supporting persisting challenges such as reinforcing social, economic and territorial cohesion. Members of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) also called for the future EU budget to be more agile, in particular through the creation of a larger emergency fund to face unforeseen crises. 

One week after the European Parliament adopted its position on the matter, regions and cities put forward their vision on the next EU long-term budget, the 'Multiannual Financial Framework' (MFF). As a key first step, CoR members urged Member States to reach agreement without further delay on the introduction of new sources of financing for the EU budget, also known as 'own resources'. 

As it is underlined also in a second resolution adopted on the same day to react to the proposed Mid-term review of Cohesion Policy, local and regional leaders opposed any direct or indirect measures of centralisation within Cohesion Policy, both in the current 2021-27 programming period and in the next one. Changes to operational programmes must remain voluntary. Furthermore, CoR members called for Cohesion Policy to remain a fundamental pillar of the EU growth model and the core long-term, decentralised investment policy for all regions in the MFF post-2027, with at least the same financial allocation in real terms as the one under the current long-term budget. 

Cohesion as a driver for a competitive Europe

A strong and reformed Cohesion Policy which is better equipped at anticipating change is needed to improve Europe’s competitiveness, local leaders said, asking also for long term programmes integrating a place-based research and regional innovation ecosystems to fill the gap with other international players such as the United States and China. 

Moreover, the CoR asked for more resources from the EU budget for making the Union’s external borders and border regions more secure, which should be paired with financial assistance to local and regional authorities in candidate and potential candidate countries for membership of the EU for upgrading their administrative capacities.

Resources to face crises

The co-rapporteurs of the European Parliament on the recently adopted opinion on the future EU long-term budget, Carla Tavares (PT/S&D) and Siegfried Mureşan (RO/EPP), joined the CoR members’ call on Member States to engage ahead of the next MFF negotiations in a structured and transparent dialogue with local and regional governments. 

The European Commission is expected to present its proposal for the next MFF in July. 

Quotes

Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions: "Cohesion policy, as the backbone of European solidarity, must remain strong in the upcoming EU budget. For this, we need a robust MFF, with new own resources to address all of Europe's priorities. Regions and cities must remain at the centre of Cohesion Policy, and in this regard I welcome the recent comments by Commissioner Piotr Serafin on the idea of moving forward with regional partnership plans. Stronger cohesion funding means a stronger, more united Europe, where every community thrives."

Marie-Antoinette Maupertuis (FR/EA), President of the regional assembly of Corsica and rapporteur of the CoR opinion on EU budget and place-based policies (adopted in November 2024): "The EU's future MFF must become a real lever of transformation at the service of territories. It is only by starting from the ground, from concrete needs, specific challenges and local dynamics, that the European Union will be able to respond to its major priorities. A fair, democratic and ambitious European budget is first and foremost a budget built with the territories, for the territories.”

Background

• Video and photos from the plenary session
• The final text of the urgent resolution in view of the next MFF will be available here.  
• The final text of the urgent resolution on the Mid-term review of Cohesion Policy 2021-27 will be available here.
• During the CoR plenary, members also adopted an opinion focusing on Cohesion Policy as an engine to achieve EU goals and reforms (rapporteur Isabelle Boudineau – FR/PES). Press release.
• Future and current challenges of Cohesion Policy were recently discussed also during a meeting of the CoR commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy and EU Budget (COTER). Press release.
• In November 2024, the CoR adopted a first opinion which included proposals for new design and delivery mechanisms in the MFF post-2027, drafted by Marie-Antoinette Maupertuis (FR/EA), President of the regional assembly of Corsica. Press release.
• The current long-term budget of the European Union, known as Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), is worth around €1.2 trillion and runs from 2024 to 2027.  

Contact

Matteo Miglietta - CoR
Tel. +32 (0) 470 89 53 82
matteo.miglietta@cor.europa.eu