A Call for a More Grounded and Inclusive EU Budget: The Local Alliance’s Triple Proposal

As the European Commission prepares its proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034, the Local Alliance—an informal coalition of eight major networks of local and regional governments including FEDARENE—has submitted a series of three position papers to the EU’s public consultation. These publications aim to ensure that the next EU budget becomes a powerful and inclusive tool, capable of addressing the pressing challenges facing Europe and its citizens.

Local and regional governments are not just implementers of EU policy—they are essential architects of Europe’s competitiveness, resilience, and climate neutrality. Together, they account for 70% of Green Deal legislation implementation and nearly 70% of climate-related public investment. Their deep connection to citizens and territories makes them indispensable partners in shaping the EU’s priorities.

1. Reinforcing European Competitiveness through a Place-Based Approach

This first paper argues that EU competitiveness must go hand-in-hand with sustainability, social equity, and regional cohesion. Cities and regions are at the forefront of industrial transformation—driving clean tech innovation, supporting SMEs, and investing in critical infrastructure. The Local Alliance calls for a strategic realignment of competitiveness policies rooted in place-based approaches that empower local actors and respond to territorial specificities.

📄 Download the Position Paper on Competitiveness

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2. Embedding Multilevel Governance in the MFF

The second position paper calls for multilevel governance to become a standard operating principle across all EU funding programmes. Shared management and the partnership principle must be upgraded to real co-governance, involving cities and regions in every stage of budget design, delivery, and monitoring. Stronger coordination between EU, national, and local levels will reduce administrative burden, improve policy coherence, and ensure that EU investments generate real value on the ground.

📄 Download the Position Paper on Multilevel Governance

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3. Reinventing Public Support through Better Reforms

The final paper addresses the link between reforms and investments in the future EU budget. While the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) introduced this logic, its shortcomings highlight the risks of excluding local actors from reform design. The Local Alliance proposes new mechanisms to ensure that municipalities, cities, and regions are actively involved in shaping reform agendas—ensuring relevance, effectiveness, and better citizen engagement.

📄 Download the Position Paper on Better Reforms

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A Budget for All: Local and Regional Voices at the Centre

In these publications, the Local Alliance outlines a shared vision for a European budget that delivers lasting impact—one that is co-governed, place-based, and reform-driven. As the EU charts its financial future, FEDARENE and its partners call on the European Commission and Member States to work with local and regional governments—not just for them.