The MFF & You: Shape the next EU Budget Proposal to finance local sustainable energy project
About the Event
Join us on 12 February 2026 for a webinar on Multiannual Financial Framework.
In July, the European Commission unveiled its proposal for the next long-term EU budget (2028–2034): a €2 trillion Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The MFF stirs the direction of EU action for the next 7 years, and amongst its multiple objectives it sets the rules for the EU programmes local and regional governments rely on every day: Cohesion Policy (ERDF), the Just Transition Fund, ESF+, Erasmus+, LIFE, Horizon Europe, INTERREG and more.
The proposal brings numerous novelties, including National and Regional Partnership Plans gathering cohesion, agriculture, home affairs and social policies and programmes, as well as a new European Competitiveness Fund that sets a clear emphasis on clean energy. The proposal intends to simplify access to funding by reducing the number of programmes and proposes to set some climate and social targets across the whole EU budget.
However, concerns are emerging about the renationalisation of part of the budget and the ability of cities and regions to plan, invest and deliver on the energy transition.
Register below for this webinar organised by the Prospect Cube project, which will unpack what is at stake for local and regional governments in the negotiations on the next EU budget. Together, we will discuss what is on the table and what needs to change to ensure EU funding continues to support the local energy transition.
What could national and regional partnership plans—modelled on the Recovery and Resilience Plans—look like? Will subnational governments be able to access the European Competitiveness Fund? What is the future of the LIFE programme?
Join us on 12 February 2026 11:00 AM – 12:30 CET to get clarity, share perspectives, and shape the way forward.
Draft Agenda:
| 11:00-11:05 | Introduction and welcome – Diana Bosfy – FEDARENE |
| 11:05 11:10 | Brief introduction on PROSPECT CUBE (5 min) – Giulia Pizzini – IEECP |
| 11:10 – 11:30 | The next EU budget at a glance: What’s on the table? Why does it matter for or regional and local authorities ? (15 min) – Mélanie Bourgeois – Energy Cities Q&A (5mn) |
| 11:30- 11:45 | Focus: The European Competitiveness Fund, an opportunity to finance local sustainable energy actions? (10mn) – Mickaël Bianchin – FEDARENE Q&A (5mn) |
| 11:45- 12:20 | Breakout rooms – How could this new structure of the EU budget land in my country to finance better the local and regional sustainable energy actions? The opportunity to ask questions, hear testimonies and good practices, and reflect on the direct impacts of the change of the EU budget in your country (Breakout rooms in French and English) |
| 12:20- 12:30 | Wraps up of the breakout rooms & conclusions – Diana Bosfy – FEDARENE |
We look forward to having you attend the event!
