October 15, 2025

The following is a press release:

The CoR calls for a European mobilisation to secure a post-2027 budget that makes the Union more cohesive.

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) warned that the current proposal for EU long-term budget after 2027 could lead to further centralisation in the hands of the Commission and nationalisation of Cohesion Policy, fisheries and agricultural policy, putting them in competition. Moreover, if accepted, the proposal could undermine trust in the EU institutions and jeopardise democracy in Europe due to the foreseen lack of oversight by the European Parliament and national or regional parliaments on regional investment. These are the main messages included in a resolution unanimously adopted by EU local and regional leaders from across political families at the CoR plenary session on 15 October, which took place during the 23rd European Week of Regions and Cities.

The European Committee of the Regions urges the European Parliament and Member States to join its call on the European Commission to revise its proposal, presented on 16 July. If accepted, the new EU long term budget after 2027- the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) - would merge Cohesion Policy and agricultural policy under a single, large fund, putting them in competition.

Cohesion Policy as a driver for competitiveness and social inclusion

A place-based Cohesion Policy is the EU’s most important long-term driver of regional competitiveness, sustainable development and social inclusion, CoR members underlined. That is why it should continue to be accessible to every territory in the EU, with financial allocations for all categories of regions, from less to more developed. Moreover, Cohesion Policy should continue to be designed and managed together with local and regional authorities.

Building on the just adopted resolution (available soon), the CoR is working on a dedicated opinion on the future MFF (to be adopted in March 2026, rapporteur Sari Rautio – FI/EPP), which will be complemented by several opinions on sectoral regulations linked to the future budget (adoption in the first half of 2026).

On 15 October, members of the CoR, supported by some members of the European Parliament, joined a public action by the #CohesionAlliance in front of the European Parliament to show the opposition of local and regional leaders to the proposed reform of Cohesion Policy.

Quotes

Kata Tüttő (HU/PES), CoR President and local councilor of Budapest: "We urge the European Commission to revise the very architecture and thinking framework of its long-term budget proposal. Indeed, it fails to provide clear legally binding guarantees that Cohesion Policy investments will be shaped and implemented with regions and cities. There is no guarantee either that all regions would have access to Cohesion Policy. Moreover, merging cohesion and agriculture funds in a single nationalised envelope without clear allocation criteria puts farmers in competition with local communities and disconnects the EU from its regions and cities. The European Parliament and Council must now take the responsibility of stopping these plans and avoid increased institutional conflicts and chaos."

Sari Rautio (FI/EPP), CoR rapporteur on the future MFF and Member of the Hämeenlinna City Council: " Leaving regions and cities aside will ruin the EU as we know it. This is not just about money, it is about democracy and European unity. We want to improve Cohesion Policy, make Europe more competitive, but the Commission's proposal is not the right way forward."

Background

Video and photos from the plenary session.

Together with the leading European associations of cities and regions, the CoR is a founding partner of the #CohesionAlliance, the EU-widest coalition of representatives of cities and regions, social partners and civic society associations advocating for cohesion as a key objective for all EU policies and investments, and for a strengthened Cohesion Policy after 2027.

The 2025 EU Annual Report on the State of Regions and Cities, published on 13 October by the CoR, shows that local and regional leaders do not consider the post-2027 budget proposal from the European Commission – towards a centralised system of development – as the way forward.

The Regional and Local Barometer, published by the CoR on 13 October, reveals that nearly 70% local politicians have heard of EU Cohesion Policy: 52% think that its added value is the support to specific types of projects, while 27% consider Cohesion Policy's added value the involvement of local actors in investment decisions. More information.

Contact

Matteo Miglietta

Tel. +32 470895382

Matteo.Miglietta@cor.europa.eu