"President von der Leyen has set out important initiatives to address Europe’s challenges. But implementation will only succeed if regions and cities are fully engaged. Europe is built on three levels of government working together. A purely top-down approach has never worked — the EU must recognise the essential role of local and regional authorities (LRAs). We need a united EU in all levels - and that is possible only if all levels are engaged." Sari Rautio, President of the EPP-CoR made these remarks following the speech on the State of the European Union delivered by Ursula von der Leyen at the European Parliament in Strasbourg
The EPP-CoR group believes that competitiveness and cohesion go hand in hand. The forthcoming EU budget must provide legal guarantees for LRAs placing them as strategic partners.
We welcome initiatives like the European firefighting hub, but resilience requires LRAs at the centre of prevention, preparedness, and response. Likewise, the new Quality Jobs Act can only succeed if regional and local authorities — as employers, funders, and community leaders — help shape quality employment that meets the long-term challenges of digitalisation, the green transition, and demographic change.
Farmers remain indispensable for Europe’s food security, yet questions persist on CAP funding and the future of agriculture. SMEs, family businesses, and local industries — the backbone of Europe’s economy — need fair access to finance, simpler procurement rules, and protection from trade conflicts. Key industries “from cars to chemicals, steel to agriculture” are not abstract sectors but the livelihoods of real places.
On energy, we support the call for clean, locally produced power and for urgent investment in infrastructure and interconnectors. Local renewables, resilient grids, and community energy models must be prioritised to secure an affordable, competitive, and sustainable Energy Union by 2030. With 70% of mitigation and 90% of adaptation measures implemented locally, LRAs must be central to EU climate and energy policy, with direct access to funding.
On migration, better management and functioning return procedures require financial and infrastructural support at local and regional level. On democracy and resilience, local leaders are often the first to face disinformation and populism. We welcome the European Democracy Shield and the new Centre for Democratic Resilience, but their success depends on regional and local involvement. Finally, independent and local media must be safeguarded through the new Media Resilience Programme to strengthen informed communities and safeguard local democracy.
Europe’s strength lies in its territories. From jobs to energy, agriculture to democracy, success depends on empowering regions and cities to deliver on Europe’s priorities.
This October the European Committee of the Regions will publish "The State of Regions and Cities in the European Union" - a snapshot of the most pressing challenges faced by regions and cities across the Union, that helps to inform EU policy decisions. The EPP-CoR has played an important role in this process through its members and will provide further insights on key actions that need to be taken bottom-up.