“Today, around 75% of EU citizens live in cities and urban areas, a number expected to rise to 80% by 2050. Across the EU, EPP-led cities are taking the lead in promoting innovative and sustainable practices that reduce emissions, strengthen community resilience, and improve quality of life.” said Emma Blain, Member of Dublin City Council in the opening of the EPP-CoR workshop about “Innovative EPP-led Cities: Building a Sustainable and Resilient Future for Our Citizens” as part of the European Week of Regions and Cities.
The event gathered local and regional leaders from across Europe to share best practices and innovative approaches to urban challenges — from affordable energy and sustainable mobility to digital transformation and future-proof urban planning.
Blain highlighted that the EPP-CoR family plays a key role in ensuring that urban policies remain people-centred, ambitious, and inclusive: “Together, we are shaping a Europe that is more sustainable, more innovative, and more resilient — a Europe that delivers tangible improvements to people’s everyday lives, both today and for generations to come.”
Hanna Zdanowska, Mayor of Łódź, addressed the energy transition challenge, warning that local authorities cannot face it alone: “Under the current legal and financial frameworks, we cannot carry out the energy transition on our own. It requires enormous investments that will not pay off quickly and will unfortunately increase local government debt.”
She also stressed that for the green transition to succeed, citizens must see and feel its benefits: “Lower energy bills, greater comfort in their homes, and new jobs — this must remain our shared priority. Our goal is a fair transition that leaves no one behind.”
Daniela Cîmpean, President of Sibiu County Council, focused on digitalization and artificial intelligence as drivers of modern governance — provided they remain anchored in ethics and inclusion: “We cannot speak about modern and resilient public services without secure digital infrastructure. Digitalization is today the backbone of education, healthcare, transport, and administration.”
Cîmpean highlighted that AI must serve human needs and respect European values: “The goal is not to replace the human factor, but to enhance it — to empower our citizens, teachers, and professionals to work in smarter, faster, and more creative ways.”
She also emphasized the need for trust and local capacity-building: “Digital trust and local capacity-building must advance hand in hand. The EU has the opportunity to turn digitalization not just into a technological shift, but into a human transformation built on solidarity, inclusion, and security.”
Anthony Chircop, President of Malta’s Eastern Region, shared local strategies to reduce car dependency and promote active mobility: “Our region is highly urbanized and densely populated, and while public transport is free, it has not solved congestion. We must rethink how we move — reducing unnecessary car use, supporting small retailers, and improving logistics.”
Chircop described innovative projects developed with the University of Malta, such as the Cultural Metro initiative — totem poles and mobile apps encouraging walking and cycling routes: “It’s about changing mentality. We must create cleaner, calmer, and more connected communities.”
He also presented a proposal to financially incentivize citizens to surrender unused cars and driving licenses, promoting smarter mobility and reclaiming public space for people.
Andreas Andreou, Deputy Mayor of Galatsi, brought the perspective of the next generation of local leaders: “Local administrations must be brave enough to implement what they believe is right, even when no one agrees at first. Courage is not arrogance — it is duty.”
Andreou illustrated his message with examples from Galatsi’s sustainable mobility projects, including the creation of the city’s first central square and new pedestrian networks: “We are narrowing main roads and creating pedestrian areas that favor people over vehicles. It’s not an easy choice, but it’s the only path to a more livable city.”
Conclusion: A Shared Commitment to the Future
The workshop concluded with a clear message: EPP-led cities are at the forefront of Europe’s transformation, turning political vision into practical change through innovation, responsibility, and courage.
Across every theme — energy, digitalization, mobility, and housing — participants reaffirmed that the path to a resilient Europe begins at the local level, with leadership grounded in solidarity and service to citizens.