“The future needs more cohesion. The future needs more cooperation. The future needs more of us gluing each other together and working together for a more secure, more sustainable, and better Europe. Cohesion is what sets Europe apart from all other continents in the world. Here in Europe, we need each other—and we understand that Europe needs all its engines to flourish.” Sari Rautio (FI/EPP), Member of the Hämeenlinna City Council and President of the EPP political group in the European Committee of the Regions, made these remarks during the opening of the European Week of Regions and Cities.
Referring to a photo sent by her eldest daughter, who had just received the joyful news of expecting a child, Rautio added: “This is why we are worried about leaving regions and cities out—because we care about the future of Europe and the future of children. We are talking about the future of that baby and the future of Europe.”
Speaking on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms at the European Commission, underlined the Commission’s ongoing role in shaping and delivering cohesion policy: “The spirit of shared management and partnership is very important to me. I firmly believe they are key to the success of cohesion policy and essential for modernising and shaping its future. In such a fast-changing world, cohesion cannot remain the same. It is our common responsibility to adapt and to make the best use of European resources.”
Cohesion and Growth for the Future
Tanya Hristova (EPP/BG), Mayor of Gabrovo Municipality, cautioned against merging cohesion policy with other funding instruments into a single envelope. She emphasised cohesion’s democratic and human dimension: “Today’s debate is not only about governance. It is also about trust and democracy. And we all know that democracy in Europe is not built in ministries—it is built in our regions, our cities, and our communities. Cohesion policy has made this possible through projects our citizens can feel and see—roads, schools, hospitals, innovation hubs, and regenerated industrial zones. It has given citizens something invaluable: trust. And no financial instrument alone can provide this. We need more effectiveness and efficiency—but not at the cost of centralisation and not at the cost of losing the very soul of Europe.”
The Right to Stay: Unlocking the Potential of Every Territory
Emil Boc (EPP/RO), Mayor of Cluj-Napoca, underlined that while defence is crucial, cohesion must remain at the heart of the European project: “Cohesion policy is the glue that keeps us together. It is the best instrument to ensure that every corner of Europe has both the freedom to stay and the freedom to move. Maybe we have less money, but let’s spend it wisely to increase our competitiveness, solidarity, and cohesion. Let’s make freedom to stay and freedom to move a reality everywhere in Europe. My message is simple: let’s follow the Latin principle Aurea Mediocritas—the golden middle way—to inspire the next generation to fulfil their dreams, wherever they choose to live.”
Cities Building Tomorrow
Ray McAdam (EPP,IE), Lord Mayor of Dublin, reminded participants that citizens judge results, not strategies: “Citizens do not measure us by strategies. They measure us by front doors opened, minutes saved on journeys, and chances created in life. Dublin’s offer is partnership—city to city, and with our national and European family. So let’s build tomorrow together, starting now.” He outlined five key actions to strengthen cities for the future:
- Establish direct city funding windows for regeneration, retrofitting, and modern construction—with less friction and more delivery.
- Enable city-led vehicles, such as Dublin’s proposed economic development company, to blend EU, national, and private capital for scalable projects.
- Develop digital planning standards and capacity for quicker, clearer, and more trusted decisions.
- Align utilities-first financing with housing targets to ensure timely project delivery.
- Create culture and ground-floor activation funds linked to vacancy reduction, because “open doors mean safer streets.”
Hanna Zdanowska (EPP/PL), Mayor of Łódź, illustrated the transformative power of EU funds: “In Łódź, we used to have coal factories—now they are full of energy, creativity, and young people building the future through AI and innovation. We’ve restored our historic buildings and made them vibrant again, attracting millions of visitors. Our young people stay because someone gave us a chance—European funds. Fifteen years later, our needs remain great. This shows how politics determines whether a city can grow or not.”
María José García-Pelayo Jurado (EPP/ES), Mayor of Jerez de la Frontera, closed with a call for genuine partnership: “We must build a shared future from the local level upwards—with cohesion and co-responsibility. Without cohesion, there is no Europe. In designing the new MFF, we are asking—on behalf of Spanish municipalities—that participation of local authorities should not be merely consultative but obligatory. Subsidiarity is not just an inspiring principle—it is a legal and practical obligation. Local governments need stable, predictable, and territorially fair access to European funds. Without this, cohesion remains only a discourse, not a reality.”