Joint Meeting of the EPP Group in the European Parliament and the European Committee of the Regions outlines commitment to step up efforts for resilient communities
The EPP Group in the European Parliament and the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions (EPP-CoR) held a joint meeting today under the theme “EU Preparedness and Solidarity for Lively Regions”, reinforcing a shared commitment to resilient, connected, and secure communities across the European Union.
Manfred Weber MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, opened the session by recognising the pivotal role of local and regional leaders: “Your work is essential to our political family. It’s not just about being connected—it's about cooperation that delivers. Mayors and local leaders are fundamental to bridging policies and realities on the ground. We are committed to the Bucharest Manifesto and to ensuring a Europe where people live in a secure environment.”
Sari Rautio, President of the EPP-CoR Group and Member of the Hämeenlinna City Council, stressed the urgency of empowering regions in Europe’s response capacity: “As the first responders closest to our citizens, we carry a particular responsibility. We are not passive observers in Europe's security and investment frameworks—we are essential actors. Today is a call to invest in resilience from the ground up, to innovate boldly, coordinate across borders, and centre every strategy on our citizens. This is the Europe we must build—from Dresden to Valencia and from Saint Pölten to Šoštanj.”
The panel discussion, chaired by Dolors Montserrat MEP, Vice-Chair of the EPP Group for Economy and Environment, showcased bold local action and shared strategies for adaptation.
Mayor Hanna Zdanowska of Łódź, a long-standing voice in the EPP-CoR Group, presented her city's comprehensive efforts to enhance urban resilience: “Łódź is becoming a co-created city, built in partnership with its people to face the realities of climate change. We are removing concrete, greening the city to provide shade, creating new parks, and introducing water retention tanks. Sustainability is not an abstract goal—it’s a necessity. A resilient city must be one that not only withstands challenges but actively improves the quality of life for its people.”
Mirjam Sterk, Regional Minister of the Province of Utrecht underscored the need to shift from reactive to proactive governance in the face of environmental extremes: “In the past, we acted against floods. Today, we are entering a new reality shaped by droughts and heat. Our response must be multidisciplinary and comprehensive. We focus on three priorities: enhancing biodiversity, adapting to climate change, and promoting healthy living environments. Projects like greening schoolyards, planting vegetables, and removing asphalt are small steps with transformative impact—improving biodiversity, learning environments, and community well-being. Local initiatives matter.” She added: “Climate resilience must go beyond green spaces. We need to address all economic sectors. This is a shared mission across every level of governance.”
European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra, said: “A whole-of-society approach is vital. Most of the climate challenges we face are local in nature, which is why local and regional authorities must be central to Europe’s preparedness. Every euro invested in prevention saves far more in response. ‘Resilience by design’ avoids disaster by design. We must stop building for the past and start building for the future—with infrastructure, homes, and farms that can withstand extreme weather.”
Radim Sršeň, Mayor of Dolní Studénky and member of the EPP-CoR Group, spoke strongly about the need for trust and structured collaboration: “Mayors are the ones who take care of citizens. But it’s not just about money—it’s about multilevel governance and building trust. The more trust and responsibility local and regional governments have, the more resilience we can build together. Systematic cooperation must be our foundation.”
Markku Markkula, Chair of the Helsinki Region underlined the need to mobilise a true bottom-up transformation: “We have over 250 mayors and regional leaders here today—we have the capacity to act. But we must go beyond authorities. Let’s involve universities, industries, and innovators. We need a systemic transformation, and we must do this together. Let’s make our EPP actions visible through real, local impact.
Romana Tomc MEP, Vice-Chair of the EPP Group for Outreach, concluded the session with a forward-looking announcement: “The EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions is the voice of our communities. A new collaboration programme between our two EPP groups will amplify regional voices and ensure that the realities of towns and regions shape the European agenda. Regional cooperation is not only important—it is life-saving, as we saw during the devastating floods in Slovenia in 2023.”