The EPP-CoR Group stands firm in advocating for a future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) that prioritises the needs of Europe’s regions and local communities. The EU’s budget must be a tool for strengthening all regions, not just those with strong national lobbying power or those closely aligned with national governments. We firmly reject any attempt to centralize Cohesion Funds, which have been instrumental in reducing disparities and fostering development on the ground. We call for stronger guarantees to ensure the comprehensive engagement of local and regional authorities and to prevent any form of centralisation.
Key Priorities for Financing the EU’s Future
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Green and Digital Transition: Investments in the green and digital transformation must remain central to the EU’s financial framework. This is not only crucial for Europe’s long-term competitiveness but also for ensuring that all regions benefit from sustainable and digital innovation. These transitions must align with the principles of territorial cohesion and shared management rather than being imposed through top-down sectoral approaches.
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Support for Agriculture and Food Security: The upcoming vision for agriculture must include targeted support to attract new farmers while providing assistance to those who comply with sustainability goals. A fair and well-financed agricultural policy with the regions at it centre will ensure food security, economic stability, and a vibrant rural economy. Rural development must be supported in full partnership with regional and local authorities.
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Simplification and Accessibility: While we support ambitious targets, we emphasise the need for simplified administrative processes. Excessive red tape should not hinder access to EU funding, particularly for regional and local authorities that rely on streamlined financial mechanisms. Performance-based funding models should not compromise local autonomy or introduce rigid oversight that weakens the ability of regions to tailor policies to their specific needs.
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A reinforced and improved Cohesion Policy must retain its primary purpose: reducing regional disparities and ensuring long-term development across all EU territories through shared management with regional and local authorities. Cohesion Policy must not become a financial reserve for every crisis. We oppose the introduction of a European Competitiveness Fund, which risks diverting resources from Cohesion objectives and promoting a spatially blind financing model that neglects regional disparities.
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National Reform Plans with Regional Partnership: As highlighted in the communication, each Member State must develop a clear plan for key reforms and investments. These plans must put regions at the center and be implemented in close partnership with national, regional, and local authorities to ensure effective governance and local ownership. We call for guarantees to uphold the principles of multi-level governance and shared management post-2027.
A Stronger EU Budget with Shared Management
We advocate for a more ambitious and simplified long-term EU budget that aligns with the Union’s strategic priorities—defence, competitiveness, and the green and digital transition—while being tailored to the specific needs of regional and local communities across Europe. We stress that Cohesion Policy must not be diluted by sector-driven priorities but must maintain its territorial approach to address disparities effectively.
To ensure that the future budget truly reflects the priorities of citizens and regions, we propose a series of local dialogues and invite Commissioner Piotr Serafin to engage with local and regional elected politicians in a bottom-up process. These dialogues will ensure that regional voices are heard and that EU budgetary decisions are not centralized at the national level.
The EPP-CoR Group remains committed to defending a budget that strengthens all regions, promotes shared management of Cohesion Funds, and upholds the fundamental principle of subsidiarity in EU governance. The future of Europe depends on a well-financed, strategically targeted, and regionally inclusive budget that supports prosperity and cohesion for all.