Legally binding guarantees for the involvement of cities and regions in the next EU budget, dedicated funding for Cohesion Policy, a 10% target for rural development, greater regional autonomy over investment decisions and new sources of EU revenue were among the key demands raised by members of the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions (EPP-CoR). The proposals were discussed during an exchange with Jan Olbrycht, Special Adviser to Commissioner Piotr Serafin on budgetary and financial matters and the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), at the EPP Group meeting held during the 2026 European Week of Regions and Cities in Brussels.
Addressing EPP-CoR members, Jan Olbrycht stressed that negotiations on the 2028–2034 MFF must focus not only on the overall size of the EU budget, but also on its structure and implementation. He warned that without sufficient funding and new own resources, cuts to European policies would become inevitable. "We must move beyond general declarations and focus on practical solutions that protect Cohesion Policy, safeguard its share of the budget and ensure that local and regional authorities have a meaningful role in decision-making. The priority should not simply be how the budget looks on paper, but how it will actually work in practice," he said.
Emil Boc (RO/EPP), Mayor of Cluj-Napoca, called for legally binding guarantees to ensure that local and regional authorities participate throughout the entire budget cycle, from the design of National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs) to their implementation, monitoring and revision. He also proposed exploring new EU revenue sources, including taxation of major technology companies and cryptocurrencies. "Are we at the table as equal partners, or are we simply on the menu? Are we genuinely involved in designing, implementing, monitoring and revising the plans, or are decisions being made without us?" he asked.
Rafał Trzaskowski (PL/EPP), Mayor of Warsaw, emphasised that the success of the next EU budget should be measured by its ability to improve people's daily lives. He warned against funding arrangements that could create competition between farmers, cities and regions rather than strengthen European solidarity. "Citizens do not expect us to debate complicated priorities, percentages and budgetary thresholds; they expect affordable energy, accessible housing, better health and stronger resilience," he said.
Radim Sršeň (CZ/EPP), Mayor of Dolní Studénky, called for rural development to remain closely connected to Cohesion Policy, with investment extending beyond agriculture to address the broader needs of rural communities. He advocated a dedicated 10% rural target for non-agricultural development through integrated, place-based approaches. "This is why we are advocating for a 10% rural target dedicated to non-agricultural rural development, particularly through integrated, place-based approaches that respond to the specific needs of each territory," he explained.
Olgierd Geblewicz (PL/EPP), President of the West Pomerania Region, called for regional development priorities to be included in the regional chapters of the NRPPs. Drawing on the situation in Poland, he questioned why decisions on relatively small local infrastructure projects should be taken at national level. "We see no justification for maintaining a situation like the one we currently have in Poland, where, despite being a large country, decisions about where even small wastewater treatment plants should be located are effectively made in Warsaw," he said.
The debate highlighted the need to reconcile Europe's expanding priorities with the financial resources available under the next MFF. Members stressed that the proposed budget arrangements must preserve the territorial dimension of EU policies and translate commitments to multi-level governance into practical guarantees. The EPP-CoR members' interventions reflected a shared concern that the next EU budget should strengthen Europe's capacity to invest while ensuring that cities and regions remain active partners in determining how European funds are used. The Group reiterated the importance of a place-based approach, predictable investment and an ambitious Cohesion Policy capable of responding to the different needs of European territories.