Have your say: Contributing to the EU agenda for cities
What is the new EU Agenda for Cities?
Announced in President Ursula von der Leyen’s mission letter to Executive VicePresident Fitto, this agenda will provide a vision for the future of cities, looking at issues such as housing, climate action, digitalisation, mobility, social inclusion and equality. It should also harness the potential of cities as innovation, growth and competitiveness engines.
By taking stock of EU initiatives and instruments in order to streamline current support to cities, the Agenda responds to the growing need for a more coherent and strategic approach to urban policy. It will assess existing EU tools, funding schemes, and policy frameworks relevant to urban areas, ensuring they are more accessible, efficient, and impactful.
Why this matters
Europe’s cities are home to 75% of the population and are at the frontline of major challenges like climate change, migration, economic transition, and digitalisation. Better EU support can empower cities to innovate, collaborate, and drive meaningful change at the local level.
The Agenda aims to:
- Align urban needs with EU priorities (e.g., the Green Deal, digital transformation)
- Enhance coordination across funding instruments and programmes
- Foster multi-level governance involving cities more directly in EU policy shaping
How to have your say on the EU Agenda for Cities?
In the presence of Vice-President Fitto, the Cities Forum 2025 will be the central platform to discuss and directly contribute to the development of the EU Agenda for Cities. This is your unique opportunity to have your say on one of the most important EU urban policy initiatives of the decade. There is still time to register to be part of the leading urban event for anyone interested in shaping the future of cities in the EU.
Cities and all stakeholders involved in sustainable urban development are also encouraged to contribute to the online call for evidence by the 26 May 2025. Inputs on the EU support for cities in the areas of administrative capacity and financing needs are particularly needed to prepare this initiative. In addition, inputs are needed on how to liaise with cities to learn from their experience of EU policies and legislation as well as their concerns about future EU proposals, to avoid the creation of contradictory effects on the ground.
Replies can be made in any of the EU’s 24 official languages, via the Have your Say portal.
All details about the consultation, including instructions on how to provide feedback, are available at the following link.