European policies

We continue to unpack the European Commission's long-term budget (MFF) proposal. Today’s menu: the future of urban initiatives and the LIFE programme, and a new facility designed to cope with the uncertainty of our time.

The current proposal for the EU’s next long-term budget raises serious concerns for cities and regions. To help you respond, Energy Cities has developed a practical advocacy toolkit to help influence key decision-makers in your country.

Following the legal transposition of Article 25.6 of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) on local heating and cooling planning, the French government has adopted a […]

Despite many setbacks in 2025, this year represents an opportunity to put Europe’s future back on the right course. Here are the EU policy battles to watch in 2026 and how Energy Cities will fight to keep Europe’s transition and future rooted in its communities.

Brussels is still buzzing. After scoring points in the debate on the 2028–2034 Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF), the European Parliament is now dragging its feet […]

Democracy is increasingly under threat in Europe, and the EU is struggling to respond. If they want to mount an effective defence of the rule of law, they must stop sidelining local governments and urgently focus on empowering cities.

A new policy Agenda for cities has been published by the European Commission, but without mandatory regional chapters and territorial approach in the next EU budget it will remain a dead letter.

I could have written about the latest chapter in the European budget saga. You will find it below… or now, let me simply say this: […]

The Local Alliance presents a 10 point action plan to ensure the EU budget delivers tangible results for people in every territory across Europe.

Energy Cities breaks down what's in the National and Regional Partnership Plans proposed in the next MFF, the risks they pose, and why it matters for cities.