Who should lead the way now?

The transition is underway across our regions. Yet, it feels somewhat like a motor in reverse. For decades, European policies have raised ambition, set precise targets, and built the necessary supporting legislative and financial frameworks. But now, while local actors are in motion – mobilised and planning for these targets at every level – national and European policies remain stuck in sectoral silos, in an outdated world view, in a conception of power that is still too exclusive.

Local actors are the driving force. They make things happen, they deliver. The President of the European Commission has promised that the current mandate will focus on investment. But how can we plan these investments without real dialogue, without shared decision-making? Especially when it’s the regions that are doing the work? How are the different policies aligned? For example, how can we expect local authorities to meet new obligations while ministries of finance continue to cut their budgets?

Shared governance and policy alignment are the real issues at the heart of the upcoming budget negotiations that are just beginning. On 12 June, over 100 signatories – elected officials and organisations representing communities across Europe – sent a clear message to European institutions. On 16 July, the European Commission will present its proposals. That’s when we’ll see whether this message has been heard.