Our local leaders adopt a Political Declaration on the MFF and EU external action
Our local leaders met in Seville (Spain) on 2nd of April at the World Forum of Local Economic Development (WFLED) for our annual Political Council. They discussed the next EU long term budget and EU external action and adopted a Political Declaration.
In their Political Declaration on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), PLATFORMA spokespersons express their deepest concern for the drastic reduction of development budgets across EU Member States and globally.
5 key messages
Through this Political Declaration, our local leaders remind European and national leaders that local and regional governments are essential assets for Team Europe in delivering the Global Gateway. As the closest level of government to citizens, they are best placed to implement sustainable, high-impact investments.
They insist that town and regions should be in the driver seat of territorial development: prioritising capacity development, decentralisation and multilevel governance to secure the long-term sustainability of EU investments.
They ask them to recognise that local and regional governments are unique and effective partners in fragile contexts. In contexts where national governments struggle to act, they ensure continuity of governance and social stability.
They call for dedicated financing instruments to ensure responsiveness to global shocks and volatility. Empowered local and regional governments accelerate economic and social integration, fostering closer ties between candidate countries and the EU.
Finally, they ask European and national leaders to strengthen EU Delegations’ engagement with local and regional governments: ensuring dedicated focal points, enhancing dialogue and consultation structures, making funding mechanisms more flexible and accessible.
This Political Declaration will serve as a basis for advocacy in the coming months during MFF negotiations. It is complemented by a Policy position paper.
Discover now the full Declaration.