Conference of Presidents of the European Committee of the Regions – Declaration in view of the European Commission Work Programme for 2027
Date: 2026-05-22
Institutions: European Committee of the Regions
Subjects: European social policy, cross-border cooperation, defence policy, democracy, digital economy, environmental policy, multiannual financial framework, principle of subsidiarity, regional development, territorial cohesion








C_202602817EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
C series













C/2026/2817


22.5.2026






Conference of Presidents of the European Committee of the Regions
Declaration in view of the European Commission Work Programme for 2027
(C/2026/2817)


The European Committee of the Regions’ (CoR) Conference of Presidents (CoP):







—


Noting that the protocol on cooperation between the European Commission and the CoR states that the CoR will convey to the Commission its key positions regarding the Commission Work Programme for the forthcoming year;










—


Highlighting the priorities the CoR set for 2025-2030 to build a more cohesive, resilient and closer EU;










—


Insisting that legislative proposals presented by the Commission be systematically supported by ex-ante territorial impact assessments (TIA) to ensure that they meet the EU’s objective of territorial cohesion.





Considers that, in view of the European Commission’s Work Programme for 2027, the following priorities should be included:









1.


In view of the ongoing work on the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework (MFF) proposals, rejects any shift towards more centralisation and calls for a stable and dedicated budget for cohesion policy covering all three categories of regions (1), as well as for the application of the ‘do no harm to cohesion’ principle across all EU funds and programmes.












2.


Calls for a revised legislative proposal to include guarantees for the involvement of local and regional authorities (LRAs) in the development of the National and Regional Partnerships Plans (NRPPs), to add a multilevel governance assessment, which would include guarantees for the partnership principle, a subsidiarity clause allowing the Commission the right to reject plans that fail to provide for such meaningful engagement, and require Member States to include at least one territorial chapter in the NRPPs.












3.


Reiterates that 20 % of the envelope of the NRPPs should be dedicated to territorial initiatives and local cooperation through territorial instruments.













4.


Calls on the Commission to put forward a strategy linking place-based innovation and local and regional ecosystems to complement the Horizon programme and the European Competitiveness Fund and to establish a link with the Industrial Accelerator Act.












5.


Stresses the importance of involving the CoR’s Regional Hubs (RegHub) Network in a future follow-up to the Fit for Future Platform on better regulation in order to contribute to the simplification and completion of the single market.












6.


Underlines the need for the upcoming initiatives in relation to energy security to better reflect its local and regional dimension, including adequate financial and technical support to address energy poverty and affordability and strengthen the development of Energy Communities as locally anchored instruments for citizen participation, decentralised generation and resilience.












7.


Calls for strategic support for decentralised digital initiatives, urgent action to strengthen EU technological sovereignty, competitiveness and digital cohesion, and faster completion of the digital fitness check, alongside continued enforcement against breaches of EU digital legislation and fundamental rights.












8.


Demands that the forthcoming Digital Fairness Act significantly strengthen the protection of users online, including minors, by addressing gaps in consumer law, introducing fairness-by-design, preventing and mitigating unfair digital practices, increasing algorithmic transparency and adapting the burden of proof to improve enforcement and simplify obligations for businesses.












9.


Calls for the mapping of defence-related clusters and companies at regional level, for the full integration of inter-regional cooperation within an EU defence supply chain strategy and for the development of a framework for security and defence to better coordinate investments, align priorities across levels of governance and maximise synergies with cohesion policy.












10.


Recommends that the Commission, in cooperation with the CoR, develop an EU local and regional security agenda and turn the ProtectEU internal security strategy into effective territorial action.












11.


Calls for clear guidance and dedicated administrative and financial support to enable Member States and regions to participate fully in EU preparedness initiatives, alongside the development of EU-level reporting, evaluation and benchmarking mechanisms to assess effectiveness. The CoR also recommends conducting ex-ante TIAs for the future actions listed in the Annex to the European Preparedness Union Strategy.












12.


Encourages the development of a new EU child strategy and concrete measures to address child poverty, as well as a new EU Youth Strategy; stands ready to support all Commission initiatives on youth engagement, including through the Young Elected Politicians (YEP) network, and by supporting the Voices for Future initiative.












13.


Reaffirms the importance of promoting gender equality across all EU policies in line with the 2026-2030 Gender Equality Strategy, to which the CoR contributes, for example, with its initiative ‘For More Women in Politics’.












14.


Advocates a robust Quality Jobs Act ensuring well-paid, future-proof employment, strong workers’ rights and a decent work-life balance, alongside a comprehensive and innovative Fair Labour Mobility Package.












15.


Endorses the implementation of a strong anti-poverty policy, with particular emphasis on housing affordability, access to quality public services and the European Child Guarantee and supports the development of an ambitious new Action Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights based on clear targets, adequate funding and a strong role for local and regional authorities in its delivery.












16.


Commits to contribute to future proposals on the commercial determinants of health, including a revision of the Tobacco Products Directive, a new EU alcohol strategy and a strategy on ultra processed foods and sugary drinks.












17.


Calls to revise the Patients’ Rights Directive to facilitate cross-border cooperation agreements, remove administrative hurdles, prevent future disruptions and enable border regions to become pioneers of the European Health Data Space.












18.


Invites the Commission to launch preparatory work for a new post-2030 EU Biodiversity Strategy with input from local and regional authorities.












19.


Emphasises the urgent need to mobilise public and private investment for water infrastructure upgrades, nature-based solutions, leakage reduction, the digitalisation of water systems and decisive action on PFAS pollution.












20.


Urges the Commission to strengthen cooperation with the CoR in implementing the Zero Pollution Action Plan, including through the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform, and a review of the REACH framework.












21.


Expects a future strategy on the ‘freedom and right to stay’ to contribute to the resilience, attractiveness and competitiveness of regions facing persistent and structural social, economic and demographic challenges.












22.


Supports strengthening European Citizens’ Panels by broadening their scope and enhancing their outreach through cooperation with local and regional authorities (LRAs) and the CoR, making use of existing networks, such as the EU Local Councillors and the Young Elected Politicians (YEPs) programme.












23.


Calls for follow-up initiatives under the European Democracy Shield to support local and regional democracy, including citizen participation and resilience against disinformation, violence and hate speech, notably targeting elected officials, and calls for actions to be developed in close partnership with LRAs.












24.


Calls for the local and regional dimension to be included in the rule of law monitoring process.












25.


Emphasises the need for a new Commission Communication on the role of LRAs in international partnerships and their access to EU funding instruments, building on the joint Commission-CoR work, notably through the Cities and Regions for International Partnerships Forum.












26.


Expects to be included by the Commission in the preparations for a coordinated transition for Ukrainian refugees out of temporary protection status to other residence statuses and voluntary return programmes.













27.


Calls for work on pre-enlargement reforms and policy reviews to be initiated and reiterates its commitment to contributing to this process including via its thematic commissions, joint consultative committees and working groups.












28.


Underlines the importance of integrating strategic foresight into the EU policy cycle and expects the CoR to be systematically associated with implementation dialogues.





The CoR expects these proposals to be duly considered by the Commission and commits to working constructively with the Commission and the co-legislators, in accordance with its role under the EU Treaties, to ensure that the voice of LRAs and the principle of subsidiarity are reflected in the initiatives of the 2027 Work Programme of the European Commission.



(1)  The three categories of regions are: ‘less developed regions’ – regions whose GDP per capita is less than 75 % of the average GDP per capita of the EU-27; ‘transition regions’ – regions whose GDP per capita is between 75 % and 100 % of the average GDP per capita of the EU-27; ‘more developed regions’ – regions whose GDP per capita is above 100 % of the average GDP per capita of the EU-27.


ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2026/2817/oj
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)