Eurocities

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayors called for a new pact between the EU and cities.  In meetings with the European Commission’s Executive Vice President Frans Timmermans and Commissioners Paolo Gentiloni and Johannes Hahn, the mayors proposed to involve city governments more in the EU recovery programmes and demanded direct access for cities to European funding. European Commission’s Executive Vice President Frans Timmermans "Most people live in urban areas and so cities are key for a green transition towards a climate-neutral Europe. Cities often take the lead in setting climate targets. Therefore, I count cities as our natural allies to make the green deal a reality in Europe". The president of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, welcomed the proposed new pact. “Cities have proved to be the backbone of our Union,” “I will work alongside you so that this new pact allows us to build, together, the future of the new Europe.” [19][20] Eurocities has been particularly vocal on the importance of reaching a deal for the EU budget for the 2021-2027 period, and condemned the veto imposed by Hungary and Poland over the rule of law. The Mayor of Warsaw and member of Eurocities Executive Committee declared: It has been known for years that if the basic principles of the rule of law are violated, the Law and Justice government will have to face the consequences. And it is exactly what is happening just now in front of our eyes. Vetoing the budget from which Poland is to be the greatest beneficiary is simply a suicidal undertaking. It is beyond comprehension.”.[21][22] This was one of the many clashes between mayors and central government in Eastern Europe over the need to respect the principles of equality and tolerance[23][24]

Eurocities has been a strong advocate for a European model for the digital world that starts bottom-up for its cities.[25][26] Barcelona, a key actor in the world of data commons, and current chair of the Eurocities Knowledge Society Forum, wants to turn the forum into a main actor in digital policy at the EU level. Barcelona aims to bring cities to the table for debate on digital policies at the European level and to put urgent priorities for cities on the agenda, such as reducing the inequalities that digitization entails. According to Laia Bonet, Deputy Mayor of Agenda 2030, Digital Transition, Sports and Territorial and Metropolitan Coordination of the Barcelona City Council, the pandemic has made it "more evident and more urgent that cities are on the European decision table." "Barcelona assumes the leadership of Europe's digital cities at a crucial moment, in which a global economic and health crisis is accelerating the digital transition in an unprecedented way".[27] "We are at a crossroads between a technological model that reduces our capacity - as cities and citizens - to govern our lives and one that encourages innovation, rights and inclusion in cities," said Bonet, who "has shown convinced that "as European cities we will advance a vision of human-centered digital cities ".[27]

EU cities have taken strong stances on the ongoing climate crisis, and some have commit to exceed climate, decarbonisation targets by signing agreements to match or exceed EU climate change-related emissions targets.[28] City leaders spoke in favour of emission reduction targets up to 65% by 2030 with EU support. Mayors of 58 major European cities say that “it’s time for a revision of the EU 2030 energy and climate targets to at least 55% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels, legally binding at member-state level."[20]

Tackling social challenges, including the housing and refugee crisis:

Eurocities is working to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights in cities, and so far 44 cities, representing more than 51 million citizens, have jointly pledged €14.2 billion in social investment measures towards creating a fairer, more equal and inclusive Europe.[29][30] Eurocities has taken the lead over the need to regulate Short Term Holiday Rentals. In a meeting with the European Commission VP Vestager, the Mayor of Amsterdam, lead on the initiative, stated:“Digital platforms have a huge impact on European cities, in particular in Short Term Holiday Rentals. We all know the future is digital, which brings innovation, growth and opportunities for all. But we do need another regulatory approach to these digital services to ensure both the well-being and freedom of our citizens.”[31][32][33] A new Eurocities report on housing and homelessness showed that a lack of access to affordable and social housing was already putting new groups of Europeans at risk of poverty and social exclusion before the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent trends, such as mass and unregulated tourism, increasing rents and precarious work contracts meant that housing is increasingly becoming a concern for middle-income earners, as well as lower-income earners and other vulnerable group.[34] At the core of the refugee crisis in Europe in 2016, mayors from Eurocities have created the initiative 'Solidarity cities' to show their support and availability to host and contribute to the relocation and integration of migrants.[35][36] In 2020 September, European cities provided availability to host refugees from the burned migrant camp Moria on the Greek island of Lesbos.[37] Faced with more than 12,000 people without shelter after the fire on Tuesday night, cities renewed their offer to help. Eurocities has contributed to the development of best-practices and knowledge exchanges on the integration of migrants that led to the development of guides and booklets, including the influential Integrating Cities Charter calling for an integrated approach at city level and direct support for the EU.[38][39][40]

Showcasing EU cities as pioneers and contributors to the 2030 Global Goals:

The network has endorsed the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and has put together a task-force of over 50 European cities with the aim to exchange on how to localise the global agenda and formally connect cities to the agenda via the development of Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs). Similar to Voluntary National Reviews, VLRs assess the actions and the progress made towards the achievement of the global goals. In a report published in 2020, the network states that "as the level of government closest to people and communities, local authorities have a crucial role in making societies more liveable, inclusive, and resilient... Transforming cities in line with the SDGs will require the mobilisation of additional investment; the EU Green Deal, the forthcoming (post-2020) EU cohesion funds and other instruments offer a critical opportunity to promote local investment and support sustainable development in cities and adjacent areas"[41] Speaking at the UN High-level Political Forum for Sustainable Development in 2019, the Mayor of Helsinki Jan Vapaavuori, said “The success of the SDGs becomes real at the local level, where implementation happens. As city leaders, we are committed to sustainability and are taking action. Helsinki is the first European city, and second globally after New York City, to commit to a Voluntary Local Review of the SDG’s to the UN, and encourages all European cities to follow. It is only through concrete steps like this that we will ensure a greener, more sustainable future for all.”[42][43]