Cllr McCarthy presents his CoR draft opinion “EU Agenda for Cities” at this week’s COTER Meeting

Cork City Councillor Kieran McCarthy presented his working document as rapporteur on the upcoming EU Agenda for Cities. The Agenda, published by the Commission in December 2025, is a comprehensive strategic EU framework focused on cities. It aims to strengthen the urban dimension in policymaking, support coherence between EU policies and funding, while also facilitating more support to cities through dialogue and simplification.

McCarthy outlined that the central practical element of the Agenda, is its intention to improve coordination across EU funding and policy instruments including cohesion policy and other sectoral programmes through three strands. These strands include continuous high-level dialogue between the EU, cities and LRAs, added simplification and capacity building, and finally the inclusion of EU funds outlined in the proposed Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034.

McCarthy also stressed that “although the Agenda remains largely at a declaratory level, it represents opportunities for LRAs to comment on the three strands, while also having a say on the changing face of EU urban policy thinking“. He also stressed the range of structural challenges that exist and acknowledged the continued need to strengthen the strategic role of cities, functional urban areas and place-based approaches.

Fellow EA members Cosmina-Ramona Pandele and Declan McDonnell praised McCarthy for his work to date. Pandele noted that this Agenda is a strategic opportunity that should be treated with respect and responsibility saying; “this agenda is an important toolkit in which each city should have access to, in order to receive the support needed for development”. Adding on this, McDonnell highlighted the importance of cross city collaboration, stating “this collaborative exchange will be vital in order to improve the delivery of essential infrastructure to our cities across the EU”.