On 12 October 2026, the European Committee of the Regions published the seventh edition of its annual report on the state of regions and cities in the European Union. Presented at the opening of the European Week of Regions and Cities, the document examines the main challenges facing local areas and their contribution to Europe’s transformation.
Cohesion and competitiveness: the perspective of local areas
The report connects economic development, local investment capacity, resilience and quality of life. The Committee proposes policies based on the characteristics of places, involving regional and local authorities in decisions that affect communities.
The topics addressed include the future European budget, industrial transition, climate adaptation and the so-called “right to stay”: the opportunity to build a future in the place where one lives, through employment, housing, transport connections and essential services.
Services and administrative capacity
The report’s summary highlights the need for investment and cooperation between different levels of government. It also stresses the importance of supporting authorities’ technical capacity, particularly in addressing local vulnerabilities and strengthening crisis preparedness.
A reference for local planning
For the organisations in the Focus Europe network, the document can offer useful insights for understanding local needs in the context of European priorities and initiating discussions with other local areas. It is not a call for funding, but a source of analysis to be considered alongside programmes and operational calls.
2026 report and official publications
Summary of the report’s main themes
Cover photograph: © European Union / Fred Guerdin, from the official page on the state of regions and cities 2026. Reproduced without modification.
