As we progress toward the implementation of the European Green Deal, with new EU priorities such as competitiveness rising on the EU agenda, alongside intensified discussions around the next Multiannual Financial Framework, ERRIN is pleased to contribute to the co-design of the future EU Agenda for Cities. Representing over 120 regional and local innovation ecosystems across Europe, ERRIN welcomes renewed attention to cities and Functional Urban Areas as critical drivers of the green and digital transitions. 

ERRIN contributed to the call for evidence launched by the European Commission on the future EU Agenda for Cities with the position paper attached. Building on the network’s long-standing expertise and recent input papers, this position outlines three core areas where the future Agenda must act to empower urban areas as essential drivers of the green and digital transitions.

1. Empowering cities and Functional Urban Areas to implement EU priorities 

Cities and metropolitan areas are central to addressing climate, economic and social challenges. They are where EU policies become reality (converging investment, innovation and citizen engagement) yet also where resource constraints and vulnerabilities are heightened. The Agenda must recognise cities not just as service providers, but as co-creators of solutions.  

To support this role, cities should be involved early in the design and delivery of EU policies and funding programmes. They also need more direct access to EU funds to meet European Green Deal goals and the Clean Industrial Deal, with a specific focus on supporting cities from widening countries to ensure territorial cohesion. Functional Urban Areas must be explicitly acknowledged to encourage cross-boundary cooperation. 

The Agenda must go beyond sectoral silos and promote integrated, place-based and mission-driven governance. Cities should be supported in building structural, long-term transitions, reinforced by strong territorial cooperation. 

2. Scaling mission-oriented approaches to drive urban transformation 

The five EU Missions have shown that mission-based, challenge-driven innovation can be a powerful tool for transformation. Its value lies in aligning public authorities, citizens, academia, and business around shared goals. It connects climate action with governance, technology and culture, while supporting multi-level, cross-sector cooperation. 

This model demonstrates how long-term directionality and system-level change can be embedded into urban governance. The EU Missions has successfully introduced research and innovation into urban policymaking and should be mainstreamed into the EU Agenda for Cities as a central tool. 

To succeed, cities need enabling conditions: fewer administrative burdens, better access to technical assistance, simplified funding and tailored support. Smaller and medium-sized cities in particular face barriers due to complex application procedures and fragmented reporting. Providing capacity-building, clearer guidance and peer learning is critical to allow more diverse participation. 

The Agenda should also support complementary initiatives like the New European Bauhaus to embed inclusive, human-centred and sustainable values into urban development. 

3. Strengthening regional innovation ecosystems to support cities 

Regions and local ecosystems are essential in delivering the innovation needed to transform cities. They invest in shared infrastructures, support SMEs and start-ups, enable experimentation, and bridge the gap between research and real-world solutions. Cities and regions must be seen as complementary actors in shared innovation ecosystems. 

Skills development must also be at the heart of the Agenda, with cities and regions working with education providers to equip talent for the green and digital transition. 

To be effective, urban priorities must be aligned with regional smart specialisation strategies (S3). Examples from Helsinki-Uusimaa and Hauts-de-France show how regional strategies can directly support Cities Mission goals. These synergies between levels of government and ecosystems should be institutionalised through better governance, a reinforced partnership principle, and greater alignment of responsibilities and resources. 

Finally, initiatives such as Regional Innovation Valleys and the European Innovation Ecosystems underline the added value of stronger interregional collaboration to boost competitiveness, reduce disparities and strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy. 

Find the full position paper attached.