A joint call for stronger political leadership of the EU Missions

A joint call for stronger political leadership of the EU Missions

ERRIN, alongside Eurocities, ICLEI Europe, Energy Cities and Resilient Cities Network, has sent a joint letter to Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera Rodríguez, urging her to take political ownership of the EU Missions as part of her leadership on Europe’s Clean, Just and Competitive Transition. 

The EU Missions – focused on climate adaptation, climate-neutral cities, ocean and water restoration, soil health and cancer – are crucial instruments for addressing Europe’s most pressing societal challenges. The five Missions are closely aligned with President von der Leyen’s priorities of driving innovation, accelerating decarbonisation and securing Europe’s economic competitiveness. They bridge the goals of the EU Green Deal with local-level transformations, inspiring cities and regions to lead change while fostering collaboration and innovation. 

In our letter, ERRIN and the co-signing networks call on EVP Ribera to: 

  • Lead the integration of the EU Missions into her portfolio, ensuring their full alignment with climate, industrial, and social transformation priorities. 

  • Coordinate closely with other Executive Vice-Presidents and Commissioners, including Henna Virkkunen, Raffaele Fitto, Stéphane Séjourné and Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva, to guarantee systemic collaboration and engagement across portfolios. 

The Missions represent a unique opportunity to connect policy integration with citizen engagement and private sector involvement, delivering transformative results on the ground. With dedicated leadership and a coordinated approach, their potential can be fully realised, driving Europe toward a sustainable and equitable future. 

ERRIN and our partner networks remain committed to supporting the EU Missions and stand ready to collaborate to maximise their impact. 

Read the full letter here.