Brussels Bubble Band joins to discuss EU priorities
On 26 October, POLIS held a meeting with its Brussels-based member policy operatives to foster collaboration, exchange ideas and align on critical EU urban mobility policy issues. As the European Union underwent a significant political shift, the meeting provided a timely platform to discuss the evolving landscape and explore opportunities for coordinated action.
The meeting's central focus was the reform of EU funding mechanisms, with a particular emphasis placed on understanding how these changes will impact urban mobility across European cities and regions. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for the 17 member representatives in attendance to establish common priorities and strengthen collective efforts.
The participants explored shared policy challenges and opportunities, particularly about the upcoming Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF). The meeting focused on key EU policies, including the Cohesion Policy, the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the role of urban nodes in the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), and the implications of the Multimodal Digital Mobility Services (MDMs) and the opportunity of the Social Climate Fund.
European Commission Developments
The announcement of Apostolos Tzitzikostas as the new Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism sparked interest among attendees, as his portfolio, which falls under the remit of Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, will be instrumental in driving key transport initiatives in the years ahead. The group discussed the priorities outlined in the mission letter from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, which emphasised sustainable transport investments, the expansion of high-speed rail to connect EU capitals, and the build-up of charging infrastructure to support clean transport.
However, several important topics were notably absent from the letter, including public transport, road safety, and access regulations. This led to a lively exchange about the importance of these issues for cities and regions, which are on the front lines of implementing transport policies that directly impact citizens.
Engaging the European Council
Pieter De Meyer, Transport Attaché for the General Secretariat of the European Council, joined the meeting to provide insights into the Council’s role in shaping EU transport policy. He emphasised the dual opportunity for regions and cities to engage both national representatives and their peers through various taskforces and groups in Brussels. While national and sub-national delegations may sometimes have different priorities, local authorities are often at the forefront of implementing EU policies, giving them a unique voice in these discussions.
Discussing EU Funds
In the upcoming negotiations on the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) and Cohesion Policy, local and regional authorities, as key implementers of EU policies at the national level, have a critical role to play. Carol Thomas, Senior Advisor for Governance and Institutional Relations at the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), presented their recent reports and highlighted their organisation’s main priorities. She emphasised that the new management model of the Resilience and Recovery Fund has set a significant precedent for how funds are allocated across Europe. However, a joint study by CEMR and the Committee of the Regions (CoR) revealed concerns about the insufficient involvement of local and regional authorities in the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRPs). Strengthening their participation in these processes is vital to ensuring that the green and digital transitions are inclusive and leave no one behind.
POLIS ongoing and future EU policy efforts
POLIS remains highly active in shaping and influencing EU policies relevant to urban mobility. Key ongoing initiatives include the digitalisation of the European disability and parking cards, ensuring local and regional authorities’ involvement in the Social Climate Fund, and supporting the implementation of the revised ITS Directive and RTTI delegated regulation for improved urban mobility data.
The future of transport is another major focus, particularly the shift towards electrification. POLIS is working on enabling conditions such as infrastructure, supported by the AFIR and EPBD, while also ensuring that funding mechanisms like TEN-T and CEF are aligned with sustainability goals. The organisation is also preparing for upcoming Clean Air Requirements, revisions to the TEN-T Regulation for urban nodes, and the development of a European Cycling Strategy.
Looking forward, POLIS is prioritising negotiations on the Multi-Annual Financial Framework and right-sizing vehicles as key themes. The MDMS initiative, which addresses long-distance and regional mobility services, is expected to progress post-2024 elections, and POLIS will continue advocating for urban mobility in these discussions.
Through collaboration with networks like the Local Alliance and joint advocacy efforts with other transport stakeholders, POLIS is committed to ensuring that cities and regions remain central in the evolution of EU mobility policies.
Interested in attending these events or knowing more?
You can reach out to Ivo Cré (icre@polisnetwork.eu), Pedro Homem de Gouveia (pgouveia@polisnetwork.eu), or Jorge Manso García (jmansogarcia@polisnetwork.eu)
