Political Council
Partenalia members met for the yearly Political Council (General Assembly) of the network at the Brussels headquarters to discuss the activities of the network for the year to come.
The technical support to the members will remain a key component of the network. It consists in identifying and analysing EU funding opportunities of special interest and relevant to Local Intermediate Governments and to monitor events of interest to these administrations plan as well as in organising high-level meetings with EU decision-makers and other European networks.
This year, the network intends to participate in two EU-funded projects under the CERV and the Horizon programme on how to increase the voter turnout in European elections based on a comparison with local elections and on Heritage Digitalisation respectively.
The Institutional defence of the intermediate local level of government remains the other key aspect of the activities of Partenalia, the only European Association for Territorial Cooperation among Local Intermediate Authorities. As such, the members officially adopted the Declaration on European Cohesion which they presented to the newly elected President of the Committee of the Regions, Mrs. Kata Tüttő, and to high-level representatives of the DG REGIO.
DG REGIO
On Tuesday, May 13th, a delegation of Partenalia members met with high-level representatives of the Directorate General for Regional Development of the European Commission (DG REGIO) to discuss how to improve the access of Local Intermediate Authorities’ (Provinces, Départements, Kreis, Judets, Powiats, NUTS 3) to EU funding mechanisms.
The exchanges highlighted the high absorption rate of EU funding by this level of government. Indeed, LIAs can boast a stellar record of efficient EU funds management based on a time-proven experience to identify which projects, which small and medium-sized municipalities and which local territorial stakeholders most benefit from the allocation of EU resources.
The participants discussed how LIAs can be involved at the very beginning of the conception of operational plans in order to provide them with a high degree of visibility over the next financing period.
The meeting, held in Brussels, marked a significant step forward in ongoing efforts to strengthen the role of Local Intermediate Authorities—such as counties, provinces, and metropolitan areas—in the delivery of EU cohesion policy objectives.
During the session, participants engaged in productive discussions on the challenges faced by LIAs in accessing and managing EU funds, particularly under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Cohesion Fund, and the Just Transition Fund. Topics included the simplification of administrative procedures, enhanced visibility of LIAs in programming, and opportunities for direct participation in innovative funding instruments such as the Partnerships for Regional Innovation and the Urban Agenda for the EU.
The European Commission acknowledged the crucial role that Local Intermediate Authorities play in translating EU policies into tangible outcomes for citizens. Officials from DG REGIO expressed their commitment to exploring how future funding frameworks can be better tailored to recognize the unique positioning of LIAs as a bridge between regional and local governance.
President Nofuentes, President of Partenalia, emphasised:
“Local Intermediate Authorities are key actors in addressing territorial disparities and implementing place-based strategies. We welcome the open dialogue with the European Commission and look forward to concrete measures that will enable us to contribute more effectively to the EU’s cohesion goals.”
Kata Tüttő
On Wednesday, May 14th, a delegation of Partenalia members met today with Mrs. Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), to underline the essential role of Local Intermediate Authorities (LIAs) in shaping and delivering the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), particularly the Cohesion Policy.
Held at the CoR headquarters in Brussels, the meeting focused on the critical need to embed Local Intermediate Authorities more firmly in the design and implementation of future EU funding programmes. Discussions centred on how LIAs—acting at the vital intersection between regional and local governance—can enhance the territorial impact and administrative efficiency of EU investments.
In particular, Partenalia members stressed the need for a mandatory allocation of EU funding to rural areas across Member States. With many intermediate territories comprising predominantly rural regions, they called for a dedicated and enforceable percentage of EU programmes to ensure balanced development and counteract the growing rural-urban divide.
The members collectively reaffirmed the need for a territorial approach that gives a stronger voice to all levels of local governance in EU policymaking.
“Local Intermediate Authorities are indispensable in delivering policies where they matter most—on the ground. Their early and active involvement in the next MFF and Cohesion Policy is not optional; it is necessary for a fair and effective Union,” they stated.
Representatives of the various member administrations of Partenalia reiterated their readiness to work collaboratively with EU institutions to ensure the principles of subsidiarity and territorial cohesion are upheld in the post-2027 financial period.
The members added:
“The next MFF must recognise the strategic role of Local Intermediate Authorities in addressing demographic challenges, fostering innovation, and delivering tailored solutions in rural and peri-urban areas. A ringfenced percentage for rural development within EU funding instruments is a logical and equitable step forward.”
The meeting concluded with a joint call for enhanced multilevel governance in the EU budget process, and for a strong, inclusive Cohesion Policy that prioritises the needs of all territories—urban, rural, and in-between.
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