The EU Agenda for Cities, presented in December 2025, provides a common policy framework to support sustainable and integrated urban development across the European Union. With around 75% of Europeans living in cities, towns and suburbs, urban areas play a central role in competitiveness, employment, climate action and the implementation of EU legislation, while facing increasing pressures such as housing affordability and social and environmental challenges.

The Agenda seeks to improve policies affecting cities, strengthen cooperation between EU institutions and local authorities, and simplify access to EU support. It recognises the importance of cities of all sizes in driving growth, innovation, decarbonisation and social inclusion.

Seven key areas of action are identified, including affordable and inclusive housing, climate and clean energy, mobility, competitiveness and digitalisation, social inclusion, security and international cooperation. Together, these priorities reflect the interconnected nature of urban challenges.

The Agenda places strong emphasis on continuous dialogue with cities through regular political and technical exchanges and the publication of a State of European Cities report. It also promotes simplification and capacity building, notably through the EU Cities web portal, the future EU Cities Platform, and continued support for innovative projects under the European Urban Initiative.

Investment support remains a core element, with substantial Cohesion Policy funding allocated to urban projects in the 2021–2027 period and encouragement for strengthened urban strategies beyond 2028.

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