Funding: towards an alignment of European and national funds?
ConferenceFinancing the transition
2026-06-24 | 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM | Amphitheater
Information
New European budget: what does this mean for our territories committed to decarbonization?
In 2022, the European Union's "100 Climate Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030" Mission selected 112 communities within 27 EU Member States and associated countries.
Nine French communities (the metropolitan areas of Angers Loire, Bordeaux, Dijon, Nantes and Grenoble-Alpes, the urban community of Dunkirk, and the cities of Lyon, Marseille and Paris), representing the largest national delegation, were selected to be demonstrators of new governance models and solutions, and to inspire all European communities.
In 2024 and 2025, these nine French local authorities received the "EU Mission" label from the European Commission, demonstrating the strength of their climate strategies. During the development of their "City Climate Contracts," they created new models for engaging their stakeholders, action portfolios enabling systemic change, and investment plans. Throughout this process, they benefited from various forms of support (technical expertise, financial assistance, calls for innovative projects), and numerous lessons learned regarding elements transferable to the French context will be presented during this plenary session.
The “climate city contracts” highlight the funding gap between current needs and resources. Climate investment by French local authorities, after years of increase, is slowing down, in a context of decreasing state support and a less favorable economic climate.
Can the new 2028-2034 European budget be an opportunity to align European, national, and local funding? What mechanisms can guarantee the financing of local authorities' climate strategies? Does the elimination of cohesion policy funds mean the end of EU funding for local authorities?
The speakers will provide their insights on how the new European budget will translate into the French context.
Speakers:
- Thomas OSDOBA, Director of the Net Zero Cities program
- Others to be confirmed.
Moderator: Claire Roumet, General Delegate of Energy Cities
