Climate KIC’s ten recommendations for Europe’s urban transformation

Climate KIC presents ten strategic recommendations in response to the European Commission’s public consultation on shaping the EU Agenda for Cities, set to guide urban policy and action through 2025.

European cities are on the frontlines of climate action, economic renewal, and social transformation. They are where European policies intersect with people’s daily lives, and where over 75% of energy is consumed and more than 60% of Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions are produced.

Cities are therefore uniquely positioned to turn complex challenges into local solutions, driving innovation that directly improves people’s lives and strengthens communities

“While tasked with delivering on the EU’s sustainability, competitiveness, and security agendas, cities often lack the authority and capacity to do so,” says Katarzyna Balucka-Debska, Director of EU Policy at Climate KIC. “This presents a structural barrier to policy delivery, efficient use of funds, and citizen trust. Today, cities remain dependent on national and EU systems, lacking strategic authority, financial autonomy, and sustained resources to attract investment or lead systemic change.”

With the right frameworks in place, cities can be drivers of innovation, hubs for mission-led investment and social inclusion, and the heart of Europe’s green and digital transition. But to unlock their potential, cities need structural reform. They need clear mandates, the means to act, and tools to lead. If Europe embraces this vision, its cities can become resilient engines of prosperity, belonging, and long-term security.

“To unlock the transformative political, social, and economic power of cities in Europe, the ‘Vision for Cities’ should be based on a holistic and systemic approach, coherent and consistent policy making, and empowerment of cities to act through effective multi-level governance,” says Kirsten Dunlop, CEO of Climate KIC. 

From Climate KIC’s daily work with cities across the EU and beyond, we understand Europe’s urban areas to hold the keys to prosperity, creating just, beautiful, sustainable, and resilient environments where most Europeans live and work.

Climate KIC’s recommendation for the EU Agenda for Cities

These insights, grounded in our place-based experience and direct collaboration with over 100 cities involved in the EU Cities Mission, as well as regions, stakeholders, and our active engagement in the EU Climate Adaptation and Soil Missions, have shaped Climate KIC’s response to the EU’s public call, culminating in the following 10 recommendations to guide an EU vision for cities.

1. Reinforce policy coherence and multi-level governance: horizontal and vertical 
2. Embed systemic, mission-oriented urban transformation with integrated planning and de-risking at its core
3. Make real use of active citizen participation and direct democracy
4. Turn cities into hubs for skills, capacity building, and transformation intelligence
5. Position European cities as leading-edge centres of innovation – hubs of economic and cultural renewal
6. Restore European cities to centres of European culture, creative Industries and the arts 
7. Deliver green, liveable and regenerative cities by implementing nature-based solutions
8. Champion circular and resource-efficient cities as a strategic priority for Europe’s sustainable competitiveness
9. Treat data sovereignty as strategic infrastructure with A.I. enabling systemic approaches to innovation and implementation
10. Upgrade funding and investment supporting cities – investment models, direct funding, discretionary fiscal tools, programmatic support for cities and regions

Climate KIC stands ready to work with the European Commission, Member States, city leaders, and citizens to bring this vision to life, one that sees cities not only as sites of implementation, but as strategic leaders in delivering Europe’s shared future. Contact us if you are interested in working with us.

Read our full contribution to the EU Vision for Cities consultation for evidence-backed recommendations for shaping the EU Agenda for Cities expected by the end of 2025.