Welcome to the 2026 Eurocities Economic Development Forum in Barcelona! 

Europe is entering a decisive phase in shaping its future economic model. Negotiations on the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034) will define how Europe invests in competitiveness, innovation and territorial development for the next decade.

At the centre of this debate is the proposed European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), designed to strengthen innovation capacity, industrial transformation and strategic autonomy. The 2026 Eurocities Economic Development Forum takes place just as the European Parliament is expected to adopt its position on the ECF, shaping the upcoming interinstitutional negotiations.

This makes the Forum a key moment for cities, EU institutions and economic development leaders to discuss how the future EU budget can strengthen competitiveness while ensuring tangible benefits for people, businesses and places.

Cities are central to Europe’s competitiveness. They concentrate talent, research, businesses and investment, and provide the ecosystems where innovation develops. At the same time, they face the challenge of turning economic transformation into quality jobs, resilient local economies and inclusive growth.

The Forum will also present the first Eurocities Monitor on Urban Competitiveness, developed with Euricur, offering new evidence on the drivers of urban competitiveness and the role of place-based policies in sustainable growth.

In addition, the Forum will reflect on the European Commission’s Right to Stay – Your Region, Your Future initiative (DG REGIO, 2026), which reframes cohesion policy by focusing on people’s ability to choose where to live and work, based on real economic opportunities and services.

For cities, this raises key questions about how competitiveness can support quality jobs, skills, entrepreneurship, talent retention and strong local business ecosystems.

The Forum will bring together cities, EU institutions, businesses and researchers to explore how competitiveness can work for people, companies and places – shaped through local ecosystems and essential for Europe’s long-term resilience and cohesion.