Urban Governance Group – WGMeeting 2025 cover image

You can also download the draft programme here: Agenda UGG 18-19 Nov - draft programme

09:30 — 10:00
Registration

Please note that the meeting will be talking place on the 4th floor.

WG Metropolitan Areas

Objective: To provide a platform for exchanges between members on metropolitan trends, discuss the future of metropolitan topics at Eurocities, and update each other on going EU projects/initiatives.

10:00 — 10:15
Welcoming remarks by chairs
10:15 — 11:30
Exchanges between members on metropolitan trends

One metropolitan issue per city

11:30 — 11:45
Comfort break
11:45 — 12:15
Updates on ongoing projects by members
  • Planningmatters
  • ESPON METROLAND
  • Urbact/Interreg projects
12:15 — 13:00
Discussion on the future of the WG and metropolitan issues at Eurocities
13:00 — 14:00
Lunch

WG Cohesion Policy

Objective: To exchange on policy developments and discuss the next steps for the working group.

14:00 — 14:30
Continued discussions on cohesion policy developments and Eurocities advocacy
14:30 — 15:00
Roundtable exchange on 21-27 implementation status and national debates around the MFF
15:00 — 15:20
ESPON URDICO – early results and updates
15:20 — 15:45
Next steps for the working group and joint activities with MFF task-force
15:45 — 16:00
Coffee Break

WG Urban Agenda

Objective: To discuss ongoing policy developments and next steps for the working group.

16:00 — 16:30
Updates on urban agenda developments and ongoing thematic partnerships
16:30 — 17:15
Joint discussion on the multi-annual work programme of the Urban Agenda, other forms of cooperation, and the links with the Agenda for cities
17:15 — 18:00
Next steps for the WG urban agenda
19:00 — 21:00
Dinner (at your own cost)

We have organised a dinner at IDEA｜ Greek Restaurant ｜ Brussels. A nice greek restaurant in Brussels. 
It will be a vegetarian menu for everyone including drinks. 
The cost is 48 EUR per person and is at your own cost. If you register to attend the dinner, please make sure you'll attend the dinner and pay the menu. 
It won't be possible to cancel later - thank you for yoru understanding. 

Joint Urban Governance Group 

Main objectives:

•    To bring together the members of the WG cohesion policy, WG metropolitan areas, and WG urban agenda and discuss the way forward for modes of cooperation in the urban governance group 

•    To jointly discuss developments on the MFF and the agenda for cities and to engage EU institutions in a strategic discussion on how to promote urban issues in this context

•    To present and provide updates on trends and key topics of the working groups
 

09:00 — 10:30
Presentation of developments on the MFF/CP and the agenda for cities and roundtable exchange with representatives from EU institutions
10:30 — 11:00
Coffee Break
11:00 — 12:00
Reflections on next steps for our advocacy on key governance files and discussion on the way forward for modes of cooperation/activities in the urban governance group
12:00
Foresight session on the future of urban matters
14:00 — 16:00
Optional Seminar at European Parliament

The Metropolitan Imperative: Pathways for enhancement of EU competitiveness

We kindly invite you to the workshop called The Metropolitan Imperative: Pathways for enhancement of EU competitiveness. It will be organised on 19 November at 14.00 in European Parliament in Brussels. This seminar will feature a key presentation showing the importance of metropolitan areas followed by a high-level panel discussion with experts and representatives of metropolitan areas. The debate will explore how metropolitan areas can drive prosperity and tackle social or environmental challenges, how the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework can provide the tools and resources needed to unlock their full contribution to Europe’s future, and how cohesion policy can better reflect their potential.

If you would like to participate, please register here.