EFA hands to the EU Commission more than 600 signatures from Local and Regional Councillors against the European funds’ centralization

Apr 21, 2026

EFA hands to the EU Commission more than 600 signatures from Local and Regional Councillors against the European funds’ centralization

An international delegation of the European Free Alliance (EFA) met today [21 April] with Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Cohesion and Reforms. During the meeting, EFA President Lorena López de Lacalle handed Mr. Fittto a letter signed by more than 600 local and regional elected representatives from over 25 European regions. 

In the letter, the elected representatives of the European local political world express their deep concern about the Commission’s intention to centralize EU funds in the next European budget 2028-2034, or Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). Such an outcome would have devastating implications for EU nations and regions, especially those more affected by their state’s bias. 

They ask the Commission to: 

  • Withdraw the proposal to recentralise EU programmes into a single National Plan per Member State, which would de facto concentrate decision-making power in national capitals and weaken regional and local autonomy in the allocation of EU funds.
  • Respect and safeguard the essential role of local and regional authorities in the design, management, and implementation of the EU budgetary framework, particularly within Cohesion Policy.
  • Guarantee robust democratic oversight by the European Parliament and ensure full transparency in the methodology used for the allocation of EU funds.

“The European Free Alliance and our member parties are working to put the regions” voices at the centre and make them heard to the European Union”, said EFA President Lorena López de Lacalle. 

The delegation that joined the meeting was made up by:

  • Lorena López de Lacalle, EFA President
  • Oriol Cases, EFA Secretary General
  • Diana Riba, EFA MEP and President of the EFA Group in the European Parliament
  • Vicent Marzà, EFA MEP
  • Ana Miranda, EFA MEP
  • Marie-Antoinette Maupertuis, President of the Corsican Assembly and President of the European Alliance Group in the Committee of the Regions
  • Sijbe Knol, Minister of the Friesland region
  • Elisenda Alemany, Barcelona city councillor,
  • Lydie Massard, former MEP, EFA Vice-President, and councillor in Pontivy (Brittany)

 

You can find the text of the letter in different languages here:

Download documento in PDF