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City administrations are taking decisive action to advance the goals in Mario Draghi’s report on European competitiveness, from strengthening strategic sectors such as AI, clean energy and defence, to turning innovation into economic deployment. But city leaders warn that Europe’s competitiveness agenda will fall short unless the EU tackles the practical barriers holding back growth on the ground, including industrial land, housing, energy costs, grid capacity and access to finance.

JOINT STATEMENT by Eurocities, Pact of Free Cities and B40 Balkan Cities Network As networks representing hundreds of democratically elected city governments across Europe and the United States, we express our grave concern over the conduct of the criminal proceedings against Ekrem İmamoğlu, the elected Mayor of Istanbul, ahead of hearings scheduled for 6–9 July 2026. Mayor İmamoğlu has been held in pre-trial detention since 19 March 2025 — more than fifteen months without a conviction.

European mayors are deeply concerned that democratic values are under serious pressure, as democratic backsliding, disinformation and widening inequalities erode citizens’ trust and undermine city leadership, a major new Eurocities survey has revealed. Based on responses from 88 mayors in 27 European countries, the fourth edition of the Eurocities Pulse Mayors Survey offers key insights into the main challenges, priorities and achievements shaping Europe’s urban landscape in 2026.

Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul, is the winner of the City Heroes award at the Eurocities Awards 2026. This award recognises politicians for their exceptional leadership or initiatives, at the local or European level. Mayor İmamoğlu was chosen for his extraordinary leadership as Mayor of Istanbul. Despite being unjustly imprisoned since March 2025 and facing politically motivated charges, he remains a powerful symbol of local democracy, public service and resilience.

Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul, and the cities of Oulu and Stockholm have been announced as the winners of the top prizes at the Eurocities Awards 2026. All of the winners have shown exceptional dedication to strengthening local democracy, accelerating climate action and tackling poverty through more inclusive support. This year, the Eurocities Awards celebrated outstanding city initiatives and the inspiring local leaders driving change.

Zero-emission public transport has moved decisively from aspiration to implementation across Europe. According to the State of the European Transport 2025 report by Transport Environment (T&E), almost half of all new city buses produced in 2024 were zero-emission vehicles. At this pace, 100% of city bus procurement will be zero emission before 2028. Once confined to pilot projects and demonstration routes, electric buses are now becoming a central element of urban mobility strategies.

Public procurement is no longer just about buying goods and services at the lowest price. For cities, it has become one of the strongest tools to shape markets in line with public goals delivering climate action, social inclusion and innovation.

Behind the gates of a former convent in Paris, an unusual community is taking shape. A young worker lives in the same residence as an elderly neighbour. A single mother raises her children a few floors away. In another wing of the building, Dominican catholic sisters pray not far from where visitors check into their accommodation for the weekend.

Istanbul’s City Hero: Ekrem İmamoğlu Ekrem İmamoğlu has served as Mayor of Istanbul since 2019, building a model of inclusive, solidarity-based governance that has made him one of the most popular elected leaders in Turkey. In March 2025, he was arrested on politically motivated charges widely condemned by democratic leaders across Europe and beyond. “Istanbul is the heart of the country,” says Ambassador (R) Mustafa Osman Turan, Foreign Relations Advisor to the Mayor.

As negotiations intensify over the Multiannual Financial Framework, the 7 year EU budget, Europe’s cities are striking while the iron is hot: if Europe wants to deliver, it must invest in cities. A message city leaders carried during two days of meetings and political exchanges in Brussels.