Recherche
Les recherches les plus fréquentes :
On 6 October 2026, led by Vice-President Mr Laurent Caure, in charge of European and International cooperation, the Permanent delegation of Lille Metropole in Brussels welcomed Mayors and Elected representatives from about 15 municipalities from Lille Metropole for a day dedicated to European affairs, the functioning of the European institutions and opportunities for local authorities.
Organised at the beginning of the new metropolitan mandate, the event aimed to strengthen elected representatives’ understanding of the European Union and to highlight the resources available to municipalities through the Lille Metropole’s presence in Brussels and its network of territorial partners.
Understanding the role of Lille Metropole in Brussels
The day opened at the premises of the Permanent Delegation of Lille Metropole, located in the heart of Brussels’ European Quarter. Since October 2023, the Delegation has shared its premises with the representation of the Hauts-de-France Region and other French and European partners. This proximity provides an opportunity to present the respective roles of the territorial representations and to explain how they contribute to maintaining links between local and European levels.
European decisions have a direct impact on many areas of local and metropolitan action. Monitoring European policy developments, identifying relevant opportunities and maintaining relationships with European institutions and networks are therefore important components of territorial representation.
Making the European institutions more accessible
A second objective of the day was to provide participants with a better understanding of how European institutions work and how they interact with local authorities.
A dedicated presentation was made by the AFCCRE – French Association of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions, of which Lille Metropole is a member, focusing on the relationship between European decision-making and local government.
For mayors and local elected representatives of our municipalities, understanding who makes European decisions, how policies are developed and where local authorities can contribute is an important first step towards engaging more effectively at European level.
Looking ahead to the 2028–2034 European budget
The programme also addressed one of the key issues for local authorities in the coming years: the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034.
The next EU long-term budget will shape the framework within which European policies and funding programmes will operate during the next programming period. For municipalities and metropolitan authorities, understanding these developments at an early stage is essential to anticipate future opportunities and prepare projects accordingly.
The session therefore provided an opportunity to discuss the latest developments surrounding the future European financial framework and the European funding opportunities available to municipalities. It also addressed the challenges related to the new National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs), and the risks posed by possible lower (ERDF) budgets for local authorities.
Discovering the European Parliament
The day concluded with a guided visit to the European Parliament, giving participants the opportunity to discover the institution and its role in the European decision-making process.
After a day dedicated to understanding the European institutional and financial landscape, the visit provided a more concrete perspective on the place where European representatives debate and shape EU legislation and policies.
Strengthening the metropolitan connection with Europe
Beyond the individual sessions, the day highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong connection between the European, metropolitan and local levels.
For Lille Metropole, supporting its municipalities in understanding and engaging with European affairs is part of a broader objective: ensuring that the opportunities offered by European cooperation, networks and funding can be better identified and mobilised across the metropolitan territory. Other sessions for municipalities in Brussels will be organised in the future.
