This week, city leaders met in Cyprus. They want to change how European Union (EU) policies are made. The Cyprus Forum Cities conference happened at the same time as a meeting of EU capital city mayors. Both events asked for cities to have more power. They created the Nicosia Declaration. This paper says cities must be part of how EU money is given out. This is especially for the next EU budget from 2028 to 2034.
Oxygen for Democracy, with Limassol Municipality and Cyprus University of Technology, organized the Cyprus Forum Cities event. This event looks at the problems and chances in cities in Cyprus and Europe. This year's meeting was important because it was with the capital city mayors. Many people came. They were officials, local government workers, experts, and people from communities. They shared many ideas.
Mayors say cities deal with people's everyday problems. They fix roads and help with housing shortages. They also respond to hot weather. So, mayors think cities must be involved in EU plans. They said, "If you want big EU plans to work, you need cities involved from the start." This shows a gap between big plans and what happens in cities.
The Nicosia Declaration tells the EU these demands. It asks for cities to be in decisions about EU money. Mayors say current rules are too slow. They cause delays and money goes to the wrong places. They want easier rules for city projects. They also want special EU money for homes, energy saving, and better neighbourhoods. The mayors said, "If policies help people, let the people closest to them help design those policies."
This work by city leaders is important. If the EU listens, policies can work better in cities. Money can help people more. Cities will be more important in Europe. They will help create plans, not just follow them. Affordable housing is key for happy cities. As the EU plans its next budget, the voice from Cyprus will influence city development in Europe.