At the 11th edition of Freedom Games which takes place over three days in Łódź, Poland, with over one hundred seminars and hundreds of speakers, the spotlight was on cities and their role in shaping the future of Europe, at a time when there is a heated debate about European Commission proposals to change how EU funds are managed, and when for the first time there will be a European Commissioner for housing. Liberal mayors from across the continent were invited to participate, and emphasized the critical importance of local governance in addressing today’s most pressing challenges. The annual event, which gathers liberal politicians, global thinkers, and activists, provided a key platform for these mayors to discuss how cities and regions can lead the way in tackling societal crises and navigating Europe’s political landscape.
In the session titled “A World Ruled by Mayors” François Decoster (Mayor of St. Omer, France) and Clotilde Armand (Mayor of Bucharest’s Sector 1, Romania,) spoke passionately about the unique proximity of local politicians to their citizens. As they explained, mayors often serve as the first point of contact for residents, placing a great responsibility on them to quickly address the needs and concerns of people. The mayors stressed that addressing many of today’s challenges demands swift action, even when local governments may lack adequate tools, funding, or competencies, thus highlighting the critical role of local leadership in an increasingly complex global landscape. The mayors stressed that cities and municipalities are emerging as key players in responding to international challenges.
In another session on “The Future of Cohesion Policy and EU Funds”, Karīna Miķelsone (Chairwoman of Adazi Municipality in Latvia) joined François Decoster to discuss the pressing need to safeguard the European Union’s cohesion policy and maintain a strong voice of Europe’s cities and regions through the European Committee of the Regions (COR). Cohesion policy, which aims to reduce disparities between regions in the EU, is crucial to fostering inclusive development. The mayors thus emphasized that protecting and enhancing these policies is essential for maintaining social and economic stability and ensuring that cities and regions across Europe can thrive. Both Mikelsone and Decoster rejected a proposal floated by the European Commission to merge all EU funds into one and centralise the management in the hands of national governments, eliminating the current decentralised model which allows subnational government to manage the funds according to local needs. They made it clear that EU funding remains a lifeline for many European regions, especially in the context of growing socio-economic divides and any reduction in or centralisation of cohesion policy funding could undermine the development of the European project and support of citizens for the Union.
Another critical issue addressed during the Freedom Games was the housing crisis, with Andres Jaadla (former Mayor of Rakvere, Estonia) sharing his knowledge and experience in the session on “The Housing Market in Poland and Europe.” As Rapporteur on the topic, Jaadla presented his COR Opinion on smart, sustainable, and affordable housing, emphasizing the urgent need for European cities to not only address the shortage of housing, but to adopt innovative solutions in new housing policies. As housing shortages and energy poverty continue to impact citizens across Europe, with the appointment for the first time in the EU’s history of a European Commissioner for housing, Jaadla highlighted how smart and sustainable development can offer long-term solutions, while ensuring housing remains affordable and accessible to all. Jaadla’s proposals drew on the example of Estonia, which focuses on how cities can implement environmentally sustainable housing initiatives without pricing out lower-income residents. His remarks resonated with fellow panellists from various countries, sparking lively reactions from the audience and showing the urgency of the issue today.
By focusing on practical, localized solutions to global challenges, liberal mayors highlighted at the Freedom Games the growing influence of local governance in an interconnected world, making clear that the future of Europe lies not just in the hands of national governments, but in the leadership of cities and regions.
Freedom Games is an annual meeting of politicians, policy experts and intellectuals who are curious about the world. The unique 3-day event held in Łódź, Poland offers a space for discussions about the key challenges that societies must face in the 21st century and exchange ideas between the representatives of culture, business and public life. It is organised by the Polish liberal think-tank Liberté! Foundation in cooperation with the European Liberal Forum (ELF). 5 liberal mayors participated in this year’s edition of Freedom Games: Francois Decoster (St Omer, France), Karīna Miķelsone (Adazi, Latvia), Clotilde Armand (Bucharest Sector 1, Romania), Andres Jaadla (former mayor of Rakvere, Estonia) and Clare Colleran Molloy (Ennis, Ireland).
To watch the recorded sessions, click here.
Photos taken by Rami Shaya, Mikołaj Zacharow and Daniel Kiermut.
