Mayor Vartiainen attends annual executive committee meeting of the Eurocities network in Ghent

The Eurocities network is headed by 12 elected cities and their mayors. Helsinki's three-year term in the executive committee will end in the summer of 2026. The network's collaboration allows anticipating EU-related issues and promoting Helsinki's interests on the EU level more efficiently. This year, the executive committee's agenda includes updating its five-year strategy as well as the campaign and influence work for the European Parliament elections in June.

The programme also includes a discussion forum for young people on three subjects, of which Helsinki is in charge of one: Democracy and Engagement.

Founded in 1986, Eurocities is a recognised influencer network of European cities that promotes the economic, societal and social development of its member cities through cooperation and information sharing, and jointly influences urban policy at the EU level. The network represents more than 200 cities from 38 countries, which amounts to approximately 130 million EU residents. Helsinki has been a member of Eurocities since 1994.

The members of the Eurocities executive committee steer the organisation's policies and are committed to the advocacy work with EU institutions and key stakeholders, both European and national. The members also represent the organisation in matters requiring contact with EU institutions and strengthen the position of the cities in this context.