We fought on three fronts today for Harghita County in Brussels

Introduction
Today in Brussels, decisions were made that will influence whether Harghita County becomes a winner or a loser in the competition for European funds over the next seven years. I was present at three different committee agenda points and submitted amendments together with a small but dedicated team. All of these are closely connected to the daily lives of people in Harghita, mountain farmers, and local communities.
At the end of the meeting, I reported live on what happened today in Brussels. The details can be found on my website under the three topics below.

At the same time, the Romanian Chamber of Deputies adopted the bill that doubles the intervention quota for the bear population. As Deputy Prime Minister Tánczos Barna stated: “in recent years, we have consistently supported this approach and implemented a complex package of measures to protect human life.” This is also the result of teamwork. We must work simultaneously in Brussels and Bucharest—if one is missing, the result will be only partial at best.
The EU’s next budget: win or loss for a region?
At today’s meeting of the European Committee of the Regions, we voted on a report that may define how climate, energy, and environmental objectives will be integrated into the EU’s long-term budget for 2028–2034.
I submitted seven amendments, and the rapporteur, Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, accepted all of them and included them in the final text. This is not self-evident: the Committee of the Regions has hundreds of members, and the rapporteur is not obliged to accept any amendment. The fact that proposals from a mountainous region were included shows that rural experiences across Europe overlap in many ways.
What do these texts state?

Cohesion policy must include specific provisions for structurally disadvantaged regions, including mountainous and biodiversity-rich areas.

Local authorities must not only be consulted in the preparation of national plans but must be involved through binding participation and approval mechanisms.

We must build one Europe, not two. Regions that have preserved Europe’s natural wealth must be compensated, not penalized.

The direct impact may be felt after 2028. These principles can be referenced for a decade. Those who are not present today will have their interests decided by others.
Those who protect nature should be supported, not penalized
The ENVE committee discussed today the opinion that sets the direction of the EU’s global climate and environmental policy for the coming years. Three of my proposals will be included in the official opinion.
Currently, less than 10% of EU environmental and climate funds reach local authorities. This is especially problematic in regions where coexistence with wildlife imposes significant costs on communities.
The proposed text clearly states: targeted and directly accessible funding is needed, without competing with large cities and without excessive bureaucracy.
The second proposal ensures that local authorities are not just observers but decision-makers in UN negotiations. The third states that traditional farmers, shepherds, and land managers must be equal partners in developing national biodiversity strategies.
Those who have preserved nature should not have to pay twice
The European Union is currently working on simplifying environmental regulations across Europe. For Harghita County, this process is crucial.
There is a risk that a small local administration will be treated the same as a large industrial facility, with identical deadlines and obligations. A small municipality does not have the administrative capacity for such requirements.
I put forward three clear proposals: financial support through cohesion funds for implementation, deadlines adapted to local realities based on territorial impact assessments, and simple, accessible guidelines in national languages developed by the European Commission.
The plenary vote will take place on May 6–7, 2026, and real changes may be felt from 2028–2029.
Teamwork: Brussels and Bucharest together
All three topics represent the same principle: regions that protect natural values should not be disadvantaged but should receive fair funding and real decision-making power.
The Romanian government now has room to support this approach in EU negotiations. The stronger the European-level arguments, the more solid the position in national budget negotiations as well.
We see a lot, we hear a lot, and we can do a lot if we work together. This work can only be successful as a team, and Harghita County Council must also play its part.

Borboly Csaba
Vice President of Harghita County Council
Member of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR – ENVE)