The role of the EFTC is to research issues relevant to Town Centres, act as a champion through advocacy and provide services to its members.

Current EU policy will have a great impact on Town Centres. Changes in structural funding and policy priorities include new funds for priority Urban Areas and Pilot Projects; the urban forum; urban transport studies; urban retail research; and new research funding for comparative studies on cities.

Such changes provide a golden opportunity to raise the profile of Town Centres across the EU, but we can only achieve this through partnership. By joining together
Under one organisation, the EFTC member groups will create a powerful, Europe-wide body with a unified and focused voice.

Our Objectives
Members of the ETFC will work in partnership to protect and maintain the life, vitality and viability of Europe's town centres for the benefit of the entire community, which lives, works, shops and plays in our centres. To achieve this, the EFTC will address the range of issues which effect town centres, namely:

Commerce, Retail and Services
To create an environment in which all business types can prosper and to provide secure employment and services to communities in partnership.

Environment
To ensure that the physical environment is clean, unpolluted, in harmony with its surroundings and an enjoyable place in which to spend time.

Access
All people, whether they travel by car, take public transport, cycle or walk, should enjoy easy access and good facilities such as parking and transport interchanges.

Safety and Security
Town Centres should be free from crime and all the users should be free from the fear of crime.

Location
To ensure that all centres have equal competitive advantage and that none are discriminated against, creating harmonious neighbourhoods.

Leisure
To encourage facilities for people to enjoy their leisure time in the centre and to promote high quality open spaces.

Housing
A variety of housing types should be available to encourage people to live and work within the town, with new uses found for old or existing buildings.

Tourism
To encourage visitors from outside the local community to enjoy and share in a range of facilities and to enhance the heritage of the area.

The EFTC promotes the creation of true public/private partnerships and the use of Town Centre Management as a mechanism for addressing theses issues while a variety of views and resources are involved.