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March 2019

THOMAS Carol
In Governance, Governance, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Latest, Local democracy, Local democracy, Publications

Achieve “active subsidiarity”  

European Union - EU Enlargement News

Improving EU policymaking through stronger dialogue with Europe’s local and regional governments 

Read full position paper

With the European Union facing increasingly complex challenges, from demographic shifts to digitalisation and climate resilience, ensuring that policies are designed and delivered as close to citizens as possible is more relevant than ever. In this context, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has released a position paper advocating for a more structured, inclusive, and effective approach to subsidiarity and proportionality in EU decision-making. 

The paper responds to the European Commission’s 2018 Communication on subsidiarity and proportionality, which calls for a stronger application of these core principles in the legislative process. CEMR welcomes this shift and provides five concrete proposals to embed local and regional governments more deeply into the EU policy cycle. 

Towards active subsidiarity: five key proposals 

CEMR argues that local and regional governments (LRGs) are not merely stakeholders but essential partners in the design, implementation and evaluation of EU legislation. To improve policy outcomes, the position paper puts forward five central proposals: 

  1. Structured Dialogue: Introduce formal mechanisms to ensure that local and regional governments and their associations are regularly consulted at all stages of policy development, mirroring the success of the Social Dialogue model. 
  1. Effective Engagement: Tailor consultation tools to better capture the input of LRGs and provide feedback on how their responses are considered, moving beyond one-size-fits-all approaches. 
  1. Weighted Input: Recognise the democratic legitimacy of local authorities by assigning greater weight to their input in EU consultations and encourage deliberative dialogue through local stakeholder meetings. 
  1. Use of Local Data: Draw on the unique evidence and experience of LRGs earlier in the legislative cycle, especially through inception impact assessments and a reformed REFIT platform. 
  1. Access to Policymaking: Develop systems allowing LRGs to help shape legislation from the ground up and promote models of multilevel governance like those trialled through the Urban Agenda for the EU. 

A call for genuine partnership 

CEMR highlights that better regulation and stronger subsidiarity are not only technical improvements but democratic imperatives. By embedding multilevel governance and recognising the expertise of towns, cities and regions, the EU can build policies that are more effective, more efficient, and more trusted by citizens. 

This paper adds to CEMR’s broader push for a European governance model based on real partnership with local and regional governments. With the next European Commission mandate on the horizon, the time is ripe to make “active subsidiarity” a reality. 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact:  

GRIFFON Axelle
In Climate, Climate, Environment, Environment, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Latest, Publications, Water, Water

Water framework and floods directive 

Floods - News

Balancing high environmental goals with realistic implementation, funding, and stronger local involvement 

Read full position paper

The Water Framework Directive (WFD), in force since 2000, is one of the EU’s most ambitious environmental laws, aiming for good status of all EU waters by 2027. While progress has been made, challenges such as climate change, pollution, and increasing pressure on water resources demand a renewed and practical approach. In its response to the EU’s fitness check, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) underline the importance of keeping high ambition while ensuring realistic implementation for local and regional governments (LRGs). 

Key Messages 

  1. Maintain ambition, improve delivery 
    The WFD has led to clear improvements in Europe’s waters and should be continued. While full achievement by 2027 may not be possible everywhere, the Directive remains a vital tool. Environmental goals must be preserved, supported by realistic intermediate targets and achievable management cycles. 
  1. Adjust without lowering ambition 
    LRGs stress the need to adapt the WFD to 21st-century challenges such as land-use changes, climate impacts, and new pollutants. The Directive should move towards a more realistic framework, reflecting natural and historical influences on water quality. 
  1. Better harmonisation with other EU policies 
    Water protection cannot be addressed in isolation. The WFD must align with related legislation, including the Drinking Water Directive, Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, and rules on water reuse. Agriculture, industry, and transport have major impacts on water quality, requiring stronger links with the Common Agricultural Policy, REACH, and strategies to reduce nitrates, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals in water. 
  1. Stronger local involvement and governance 
    Municipalities, as the level of government closest to citizens and water bodies, must be more involved in water governance. LRGs are best placed to enforce measures, raise awareness, and apply flexible, site-specific solutions. This aligns with SDG 6.5 on integrated water resources management. 
  1. Simplification and funding 
    Implementation of the WFD is often too complex and administratively burdensome for municipalities and water operators. Reporting requirements should be simplified, and EU or national funding must accompany new obligations to ensure effective delivery. 
  1. Polluter Pays Principle 
    A stronger source-control approach is needed. Responsibility for water quality should not fall solely on municipal treatment plants but be shared across all polluters. Applying the “polluter pays” principle will create transparency, fairness, and stronger engagement from all stakeholders. 
  1. More flexible derogations 
    The current rules on exemptions are too rigid, often blocking socially important projects like new wastewater treatment plants. CEMR calls for clearer and more balanced derogation rules, allowing essential societal developments while safeguarding water protection. 

 
CEMR’s position is clear: the WFD has proven its value and must remain ambitious, but reforms are needed to reflect new challenges, reduce administrative burdens, and empower local governments. By ensuring flexibility, proper funding, and shared responsibility, Europe can better safeguard its waters while supporting sustainable development at local and regional levels. 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

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