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June 2022

TARAN Stanislav
In Bridges of Trust, Local Insights, Projects and Programmes

Solidarity with Ukraine

Ukraine flag - News section

Bridges of Trust partner-municipalities, Ukmergė and Korosten, meet in person for the first time

As part of our coverage of the local and regional dimensions of Russia’s war in Ukraine, CEMR is highlighting the help given by European municipalities and regions to their Ukrainian peers. We hope these stories inspire other local and regional governments to heighten their efforts to support Ukraine.

On 27-29 May 2022, a delegation from Korosten traveled to Lithuania to visit their Bridges of Trust partner-municipality Ukmergè, on the occasion of the City Festival for the first time.

The two partner-municipalities first met online in October 2021, in the framework of the Bridges of Trust project, implemented by the CEMR, PLATFORMA and supported by the U-LEAD with Europe programme. If study visits and internships were planned for spring and summer, the war changed this. At the same time, the difficult situation in Ukraine and in Korosten brought the two partners closer.  Ukmergė was among the first to send humanitarian aid to the people and internally displaced in Korosten. In April, the two municipalities also signed a partnership agreement.

In order to thank Ukmergė for their support, the delegation from Korosten travelled 1020 km. The delegation included: Natalia Chizhevska, deputy mayor, Volodymyr Stuzhuk, head of the Economic Department, Mykola Zayets, head of the Health Department and Leonid Yakubovsky, head of the Communal service agency.

Deputy mayor, Natalia Chuzevska, shared her impressions from the visit:

During the visit, the delegation also visited different educational and medical institutions and they hoped to be able to bring some of the best practices from Ukmergė to Korosten. This will be especially important in the reconstruction of some of the buildings that have been destroyed or damaged by Russian shelling.  

Last but not least, the delegation from Korosten met other twin-cities of Ukmergė: Bad Langensalza – Germany, Kiskunmajsa – Hungary, Līvāni – Latvia and Tarnowo Podgórne – Poland.

The cooperation continues and this Lithuanian-Ukrainian partnership is an excellent example and testament to the importance of international municipal cooperation.  

BORDELOT Federica
In Gender equality, Gender equality, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Latest, Migration and inclusion, Migration and inclusion, Publications

EU directive on gender and domestic violence 

Gender Violence - News 2023

CEMR urges multi-level coordination, victim support, and recognition of women politicians’ safety 

Read full position paper

Violence against women and domestic violence remain among the most widespread violations of fundamental rights in Europe. In response to the European Commission’s proposed Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has published a position paper calling for a unified and multi-level approach to ensure effective implementation across the EU. 

CEMR welcomes key elements of the Directive, including provisions on safeguarding victims, training professionals, tackling harmful gender stereotypes, and addressing sexual harassment at work. However, the organisation stresses that the Directive must go further to recognise the central role of local and regional governments (LRGs), who are on the frontline of prevention, victim support, and access to justice. 

Among its recommendations, CEMR calls for: 

  • Formal consultation with LRGs in policy design and coordination, ensuring that Article 39 on multi-level response explicitly requires their involvement. 
  • Targeted EU funding for local authorities through programmes such as CERV, ERDF and ESF+, to strengthen prevention, awareness-raising and victim services. 
  • Better data collection, disaggregated by sex, age and region (NUTS 2, NUTS 3, and local level), to tailor policies effectively. 
  • Improved victim support systems, combining both “one-stop” online access and physical centres, with minimum geographic coverage standards. 

The paper also highlights violence against women in politics, noting that harassment and threats against elected representatives undermine democracy itself. CEMR urges the addition of a specific clause under Article 13 on aggravating circumstances for violence against women in public office. 

Finally, CEMR emphasises the importance of prevention, beginning with early education to challenge gender stereotypes, and extending to workplaces where women in public-facing professions are disproportionately exposed to third-party violence. The organisation recommends a dedicated article on cooperation between LRGs and social partners to strengthen workplace protections. 

By adopting a truly coordinated, multi-level approach, the Directive could transform Europe’s fragmented response into a coherent framework that empowers governments at every level to protect women’s rights and safety. 

Read the policy paper here 

For more information, contact: 

BORDELOT Federica
In About CEMR, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Latest, Publications

CEMR report of 2021 

Meet Local Leaders - News

Report on the publications, knowledge-sharing, advocacy and communications in 2021 

Read full study

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is pleased to present its 2021 Activity Report, which provides an overview of the organisation’s main actions and achievements over the year. Guided by the 2021–2030 multiannual strategy and the 2021–2022 work programme, CEMR focused its work on four objectives: 

  1. Policies and advocacy 
  1. Knowledge sharing and capacity-building 
  1. Pan-European campaigns and visibility 
  1. Internal organisation and sustainability 

All actions were aligned with the aim of advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across Europe’s territories. 

Shaping European and Global Agendas 

Throughout 2021, CEMR actively influenced European initiatives and alerted members to upcoming developments affecting local and regional governments. Activities included: 

  • Monitoring EU initiatives on recovery, resilience, and international cooperation. 
  • Engaging in structured dialogues on cohesion policy, rural development, disability rights, and urban development. 
  • Providing input that shaped OECD analyses, Council Conclusions, and the European long-term vision for rural areas. 
  • Publishing position papers and resolutions on gender equality, migration, the Fit for 55 energy package, water, and digitalisation. 

At the international level, CEMR deepened cooperation with UCLG, the Global Taskforce, OECD, and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. 

Building Knowledge and Capacity 

To strengthen understanding of EU policies and empower members to act, CEMR: 

  • Produced publications and webinars, including a new edition of the TERRI Report on decentralisation reforms. 
  • Organised workshops on member participation in national and European processes. 
  • Delivered capacity-building through externally funded projects in areas such as EU funding, climate adaptation, gender equality, migration, and SDG implementation. 

Raising Visibility and Engaging Citizens 

2021 was also a year of celebrations: 

  • 70th anniversary of CEMR and the 15th anniversary of the Equality Charter brought together 500 participants online. 
  • Pan-European campaigns were launched for Europe Day, SDG Day, and equality, highlighting the voices of local leaders and women in politics. 
  • CEMR ensured visibility for its spokespersons through social media, interviews, videos, and participation in international events. 

In numbers: 

  • Over 120 articles published in English and French. 
  • More than 650 tweets reaching 1 million views. 
  • 14 newsletters delivered to the network. 

Strengthening Internal Organisation 

CEMR took concrete steps to become a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient organisation: 

  • Two online Policy Committee meetings gathered 170 elected representatives to adopt policy positions and validate the strategy. 
  • A new Secretary General selection process was launched. 
  • Internal processes were modernised with digital templates, e-signatures, and reduced paper use. 
  • Staff received training on project management, budget monitoring, public speaking, and team collaboration. 

Milestones and Campaign Highlights 

  • Advocated for local governments to be included in post-COVID recovery plans (#CohesionAlliance). 
  • Shared local leaders’ visions for the Conference on the Future of Europe. 
  • Continued the #Power2Her and #LocalEquality campaigns on gender equality. 
  • Helped secure recognition of the multilevel cooperative model in the Glasgow COP26 agreement. 

2021 was a year of adaptation, resilience, and influence for CEMR. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the network succeeded in shaping European debates, amplifying the voice of local and regional governments, and strengthening internal capacities. With a stronger foundation and renewed strategy, CEMR continues its mission to empower Europe’s municipalities and regions to lead sustainable change. 

Read the study here

For more information, contact:

REVAULT Martin
In Latest, United Cities and Local Governments

Training on Climate

Elected representatives receive training on climate adaptation and mitigation

CEMR, PLATFORMA together with United Cities and Local Government (UCLG), and the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative, organised two training sessions for politicians dedicated to climate adaptation and mitigation.

The aim of the training academy was to inspire politicians to develop their strategies, plans and actions through the discussion about climate change adaptation, mitigation and resilience in the global and Europe and Central Asia-specific context.  We counted over 120 participants worldwide.

TARAN Stanislav
In Bridges of Trust, Local Insights, Projects and Programmes

Festival of solidarity

Lithuanian municipality celebrates its Ukrainian peer and paves the way for greater cooperation

This was in early June, under a bright spring sun,  a delegation from Novohuyvinske visited Lazdijai district municipality on the occasion of “Cross border fiesta 2022” and held working meetings on cooperation with their future twin town.

During this year’s festival, solidarity with Ukraine was strongly emphasized. Not only did Lazdijai invite their Ukrainian partner municipalities, Novohuyvinske and Baranivka, to join them for these special days, the official procession was also dominated by the Ukrainian flags.

Tetiana Parfentiieva, Deputy Mayor of Novohuyvinske shared a few thoughts on the visit: “We felt a great support from our Lithuanian friends and appreciate that they provide shelter to our refugees. We have also exchanged best practices. In the Museum of Soviet Occupation, we got a glimpse of how they work with national memory. We visited an equestrian school, educational and cultural institutions, and learned about the tourist sector and its potential.”

Lazdijai district municipality was very quick to respond to the appeal for help in April and provided humanitarian aid to Novohuyvinske in the form of clothes, medicines, non-perishable foods and hygiene products.

Representatives of Novohuyvinske brought with them a photo exhibition about the destruction of Zhytomyr, a region west of Kyiv, by Russian bombs. The exhibition took place in the Cultural Center of Lazdijai district and was open to the public. Eleven foreign delegations were also able to see the photos.
​
One of the unexpected results of the visit was establishing contact with the Estonian town of Tõrva. After participating in the events of Lazdijai, representatives from Tõrva paid a visit to Novohuyvinske. They also took the photo exhibition with them to Estonia in order to bring even public attention to the destruction and the necessity to support Ukrainian municipalities during this difficult time.

The next step in the cooperation between Novohuyvinske and Lazdijai district will be a signature of a cooperation agreement in August. Following three online meetings, this visit has brought the partners closer together and paved the way for great cooperation between the two communities in areas such as local development, environmental protection and historical heritage.

The two partner municipalities first met in the fall of 2021, in the framework of the Bridges of Trust project, implemented by the CEMR, PLATFORMA and supported by the U-LEAD with Europe programme. 

GRIFFON Axelle
In Impact community Climate, Local Insights, Waste

The Denim Deal

Denim Deal - News 2022

How Amsterdam is reducing emissions by boosting the recycling of textiles

As the birthplace of denim labels and a European hub for global brands, the city of Amsterdam is renowned as an international denim capital. This sense of style is now going hand in hand with a growing environmental consciousness. As part of this, Amsterdam has launched the Denim Deal, an initiative to increase the share of recycled textiles in the city’s denim products.

The goal is that by the end of 2023, three million denim jeans containing 20% post-consumer recycled textiles will have been produced. In 2030, this will lead to reduction of carbon emissions by 2,400 kilotonnes, equivalent to a small coal plant.

The Denim Deal will work towards becoming the new industry standard in the denim industry and it is hoped its approach can be scaled up and replicated in other European municipalities. Indeed, the struggle for a waste-free circular economy cannot be achieved in isolation: work needs to be done with different actors along the whole supply chain.

A milestone contributing to the deal was the development of the automated sorting machine, Fibersort, which divides large volumes of mixed post-consumer textiles by fibre composition and colour. Such fine-grained sorting allows these materials to become uniform inputs for high-value textile-to-textile recyclers.

Multi-level cooperation brings results

The project, launched in 2020 by the City of Amsterdam, the Amsterdam Economic Board, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the Municipalities of Haarlem and the Zaanstad, is a case study in cooperation across different levels of government.

The Denim Deal brings together over 40 partners including denim brands, policymakers, recycling companies and others. The initiative enables precise monitoring of the value chain of denim products and processes in the industry.

The project has been undertaken in the context of REFLOW, an EU-funded innovation project supporting the development of circular cities through the re-localisation of production and the reconfiguration of material flows.

Amsterdam is since 2009 a signatory of the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy – Europe.

BORDELOT Federica
In IncluCities [closed project], Latest, Projects and Programmes

World Refugee Day

Refugees - News Section

​CEMR marks World Refugee Day with a high-level event

Local and Regional Governments (LRGs) all over Europe are playing a crucial role in the management of this new migration wave as well as in the integration process of the newcomers. But this refugee crisis not only calls for emergency management but also reminds us of the urgency of establishing better-coordinated and more sustainable integration strategies that take into consideration the local perspective as the most relevant one. 

For this reason, the next in the series of IncluCities debates on core issues related to the current migration crisis will cast light on the importance of effective multilevel governance as a key tool to face migration emergencies.  We will discuss with MEPs: Birgit Sippel (S&D), Fabienne Keller (Renew), Damian Boeselager (Green/EFA) and Thomas Liebeig from the OECD. (Agenda) You can still register to follow the event in person or online. 

TARAN Stanislav
In Bridges of Trust, Bridges of Trust, Latest, Projects and Programmes, Projects and programmes, Publications

Statement on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Ukraine people - News

European municipalities and regions reaffirm support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and local democracy amid ongoing threats 

Read full declaration

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has voiced deep concern over the ongoing Russian military build-up around Ukraine. Such actions pose new threats not only to Ukraine’s security and sovereignty but also to peace and democracy across the wider region. 

Local Governments Under Pressure 
Ukrainian municipalities and regions face immense challenges: providing public services under the daily threat of military escalation, sustaining decentralisation and governance reforms, and continuing the democratic development of their cities and communities. These pressures are particularly acute in eastern regions, which have already endured the consequences of war since 2014. 

Standing by Ukraine’s Sovereignty 
European local and regional leaders reaffirm their unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. These principles, rooted in international agreements and European security, cannot be compromised. 

Support from Europe 
CEMR welcomes the European Commission’s emergency financial assistance package to Ukraine and urges EU institutions and national governments to strengthen their support. Local authorities, directly in touch with citizens, continue to deliver essential services despite threats of conflict and energy blackmail. 

Commitment to Cooperation 
Europe’s municipalities and regions remain committed to supporting their Ukrainian peers through decentralised cooperation, city-to-city and region-to-region partnerships, and international solidarity efforts. Strengthening these ties will help ensure Ukraine’s continued development, resilience, and democratic future. 

Read the declaration here 

For more information, contact: 

TARAN Stanislav
In Bridges of Trust, Latest, Projects and Programmes

Local Solidarity Forum

Bridges of Trust - News 2023 2

Join us at the occasion of the Slovakia-Ukraine Local Solidarity Forum

Join us on 9 June, from 10:00 to 12:00 CEST, for a lively online exchange on how to keep the momentum and support Ukrainian municipalities which are the backbone of the national resistance. Taking place online, the event will be conducted in English, Ukrainian and Slovak with simultaneous interpretation in three languages.

The Slovakia-Ukraine Local Solidarity Forum is jointly organised by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), PLATFORMA, the Association of Towns and Communities of Slovakia and the U-LEAD with Europe Programme. It will provide a unique space for dialogue and fostering cooperation among local authorities from Ukraine and Slovakia. 

The aim of this local solidarity forum between Slovakia and Ukraine will be to:

  • Highlight specific challenges of war time local governance from the ground in Ukraine;
  • Present best examples of local support by Slovakia, the challenges that were encountered and addressed;
  • Encourage creation of new municipal partnerships between Slovakia and Ukraine.

The full programme of the Forum can be found here: English, Ukrainian and Slovak.

To register, please fill in this online form by 7 June 2022. If you have any questions, please contact Yana.Brovdiy[at]ccre-cemr.org.

Форум місцевої солідарності: Словаччинa – Українa

Приєднуйтесь до нас 9 червня (з 11:00 до 13:00 за київським часом / 10:00-12:00 за словацьким часом) для того щоб обговорити, як ми можемо зберегти імпульс і продовжувати допомагати українським громадам, які є хребтом національного опору. Форум пройде онлайн. Трансляція буде доступна українською, словацькою та англійською.

Форум проводиться спільно Радою європейських муніципалітетів та регіонів,  ПЛАТФОРМОЮ, 
Асоціацією міст і громад Словаччини та програмою  « U-LEAD з Європою ». Він забезпечить унікальний простір для діалогу та сприяння співпраці між місцевими органами влади України та Словаччини. 
Форум місцевої солідарності між Словаччиною та Україною покликаний: 

Висвітлити конкретні виклики місцевого самоврядування під час воєнного часу в Україні; 

  • Представити найкращі приклади підтримки України з боку місцевої влади у Словаччині, проблеми, з
  • якими стикалися та як вони вирішувалися;
  • Сприяти створенню нових муніципальних партнерств між Словаччиною та Україною.

З повною програмою Форуму можна ознайомитися тут.

Щоб зареєструватися, будь ласка, заповніть цю форму до 7 червня 2022 р.

Якщо у Вас виникли запитання, будь ласка, зв’яжіться з нами за адресою Yana.Brovdiy[at]ccre-cemr.org.

GAUDRON Marine
In Impact community Cohesion, Latest

World Urban Forum 11

Cohesion Policy - News

Join us at the Eleventh World Urban Forum in Katowice, Poland from the 26th to the 30th of June

The World Urban Forum (WUF) is the premier global conference on sustainable urbanisation. It was established in 2001 by the United Nations to examine one of the most pressing issues faced in the world today: rapid urbanisation and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change and policies.

Representatives of national, regional and local governments, academics, business people, community leaders, urban planners and civil society representatives will be among the thousands of people which are expected to attend the WUF11 in Katowice, Poland. The conference is co-organized by Poland’s Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy and the Municipal Office of Katowice.

Under the theme “Transforming our Cities for a Better Urban Future”, the WUF aims to present existing and future urban trends, challenges and opportunities. On this occasion, the CEMR is organising three sessions. Should you be interested in attending, registration is still possible until June 22.
 ________________________________________

More information on CEMR’s sessions at the WUF11:

28 June
09:00 – 10:30: “Designing integrated urban strategies and localising the SDGs: experiences from cities using the Referential Framework for Sustainable Cities tool”.
Discover and learn how the RFSC helps cities in designing, implementing and monitoring integrated sustainable urban development strategies and/or projects.

15:45 – 17:15: “Inclusive cities in times of crisis”.
This session will address key questions such as the way cities and regions compromise between long-term objectives (carbon neutrality, achievements of SDGs) and the social cost of such measures, and how to dialogue between different tiers of governance.

29 June
14:30 – 16:00: Networking event on “Shaping green, resilient and sustainable urban areas in Europe by 2030”.
This session will look at the necessary and relevant level of actions to achieve net-zero emission urban areas, possibilities for municipalities and regions to finance their green and just transition, and existing initiatives in Europe, amongst others.

The WUF11 will be a great opportunity to meet in person, as four members of CEMR’s secretariat will be present during the event, along with a delegation of European elected representatives. Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you are attending as well!

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