Publications
Decentralised cooperation report
Decentralised Development Cooperation Report #1: a European overview The first Decentralised Development Cooperation (DDC) Report provides a unique snapshot of how local and regional governments...
2025-09-23
German decentralised cooperation
Country Profile on decentralised development cooperation: the case of Germany The country profiles offer a short overview of national models of (decentralised) development cooperation frameworks...
2025-09-18
Concerns over local democracy in Türkiye
CEMR issues a statement condemning escalating pressure against democratically elected mayors in Türkiye The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has issued a statement...
2025-07-09
Decentralised development in Poland
Country Profile on decentralised development cooperation: the case of Poland The country profiles offer a short overview of national models of (decentralised) development cooperation frameworks...
2025-06-26
CEMR inputs for EU agenda for cities
Towards an inclusive EU Agenda for cities of all sizes As the European Union prepares to shape its next urban strategy, CEMR has published a...
2025-06-04
Op-Ed on local democracy in Türkiye
Op-Ed on the local democracy in Türkiye co-signed by presidents of the Congress, CoR, ALDA and CEMR The recent arrests and dismissals of democratically elected...
2025-04-15
Renewables with communities first
A European consensus sets guiding principles to accelerate renewable energy and grid deployment while ensuring fairness, transparency, biodiversity protection, and local benefits Europe is at...
2025-03-14
Final call for the EU budget
Local and regional governments’ final call to EU institutions for a real involvement in the design of the EU budget The future of the EU...
2025-03-04
Declaration on three years of war in Ukraine
CEMR issues a declaration reaffirming support and urging international action After three years of Ukraine’s resistance to Russia’s full-scale invasion, local and regional elected representatives...
2025-02-24
Public procurement to local realities
CEMR Releases New Position Paper on Public Procurement: A Call for More Flexibility and Less Bureaucracy CEMR has officially released its position paper on public...
2025-02-07
EU water resilience strategy
Recommendations for the EU water resilience strategy As Europe faces increasing water challenges—ranging from severe droughts to devastating floods—CEMR is calling for action. In its...
2025-01-31
Is the European Semester important?
Top level decision – Local consequencesThe European Semester explained Just as the EU Commissioners were officially starting their new mandate – which includes the responsibility...
2024-12-18
Funding opportunities for Ukraine
EU and Member State programmes supporting municipalities in Ukraine’s recovery and cooperation with European partners In the face of Russia’s invasion and its devastating social...
2024-12-03
Women in politics: European trends
Launch of the women in politics study – Breaking the silence, ending the violence The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is proud to...
2024-11-15
An incluve local green transition deal
CEMR launches groundbreaking report on the local green transition CEMR is excited to announce the launch of its new report, “Local Green Transition: Prospects for...
2024-10-07
Local, social, digital – digitalisation impact
A joint CEMR–EPSU project explores how digitalisation is transforming local and regional governments across Europe and its impact on workers, services and governance Digital transformation...
2024-10-04
X Budgeting – power of subnational finance
Municipalities and regions explore new approaches to budgeting, from participatory and priority-based models to green and SDG-oriented practices Municipalities, cities and regions across Europe are...
2024-09-03
Future of EU cohesion policy
Rethinking EU budget design to empower local and regional governments post-2027 The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) highlights the critical role of local...
2024-07-05
Adoption of the nature restoration law
Cities and regions urge swift adoption of EU Nature Restoration Law to combat climate and biodiversity crises As Europe faces intensifying environmental challenges, from biodiversity...
2024-06-11
Funding local services first
Funding and investment in Local Regional Governments must be protected Europe’s sectoral social dialogue partners for local and regional government unions are concerned about the...
2024-04-18
Unfair recovery fund distribution
Post-COVID Recovery Fund: centralisation and unfair distribution of resources risk harming cohesion in Europe A new CoR-CEMR consultation shows that the territorial allocation of funds...
2024-04-16
Local Alliance for the Green Deal
Local Alliance: city and regional networks urge EU to stay the course on Green Deal implementation Eight leading networks of European cities and regions –...
2024-04-15
EU elections call to action
CEMR advocates for local and regional priorities in call to action ahead of 2024 EU elections The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is...
2024-02-15
Prague declaration in climate policy-making
CEMR Policy Committee in Prague issues a Declaration Advocating Systematic Involvement of Local and Regional Governments (LRGs) in Climate Policy-Making Policy Committee of the Council...
2023-12-14
Analysis of twinning in Europe
CEMR survey highlights evolving practices, challenges and opportunities for town twinning in Europe Town twinning has long been recognised as a bridge between communities, fostering...
2023-12-13
Sustainable textile waste management
Strengthening EU Waste Legislation Through Local Collaboration and Producer Responsibility As the EU prepares to implement key provisions of the revised Waste Framework Directive, including...
2023-10-26
Insights on cohesion policy funds
CEMR released in-depth study unveiling insights into European cohesion policy funds The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is pleased to announce the release...
2023-09-01
Electricity market design reforms
Reforming the European Electricity Market: Priorities and Challenges In March, the European Commission proposed a regulation to improve the EU’s electricity market. The reform is important...
2023-06-23
Inclusion starts locally
Key lessons from IncluCities to improve migrant integration through multilevel cooperation The IncluCities project, led by CEMR and funded by the EU’s AMIF programme, has...
2023-05-27
Guide on intersectionality
From toddlers to adults: municipalities embrace intersectionality at all ages Intersectionality and diversity are at the heart of gender equality. As identities and lived experiences...
2023-03-03
War on Ukraine first declaration
European local and regional leaders reaffirm solidarity with Ukraine and call for peace, justice, and reconstruction. On the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of...
2023-02-24
Safeguarding local investments
Why EU economic governance reform must protect municipalities’ ability to invest The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has warned that the upcoming reform...
2023-02-02
Cohesion policy funds 2021-2027
Cities and municipalities in the driving seat for EU Cohesion Policy funds? What is the common feature between the trolleybuses in Otsravian metropolitan area (Czech...
2023-02-02
CEMR communication report
How CEMR strengthened its voice and outreach in 2022 In 2022, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) made important strides in communication and...
2022-12-18
Support for Istanbul Mayor
CEMR President voices strong support for Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu The President of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), Gunn Marit Helgesen, expresses strong...
2022-12-16
Smarter building rules in Europe
EPBD revision: Local flexibility and long-term planning key to success, say CEMR and Housing Europe EPBD revision: Local flexibility and long-term planning key to success,...
2022-12-14
Bringing Europe closer to its citizens
How ITI and CLLD strengthen local democracy, multi-level governance, and place-based development in EU cohesion policy The European Union’s Cohesion Policy is one of its...
2022-12-11
CEMR code of conduct
Building a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment at all CEMR events and activities The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is committed to ensuring...
2022-11-11
Sustainable local finances in Europe
CEMR releases landmark study on local finances in European countries People depend on quality local public services and infrastructure every day. Reliable buses, insulated public...
2022-11-10
CEMR projects overview
CEMR’s externally funded projects foster cooperation, innovation, and sustainability across Europe Through its externally funded activities, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) brings...
2022-11-02
How to unlock EU funds
A guide to help local and regional governments navigate 2021–2027 funding opportunities and prepare successful proposals Accessing European Union funding can be complex, especially for...
2022-10-30
Escalation of war against Ukraine
European local leaders condemn renewed Russian attacks and pledge solidarity with Ukrainian cities and communities Meeting in Daejeon at the 7th UCLG World Congress and...
2022-10-13
Territorial leaders in action at the COP 27
10 key points to prevent the inexorable march toward utter climate disaster It’s now or never. We must gear up for climate action and advance...
2022-10-04
EU directive on gender and domestic violence
CEMR urges multi-level coordination, victim support, and recognition of women politicians’ safety Violence against women and domestic violence remain among the most widespread violations of...
2022-06-28
CEMR report of 2021
Report on the publications, knowledge-sharing, advocacy and communications in 2021 The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is pleased to present its 2021 Activity...
2022-06-27
Statement on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
European municipalities and regions reaffirm support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and local democracy amid ongoing threats The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has voiced...
2022-06-16
Recovery & Resilience Facility funds
Local and regional governments warn of weak involvement, risks of fund misallocation, and limited ownership of recovery plans The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is...
2022-04-27
Investing in Europe’s future
A new EU growth model must empower local services, boost resilience and deliver sustainable investments The war in Ukraine and the aftermath of the COVID-19...
2022-03-22
European charter for equality
Europe’s towns and regions commit to building fairer societies through the European Charter for Equality Equality between women and men is a fundamental right and...
2022-03-08
European social partners with Ukraine
Social partners offer solidarity and support in response to the Russian invasion The European social partners for local and regional governments, CEMR and EPSU, have...
2022-03-03
