CEMR report of 2021 

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

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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 

2. Knowledge sharing and capacity-building 

3. Pan-European campaigns and visibility 

4. 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

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