CEMR calls for stronger governance, placing local and regional governments at the heart of Europe’s competitiveness
Europe cannot deliver competitiveness with legislation alone. It will only succeed if policies work on the ground.
And that depends on local and regional governments.
Across the European Union, towns, cities and regions implement more than 70% of EU legislation. They finance public investment, deliver essential services, and turn European priorities — from the Green Deal to digital transformation — into concrete results for citizens and businesses.
Yet too often, local and regional governments are brought into the process too late, faced with fragmented rules, overlapping obligations and growing administrative burdens — clear signs of the limits of the current system. Complex legislative packages, inconsistent timelines and layers of guidance have made implementation harder, slower and more expensive, forcing authorities to spend valuable time navigating procedures instead of delivering solutions. At a moment when Europe is striving to boost productivity, resilience and strategic autonomy, this is a luxury the EU cannot afford.
In this position paper, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) calls for a fundamental shift in how EU policies are designed and implemented: from top-down regulation to genuine multilevel governance.
To make this shift a reality, CEMR calls for:
- Systematic involvement of local and regional governments throughout the entire EU policy cycle — from design to implementation and evaluation.
- Structured consultation mechanisms, ensuring meaningful and timely participation of subnational authorities.
- Territorial and governance impact assessments to ensure policies are realistic and implementable across diverse local contexts.
- Stronger political recognition of local and regional governments as equal partners in EU decision-making.
- EU legislation and funding frameworks that reflect territorial realities, avoiding one-size-fits-all approaches.
- A governance model that prioritises implementability, ensuring policies can be effectively delivered on the ground.
Competitiveness goes beyond regulatory simplification. It requires public policies that are relevant to businesses and communities that they serve and capable of being effectively implemented.
CEMR and its members stand ready to contribute their expertise, data and on-the-ground experience. The time has come to move beyond ad hoc consultation and embed local and regional governments where they belong: at the decision-making table.
Because Europe’s competitiveness will be won — or lost — locally.
Discover CEMR’s full recommendations for a stronger multilevel governance framework in the position paper.
For more information, contact:
Senior Advisor – Governance & Institutional Relations
