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BENNIS Hamza

Officer - Employment, Digitalisation and Public Services

BENNIS Hamza
In Digitalisation, Impact community Labour, Press

Muni World 2021

Muni World - News 2021

Take part in Muni World 2021, a hybrid event focusing on smart cities

The Federation of Local Authorities in Israel, Masham, invites you to its annual event, MUNI WORLD 2021. Taking place from 19 to 21 October 2021, this hybrid event will focus on areas pertaining to smart cities innovation, environmental issues, approaches to urban planning or transportation.

The event’s highlights will be the international MUNIEXPO exhibition dedicated to urban innovation and smart cities and the MUNIWORLD Conference focusing this year on the threats of urban terrorism on smart cities. 

Online live tours will be available throughout the event for registered participants. The tours will be conducted in English and will convey what is happening in the exhibitions at those moments. To register, click here. More information is available here. 

Aslo discover MUNI WORLD is this 37” video. 

BENNIS Hamza
In Employment, Impact community Labour, Press

Social dialogue

Social Dialogue - News 2021

How can local and regional governments combat third-party violence and harassment at work ?

In the European Union, 41% of the employees work in direct contact with clients*, among them 42%, especially women, suffer from physical violence, verbal aggression, or the threat of physical violence  which is not at the hands of a co-worker (e.g., a municipal employee targeted by cyber-bullying or teacher attacked by a pupil). The so-called third-party violence, has an impact on workers’ health and safety and on their ability to provide quality services.  

Throughout the past years, this type of abuse has greatly increased. Featuring new forms of work combined with the eruption of social media, the context of Covid-19 pandemic has indeed propelled third-party violence to high levels. 

A European response is needed to fight against these abuses. That is why in 2010 European social partners agreed on multi-sectorial guidelines. But these need to be adapted to the new challenges of the pandemic, especially for essential and front-line workers : for instance health workers have witnessed an increase of threats and attacks against vaccination centres in France and Poland this summer.

For this reason, social partners, members of CEMR and the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) gathered on 16 September during the workshop “Third-Party Violence at the workplace: French Social Partners policies and agreements”**. The webinar focused on the French situation, where despite a very elaborated legislative framework, many employers and workers are not aware of specific responsibilities or mechanisms at their disposal. 

What are the solutions to end third-party violence and harassment? 

Representatives from waste and cleaning services, front desk workers and emergency services underlined the value of awareness raising and training of public workers as well as the importance of preventive action through ‘user charters’. They also agreed on the need for effective complaints and support mechanisms such as psychological support units and experts.

Mads Samsing, EPSU Chair, insisted on consultation among partners and local workers to find solutions and good practices: 

“The dialogue between workers, employees and citizens is important to consider the process on the way to some kind of decision for the public authorities. We need a good number of trained employees”.

Nevertheless, public services need stronger means to face challenges raised by new technologies in this matter.

What are the next steps ? The role of local and regional governments in the renewal of the guidelines 

As regards the situation in France, the Mayor of Sceaux and AFCCRE President Philippe Laurent highlighted the lack of protection for public agents compared to the private sector. He stressed the importance of sharing experiences and the need to improve social negotiation: 

“This awareness must continue. In this regard, good practices on the ground that can be brought and shared by CEMR and EPSU are interesting and enriching.”

Councillor Gail MacGregor, CEMR and COSLA Spokesperson, expressed her concerns about the pressure on budget in local governments : 

“The financial impacts of COVID-19 have been severe and have placed extreme pressure on already strained budgets and on our workforce. While we remain fully committed to the health and physical and mental wellbeing of our workforce, national governments must also recognise this extreme pressure and the need to invest in local government to fully play our part.”

Mads Samsing, while siding with Gail MacGregor on the budget issue, added that a renewal of the guidelines should consider digital harassment and new instruments of protection.

A new meeting on gender-based violence took place on 24th September, to discuss the update of the multi-sectorial guidelines considering recent political and legislative developments such as the ILO convention 190 on Violence and Harassment.

*Eurofund 2020
**This event took place as part of CEMR-EPSU joint project “EU dialogue, local solutions”

BENNIS Hamza
In Digitalisation, Digitalisation, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Press, Public services, Public services, Publications

EU values in the digital space 

Digital violence - News 2023

CEMR calls for a digital transition that works for all levels of government 

Read full position paper

Local and regional governments must be fully equipped and supported in Europe’s digital transition. That’s the key message from the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) in its response to the European Commission’s consultation on EU digital principles. 

As frontline providers of public services and facilitators of digital innovation, local and regional governments (LRGs) are key to making the digital decade a success. However, CEMR warns that this transformation must not impose new burdens or widen digital divides. 

“European initiatives must support, not sideline, local governments. Funding, training and collaboration are vital,” says the organisation. 

CEMR welcomes the goals outlined in the Commission’s “2030 Digital Compass,” especially the focus on digitalising public services. It highlights the importance of digital skills, cybersecurity, smart cities, and interoperability to help municipalities deliver inclusive and user-friendly digital services. 

Local authorities are already investing in e-government, innovation labs, and partnerships with start-ups. But CEMR calls for better coordination between national and EU levels to avoid duplication and ensure all regions, rural and urban alike, can benefit. 

CEMR also emphasises: 

  • The need to strengthen local democracy through inclusive digital participation; 
  • Protecting privacy and personal data under the “once-only” principle; 
  • Supporting socially responsible platforms in the sharing economy; 
  • Promoting open standards and seamless interoperability across administrations. 

The digital transition must not leave anyone behind. From investing in digital education to adapting services for vulnerable groups, local governments play a central role in ensuring a digital Europe that is fair, accessible, and democratic. 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

BENNIS Hamza
In Digitalisation, Impact community Labour, Press

Digital Decade

Digital Decade - News 2021

Europe’s Digital Decade: 3 challenges for the EU to succeed

The digital transformation is having a major impact on our societies, everyday life, economy and the way public administrations function. With its communication “Europe’s digital decade”, the European Commission outlined its vision for the digitalisation of our societies, notably by setting targets in areas such as education, business, infrastructure and government.

These unprecedented targets do not come alone. The EU’s €672.5 billion Recovery and Resilience Facility has indeed fixed that at least 20% of national recoveryplans be dedicated to digital transition.

We aspire to a society in which we make use of technology’s potential and safeguard the public interest. Making all public services available online will be a crucial challenge for local and regional governments. 

The webinar “Are we ready for a Local Digital Decade?”, organised by CEMR and its associations, shed light on some of the challenges that the EU has to take into account to succeed in its digital strategy. 

The transition to e-government requires investments 

New technology rarely comes cheap and the digitisation of local public administration can put pressure on local finances. “Sufficient attention is not paid to the financing of the renewal or maintenance of existing and active services,” said Kaimo Käärmann-Liive from the Association of Estonian Cities and Municipalities (AECM). The Recovery and Resilience Facility however represents a good opportunity to invest in our territories.

Equally important is that local and regional governments can count on public officials who have the knowledge and technical skills to adapt well to the digitisation of services. The EU should ensure financial support and adequate platforms to share best practices and development of digital skills within municipalities and regions, for example through the new Digital Europe Programme. 

No territory should be left behind

EU digital ambitions must take into account rural, less populated and remote areas. “The GDPR created a lot of bureaucracy and administrative costs, and small municipalities are struggling to implement it”, said Michael Schmitz, an advisor at German County Association (DLT). The same goes for 5G, which aims to cover of 80% of territory. We should make sure that it “should not be targeted to only populous places.” In fact, “the 80% target is not ambitious enough since private telecommunication companies in Germany have argued that we can cover 99% of the territory.” 

A proper data management is key

Cities need to manage local data but this is a very complex undertaking. A study published by the Association of German Cities (DST) called “Urban Data ” reveals that data management requires cooperation, transparency and dialogue.  Sharing data across sectors is important as  you need expertise within the local reality. There is a need to fit the legal and infrastructural frameworks, and reorganise powers and competences. 

The accessibility, security, availability and usability of services must be guaranteed so that they can be used by all in a non-discriminatory manner. The notion of “intersectionality” is therefore essential to understand how several factors of discrimination can add up and enable us to empower the most disadvantaged citizens.

This webinar was part of a series organised by CEMR for its members that aims to provide them with key knowledge, insights and capacities to engage local government in the digital transformation. 

BENNIS Hamza
In EU budget, EU budget, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Local finances, Press, Publications, Territorial development

Engaging in the European semester 

CEMR Conferences

CEMR–EPSU handbook helps local government social partners strengthen their role in EU economic governance 

Read full handbook

The European Semester, launched in 2010 to coordinate EU Member States’ economic, financial, employment and social policies, increasingly shapes national reforms and public investments. For local and regional governments (LRGs) and their social partners, the Semester is not just about fiscal discipline, it now covers areas like health, education, taxation, social care, and the green and digital transitions, with direct implications for workers in the LRG sector. 

Recognising this impact, the 2018–2020 CEMR–EPSU joint project produced a Handbook for Social Partners. Its aim: to help LRG social partners navigate the Semester, build their capacity, and influence reforms more effectively. 

The handbook highlights the growing territorial dimension of the process: in 2019, 62% of all Country-Specific Recommendations (CSRs) had a direct or indirect local and regional impact. With future EU funds increasingly tied to Semester priorities, active engagement becomes crucial. 

Practical guidance is provided on how to engage across the Semester’s different phases: 

  • Awareness-raising and capacity building: Social partners should strengthen internal knowledge, build alliances, and establish direct contact with the national ministry leading the Semester and with the European Commission’s Semester Officer. Early and proactive engagement, including joint employer–worker positions on key issues, helps set the agenda. 
  • Country reports and fact-finding missions: In December–February, the Commission assesses national situations. LRG social partners can influence this by meeting fact-finding missions, submitting analyses, and ensuring that their priorities are reflected in reports. 
  • Implementation phase (April–July): As Member States draft their National Reform Programmes (NRPs) and receive new CSRs, social partners can contribute written submissions, highlight gaps, and propose reforms aligned with local needs. Examples from Sweden, Lithuania, and Spain show structured opportunities for input through consultation fora or tripartite councils. 
  • Follow-up phase (August–October): With reforms under implementation and budgets prepared, dialogue with national authorities and Semester Officers is vital to ensure LRG perspectives are integrated. 

The handbook stresses that the aim is not one-off consultations, but structured, regular dialogue between governments, the Commission, and LRG social partners. By organising themselves, building alliances, and proactively shaping priorities, local government employers and trade unions can ensure their voices count in one of the EU’s most influential policy processes. 

Read the study here 

For more information, contact: 

BENNIS Hamza
In EU budget, EU budget, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Local finances, Local finances, Press, Publications, Territorial development

Localising the European semester

Localise EU Semester - News

CEMR-EPSU project shows local governments and social partners remain under-involved in shaping EU economic governance

Read full study

The European Semester, introduced in 2010 to coordinate national economic, employment, and social policies across the EU, has become the backbone of EU economic governance. Its annual cycle guides Member States’ reforms and budgets under the Stability and Growth Pact and the Europe 2020 strategy. Yet, despite its importance, the role of local and regional governments (LRGs) and social partners in this process remains limited. 

A joint project by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) and the European Public Service Union (EPSU), carried out between 2018 and 2020, examined how and why subnational actors are involved in the Semester. It assessed the rationale for their participation (“why”), the mechanisms used in different Member States (“how”), and the quality of this involvement (“how well”). 

Findings suggest that while LRGs are increasingly acknowledged, their input often depends on existing national dialogue structures and the political will of central governments. Social partner organisations, particularly trade unions representing the local government sector, are even less involved, with national peak organisations rarely consulting their membership in depth before feeding into the process. 

The project also highlighted good practices: more systematic consultations, stable structures for dialogue, and efforts to ensure that recommendations (Country-Specific Recommendations, or CSRs) reflect local realities. However, in many cases, LRGs and social partners have little influence over the drafting and implementation of National Reform Programmes (NRPs), undermining ownership of the Semester. 

From a broader perspective, the research confirmed that EU recommendations are more likely to be followed when countries face strong market pressures, when reforms are tied to EU financial rules, or when smaller states seek EU legitimacy for their policies. But there is still a gap in understanding whether stronger involvement of LRGs and social partners leads to better implementation of reforms, a gap that future research should address. 

The report concludes that the Semester can only be effective if it becomes more inclusive. To strengthen ownership and impact, national governments and EU institutions must ensure that local and regional governments, as well as social partners, are systematically and meaningfully involved in shaping and implementing economic and social reforms. 

Read the study here 

For more information, contact: 

BENNIS Hamza
In Digitalisation, Digitalisation, Employment, Employment, Gender equality, Gender equality, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Migration and inclusion, Migration and inclusion, Press, Publications, Skills, Skills, ,

Social rights, local action 

Social Rights Labour - News

What are the priorities for implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights with a strong local and regional involvement? 

Read full position paper

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) welcomes the European Pillar of Social Rights as a step toward strengthening fairness and equality in Europe. While supporting its ambition, CEMR stresses that the measures linked to the Pillar’s 20 principles should remain non-binding, respecting the diversity of national, regional and local competences. For local and regional governments, the Pillar should serve as a reference framework to inspire reforms, rather than impose uniform rules. 

CEMR identifies key challenges where Europe must act: rising inequality, persistent poverty, gender gaps, and labour market transitions accelerated by digitalisation and COVID-19. Municipalities and regions, as major providers of education, housing, health, social inclusion and employment services, are at the heart of delivering social rights. 

CEMR’s policy priorities include: 

  • Skills and education: investment in training, apprenticeships and digital access to avoid a “lost generation” of young people. 
  • Demographic change: integrating women, older workers, migrants, and disadvantaged groups into the labour market. 
  • Gender equality: boosting women’s participation and addressing work-life balance challenges, especially in the pandemic’s aftermath. 

At the same time, CEMR warns against excessive bureaucracy or additional reporting obligations for local authorities, calling instead for best practice exchange, benchmarks, and adequate funding. 

For the European Pillar of Social Rights to succeed, it must respect subsidiarity, strengthen social dialogue, and involve local and regional governments as essential actors. Municipalities, cities, and regions are indispensable in turning principles into concrete progress, provided they are given the flexibility, resources and recognition needed to deliver. 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

BENNIS Hamza
In Employment, Employment, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Press, Public services, Public services, Publications

The future of public services 

People Europe - News

Simpler EU rules needed to empower local service delivery 

Read full position paper

Local and regional governments are central to ensuring quality public services across Europe, from transport to childcare and broadband. Yet complex EU rules on competition and procurement are increasingly challenging their ability to deliver these services effectively. 

That’s the core message of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR)’s position paper, Strong Public Services through Local Governments. 

As Europe reflects on its future, CEMR urges policymakers to recognise local governments not as a problem, but as part of the solution. From climate action to social cohesion, local services are key to implementing EU goals on the ground. However, this contribution risks being undermined by overregulation and limited local autonomy. 

“European rules should enable, not obstruct, local governments in meeting community needs,” the paper argues. 

CEMR highlights the need to: 

  • Respect subsidiarity and local self-government; 
  • Simplify procurement and state aid procedures; 
  • Allow local authorities to support their economies through ‘buy local’ criteria; 
  • Improve legal clarity for public-public cooperation; 
  • Reform litigation-heavy procurement processes. 

Despite burdensome procedures, cross-border procurement remains rare, pointing to a mismatch between regulatory effort and actual impact. A more flexible, proportionate system would support innovation and help local governments better serve their communities. 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

BENNIS Hamza
In Employment, Employment, EU budget, EU budget, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Local finances, Local finances, Press, Publications, Territorial development

Regional actors in economic governance 

EU Semester - News 2024

CEMR–EPSU report maps current involvement of local and regional actors in EU economic governance

Read full position paper

The European Semester, created in 2010 in response to the financial crisis, is the EU’s annual cycle for coordinating Member States’ economic, social, employment, and budgetary policies. Its aim is to align national reforms with shared EU objectives, including stability, sustainable growth, and the Europe 2020 strategy. 

While central governments and EU institutions remain the main players, the process increasingly affects local and regional governments (LRGs) and their social partners. From public finance and taxation to health, social care and employment, many Semester reforms directly touch the responsibilities of municipalities and regions, as well as the working conditions of the sector’s employees. 

The joint CEMR–EPSU project “Localising the European Semester” (2018–2020) set out to better understand and strengthen this involvement. The first deliverable, a background report published in February 2018, provided an overview of the Semester’s development, evidence of how LRGs and social partners are engaged, and identified important gaps in knowledge. 

Key findings from the report include: 

  • Limited evidence of structured involvement: While LRGs are often consulted through existing dialogue structures, their influence remains inconsistent across Member States. For social partners, involvement is even less systematic, with sectoral trade unions and employers’ organisations often sidelined in favour of peak-level organisations. 
  • Impact remains unclear: Academic studies assess when countries follow Semester recommendations, for example, during election cycles, under market pressure, or when backed by EU enforcement. However, little research exists on whether reforms are more likely to succeed when LRGs and social partners contribute. 
  • Need for deeper analysis: The extent to which local governments and sectoral social partners shape National Reform Programmes (NRPs) is largely undocumented. Equally, it remains uncertain whether peak organisations fully represent the concerns of the local government sector in national consultations. 
  • Opportunities for good practice: Where involvement does occur, it is often tied to long-standing structures for social dialogue or intergovernmental coordination. The challenge is to turn sporadic consultation into regular, structured dialogue with clear impact. 

The report concludes that strengthening the role of LRGs and their social partners in the Semester is both necessary and possible. By documenting experiences, identifying good practices, and pressing for meaningful engagement, the CEMR–EPSU project aims to ensure that the voices of local governments, employers and workers are better reflected in one of the EU’s most powerful policy coordination tools. 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

BENNIS Hamza
In Employment, Employment, EU budget, EU budget, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Press, Publications

Making the EU semester inclusive

EU Semester - News

Final declaration of the CEMR–EPSU project calls for stronger involvement of local governments and social partners in the European Semester

Read full declaration

The European Semester, once primarily a tool for economic coordination, has evolved into a wide-ranging policy process that shapes social legislation, EU funding priorities, and the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals. Yet, its democratic legitimacy remains limited, with insufficient involvement of local and regional governments (LRGs) and their social partners. 

From 2018 to 2020, CEMR and EPSU ran the joint project Localising the European Semester with the support of the European Commission. The initiative explored ways to better involve sectoral social partners of local and regional governments in the Semester cycle. Its findings confirm that around 80% of Country Specific Recommendations have a territorial impact, making the engagement of municipalities, cities and regions essential for their effective implementation. 

The project demonstrated a growing interest from social partner organisations in contributing to the Semester. However, practices across Member States remain inconsistent, and consultation processes are often too formal to be effective. CEMR and EPSU therefore call for clearer standards and stronger mechanisms to ensure meaningful participation. 

Key recommendations include: 

  • Guaranteeing that the views of local and regional social partners are fully taken into account. 
  • Setting EU-wide quality standards for inclusive consultation processes. 
  • Providing dedicated fora and visibility for sectoral social partners in the Semester cycle. 
  • Establishing an ad-hoc grant to support information and consultation at the national level. 
  • Ensuring the Semester becomes an inclusive framework for achieving the SDGs. 

CEMR and EPSU underline that municipalities, cities and regions are vital socio-economic actors, delivering investments, growth and high-quality services. To strengthen the legitimacy and impact of the European Semester, EU institutions and national governments must involve them, and their social partners, much more closely. Only by doing so can the Semester live up to its promise of supporting sustainable and inclusive development across Europe. 

Read the declaration here 

For more information, contact: 

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