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Meritxell PARRAMON VILA

Head of Communications

Meritxell PARRAMON VILA
In Bridges of Trust, EU Covenant of Mayors, Governance, Local democracy, Press, Projects and Programmes

European Week of Regions & Cities 2025

EWRC 2023 - News 2023

CEMR agenda for the European Week of Regions and Cities 

The European Week of Regions and Cities will take place from 13 to 15 October 2025.  

Organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy and the European Committee of the Regions, the European Week of Regions and Cities is the biggest annual Brussels-based event during which cities and regions showcase their capacity to create growth and jobs, implement European Union Cohesion policy, and prove the importance of the local and regional level for good European governance.  

If you are a CEMR member and plan to be in Brussels during this week, please let us know by completing this form so we can contact you regarding visibility opportunities.  

CEMR event organised on the official programme of the European Week of Regions and Cities 

No future of cohesion without representation!

The event will gather high-level representatives of the #CohesionAlliance partners, associations, and the European Committee of the Regions. Together, they will exchange their views on the future of Cohesion Policy and reflect on how far the European Commission’s proposal fosters economic, social and territorial cohesion.

  • Date and time: 15 October 2025, 16:30 – 18:00 CET 
  • Venue: Jacques Delors building, JDE 52

‘Ukraine’s path to the EU: municipalities and partnerships for cohesion and growth’ 

Organised by EasyBusiness, CEMR and the Agency for Recovery and Development, with U-LEAD’s support, this session will focus on Ukraine’s EU accession progress under Chapter 22, municipalities’ pivotal role as ultimate beneficiaries and the power of international municipal partnerships. Acknowledging municipalities’ limited direct experience, the session will highlight how knowledge exchange and collaborative initiatives facilitate vital learning, accelerate EU alignment and crucially contribute to Ukraine’s broader integration and cohesion with the EU, fostering sustainable reconstruction and future growth. 

  • Date and time: 15 October 2025, 16:30 – 18:00 CET 
  • Venue: VMA building – Rue Van Maerlant / Van Meerlantstraat 2, Brussels, VMA23 
  • Register here (until 30 September) 

Other events taking place during the European Week of Regions and Cities (outside the official programme) 

CEMR will also organise or co-organise several events alongside the European Week of Regions and Cities, taking advantage of the presence of numerous local leaders in Brussels. 

Joint event with the Congress – The Charter turns 40: renewing democracy in the digital age 

  • Date and time: 13 October 2025, 14 – 16:30 CET 
  • Venue: ACE events, Avenue d’Auderghem 22, Brussels 
  • Register here 
  • Organisers: CEMR and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe 

2025 marks 40 years since the European Charter on Local Self-Government was opened for signature (the Charter), a milestone document that anchors local democratic governance. In today’s digital age, local democracy is facing unprecedented challenges from disinformation, misinformation, and deliberate efforts to erode trust in public institutions. That’s why CEMR and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe are bringing together policymakers, local leaders, academics, and civil society for a vital discussion on how to build democratic resilience.  
 
This event will spotlight innovative local actions, feature the launch of CEMR’s new report on how local and regional governments are confronting the threats of mis/disinformation, and introduce the New Democratic Pact for Europe, a bold initiative to strengthen democracy for the future.   

Local Alliance: Shaping the next EU budget with cities

  • Date and time: 15 October 2025, 18:30 – 20:30 CET
  • Venue: European Parliament

This high-level evening discussion will bring together mayors, city networks, Members of the European Parliament, and EU officials to debate how cities can shape the next EU budget. The event will spotlight local priorities for the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the need for direct access to EU funds, and the importance of ensuring cities and regions are at the heart of Europe’s investment decisions.

Bridges of Trust – Annual gathering 

  • Date and time: 16 October 2025, 13:30 – 19:00 CET 
  • Venue: CEMR, 1 square Meeûs, 1st floor, Brussels 
  • Organisers CEMR, U-LEAD with Europe  

Bridges of Trust’s annual gathering brings together European and Ukrainian municipalities to strengthen cooperation and support Ukraine’s recovery. With local leaders, EU institutions, and partner organisations, the event fosters trust-based partnerships, knowledge exchange, and concrete actions for rebuilding communities and advancing EU integration.   

EU Covenant of Mayors ceremony 2025 

  • Date and time: 16 October 2025, 8:00 – 13:30 CET 
  • Venue: European Parliament 
  • Register here 
  • Organiser: EU Covenant of Mayors 

At a time of mounting geopolitical challenges and accelerating climate risks, the role of Europe’s towns, cities, and regions has never been more vital. This year’s Ceremony will bring together mayors, regional leaders, and top EU decision-makers to discuss how cities and towns are helping secure Europe’s future by providing citizens with clean and affordable energy while strengthening local resilience.   

For over 15 years, the EU Covenant of Mayors has mobilised local leadership across Europe to plan, act and work with communities towards a more resilient, prosperous, and climate-neutral future, making them indispensable allies in shaping Europe’s vision.   

This year’s Ceremony comes at a critical moment for Europe, as new priorities and strategies take shape and gather momentum under the freshly launched EU mandate. The event will shine a spotlight on the essential role of local governments in delivering on these priorities – highlighting how Europe’s security, resilience, and prosperity can only be achieved through close cooperation with its towns, cities, and regions.   

The event will feature high-level speakers, including Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission; Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament; Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions; Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, European Commission, along with mayors and regional leaders from across Europe.   

The Ceremony will also honour the winners of the 2025 EU Covenant of Mayors Award, celebrated for their outstanding leadership and achievements in decarbonising heating and cooling at the local level. 

For more information, please contact:

Meritxell PARRAMON VILA
In Energy, Environment, Impact community Climate, Press

Local leaders urge a 2040 climate target

Target 2040 - News

Local leaders urge European Commission to set a binding 90% domestic emissions-cut target for 2040

Mayors of Aalborg (Denmark), Athens (Greece), Barcelona (Spain), Braga (Portugal), Copenhagen (Denmark), Freiburg (Germany), Ghent (Belgium), Matosinhos (Portugal), Milan (Italy), Malmö (Sweden), Matosinhos (Portugal), Nantes (France), Oslo (Norway), Tallinn (Estonia), Utrecht (The Netherlands) and Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain) among signatories of joint letter to Von der Leyen and Ribera, coordinated by C40, CEMR, Eurocities and ICLEI Europe

Today, European local leaders have sent a joint letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urging the European Commission and Member States to set a binding EU target to reduce domestic greenhouse gas emissions by at least 90% by 2040 relative to 1990 numbers. The demand aligns with recommendations from the European Commission Impact Assessment on the 2040 target and the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change (ESABCC), which highlight how this target is feasible for Europe.

Coordinated by Europe’s largest networks of local and regional governments –C40, CEMR, Eurocities and ICLEI Europe- the letter reiterates that “climate neutrality is a strategic imperative”, and calls on the European Union to “reaffirm its global climate leadership” ahead of the crucial COP30 climate summit. The signatories stress the need for a “robust, science-based 2040 climate target”.

To achieve the 2050 climate neutrality goal, cities and regions call for a “clear and ambitious framework at the EU level” that will provide “long-term certainty to businesses, unlock investment, and accelerate innovation”.

Highlighting their own efforts, cities and regions state they are already “delivering results faster than anticipated and aligned with the Paris Agreement” but emphasise that they “cannot do this alone”. The letter urges that “national and EU frameworks must reflect the urgency and scale of the challenge and enable faster and deeper action from the local level”.

The signatories also call for the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework to embed decarbonisation efforts, ensuring “that all regions and communities can access the resources, skills and infrastructure they need to succeed in the green transition”.

Finally, the letter underscores the importance of solid “multilevel governance structures and partnerships” to deliver an “ambitious and effective climate agenda”. This, they argue, is essential to “strengthen the EU’s credibility and influence on the global stage” at a “critical moment for international climate diplomacy”.

Signatories of the letter promoted by C40, CEMR, Eurocities and ICLEI Europe, as well as the following leaders from local and regional governments:

  • Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona and Eurocities Vice President
  • Matthias De Clercq, Mayor of Ghent and Eurocities President
  • Sharon Dijksma, Mayor of Utrecht
  • Haris Doukas, Mayor of Athens
  • Maider Etxebarria, Mayor of Vitoria-Gasteiz and Vice-President of ICLEI Europe
  • Lasse Frimand Jensen, Mayor of Aalborg and Vice-President of ICLEI Europe
  • Gunn Marit Helgesen, Councillor of Telemark County, President of KS, Association for all Local and Regional Authorities in Norway, CEMR President
  • Martin Horn, Mayor of Freiburg, in his capacity as the President of ICLEI Europe
  • Jevgeni Ossinovski, Mayor of Tallinn
  • Ricardo Rio, Mayor of Braga
  • Johanna Rolland, Mayor of Nantes, and President of Nantes Métropole
  • Luísa Salgueiro, Mayor of Matosinhos, President of the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities (CEMR member) and member of the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy – Europe Political Board
  • Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan and Vice Chair of C40 Cities
  • Eirik Lae Solberg, Governing Mayor of Oslo and Vice Chair of C40 Cities
  • Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh, Mayor of Malmö and President of ICLEI
  • Lars Henrik Weiss, Lord Mayor of Copenhagen

For more information, contact:

Meritxell PARRAMON VILA
In About CEMR, Press

Call for democracy and sustainability in Olso

Leaders Summit - Oslo News

Local and regional leaders call for democratic and sustainable resource strategies in Europe at the Leaders’ Summit

  • Amid increasing geopolitical uncertainty and environmental challenges, local and regional governments reaffirmed their role as cornerstones of democratic resilience and sustainability in Europe.
  • Participants called on EU and national institutions to work more closely with local and regional governments, recognising their essential contribution to both democratic renewal and environmental transformation.

Over 100 mayors, regional leaders, policymakers and experts gathered in Oslo on 23–24 June 2025 for the CEMR Leaders’ Summit, hosted by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) in cooperation with the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS).  As part of the Summit, delegates visited VEAS, Scandinavia’s largest wastewater treatment plant, for a field visit that showcased how innovation and local partnerships can boost resilience.

Opening the Summit, CEMR President Gunn Marit Helgesen and Mayor of Oslo Anne Lindboe highlighted the urgent need to protect Europe’s democratic values from disinformation, external interference and political polarisation. “We must ensure that democracy remains strong where it is most tangible—in cities, towns and regions,” said Helgesen.

Defending democracy in uncertain times

Through high-level discussions and the CEMR Policy Committee meeting, local leaders exchanged strategies to reinforce citizen participation, protect democratic institutions, and uphold human rights, even in times of instability.

These discussions come at a pivotal time as the EU prepares its next long-term budget. CEMR called for a stronger role for local and regional governments in shaping the future of the EU through its ongoing campaign on the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). Read more about the campaign here.

Resource management as a pillar of democracy

Local and regional leaders, together with EU and national representatives, tackled the critical issue of water resilience, strategic autonomy, and the circular economy.

Naaja H. Nathanielsen, Minister of Business, Mineral Resources, Energy, Justice and Gender Equality in the Government of Greenland, joined the meeting remotely to share Greenland’s experience. “For Greenland, development is not a goal in itself, but a means to build resilience and economic independence. We won’t develop at any cost—our environment and communities come first.”

Echoing the priorities outlined in the CEMR’s Water Resilience Policy Paper, participants stressed that local solutions and strong public services are vital to address growing water stress across Europe.

To inspire and support local action, CEMR has also collected over 65 local initiatives on water management across Europe, now featured in an interactive Water Mural of Best Practices.

A common vision for Europe’s future

The Summit concluded with a strong political message: local democracy and sustainability must go hand in hand. Participants called on EU and national institutions to work more closely with local and regional governments, recognising their essential contribution to both democratic renewal and environmental transformation.

“CEMR will take the insights and commitments shared in Oslo to strengthen its advocacy at the European level,” said Fabrizio Rossi, CEMR Secretary General. “Our collective voice is key to shaping a more resilient, fair, and sustainable Europe.”

Review the Leaders’ Summit here

For media inquiries and interviews, please contact: 

CEMR

Fiorella Lavorgna 

Fiorella.lavorgna@ccer-cemr.org 

(0039)3405761789

KS

Ida Paulsen Slettevoll 

Ida.Paulsen.Slettevoll@ks.no  

(0047) 90501841

Meritxell PARRAMON VILA
In Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Society, Press

Game Launch for Europe’s Day

European Union - News section

CEMR creates the “Guess EU” game to celebrate Europe Day 

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration – the historic moment that set Europe on the path toward peace, prosperity, and unity. 

To celebrate, CEMR is challenging you to a game that puts your EU knowledge to the test. 

Introducing “Guess EU” – our special Europe Day game created with Open Guesser. Do you think you know where EU-funded projects have made an impact? Take a guess and find out how well you really know your Europe! 

From green mobility in Italy to digital innovation in Latvia, the EU is everywhere – and now it’s your turn to explore it in a whole new way. 

👉 https://openguessr.com/maps/community/guess_eu and join us in celebrating 75 years of European cooperation, solidarity, and local achievements! 

Happy Europe Day! 

Meritxell PARRAMON VILA
In Impact community Society, Local democracy, Local democracy, Press, Publications

Op-Ed on local democracy in Türkiye

Turkiye democracy - News 2025

Op-Ed on the local democracy in Türkiye co-signed by presidents of the Congress, CoR, ALDA and CEMR

Read full declaration

The recent arrests and dismissals of democratically elected mayors in Türkiye, and their replacement by appointed trustees, mark a dangerous turning point for local democracy, not only in Türkiye but for Europe as a whole. At its core, democracy is not just about casting ballots; it is about ensuring that those elected by the people can govern freely, without fear of persecution. The replacement of elected mayors through judicial intervention, without full transparency and due process, raises serious questions about democratic standards and political freedom. 

This is not an isolated event. It is part of a worrying trend of democratic backsliding that threatens the fundamental values upon which modern Europe has been built. From the ashes of World War II, Europe emerged with a commitment to decentralization, democracy, and human rights. The European Charter of Local Self-Government, adopted in 1985, was a direct response to past authoritarianism, ensuring that local governments have the autonomy to serve their communities without undue interference from central authorities. This principle of local self-government is a safeguard against the concentration of power and a guarantee that democracy remains rooted in the daily lives of citizens.  

Yet today, these hard-won principles are being undermined. The detention of local leaders in Türkiye is a blatant violation of the commitments the country made as a member of the Council of Europe. It is a direct assault on the principles enshrined in the Charter and an ominous signal to other governments that such actions might be tolerated.  

Local democracy is the first line of defense for our freedoms. When it is attacked, it is not just a city or a region that suffers—it is the very foundation of democracy. As local elected representatives, mayors are the bridge between national governments and citizens, the leaders who turn democratic principles into tangible actions—whether in public services, social cohesion, or crisis response.  

Ignoring the crackdown on local leaders in Türkiye is not just a failure to support our colleagues—it is a failure to defend democracy itself. If Europe allows the erosion of local democracy anywhere on the continent, it sets a dangerous precedent that could spread.  

EU institutions, together with Member states of the European Union and of the Council of Europe, must take a clear and firm stance. The defense of democracy must not be selective or conditional on political expediency. The right of people to choose their leaders—and for those leaders to govern without fear—must be upheld at all costs.  

Democracy in Europe was never guaranteed; it was built through struggle and commitment. In the face of new threats, we must show the same commitment. The free election of representatives is not a privilege; it is the foundation of a just and stable society. If we fail to defend it today, we risk losing it tomorrow. 

Signatories: 

  • President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Marc Cools 
  • President of the Committee of the Regions, Katta Tüttő 
  • President of ALDA: Nataša Vučković
  • President of CEMR: Gunn Marit Helgesen

*****

This opinion article was published on EU Observer on 15 April 2025. You can read it here

Related content:

For more information or media inquiries, please contact:

Meritxell PARRAMON VILA
In About CEMR, Press

CEMR Strategic Retreat

Barcelona - News Press

CEMR’s commitment to gender equality and talent for local governments showcased at Smart City Expo World Congress

  • The Talent Hub for Cities and Regions and the study Women in Politics will be presented tomorrow at the Smart City Expo World Congress
  • CEMR will gather local leaders from across Europe in Barcelona to set priorities for the new EU cycle

Barcelona, 5–7 November 2024 – The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) will hold its Strategic Retreat in Barcelona, coinciding with the renowned Smart City Expo World Congress. This three-day gathering will bring together leaders from across Europe to set priorities for the years ahead, focusing on building inclusive, democratic, and resilient communities. 

CEMR President Gunn Marit Helgesen stated: “Gathering in Barcelona during these difficult days for Valencia and many other communities hit by Dana is particularly important for us. The challenges we face, especially in accelerating climate adaptation, require local governments to attract and nurture the best talents. This retreat will enable us to share a vision for the future, ensuring that our communities are equipped to tackle these challenges head-on.” 

A key highlight of the retreat will be the presentation of the Talent Hub for Cities and Regions, (Tuesday 5 November, 10.45, Orange Agora), an innovative initiative launched by CEMR in collaboration with Eurocities and UCLG. The Talent Hub aims to attract, develop, and retain top talent in the fields of territorial development and diplomacy, reinforcing Local and Regional Governments’ capacities to tackle today’s complex challenges. 

Additionally, CEMR will introduce its latest study, Women in Politics (Tuesday 5 November, 16.45, Green Room), a pivotal exploration of gender equality in political representation across Europe. This study sheds light on progress and gaps, providing actionable insights for local leaders committed to advancing gender equality. 

The Strategic Retreat promises to be an inspiring forum where CEMR members and partners can reflect on key challenges and opportunities, charting a path towards a more equitable and prosperous future for Europe’s communities. 

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