CEMR partners with 28Digital to provide AI training for local and regional governments
Local and regional leaders gathered in Cagliari to discuss the growing political impact of artificial intelligence (AI) at the roundtable “Opportunities and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence for Local and Regional Governments”, hosted at Palazzo Regio.
Organised by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) together with AICCRE, PLATFORMA and 28DIGITAL, the event focused on how AI is reshaping public services, democratic participation and multilevel governance.
Speakers stressed that while AI offers significant opportunities for innovation, it also raises key political issues such as transparency, accountability, and fairness.
During the gathering, participants also learnt about concrete initiatives supporting local leaders in the digital transition, including the project “Empowering Local Leaders through AI”, as well as 28DIGITAL’s work on education, skills and capacity-building for public administrations, presented by experts from Gofore, 28DIGITAL and Politecnico di Milano.
The roundtable that followed was moderated by Fabrizio Rossi, Secretary General of CEMR, and included contributions from Piero Comandini, President of the Regional Council of Sardinia;Massimo Zedda, Mayor of the Metropolitan City of Cagliari; and Federico Menna, CEO of 28DIGITAL.
A central outcome of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between CEMR and 28DIGITAL, launching a new training programme on AI for local elected representatives. The initiative aims to strengthen political competence and informed decision-making on AI at a territorial level.
Commenting on the agreement, Jork Cardeneo,CEMRspokesperson on digitalisation, underlined the importance of political leadership:
“If local leaders are expected to govern AI responsibly, they must first understand it. This memorandum marks a decisive step towards empowering elected representatives to lead the digital transition, rather than merely react to it.”
The Cagliari meeting confirmed the role of cities and regions as key political actors in ensuring that AI supports more democratic, inclusive, and innovative governance.
CEMR local leaders reaffirm political leadership and confront Europe’s demographic turning point
St. Julian’s, Malta, 5 December 2025 – Over 160 European mayors, councillors and representatives of national associations of local and regional governments gathered in Malta for the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) Leaders’ Summit 2025, hosted by the Maltese Association of Local Councils. During the event, CEMR confirmed its political leadership for the 2026–2028 mandate.
The confirmed leadership reflects a strong commitment to stability, continuity and collective action at a time when Europe’s territories face accelerating demographic change, geopolitical instability and shifting investment priorities.
CEMR Leadership for the 2026–2028 mandate
Gunn Marit Helgesen, President of CEMR; President of the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS); Member of Telemark County Council
Philippe Laurent, CEMR Co-President; President of AFCCRE; Mayor of Sceaux; Vice-President of Territoire Vallée Sud – Grand Paris; Member of the Ile-de-France Regional Council
Christoph Schnaudigel, CEMR Co-President; President of the German Section of CEMR (RGRE); President of the County of Karlsruhe
Vince Maple, Chair of the CEMR Financial Management Committee; Councillor of Medway; Vice-President of CEMR (Local Government Association, UK)
CEMR also announced the appointment of 24 new spokespersons, who will serve as political voices for Europe’s local and regional governments on key issues such as the EU Budget, cohesion policy, democracy, the green and digital transitions, territorial development and international cooperation.
2026_2028 CEMR spokespkerson (ENG) page 1
“This Summit marks the beginning of a renewed direction for CEMR. Europe is transforming at a pace we have not seen in decades, and our communities feel the pressure every day. We need stronger partnerships, deeper territorial cooperation and long-term investment. Local and regional governments are not secondary actors — we are essential partners in shaping Europe’s future.” — Gunn Marit Helgesen, CEMR President
Demographic change in the European continent takes centre stage
* Maltese Financial Minister Clyde Caruana – Leaders’ Summit 2025 Malta
The Summit’s political debates highlighted the profound impact of demographic transitions across Europe. In her opening intervention, Maltese Financial Minister Clyde Caruana stressed the realities his country faces as an island deeply shaped by mobility and rapid population change.
* Journalist and founder of Friends of Europe, Giles Merritt – Leaders’ Summit 2025 Malta
Giles Merritt, journalist and founder of Friends of Europe, warned that “ageing, rural depopulation and housing pressures are converging into a structural challenge for Europe’s future prosperity”.
* Head of Unit at DG REGIO, Kadri Uustal; Municipal Councillor of Elva (Estonia) and representative of AECM, Juhani Jaeger, and member of KEDE and mayor of Agrinio in Greece, Giorgos Papanastasiou – Leaders’ Summit 2025 Malta
A high-level panel featuring Kadri Uustal, Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO); Alison Zerafa Civelli, Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government within Malta’s Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government; Giorgos Papanastasiou, Member of KEDE and Mayor of Agrinio (Greece); and Juhani Jaeger, Municipal Councillor of Elva (Estonia) and representative of AECM, explored how demographic pressures—declining birth rates, shrinking cities, labour shortages and uneven territorial development—require strong multilevel governance and durable policy consistency.
Their message was clear: local and regional governments are on the frontline of Europe’s demographic shift, and their leadership is essential to reverse decline, foster resilience and rebuild attractiveness in Europe’s territories.
* Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government in the Ministry of the National Heritage, Arts and Local Government of Malta, Alison Zerafa Civelli – Leaders’ Summit 2025 Malta
Local governments call for a central role in shaping the next EU Budget
On the second day of the CEMR Leaders’ Summit, attention shifted to the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034). Contributions from Zsolt Darvas, Senior Fellow at Bruegel, John Mallia, President of the Malta Cooperative Federation, Jan Olbrycht, former MEP and Co-Rapporteur of the 2021–2027 EU Budget, Sigrid Sengers, Mayor of Druten (Netherlands), and Carlo Borghetti, Councillor of the Lombardy Region (Italy), reaffirmed a shared objective: ensuring that Europe’s budgetary priorities truly reflect the needs of its territories.
* Senior Fellow at Bruegel, Zsolt Darvas; President of the Malta Cooperative Federation, John Mallia; former MEP and Co-Rapporteur of the 2021–2027 EU Budget, Jan Olbrycht; Mayor of Druten (Netherlands), Sigrid Sengers; and Councillor of the Lombardy Region (Italy), Carlo Borghetti – Leaders’ Summit 2025 Malta
Speakers emphasised that cohesion and competitiveness must go hand in hand, and that the EU Budget must recognise the operational reality of local and regional governments, who implement over 70% of EU legislation and manage more than half of public investment.
Building Europe from the ground up
In his closing message, Fabrizio Rossi, CEMR Secretary General, underlined that the Summit had reinforced a shared political commitment across Europe’s territories. He stressed that CEMR will continue to champion stronger multilevel governance, advocate for EU investments that reflect the realities of every territory, confront demographic and social disparities, and defend democratic values where they matter most: at the local and regional levels. Rossi concluded by affirming that Europe’s future can only be built by empowering the communities that form its foundation.
The Summit was opened by Mario Fava, President of the Maltese Association, who stressed that “demographic pressures, territorial fractures and shifting EU priorities show that Europe’s future begins locally. As the 2028–2034 MFF is shaped, cities and regions must be co-authors — not afterthoughts”, and also counted with an opening introduction by Olaf McKay, Mayor of Valletta, who underlined “today’s transitions demand the same instinct that built our city. We are facing demographic change, and as Europe shapes its next EU budget, cities must be co-authors of Europe’s agenda. That is the spirit of this Summit”.
European cities and regions unite for peace and cooperation in Xi’an
As the European section of UCLG, CEMR took part in the UCLG World Council, hosted in Xi’an, and held in synergy with the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation’s (UNIDO) “Bridge for Cities” initiative. Under the motto “Shaping Communities for Current and Future Generations,” the summit brought together more than 300 participants from over 80 cities and local government networks.
The UCLG World Council was also an occasion for European local and regional representatives to engage with counterparts from around the world. During the European caucus meeting, CEMR members exchanged with Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, UCLG Asia-Pacific Secretary General, the priorities and potential areas of cooperation, particularly on gender equality.
The opening session, co-organised with UNIDO, reaffirmed the importance of collaboration between cities and international institutions. A joint statement was signed between UCLG, UNIDO and the city of Xi’an to deepen technical cooperation and capacity-building programmes. Speakers underlined that local transformation can only succeed when communities are fully involved as partners, not just beneficiaries.
CEMR also participated in the Bridge for Cities High-Level Plenary, which focused on innovation, sustainable urban development and the contribution of local leadership to global agendas.
During the World Council, a new call for action open to all local and regional governments was approved. Under the title “Call for action on peace and reconstruction”, it expresses the commitment of local and regional governments to peace, human rights and reconstruction, particularly in territories affected by armed conflict. It builds on the values of the Pact for the Future of Humanity — People, Planet and Government — and highlights the unique role of cities in rebuilding coexistence and social ties.
By representing the European perspective and emphasising the key role of cities, towns and regions in democratic resilience and inclusive development, CEMR helped to reinforce this global movement and reaffirm the role of local governance in shaping peaceful and sustainable societies.
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.”
CEMR Presidency meets with the President of the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (UMT) to share insights on Turkish democracy
Local democracy and elected representatives in Türkiye are currently facing significant challenges, with mayors being dismissed or imprisoned and replaced by government-appointed trustees. These actions not only undermine democratic principles but also threaten the very foundations of local self-governance and human rights.
On March 3rd, Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor ofİstanbul Metropolitan Municipality and President of the UMT took part in an extraordinary CEMR Presidency meeting to share firsthand insights into the situation in Türkiye. His intervention highlighted the harsh realities facing opposition mayors, the far-reaching consequences for local governance, and the various efforts being made to resist these pressures.
CEMR stands in solidarity with all local leaders in Türkiye and beyond who are defending local democracy and the fundamental right to serve their communities freely.
CEMR has extended the deadline for submitting applications to host the CEMR 2026 Congress to March 5th. Interested cities and municipalities now have additional time to submit their proposals and be part of this major gathering of local and regional leaders from across Europe.
CEMR launches a Matchmaking Platform for Twinning cooperation during the Leaders’ Summit in Karlsruhe
CEMR launches a new Matchmaking Platform to promote city-to-city cooperation and international partnerships during the Leaders’ Summit in Karlsruhe, Germany
The Bridges of Trust Community is launched in partnership between CEMR and U-Lead to foster new partnerships and support international municipal cooperation
The CEMR Leaders’ Summit gathered over 200 international leaders from across Europe, emphasising collaboration for sustainable and inclusive development
The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) unveiled an innovative Matchmaking Platform to enhance city-to-city and local cooperation during its Leaders’ Summit in Karlsruhe. This high-profile event gathered over 200 international leaders, representing towns, regions, and cities from EU and Ukranian countries.
The platform, building on CEMR’s seven-decade legacy of town twinning, allows municipalities, cities, and regions to form partnerships sending a matching request to potential peers across Europe in just a few minutes.
First introduced at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin and now open to all local governments in Europe, the platform is also meant to strengthen partnerships with Ukrainian municipalities to secure its vital recovery support and advance through its integration into the EU.
Building on its long-standing collaboration with Ukrainian local governments, CEMR in partnership with U-Lead with Europe have announced the creation of the Bridges of Trust Community. The project’s positive impact expanded beyond its initial scope, demonstrating the need for wider engagement and collaboration.
CEMR President Gunn Marit Helgesen underlined the Matchmaking Platform strategic importance: “Local leaders are at the forefront when it comes to adopting the acquis communautaire — the foundational laws of the EU. It is crucial to support them in this process to ensure it is carried out equitably, avoiding future disparities between urban and rural communities”.
Christoph Schnaudigel, CEMR Co-President, RGRE President and Mayor of Karlsruhe, highlighted: “City-to-city cooperation has already shown its power as a tool for post-war reconstruction, reconnecting people divided by war and cultural gaps, and fostering peace. Today, we are committed to putting our network at the service of every town in Europe, small or large, to connect, share experience, and work on their dream projects together.”
Stefano Poretti, Councillor of Arconate, Italy, a city twinned with the Ukranian city of Zlatopil, emphasized the Bridges of Trust impact: “In a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty, local governments remain steadfast in promoting cooperation and solidarity. Thanks to Bridges of Trust, we have exchanged knowledge and experiences that will leave a lasting mark on my political journey.”
Media opportunities: Journalists can interview key participants, including mayors and local leaders, and explore the matchmaking platform in detail.
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.
CEMR Leaders Summit 2024: A Crucial Post-Election Gathering for Local Governments
The CEMR Leaders Summit, 17-18 June 2024, at the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels, marks the first gathering of CEMR leaders with the new EU Parliament. This event is a crucial moment for shaping future policies and strategic directions for the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR).
The agenda for the Summit opens with the Policy Committee Meeting, which will address various statutory affairs and thematic work, including sustainability initiatives, territorial cohesion, and urban-rural linkages. These discussions are essential for addressing the immediate and long-term needs of local communities in the context of the recent elections.
June 18th will feature high-level panel debates focusing on the future of Europe and integrated territorial development. Key topics include democracy, sustainable development, enlargement, and effective collaboration across government levels. These timely discussions offer an opportunity to align local priorities with the broader European agenda.
The previous CEMR Policy Committee, held in Prague, culminated in the signing of the Prague Declaration, setting expectations for local leaders for the next EU mandate. Holding this year’s summit immediately after the European elections allows for a timely recalibration of priorities and strategies in light of the election results. This gathering will enable CEMR leaders to forge a unified vision and collaboratively address the pressing challenges and opportunities facing Europe’s local and regional governments in the coming years.
CEMR Secretaries General and Directors Meeting (SGDs): Strengthening European Local Governance in Nicosia, Cyprus
The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is meeting with its member association’s Secretaries General and Directors on April 23-24, 2024.
Taking place at the Town Hall of the Nicosia Municipal Council and hosted by the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, the meeting will serve as a platform for crucial discussions just ahead of the European election. Eleni Loucaidou, Councillor, on behalf of the Mayor of Nicosia, opened the session and set the agenda for the two-day meeting, which foresees intensive roundtable discussions covering CEMR’s statutory events and international relations, as well as the presentation of new CEMR activities and projects for 2024.
The biannual SGDs meetings bring together Secretaries General and Directors of CEMR members, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration across European local and regional governance.
