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GAUDRON Marine
In Housing, Housing, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Press, Publications, Territorial development, Territorial development

“Right to Stay” strategy

Right to Stay strategy news

CEMR calls for a place-based “Right to Stay” strategy

468 words
2–3 minutes
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In its contribution to the European Commission’s call for evidence on the upcoming “Right to Stay” strategy, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) calls for a politically ambitious, place-based framework that puts local and regional governments at the centre of Europe’s response to territorial, social, economic and demographic imbalances.

For CEMR, the right to stay means that people must be able to live, work and thrive in the place of their choice: whether in a city, a town or a rural area, without being forced away by lack of public services, economic opportunity, poor connectivity or rising living costs.

This is not just a matter of territorial cohesion. It is also a question of fairness, democracy and trust in the European project. If the EU wants to respond to growing territorial inequalities, it must start by investing in the places people call home and by recognising the governments closest to citizens as strategic partners.

In its response, CEMR underlines that there can be no right to stay without access to services, housing and opportunity. Across Europe, too many territories still face shortages in healthcare, education, mobility, childcare, energy and digital infrastructure. At the same time, rising housing costs are pushing people out of cities, while many rural and shrinking areas continue to suffer from depopulation and underinvestment.

CEMR therefore calls on the EU to strengthen support for services of general interest, affordable housing and integrated territorial development. It also stresses the need to create enabling conditions for local economic opportunities in every territory, including through better transport and digital connectivity, support for entrepreneurship, and action to tackle labour shortages in key local public services.

CEMR also highlights the growing importance of climate resilience, sustainable mobility and local energy production for territorial attractiveness and energy security. Investments in adaptation, renewable energy and accessible transport must therefore be part of any credible Right to Stay agenda.

For CEMR, Cohesion Policy must be the main delivery tool of the future strategy. In the next EU budget, the Right to Stay should be recognised as a clear strategic objective, backed by strong funding, integrated territorial instruments and genuine partnership with local and regional governments in the design of national and regional plans.

CEMR also calls for the Right to Stay to be embedded in EU governance, including through the European Semester and stronger territorial impact assessments. Europe cannot continue to shape policies for territories without systematically involving the authorities responsible for delivering them.

The message is clear: the right to stay will only be real if the EU gives territories the means to remain attractive, affordable, connected and resilient. That requires political ambition, long-term investment and a genuine multilevel partnership with local and regional governments.

For more information, contact:

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

Statement on public procurement

Public procurement services news

Call on European institutions to safeguard public-public cooperation and in-house provision in the Revision of the Public Procurement Directives 

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1–2 minutes
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Public-public cooperation and in-house provision are essential tools enabling local and regional governments to organise, deliver, and manage public services directly — whether through cooperation with other public authorities or through entities under their control — without resorting to external operators.  

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) released a statement in which it expresses its strong opposition to calls and proposals that further restrict public-public cooperation and in-house provision in view of the upcoming Revision of the EU Public Procurement Directives.  

In this new statement, CEMR argues that public-public cooperation and in-house provision are firmly grounded in the EU Treaties, the Public Procurement Directives, and the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Local and regional governments must retain the freedom to choose the delivery model that best serves their communities — including direct provision and cooperation with other public authorities.  

CEMR also takes aim at the notion that public-public cooperation or in-house provision harms competition. There is no evidence to support that claim; if anything, these models can improve efficiency, support investment, and strengthen essential public services for citizens.  

Additionally, at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty, cybersecurity risks, and growing pressure on public services, local authorities cannot afford to lose the flexibility to organise critical services in-house or through trusted public partnerships.  

CEMR calls to the European institutions for greater legal certainty — not further restriction — in the revision of Article 12 of the Public Procurement Directive, while safeguarding the right of local and regional governments to organise public services according to local needs and democratic choices.  

To complement this information, you can also read here CEMR’s position paper setting out what local and regional governments need from the revision of the 2014 Public Procurement Directives. 

For more information, contact:

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

Reaction to the EU procurement rules

Public Procurement news

CEMR calls for a simpler, fairer revision of the EU public procurement directives, putting local realities at the centre of the reform

Read full position paper here
517 words
2–3 minutes

Local and regional governments (LRGs) are Europe’s largest public investors, spending more than €3 trillion a year through procurement. From care services to construction, from digital tools to energy infrastructure, every euro spent through public contracts has a direct impact on citizens’ daily lives. Yet the rules governing how LRGs buy are growing increasingly fragmented, complex, and out of sync with local realities.

As the European Commission prepares to revise the 2014 Public Procurement Directives, CEMR has adopted a position paper setting out what LRGs need from the reform. The message is clear: the revision must prioritise simplicity, flexibility, and subsidiarity instead of adding new layers of mandatory obligations to already overstretched towns, cities and regions.

A flexible framework that works for all

Most LRGs in Europe are small, operating with limited legal, technical, and administrative capacity. The current framework, scattered across more than 60 EU sectoral legislative acts, was not designed with them in mind. CEMR calls for a directive-based approach that preserves flexibility, and for EU-level clauses on environmental, social, and innovation considerations to remain voluntary. A comprehensive review mechanism should consolidate procurement obligations across sectoral legislation to eliminate contradictions and reduce the burden on contracting authorities.

Higher thresholds, fewer unnecessary procedures

EU procurement thresholds have not been changed in over a decade, despite significant inflation and rising costs. As a result, an ever-growing number of public purchases are now subject to full EU-level procedures, despite no real cross-border interest. Indeed, direct cross-border procurement accounts for just around 2% of all contract awards. CEMR calls for a substantial increase in thresholds, in line with cumulative inflation since 2014, alongside an automatic indexation mechanism to prevent the same problem from recurring.

Made-in-Europe and strategic goals must not come at local cost

CEMR supports the Commission’s broader ambitions on European competitiveness and strategic autonomy, goals that matter equally to LRGs who depend on resilient supply chains. However, a “Made in Europe” approach will significantly increase costs for contracting authorities if applied broadly. LRGs must not be penalised when EU supply is unavailable and must not be responsible for verifying complex supply chain origin documentation. That responsibility should lie with economic operators, supported by EU-level certification.

Protecting public-public cooperation and in-house provisions

LRGs regularly collaborate across boundaries to pool resources and deliver services more efficiently, especially in rural or low-capacity areas. Yet, Article 12 of the current directive remains too restrictive and unclear, creating legal uncertainty for many legitimate forms of public-public cooperation and in-house arrangements. CEMR therefore calls for a broader and clearer exemption for genuine cooperation between public authorities, and for in-house procurement to be protected from market-oriented interpretations, allowing LRGs to retain the democratic discretion to organise and deliver public services in the way that best serves their communities.

CEMR will continue to engage actively with the European institutions throughout the revision process to ensure that the voices of local and regional governments shape the outcome of this crucial reform.

For more information, contact:

Meritxell PARRAMON VILA
In About CEMR, EU budget, Impact community Climate, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Press

Leaders’ Summit in Rovaniemi

CEMR Leaders Summit 2026 - Rovaniemi

CEMR local leaders adopt a political declaration calling for cohesion, competitiveness and global partnerships at the heart of the next EU budget 

Gathered at the CEMR Leaders’ Summit in Rovaniemi, around 150 local leaders call on EU Heads of State to include the European Parliament’s EU budget recommendations on multilevel governance, territorial delivery and predictable funding into their negotiations with the Council 

Over 150 local leaders from 29 countries across Europe gathered in Rovaniemi, Finland, for the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) Leaders’ Summit, engaging in timely discussions on key European priorities. 

A political declaration at a pivotal moment 

One of the Summit’s main outcomes was the adoption of a political declaration signed by 55 local leaders who are calling on EU Heads of State to incorporate the European Parliament’s key recommendations on the next EU budget (2028-2034) into their negotiations in the European Council. Adopted during the CEMR Leaders’ Summit in Rovaniemi, the declaration comes at a crucial stage in the interinstitutional discussion on the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). 

By endorsing this declaration in support of an EU budget that works for every territory, CEMR members urge that cohesion, competitiveness and global partnerships remain at the core of the next long-term EU budget. Addressed to national leaders, the declaration advocates for a place-based, predictable budget grounded in genuine multilevel governance. 

The declaration follows the European Parliament’s adoption of its interim report on the 2028–2034 EU budget on its plenary meeting of 28 April 2026, in which the Parliament set out its political priorities and will be the basis of negotiations with the Council.   

Given that the Member States will finalise their position at the Council meeting to be held on 18 and 19 June, CEMR calls on them to take into consideration the position and proposals put forward by the European Parliament towards an EU budget that delivers competitiveness, cohesion, and trust across all territories. 

Christoph Schnaudigel, CEMR president, stated that: “The next EU budget must work for every territory in Europe. Cities and regions are where European policy meets real life — where floods are managed, where people need cooling centres, where businesses invest or leave. Europe’s competitiveness and resilience will only be as strong as its weakest territory. The time to act is now”. 

Local leaders attending the CEMR Leaders’ Summit also had the opportunity to exchange views on the interinstitutional negotiations on the next MFF with the Member of the European Parliament, Vice-chair of the EU Budget Committee, Giuseppe Lupo. During the discussion, Luppo stated that “we are asking for the Council’s official position, therefore it is extremely important to develop any initiative in order to convince member states to accept the European Parliament proposal.” 

Local and regional governments: strengthening resilience through foresight and preparedness 

The Summit also provided a platform to discuss how local and regional governments can better use foresight and preparedness to anticipate and mitigate the impacts of crises and emergencies. 

As the host country, Finland—internationally recognised as a global leader in crisis preparedness and long-term strategic foresight—offered valuable insights. Participants explored how democratic institutions at all levels must evolve to govern effectively in an era marked by uncertainty and disruption. 

Katri Kulmuni, Former Deputy Prime Minister of Finland and the northernmost Member of the European Parliament, stated that “preparedness is a broader way of living. It is not a cost but an investment, and it will only work if the local communities are involved.”   

The political discussion included voices from across the continent, from north to south. 

Director of Technical Service of the City of Rovaniemi, Pertti Onkalo, expressed that “across Europe, cities and regions face similar challenges, even though each has its own unique characteristics. By sharing lessons learned, we can ensure that no one has to reinvent the wheel”. He also added that “these days the importance of preparedness is increasingly recognised; but preparedness must be built before a crisis, not during it.” 

This is what Elisabeth Unell, the mayor of Västerås in Sweden, stated: “Building preparedness means practising different scenarios and preparing together. We need stronger coordination and experience sharing among local governments across Europe.” 

“Preparedness and foresight are getting more into our DNA, especially in the western part of Europe. When there is a crisis, the most vital thing is the structure. But it is not always the government that can instantly help. It is also important to invest in the local governments.“ Ap Reinders, the Mayor of Stichtse Vecht. 

The Mayor of Estarreja (Portugal), Isabel Simoes Pinto, argued that “for citizens, preparedness cannot be an abstract concept. It needs to come from the confidence of the local leaders. We must transform preparedness into a normal dimension of governance, a daily aspect of life.” – Mayor of Estarreja (Portugal), Isabel Simoes Pinto 

Christoph Schnaudigel appointed CEMR President 

During the Summit, the CEMR Policy Committee appointed Christoph Schaudigel as the new President of the organisation, following the resignation of Gunn Marit Helgesen after her election as President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CLRAE).  

CEMR local leaders also decided that Gunn Marit Helgesen will continue to serve as CEMR Co-President alongside Philippe Laurent and Vince Maple. 

In his initial speech, Christoph Schnaudigel stated: “I am honoured to take on the role of President of CEMR at such a crucial moment for Europe’s towns, cities and regions. As the negotiations on the next EU budget unfold, and as our values and local democracy are increasingly challenged in a turbulent geopolitical context, our unity matters more than ever. I look forward to working even more closely with all our members to ensure that local voices are heard and involved in the European process of decision-making. This also includes strengthening CEMR’s commitment to international partnerships to uphold peace, democracy, sustainability and solidarity.” 

Christoph Schnaudigel is the President of the German Section of CEMR (RGRE) and the President of the County of Karlsruhe (Germany). He has been an active member of CEMR’s leadership since 2017, when he became the Spokesperson on Public Services. 

Marking CEMR’s 75th anniversary 

The Rovaniemi Summit built on CEMR’s 75-year legacy of supporting towns, cities and regions through major transformations—from post-war reconstruction to today’s climate and social transitions. 

Local leaders celebrated this milestone with the launch of a new CEMR video presentation, as well as a series of interviews titled “Voices of our 75-year history.” A photobooth featuring a “Local Time” newspaper, showcasing “Our local leaders” as protagonists, also formed part of the celebrations. 

The CEMR Leaders’ Summit in Rovaniemi was hosted by the city of Rovaniemi and the Association of Finnish Cities and Municipalities (Kuntaliitto). 

For more information, contact:

BENNIS Hamza
In About CEMR, AI, Digitalisation, Impact community Labour, Press

Artificial Intelligence and local governments

AI training article 2026

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.

AI training article 2026

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.

“Artificial intelligence is not just a technical matter but a political one,” said Fabrizio Rossi. “Local and regional governments must be actively involved in shaping AI policies, as their decisions directly affect citizens’ everyday lives.“

AI training article 2026

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, CEMR spokesperson 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.

For more information, contact:

BORDELOT Federica
In AI, Impact community Labour, Press

Survey on AI training needs

CEMR seeks input from its member associations on AI training needs and priorities for local and regional governments

Access to the survey

CEMR, together with Platforma, and in collaboration with 28DIGITAL (formerly EIT Digital), is launching a short survey on Artificial Intelligence (AI) training needs and priorities for local and regional governments and their associations across Europe.

This survey, which takes approximately 5 to 7 minutes to complete, aims to gather insights on needs, priorities, and learning preferences. The results will help shape an AI training programme tailored to the expectations of local and regional authorities and their representative associations.

CEMR kindly invites our member associations to share the questionnaire with the following profiles:

  • CEMR member associations and their networks (towns, regions, associations)
  • Elected officials
  • Civil servants at the local or regional level
  • IT and digitalisation experts

The survey is open until 8 April. Each respondent is invited to complete the questionnaire individually through the following link.

For more information, please contact:


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

Digital local and regional governments

Digital transition - News 2022

How Europe’s municipalities and regions can drive an inclusive, secure and people-centred digital transformation

Read full position paper

Local and regional governments are at the heart of Europe’s digital transformation. As the public authorities closest to citizens, they deliver services such as healthcare, education, transport, social support and broadband deployment, all increasingly shaped by EU digital legislation. Their role is essential to ensure that digitalisation remains inclusive, sustainable and accessible to everyone. Yet many local and regional governments still face major obstacles: unequal access to digital infrastructure, insufficient financial and human resources, cybersecurity risks, and widening gaps in digital skills.

Across Europe, disparities in connectivity and digital access disproportionately affect rural and remote areas, low-income households and vulnerable groups. These inequalities threaten territorial cohesion and limit citizens’ ability to participate fully in digital society. To make digital public services truly accessible, digital solutions must follow inclusive design principles and remain complemented by in-person service options for those who cannot or prefer not to use digital channels.

Cybersecurity has become an increasing concern as local authorities manage sensitive public data and critical infrastructure, often without sufficient expertise or funding to meet growing EU requirements such as those under the NIS2 Directive. Smaller municipalities, in particular, lack the resources to implement robust cybersecurity measures, respond to incidents or comply with complex regulatory frameworks. Reinforced cooperation, simplification of rules and sustainable financial support are essential to strengthen local resilience.

Skills development remains another pressing challenge. To implement new EU digital policies, including those related to artificial intelligence, interoperability and data governance, local administrations need staff trained to oversee digital systems, maintain human oversight, and ensure ethical, transparent and fair use of technologies. At the same time, strengthening digital literacy among citizens through lifelong learning and community-based initiatives helps build trust, inclusion and participation. Cooperation between municipalities and across regions also accelerates innovation and avoids fragmentation by enabling the exchange of best practices and common solutions.

A Call for Stronger EU Support

To ensure a fair, secure and inclusive digital transition, CEMR calls on European institutions to reinforce investment in digital infrastructure, especially in underserved regions; provide technical and financial support for accessible digital public services; maintain non-digital access to essential services during the transition; facilitate public-private partnerships to expand connectivity; and offer tailored guidance, capacity-building and long-term funding to help local and regional governments strengthen their cybersecurity and digital skills. Europe’s digital future depends on empowering the actors closest to citizens: its municipalities, cities and regions!

Read the position paper here

For more information, contact:

BANOS DE GUISASOLA Eva
In Gender equality, Impact community Labour, PLATFORMA, Press

Local leaders bring their voice to the UN

HLPF 2025 - News

No SDGs without local action: European cities and regions step up at the United Nations (UN) HLPF 

From 14 to 23 July, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) and PLATFORMA took part in the 2025 UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York, where more than 40 local and regional leaders from across Europe joined the global conversation on advancing the 2030 Agenda. Their mission: make the voice of local and regional governments (LRGs) heard at the heart of global decision-making. 

As part of the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments led by UCLG, CEMR and PLATFORMA contributed to key HLPF sessions, brought fresh evidence from the field, and called for stronger partnerships to accelerate SDG implementation.  

This year’s Forum was also the first since the adoption of the 2024 Pact for the Future —a milestone that calls for more inclusive, effective multilateralism. “The Pact for the Future clearly calls for local and regional voices to be part of global decision-making” said Fabrizio Rossi, Secretary General of CEMR. “That’s why our presence in New York this year was more relevant than ever—we’re here to make sure those voices are heard”. 

Bringing local realities to the global stage: launching the European territories SDG report 

At this year’s HLPF, CEMR and PLATFORMA officially launched their latest flagship study European Territories Localise the SDGs: Getting Local SDG Actions onto the Fast Track. Based on a survey conducted with UCLG and contributions from 31 national associations, the report highlights how local and regional governments across Europe are advancing the 2030 Agenda—often with limited means, but high ambition. 

With over 150 concrete examples collected, the study provides a detailed snapshot of how local SDG action is evolving in real time. It looks at policy priorities, bottlenecks, and the extent to which national governments involve municipalities and regions in their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). Special focus was placed on the five SDGs under review this year—SDG 3 (health), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 8 (decent work), SDG 14 (life below water), and SDG 17 (partnerships). 

The report is part of an ongoing effort by CEMR and PLATFORMA to track progress, share innovations, and ensure local voices shape global decisions. Since 2016, these annual studies have become a key contribution to the HLPF process, reinforcing the call for stronger multilevel governance in sustainable development. 

Local voices in National Reviews: making VNRs truly inclusive 

This year, six countries with active CEMR members—Malta, Finland, Germany, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Israel—presented their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). CEMR and PLATFORMA were present not only as observers, but as co-creators of the process. 

Their messages were clear: national governments must engage LRGs from the start—not just during reporting phases. “The example of Finland proves that good cooperation between local and national governments deliver results for citizens. And CEMR and PLATFORMA are very useful partners when it comes to bring these results at the global stage” said Eveliina Kiema-Majanen from Kuntalitto (Finland). Their interventions underscored that successful national strategies depend on strong, empowered local actors.  

CEMR and PLATFORMA members took the floor at all key events for local and regional governments during the Forum. These included the High-Impact Initiative on SDG Localization by the Local2030 Coalition, the launch of the Global Taskforce’s 9th report, the 8th Local and Regional Governments Forum, and the official UN session “Transformation from the ground up: Acting at local level”. They also joined the second annual meeting of the “Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs,” reinforcing the call for systemic change through multilevel governance and stronger local action. 

“Local leaders are best placed to deliver on the SDGs—because we are closest to people’s lives and everyday needs”, said Clifford Galea, member of CEMR-PLATFORMA Young Elected Officials Committee, President of the Tramuntana Region and High Commissioner of Malta to Namibia. 

Bettina Bunk, from the City of Stuttgart, underlined the power of collaboration beyond borders: “International cooperation between local governments and the exchange of best practices is key to advancing the 2030 Agenda”. 

Their messages sent a clear signal: meaningful, institutionalised involvement of local governments is not optional—it is essential for delivering on global goals. 

A seat at the table: meeting with the EU Delegation on the future of EU funding 

On the sidelines of the HLPF, CEMR and PLATFORMA hosted a high-level breakfast meeting with the EU Delegation to the United Nations—just days after the European Commission unveiled its proposal for the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). With over 45 participants, the exchange focused on how the next EU budget can better reflect local and regional priorities in the delivery of the SDGs. 

CEMR Secretary General Fabrizio Rossi made a clear call: “The next EU budget must reflect the needs and contributions of local and regional governments in delivering the SDGs. From climate neutrality to youth employment, any fair transition starts locally. We need robust, accessible funding and stronger partnerships to deliver on the SDGs”. 

The meeting also served as a platform to discuss the risk of re-centralisation in EU governance. CEMR and PLATFORMA welcomed the EU Ambassador’s Renaud Savignat invitation to deepen collaboration with local government networks ahead of the EU’s next SDG implementation assessment. The message was clear: no sustainable future without strong local roots. 

At the heart of the forum: localising the SDGs one goal at a time  

While much of the week focused on advocacy, knowledge-sharing, and political dialogue, CEMR and PLATFORMA also used their platform to showcase concrete results from European cities and regions: 

SDG 3 – Health and well-being 
From digital elderly care in North Macedonia to “caring neighbourhoods” in Belgium, local initiatives are closing health gaps—despite growing inequalities between urban and rural areas. Greater investment and localised strategies are urgently needed. 

SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth 
Municipalities are leading in youth employment, digital skills, and local job creation. But tight budgets and evolving labour markets demand new tools. Initiatives like the EU’s Union of Skills offer a path forward. 

SDG 5 – Gender equality 
Achieving gender equality requires action where inequality is most visible: locally. From safe public spaces to inclusive service delivery, local authorities are transforming values into policy. 

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BENNIS Hamza
In Call, Employment, Impact community Labour, Lab, Press, Projects and Programmes

Call for tenders – Social Dialogue

Call for Tender: Research Expertise on Social Dialogue Systems in Eastern Europe, Southern Islands, and EU Candidate Countries

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), in partnership with the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU), is pleased to announce a call for tender for subcontracting external expertise to conduct research on social dialogue systems and practices within local and regional governments across a wide range of countries in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, Southern European islands, and EU candidate countries.

This call is part of the “LRG-SD Capacity Building” (Project LAB) initiative, co-funded by the European Commission, which aims to address the current underrepresentation and limited engagement of social partners in national and EU-level social dialogue in the local and regional government sector.

The selected contractor will:

  • Produce a desk research report offering a comprehensive overview of social dialogue systems in the target countries.
  • Document and synthesise the findings from three international workshops and three twinning activities.
  • Draft concise and informative reports (2–15 pages) in English, summarising the discussions, conclusions, and best practices exchanged during all project events.
  • Attend and report on project activities (online and in-person), providing valuable insights and comparative analysis.

Target countries include:
Eastern Europe (e.g. Poland, Hungary, Slovenia), Southeastern Europe (e.g. Romania, Bulgaria), EU candidate countries (e.g. Albania, Ukraine, Türkiye), and Southern European islands (Malta and Cyprus).

Expertise Required

Applicants must demonstrate:

  • Strong academic background in EU labour and social policy.
  • Proven experience with trade unions and employer organisations at the local, national, or European level.
  • Ability to work in multilingual and multicultural settings.
  • Skilled in conducting desk research and reporting on multi-stakeholder events.
  • Capacity to manage tight deadlines and coordinate with multiple project partners.
  • Availability for occasional travel to project events.

Budget and Timeline

  • Maximum budget: €28,925 (excluding VAT)
  • Contract duration: From June 2025 (upon appointment)
  • Deadline for submission: 30 May 2025, 12:00 (noon)
  • Submission email: application@ccre-cemr.org
    Please include the subject line: “Application – Project LAB”
Call for tender SD LAB ProjectDownload

For more information, contact:

BENNIS Hamza
In Impact community Labour, Press

Guidelines signed for work safety

TPVH News - 2025

Guidelines to Prevent and Tackle Third-Party Violence and Harassment Related to Work (TPVH)

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), along with 8 European sectoral social partners representing Local and Regional Governments, hospitals and healthcare, education, hotels, restaurants and cafés (hospitality), and Central Governments, have adopted and updated the European Multi-sectoral Guidelines to Prevent and Tackle Third-Party Violence and Harassment Related to Work (TPVH).

CEMR led the employers’ delegation in the six-month round of negotiations held in 2024, which resulted in these guidelines. The European Commission financially supported these negotiations.

The revised draws upon the ILO Violence and Harassment Convention (No.190), existing policies, and collective agreements at the national level to address pressing challenges, considering the increase of third-party violence and harassment at work following the COVID-19 pandemic and a change in the workplace.  

They offer to the trade unions and employers:

  • Key elements for a TPVH policy devised by management and workers’ representatives and trade unions, anchored in social dialogue, occupational safety and health, gender equality and non-discrimination with an intersectional approach.
  • Practical tools and measures for health risk assessments, for example, psychosocial risks and staffing levels, prevention, and responses, such as social dialogue, awareness raising, training and clear reporting and complaint procedures.
  • Definitions and principles on fostering a culture of respect and zero tolerance to violence and harassment, including by learning from previous incidents and cooperating with relevant public authorities.
  • Remedies to support victims and hold perpetrators accountable, including support and transparent investigations.

On behalf of the employers’ delegation, Fabrizio Rossi, our Secretary General, has stated:

“By concluding these updated guidelines, employers reaffirm their commitment to fostering workplaces where safety and respect are at the core, ensuring that both workers and the services delivered to citizens are protected”.

CEMR would like to thank the other signatories, namely its counterparts EPSU, HOSPEEM, HOTREC, EFEE, EUPAE, CESI, ETUCE, and EFFAT, for their collaboration over the past year leading to this adoption.

Read more about the European Multi-sectoral Guidelines to Prevent and Tackle Third-Party Violence and Harassment Related to Work here.

Press Release – TPVH guidelines 2025 (ENG)Download

For more information, contact:

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