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TSKHELISHVILI Bella
In Impact community Society, Local democracy, Press

National Distinction in Moldova

Moldova - News Section

NALAS President receives the highest national distinction – Order of the Republic of Moldova

Tatiana Badan, Mayor of Selemet (Moldova), President of the Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova (CALM) and President of the Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe (NALAS), was awarded with the highest distinction of Moldova, the Order of the Republic, on 15 October 2021.

This distinction was presented by Moldovan President Maia Sandu “as a sign of high appreciation of special merits to the state, for substantial contribution to asserting interests and promoting the image of the Republic of Moldova in the world, for outstanding professional success, for civic initiative and active participation in advancing reforms”. 

This Prize was handed to Ms Badan on the occasion of the 30th anniversary since the proclamation of the independence of the Republic of Moldova. She has over 28 years of experience in local public administration, serves as a mayor for more than 18 years, in 5 mandates

NALAS is a network of associations of local authorities of South East Europe. The Network brings together 14 associations which represent roughly 9000 local authorities, directly elected by more than 80 million citizens of this region. CALM promotes the interests and rights of local authorities in Moldova. It was established in 2010 and is a member of the CEMR since 2013. 

THOMAS Carol
In Local democracy

Future of Europe 

Future of Europe - News 2021

Cities call on Conference on the Future of Europe to promote a more participative, green and inclusive EU democracy

At the event “Cities fostering democracy in the European Union: Urban perspectives for the Conference on the Future of Europe”, co-organised by the European Committee of the Regions, Eurocities and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), local and regional leaders set out their expectations for the Conference on the Future of Europe, and shared their experiences on strengthening local democracy. Examples of innovative participative exercises, green projects, digital services to citizens or integration of communities were discussed. The event led to the adoption of conclusions which will feed the Conference on the future of Europe.

Apostolos Tzitzikostas (EL/EPP), President of the European Committee of the Regions and Governor of the Greek Region of Central Macedonia, said: “When we say “citizen” in English, “citoyen” in French, “cittadino” in Italian, or “πολίτης” in Greek, the root word is always the “city”. Cities and democracy are inseparable. That’s where democracy was born, at the grassroots level. Cities are the closest level to democracy, the place where the best democratic practices stand out and the carriers of democracy. Citizens want to engage, and it is our duty to create the right tools. This is why I strongly believe that cities are true laboratories for enriching, modernising and strengthening democracy. “

Dario Nardella, President of EUROCITIES and Mayor of Florence said: “As new Eurocities research shows, almost all of our cities have established forms of participatory democracy, and many of us are experimenting with innovative practices on a daily basis. As cities, we believe that the Conference on the Future of Europe should lead to the creation of a European Participation strategy. Europe should use the momentum of the Conference to continue the exercise of participatory democracy. It should lead to a new way of working with cities and citizens, bringing Europe closer to people.”

Christoph Schnaudigel, Co-President of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) and President of the County of Karlsruhe, said: ” The local and regional level, the level of government closest to citizens, can be the conduit for ordinary people to speak directly with EU officials. Citizens need better representation towards the EU institutions. This could be done through an EU permanent mechanism for structured dialogue with citizens through regional and local authorities’ representatives.”

The CoR, Eurocities and CEMR agreed a number of conclusions that will feed the Conference on the future of Europe’s digital platform

1. The Conference on the Future of Europe offers an opportunity to promote innovative ways of involving citizens in the functioning of the European Union and developing a European Participation Strategy. Deliberative and participatory practices, such as participative municipal budgeting and the co-management of public spaces, which are used to strengthen our values-based European strengthening democracy, should be further promoted and reflected, including at EU level. We believe an EU permanent mechanism for structured dialogue with citizens through regional and local authorities’ representatives should be established. This mechanism would 1) enable cities to work with citizens on European issues that impact them directly, 2) enable European policy makers to design policies adapted to cities and supported by citizens, 3) allow citizens to be part of a policy process that ultimately affects their daily lives. The following policy issues with a strong urban and territorial relevance and contribution could fall under such a dialogue:

2. Cities of all sizes are at the heart of the green transition, as they are responsible for 70-80% of world emissions. At the same time, local and regional authorities implement 70% of climate mitigation measures and 90% of climate adaptation policies. Cities and municipalities therefore need to be recognised as protagonists of the green transition towards climate neutrality, including through regular exchange of ideas or best practices, stronger involvement in programme design and implementation and EU financial support, including for capacity-building.

3. Cities and municipalities are pioneers in the digital transformation by virtue of developing and implementing innovative and integrated solutions for citizens and communities. An acceleration in the deployment of broadband infrastructure and capacity-building at the local level is needed to overcome the “double digital divide” of unequal access and digital illiteracy. In addition, many online platforms have a considerable impact at the local level – such as urban and regional transport, housing, tourist accommodation and the delivery of public services, which needs to be considered in European approaches to tackling issues.

4. Cities and municipalities are facing and have already overcome many challenges to foster social cohesion, build inclusive societies and promote diversity. European and national strategies for social integration, addressing notably gender equality, demographic change, disabilities and the integration of migrants, therefore need to fully involve cities and municipalities in sharing their experience and suitable policy tools. Ensuring their direct and timely access to EU funding is key to enabling them to fulfil their role as social “integrators”.

5. The New Leipzig Charter, building on the transformative power of cities for the common good, the renewed Urban Agenda for the EU and the Territorial Agenda 2030 should enable cities and municipalities to participate in the design of the relevant European policies and act as a benchmark for the practical implementation of EU policies in all Member States. They must enable EU institutions, Member States, cities and municipalities to connect via a policy platform to support the EU New Green Deal and its roll-out through the different policies anchored at the urban and local level.

TARAN Stanislav
In Bridges of Trust, Bridges of Trust, EU enlargement and Eastern Partnership, Impact community Society, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Press, Projects and Programmes, Projects and programmes, Publications, Twinning, Ukraine reconstruction

Building partnerships with Ukraine

Ukraine partnership - News

Key factors for successful and sustainable partnerships between Ukrainian and EU local governments 

Read full study

Ukrainian municipalities have a long tradition of international cooperation, especially with their counterparts in European Union (EU) member states. Today, this cooperation is more relevant than ever. Municipalities seek to improve local services, modernise administration, attract investment, and promote tourism and culture by learning from and working with EU partners. 

At the same time, establishing meaningful partnerships is not straightforward. Many municipalities, particularly those with limited international experience and resources, face challenges in sustaining long-term cooperation. To respond to this need, the Bridges of Trust initiative was launched to support exchange, promote best practices, and help local governments in Ukraine and the EU build effective partnerships. 

Mapping cooperation 

Ukraine’s decentralisation reform, launched in 2014, created 1,469 consolidated territorial communities, strengthening local governance and budgets. This has enabled municipalities to take greater responsibility for international engagement. Reports by the European Commission and the European Parliament have recognised Ukraine’s decentralisation as a success story, while also stressing the need to safeguard its achievements through constitutional reform. 

Success factors in municipal cooperation 

Drawing on decades of European experience with twinning and decentralised cooperation, several factors emerge as critical to success: 

  • Careful partner selection, ensuring shared interests and commitment. 
  • Clear partnership strategies with defined objectives. 
  • Sustainable planning and dedicated support structures (e.g. steering committees). 
  • Joint financing and access to external funding. 
  • Active involvement of schools, youth, and citizens to broaden visibility. 
  • Political leadership and motivated staff, supported by international departments. 
  • A strong European dimension to reinforce unity and common identity. 

Challenges facing Ukrainian municipalities 

Despite progress, obstacles remain. Studies of cooperation with Polish and other EU municipalities highlight recurring issues: 

  • Partnerships that exist only on paper, with little or no joint activity. 
  • Limited staff capacity, foreign language barriers, and a lack of experience in managing international projects. 
  • Insufficient awareness among citizens of the benefits of cooperation. 
  • Irregular contacts and a lack of strategic alignment between partners. 
  • Funding shortages for travel, exchanges, and project implementation. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has created both challenges and opportunities. While some partnerships stalled due to travel restrictions, others adapted by embracing online platforms. Virtual exchanges, such as U-LEAD’s study visits and the Bridges of Trust online forums, demonstrated how digital tools can sustain and even intensify cooperation. 

Looking ahead 

Above all, motivation and leadership remain the decisive factors. As Ukrainian officials note, training and case studies are valuable, but without committed local leaders and engaged staff, partnerships cannot thrive. Conversely, municipalities with strong motivation but little experience can quickly grow if supported with targeted training, funding, and practical guidance. 

International municipal cooperation is not simply an instrument of solidarity: it is a strategic investment in Ukraine’s recovery, resilience, and European future. By learning from each other, municipalities in Ukraine and the EU can build sustainable partnerships that deliver tangible results for their communities and strengthen the foundations of a common European identity. 

Read the study here 

For more information, contact: 

BORDELOT Federica
In Gender equality

Local Equality

Local Equality - News 2021

Poland: 16 pioneering cities commit to going above and beyond for local equality

Today 16 Polish cities covering over 4 million inhabitants sign the European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life in a collective ceremony in Poznań.

This historic event, organised by the Association of Polish Cities (APC) and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), takes place on a symbolic day for gender equality and human rights, the International Day of the Girl Child, as well as the opening day of the European Fundamental Rights Forum 2021.

It demonstrates the political will and desire of numerous Polish cities to be egalitarian and friendly places for all. This mobilisation also presents a different face of Polish local governments in contrast to the wave of anti-LGBT resolutions that were adopted across Poland in recent years. Although national contexts and political debates be contentious, cities have a large margin of manoeuvre to enact local policies and programmes that are gender-sensitive and inclusive.

The new signatories, which include five of the ten largest cities in Poland, are: Bydgoszcz, Chelmno, Jaslo, Krosno, Lublin, Ostrów Wielkopolski, Plonsk, Poznan, Pruszkow, Puck, Skarzysko-Kamienna, Sopot, Świdnica, Walbrzych, Warsaw and Wolomin
.

Sharing her enthusiasm and support for the initiative, EU Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli declared: “The signing of the Charter is a public engagement, one that involves the embracing of diversity and the ensuring of equal rights and opportunities. Such an act is especially welcome in these challenging times when women and minorities have experienced a heightened impact of the effects of the pandemic.

For his part, CEMR Secretary General, Frédéric Vallier, said: “This signing ceremony marks a profound milestone in strengthening gender equality in Poland. Those leading cities will undoubtedly inspire others, in Poland and elsewhere, to make the same commitment and act locally in favour of a shared European value: Equality.”

Also reacting in a video message, CEMR Spokesperson on Gender Equality, Silvia Baraldi,  highlighted: “As guardians of the Charter, CEMR and its Standing Committee, promise their support and encouragement to those who are motivated to create places where everyone can pursue their ambitions on equal terms, without discrimination”.

The 16 new Polish signatories join up to a European community of nearly 2,000 like-minded local governments in 36 countries who have committed to the principles of the Charter and use it to guide the development of their gender equality policies.

About the Charter:

The European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life is both a political document and a practical instrument. It encourages local and regional governments to make a public commitment to equality and to implement the principles listed in the Charter. The Charter proposes concrete methods by which equality of women and men can be pursued in different fields of competences: political participation, employment, public services, urban planning, etc. It was launched 15 years ago and is currently undergoing a revitalisation process.

charter-equality.eu | twitter.com/CEMR_Equality | #LocalEquality | #UnionOfEquality

THOMAS Carol
In Impact community Society, Local democracy, Press, Twinning

Committee of the regions

European Union - News section

Stefano Bonaccini: “President von der Leyen should stick to her words when she said that local and regional governments will be at the heart of our recovery”

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has a long and fruitful cooperation with the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), which turns 70 this year. Many joint initiatives, consultations and activities have been developed by the CoR and the CEMR so far and many others are already in the pipeline.

Just a few days ahead of the 19th European Week of Regions and Cities, which will take place from 11 to 14 October, we spoke with the President of Emilia-Romagna and CEMR, Stefano Bonaccini, on how local and regional governments take up the new challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, climate disruption and territorial inequalities.

​​​​President Bonaccini, after seven decades of work to empower local and regional authorities in Europe, what would you say are CEMR’s main achievements?

Seventy years is a long time in politics and there is much to choose from. In the early years, CEMR greatly contributed to the European project with the promotion of town twinning. This movement was crucial to reconcile people across the continent in the aftermath of the war. Today it is estimated that there are over 20,000 twinning across Europe.

Protecting local democracy and autonomy was also crucial. CEMR’s advocacy in this area culminated in the 1985 European Charter of Local Self-Government of the Council of Europe . Today, the Charter’s 47 signatories all commit to respecting local democracy and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities is responsible for evaluating the application of the Charter, in each Member State, through a regular monitoring, country-by-country.

Over the years, we have extended our action to an increasingly wide variety of areas, including issues of gender equality, the environment or international cooperation. But in terms of achievements, I would cite two recent examples.

Alongside other networks of local and regional governments, we have successfully influenced negotiations on cohesion policy to ensure that towns, cities and regions must be consulted when designing and delivering EU funds. To bolster our efforts, we joined with other supporters of a strong regional policy to form the #CohesionAlliance, launched by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) in 2018.

CEMR also recently achieved the recognition that national and European associations of local and regional governments no longer need to appear on the EU Transparency Register. Thus, municipalities, regions and their representatives are no longer treated the same as private sector lobbyists, but an integral part of Europe’s democratic governance.

The context has definitely changed over the past decades. What is the raison d’être of CEMR today?

European integration has allowed its member states to enjoy the longest period of peace ever, but nowadays we are fighting other kinds of battles. The pandemic has shown that our lives can easily change within days, but also that local and regional governments play a key role, throughout all types of territories, to respond to citizens’ basic needs and ensure cohesion and safety in our communities in times of crisis.

CEMR reacted quickly, offering its members the space to exchange on how local and regional governments were implementing social and protective measures as the health crisis unfolded. We have closely evaluated the devastating impact of the crisis on local and regional finances and raised the alarm on their reduced capacities to invest in a more sustainable future.

But we still need to fight for their voices to be heard, both at the EU and national levels. In a consultation carried out together with the CoR, we documented the poor level of consultation of municipalities and regions’ representatives in the drafting of the national recovery and resilience plans. We must take a strong stance to affirm their right to be involved. Fortunately, we could count on the support of the European Commission and the European Parliament, to amplify our message. CEMR will continue to monitor the rollout of these plans over the coming months.

Climate remains high on the EU’s legislative agenda (Fit for 55, social fund, etc.): how are cities and regions contributing to advancing the green transition?

The fight against climate change is the other battle we cannot afford to lose! Our territories are subject to more and more floods, as we saw this summer in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. But there were also fires in Greece, France, Turkey and in my own country Italy. Climate change is no longer a challenge for tomorrow but one that affect our lives now.

President von der Leyen’s commitment in the European Green Deal is a clear sign that the EU is pushing to move forward on the green transition. But without effective EU and national support for local and regional governments, this will remain nothing but fine words. And here, the EU must reflect on how to leave no territories behind, including smaller and less connected territories with less human and financial means.

It’s not enough to allocate funds when a catastrophe arrives like the one last summer. We need to work on a preventive facility to help municipalities and regions adapt to climate change and be prepared to face any extreme climate event. These are some issues where CEMR can work and contribute to building the resilience against climate change.

To what extent can the Next Generation EU programme support cities and regions to face such challenge?

Under the spending rules, at least 37% of EU recovery funds should address climate change. In Italy there are plans to integrate more regions into the high-speed rail network and to extend bicycle paths or zero emission bus networks. Citizens are asking for more action on the ground and the recovery plans are a great opportunity to meet their expectations!

Also, the digital transition. Italy’s recovery plan will allocate 25% of the total budget to support the digitalisation of our public administrations or to implement digital public services among many other projects. But we will also aim to transform vulnerable territories into smart and sustainable areas by investing in social housing or by strengthening local social services.

Now that most of plans have been approved, we need to keep an eye on their implementation. We need President von der Leyen to stick to her words when she said that local and regional governments will be at the heart of our recovery.

Local and regional finances were strongly hit during the pandemic, what is the state of play of local finances?

The pandemic has greatly harmed local budgets! While the crisis confirmed the crucial role of local and regional governments, the impact on our finances and capacity to invest in the long term has been devastating.

According to our monitoring of local finances, the “scissor effect” has been confirmed with a sharp drop in revenue and a spike in spending, due notably to the provision of social care, the purchase of protective equipment and support to businesses, the tourism industry, cultural activities and local associations. We have also seen a disparity in the quantity and type support provided by national governments to towns, cities and regions.

We will follow closely the upcoming reform of EU economic governance, advocating for an enabling framework for local and regional investments.

What will be the role of local and regional governments and their associations in the future of Europe?

Today, 77% of Europeans consider that local and regional governments and civil society should be consulted on the use of Next Generation EU funds. This is a clear sign that municipalities and regions must play a role in Europe governance.

Local and regional governments and their associations are the best-placed to create the link between citizens and the EU institutions. That is what this crisis has shown: it is only by working hand-in-hand – Europe, national governments and municipalities and regions – that we can provide solutions for people’s well-being. And I can assure you that we are ready to mobilise citizens around the debates on the future of Europe: CEMR will play its role in this democratic process.

The Conference on the Future of Europe is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to strengthen cooperation with local and regional governments. Let’s seize this chance to put municipalities and regions at the heart of the European project!

THOMAS Carol
In Impact community Society, Local democracy, Press

Future of Europe

EU Enlargement - News

EU Vice-President Věra Jourová: ‘You have an accomplice in the Commission’

The European Union is a work in progress which has constantly changed with the times. In that spirit, the Conference on the Future of Europe is being held as a great occasion for elected leaders, civil society and citizens to debate what shape should take our continent and our Union

CEMR’s fourth annual retreat featured a debate on the future of Europe with the participation of local and regional leaders and high-level national and European officials. There was widespread agreement on the need for municipalities and regions to engage citizens in the debates, as well as to make their own voices heard in the Conference.

Věra Jourová, EU Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency and former Czech minister for regional development, stressed the importance of municipalities and regions in promoting civic engagement. “Local and regional authorities are closest to citizens and are our crucial partners in the pursuit of common European goals and values, most recently also in promoting the Conference on the Future of Europe”, she said.

On the spending of EU cohesion and recovery funds, Jourová encouraged municipalities and regions to “be tough” with their national governments to ensure transparent and simple ways of spending the money. The Czech politician signaled that she is an ally on this issue: “If you need an accomplice in the Commission, I am here!”

Time to share our ‘criticisms and dreams’ for Europe

Clément Beaune, French Secretary of State for European Affairs, stressed that the Conference was unique moment for open debate and for citizens to express their criticisms and dreams for Europe. He argued that local and regional governments have to “make this debate known, encourage it, share it. This is a condition for the Conference’s success.”

Jan Olbrycht, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from Poland, said the EU was reflecting upon itself in the wake of Brexit and the COVID crisis. He argued for decentralisation in general as a way of strengthening the EU. “The Committee of the Regions and multi-level governance should absolute be reinforced”, Olbrycht said. “If they don’t reinforce decentralisation in Europe, the centralisation in each of the Member States will work against a stronger EU.”

A make-or-break moment for Europe

For Eva Maydell, an MEP from Bulgaria and the president of the European Movement International (EMI), are at a make-or-break moment for Europe. “The Conference on the Future of Europe will either be a catalyst for deep changes or it will be a moment of steep decline in trust and legitimacy of the European Union.”

To ensure success, Maydell stressed the need for strong communications campaigns to promote civic participation in the Conference, also at local and regional level. She argued that instead of general debates that could be too vague, there should be topical ones on issues of strong interest to citizens, such as healthcare, agriculture and edcation. She urged local governments to “take the pulse” of citizens and participate in the process of translating this feedback into political proposals.

These interventions were followed by exchanges with the mayors Oss (Netherlands), Cumpăna (Romania), Soria (Spain) and Mlade Buky (Czech Republic) and Thessaloniki (Greece), sharing their ideas on how to best include local and regional governments in the recovery and the conference.

THOMAS Carol
In Impact community Society, Local democracy, Press

EWRC

Global - News Section

European Week of Regions and Cities: join us at these events

It’s the highlight of the year for Europe’s local and regional governments: the European Week of Regions and Cities (EWRC).

From 11 to 14 October, thousands of local leaders, experts and citizens will join with their peers around the continent to debate, connect, learn and show the impact of European municipalities and regions today. This year, the events are focused on the green transition, cohesion, digital transition and citizens’ engagement.

CEMR will play an active role in many sessions. Here’s where we will be present either as organisers or participants:

Small and medium sized cities and scaling up the digital transformation
Monday 11 October 2021 | Registration

The New European Bauhaus and its relevance for citizens – Shaping a more beautiful future in Europe (CEMR event)
Tuesday 12 October | Registration

National Urban Policies: drivers for the implementation of the New Leipzig Charter
Tuesday 12 October | Registration

Cohesion for recovery in the Mediterranean: local authorities boosting territorial resilience (organised by the Province of Barcelona, DIBA)
Tuesday 12 October | Registration

Localising the SDGs – A roadmap for recovery (CEMR event)
Wednesday 13 October | Registration

What does it take to mainstream citizen engagement and deliberative democracy in public institutions?
Wednesday 13 October | Registration

How to engage with Europe digitally: lesson learned and opportunities to seize
Wednesday 13 October | Registration

The Covenant Community: a trailblazer for the green transition (CEMR event)
Wednesday 13 October | Registration

Rural connections: green and digital innovation to unlock the potential of rural and remote areas (CEMR event)
Wednesday 14 October | Registration

Green transition in cities as an example of Europe’s legacy from WUF11 in Poland
Thursday 14 October | Registration

Delivering the EU Green Deal Through Circular Procurement
Thursday 14 October | Registration

Navigating the EU maze to finance recovery: 2021-27 funding for the ecological transition
Friday, 15 October | Registration

So sign up today! And be sure to join the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #EURegionsWeek.

THOMAS Carol
In Impact community Society, Local democracy, Press

State of the Union 

Ursula von der Leyen - News

President von der Leyen: time for municipalities and regions to be fully engaged in Europe’s recovery

This article was originally published in Agence Europe.

With the launch of the colossal NextGenEU recovery plan, the European Union hopes to accelerate the digital and green transitions. But these will only be achieved together with the players working on the ground: local and regional governments. It is high time that municipalities and regions be fully involved in the implementation and monitoring of the national recovery plans, a measure which would guarantee their success.

These last two years have shown just how vulnerable our societies are, as well as the need to face together these planetary threats: the pandemic, climate change, natural catastrophes and the risks of weakening democracy and respect for human rights.
As representatives of local and regional governments of all sizes, we could only be struck at the degree to which the territorial level has became the leading reference point for action in these times of crisis. Cities and regions have not only provided essential services while limiting the risk of further disruptions in social care, waste management, sanitation, mobility and healthcare, they have also led the way towards the return to ordinary life, with the holding of cultural events, the welcoming of tourists, the maintenance of quality public services and ensuring safe conditions for public workers.

While the crisis has confirmed the crucial role of local and regional governments, the impact on territorial finances has often been devastating. According to our monitoring of local finances, the “scissor effect” has been confirmed with a sharp drop in revenue and a spike in spending, due notably to the provision of social care, the purchase of protective equipment and support to businesses and local associations. In Germany alone, counties and municipalities are taking on such new responsibilities while facing a budget shortfall of over €10 billion.

In this crisis, the European Union quickly stepped up to the plate with an ambitious €800 billion Next Generation EU recovery programme. Now that most the national recovery and resilience plans have been approved by Brussels and support is being to trickle down, we have to think about the medium-term perspective.

How can we ensure that EU support is used wisely and effectively? For us there is no doubt: by fully involving municipalities and regions in the implementation and monitoring of the recovery plans. Local and regional governments, as the public authorities closest to the citizens, have both the know-how, knowledge and trust necessary to make the most of the recovery funds.

Unlike what was requested by the European Commission, most national governments failed to adequately involve municipalities and regions in the definition of investment priorities and the drafting of these national recovery plans.

Since then, we have obtained the requirement that national governments must report on the way municipalities and regions are involved in drafting the plans – but this does not go far enough. Assessment of local and regional involvement must be a priority in the Commission’s mid-term review of the recovery plans in 2022.

Tailor recovery spending to the needs of rural areas

The European countryside is a treasure trove of our continent’s geographical, cultural and agricultural heritage, as well as touristic assets. However, while rural areas represent 80% of the EU’s land area, many face declining populationsand the crisis risks deepening territorial disparities. According to the Commission’s public consultation on rural areas, 56% of inhabitants of rural areas felt “left behind”.

The recovery plans are an opportunity to revitalise the countryside and small and medium size cities, with targeted investments. For example, digitalisation, and in particular the rise of teleworking, can drive the renewal of many rural areas. But getting the right investments means the full participation of the municipalities and regions in question so that the plans actually reflect their needs and those of their people.  Indeed, 79% of Europeans say that there should be consideration of the specific needs of rural areas in the allocation of public spending.

Citizens believe in the role of local government in the green transition

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s European Green Deal, and in particular the recent legislative proposals on climate, energy efficiency and renewable energy, are clear signs that the EU is pushing to move forward on the green transition. But no effective results will be achieved without territories on the ground. From Nantes to Constanța and from Andalucía to Lapland, our municipalities, counties and regions are ready and willing to undertake the great environmental and digital transitions this century calls for, if they are properly empowered. 

At least 37% of investment and reform spending under national recovery plans are meant to address climate change. Here too the local dimension is apparent, with municipalities and regions having a decisive role in policies such as mobility and energy efficiency. According to a Eurobarometer survey, 43% of citizens believe that local and regional governments are the right level of action for tackling climate change.

Many top EU officials, including President von der Leyen, have recognised that cities and regions must be involved in the recovery. Now is the time to translate words into actions: the European Commission must make sure local and regional governments are taken on board! This would guarantee that the EU’s recovery programme, one of the most remarkable innovations in the history of European integration, is a resounding success.

Frédéric Vallier, Secretary General of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR)

THOMAS Carol
In Call, Impact community Society, Local democracy, Press

Call for contractor 

Call for Proposals - News 2023

Mission: research and draft a study on local finances in Europe

CEMR is looking for a contractor to research and draft a study on local finances in Europe since 2010, including the impact of COVID-19 and the development of green local finances. The work will take place between the end of October 2021 and April 2022.

Interested bidders should submit their bids by Sunday 17 October 2021 at the latest. For more information on the mission and how to apply, please consult the Terms of Reference and the publication’s Concept Note.

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: 

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