Impact community Society 208

Four years into Agenda 2030, it is clearer than ever that a global shift requires local action. But how are local and regional governments, and their associations, paving the way towards sustainable development? Find out more in the new study carried out by the Council of European and Municipalities (CEMR) and PLATFORMA.

This study entitled “How local & regional government associations bring the SDGs to life” highlights how towns and regions are bringing international ambitions to territorial realities.

The 10 recommendations of this study are there to take towns and regions one step closer to better localise the SDGs. The study also shows that no less than 73% of the European countries surveyed are now developing local indicators to assess the implementation of the SDGs.

Towns and regions are “tailoring, mainstreaming and living” the SDGs

“One year on, local and regional government associations have not just been implementing policies in service of the goals, they are tailoring, mainstreaming and living them. Local and regional government associations are increasingly being recognised as the torchbearers in embracing the 2030 Agenda,” said Frédéric Vallier, Secretary General of CEMR, lead partner of PLATFORMA.

“The clock is ticking – we only have around ten years left before we hit 2030. We need all hands on deck! Until then, we should be proud of what Europe’s cities and regions have already achieved,” added Stefano Bonaccini, President of CEMR, AICCRE & Emilia Romagna Region (Italy).

This new study is based on a joint survey conducted by CEMR, PLATFORMA and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) sent out to national associations of local and regional governments. It is a follow up of the 2018 study entitled “Sustainable Development Goals – How Europe’s towns and regions are taking the lead”.

More about #LocalizingSDGs

Local and regional governments represented in New York

European local and regional leaders from a CEMR-PLATFORMA delegation are calling to accelerate climate action and the localisation of UN Global Goals at the UN General Assembly.

> Read more

Engaging citizens in Global Sustainable Development

PLATFORMA is presenting the 4th edition of the European Days of Local Solidarity (EDLS) at the Europeaid InfoPoint Lunchtime Conference “Cities & regions: engaging citizens in Global Sustainable Development” on Wednesday 25 September 2019, 12:30-14:00.

> Read more & register

CEMR Congress on SDGs

Ten years ahead of the SDGs global deadline, CEMR invites you to its congress on SDGs in Innsbruck, from 6 to 8 May 2020. One of a kind, the congress will bring together the whole SDG family in one place: mayors, local and regional leaders, national governments, etc.

> Read the interview with the Mayor of Innsbruck, Georg Willi.

Note to the editor:

25 September is the Global Day to act for SDGs: it marks the 4th anniversary of the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by Heads of State and Government. But even though the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were launched by the United Nations, the targeted beneficiaries are citizens and its primary implementers are local and regional governments.

For more information, contact:

TONHAUSER Boris

Director – PLATFORMA

BANOS DE GUISASOLA Eva In Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Latest, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Publications

Global goals into local action

How local and regional government associations turn global goals into local action

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Goals are often seen as a global framework, but their success depends on local action. Nearly two-thirds of the SDGs must be implemented at the local level, making municipalities, regions, and their associations crucial actors in bringing this agenda to life.

Local and regional government associations (LRGAs) act as bridges between citizens and higher levels of governance. They support awareness-raising, provide technical expertise, and advocate on behalf of local governments at the national, European, and international levels. Their proximity to communities allows them to translate abstract global objectives into tangible improvements in daily life, from better public services and climate action plans to gender equality policies and local economic development.

Since the first CEMR-PLATFORMA study in 2018, the role of associations in localising the SDGs has grown significantly. Many are now actively involved in monitoring, reporting, and international advocacy, including through contributions to the UN’s High-Level Political Forum. Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) and decentralised cooperation projects have become powerful tools to highlight progress, inspire others, and ensure that local voices are heard on the global stage.

At the same time, challenges remain. Municipalities and their associations still struggle with limited resources, lack of data, and uneven awareness across regions. In particular, gaps persist between Northern/Western Europe, where SDG implementation is more advanced, and Central/Eastern Europe, where awareness and uptake are still developing. To make the 2030 Agenda truly transformative, multi-level collaboration and inclusive partnerships are essential.

Despite these hurdles, LRGAs continue to push boundaries. By fostering cooperation between cities and regions, they strengthen international solidarity, enhance capacity-building, and adapt services to better reflect sustainability goals. They are not only localising the SDGs but also giving them credibility and momentum in Europe and beyond.

In short, associations of towns and regions are proving that the SDGs are more than a global vision: they are a practical tool for creating sustainable, inclusive communities, driven by partnerships and citizen engagement.

Check the infographic here

For more information, contact:

BANOS DE GUISASOLA Eva

Senior Advisor – Global Agendas, SDGs & Climate

BORDELOT Federica In Gender equality, Gender equality, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Latest, Migration and inclusion, Migration and inclusion, Publications

Women in politics – first edition

CEMR study reveals persistent underrepresentation of women in politics and calls for stronger action at local and European levels

Gender equality is a cornerstone of democracy, yet women remain significantly underrepresented in politics across Europe. According to CEMR’s study Women in Politics: Local and European Trends, women account for only 34.1% of political decision-makers, despite representing half of the population.

At the local level, the situation is particularly concerning: only 15.4% of mayors are women, while women councillors make up just under 30% of local councils. Although there has been gradual progress over the last decade, the pace is slow, and parity remains a distant goal.

The report highlights important regional variations. Nordic countries lead the way, thanks to decades of policies fostering a genuine culture of equality. In Central and Eastern Europe, positive trends are visible, especially in the Balkans, where reforms and EU accession processes have strengthened gender mainstreaming. Yet, in much of Europe, women still face structural, cultural, and financial barriers to political participation.

CEMR stresses that achieving gender equality requires more than political rhetoric. Quotas and legal measures have proven effective in boosting women’s representation, but they must be accompanied by mentoring, training, and dedicated funding to empower women candidates and dismantle persistent stereotypes.

As the level of government closest to citizens, municipalities and regions are pivotal in fostering inclusive leadership. Local office often serves as the first step towards regional, national, or even European roles. Supporting women at this level is therefore essential for building stronger, more representative democracies.

CEMR, through its European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life and the Equality Observatory, continues to mobilise local and regional governments, promote good practices, and push for equality to remain at the heart of the EU’s political agenda.

The study’s message is clear: while progress has been made, gender parity in politics is far from achieved. Europe must act now, through quotas, support structures, and political will, to ensure that women and men share power equally at every level of governance.

Check the infographics

For more information, contact:

Director – Policy & Impact

BORDELOT Federica In EU budget, EU budget, Governance, Governance, Latest, Local democracy, Local democracy, Publications

Europe’s democratic future

The 2019 European elections highlight progress in participation, diversity, and gender balance, but also the need for stronger local involvement in shaping EU policies

Read full position paper

The European elections of May 2019 marked a turning point for democracy in the European Union. With more than 400 million citizens called to vote, turnout reached 51%, the highest since 1979, signalling renewed interest in EU politics. Yet, the debate within the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) underlined that more must be done to sustain citizen engagement and strengthen local governments’ role in shaping European policies.

The new European Parliament is more diverse than ever, reflecting a broader range of political views. This diversity will influence the Union’s legislative agenda and policy outcomes. Progress has also been made on gender equality, with women now making up 40% of Members of the European Parliament, up from 36% in the previous mandate.

Still, challenges remain. Increasing citizens’ interest in Europe requires targeted outreach, particularly towards young people, through communication channels they use and trust. Local and regional governments are key to bridging the gap between European institutions and citizens’ daily lives. Strengthening their role in the EU’s decision-making process is essential for the effective preparation, financing, and implementation of policies.

Looking ahead, the new Parliament is expected to continue work on the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) and embed the Sustainable Development Goals into EU legislation. A gender-balanced approach in filling top positions within both the Parliament and the European Commission is also vital to ensuring fair and inclusive representation.

The 2019 elections opened a new chapter for the European Union. Higher participation, improved gender balance, and a more diverse Parliament are encouraging signs, but further efforts are needed to build trust, foster inclusion, and give local governments a stronger voice. By working together, the EU and its citizens can ensure that Europe’s democratic future is both representative and resilient.

For more information, contact:

Director – Policy & Impact

THOMAS Carol In Governance, Governance, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Latest, Local democracy, Local democracy, Publications

Achieve “active subsidiarity”

Improving EU policymaking through stronger dialogue with Europe’s local and regional governments

Read full position paper

With the European Union facing increasingly complex challenges, from demographic shifts to digitalisation and climate resilience, ensuring that policies are designed and delivered as close to citizens as possible is more relevant than ever. In this context, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has released a position paper advocating for a more structured, inclusive, and effective approach to subsidiarity and proportionality in EU decision-making.

The paper responds to the European Commission’s 2018 Communication on subsidiarity and proportionality, which calls for a stronger application of these core principles in the legislative process. CEMR welcomes this shift and provides five concrete proposals to embed local and regional governments more deeply into the EU policy cycle.

Towards active subsidiarity: five key proposals

CEMR argues that local and regional governments (LRGs) are not merely stakeholders but essential partners in the design, implementation and evaluation of EU legislation. To improve policy outcomes, the position paper puts forward five central proposals:

Structured Dialogue: Introduce formal mechanisms to ensure that local and regional governments and their associations are regularly consulted at all stages of policy development, mirroring the success of the Social Dialogue model.

Effective Engagement: Tailor consultation tools to better capture the input of LRGs and provide feedback on how their responses are considered, moving beyond one-size-fits-all approaches.

Weighted Input: Recognise the democratic legitimacy of local authorities by assigning greater weight to their input in EU consultations and encourage deliberative dialogue through local stakeholder meetings.

Use of Local Data: Draw on the unique evidence and experience of LRGs earlier in the legislative cycle, especially through inception impact assessments and a reformed REFIT platform.

Access to Policymaking: Develop systems allowing LRGs to help shape legislation from the ground up and promote models of multilevel governance like those trialled through the Urban Agenda for the EU.

A call for genuine partnership

CEMR highlights that better regulation and stronger subsidiarity are not only technical improvements but democratic imperatives. By embedding multilevel governance and recognising the expertise of towns, cities and regions, the EU can build policies that are more effective, more efficient, and more trusted by citizens.

This paper adds to CEMR’s broader push for a European governance model based on real partnership with local and regional governments. With the next European Commission mandate on the horizon, the time is ripe to make “active subsidiarity” a reality.

For more information, contact:

THOMAS Carol

Senior Adviser, Governance, Gender Equality, Local Democracy

BORDELOT Federica In About CEMR, About CEMR, Governance, Governance, Latest, Local democracy, Local democracy, Publications

National associations in Europe

Discover how national associations unite and represent Europe’s 100,000 towns and regions

Europe is home to approximately 100,000 municipalities, provinces and regions, each embedded in its national political system yet also interconnected across borders. But who represents them? Who ensures their voices are heard by national and European institutions?

To answer these questions, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has published a new study delving into the vital but often overlooked world of national associations of local and regional governments.

Since its creation in 1951, CEMR has championed local democracy, subsidiarity and citizen participation. At the heart of this mission are its member associations, 60 in total from 41 European countries, who work every day to represent the interests of towns and regions.

Based on a survey conducted among 58 member associations, the publication sheds light on the structure, function and political weight of these associations, also known as LRGAs (Local and Regional Government Associations).

Organised into five chapters, the report explores:

Who they represent – the types and numbers of municipalities and regions linked to each association.

How they are structured – their legal status, governance, staffing and membership models (voluntary or mandatory).

What they do – including advocacy with national authorities, knowledge sharing, training for elected officials, and support for policy implementation.

Their legislative influence – assessing how and when they are consulted in national law-making.

Their European and international role – detailing their involvement in CEMR, the EU institutions and global agendas such as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The second part of the study offers a country-by-country overview of all member associations, providing a practical “identity card” for each organisation.

This study offers a rare and valuable insight into the backbone of local democracy in Europe: the national associations that bring together municipalities and regions, giving them a common voice. Though often under-recognised, these associations play a vital role in shaping effective governance, ensuring policies are informed by local realities and that decisions taken at higher levels reflect citizens’ everyday needs.

Strengthening the structure, recognition and influence of these associations is more than a technical issue, it’s a democratic imperative. From local services to national reforms and European cooperation, their contribution is essential for building resilient, inclusive and well-governed communities across the continent.

For more information, contact:

Director – Policy & Impact

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

The future of public services

Simpler EU rules needed to empower local service delivery

Read full position paper

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

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

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

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

CEMR highlights the need to:

Respect subsidiarity and local self-government;

Simplify procurement and state aid procedures;

Allow local authorities to support their economies through ‘buy local’ criteria;

Improve legal clarity for public-public cooperation;

Reform litigation-heavy procurement processes.

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

For more information, contact:

BENNIS Hamza

Officer – Employment, Digitalisation and Public Services

BORDELOT Federica In Governance, Governance, Latest, Local democracy, Local democracy, Publications

European elections manifesto of 2019

Stronger EU policies require the full involvement of local and regional governments to ensure democracy, sustainability, and citizen engagement

Read full manifesto

The 2019 European Parliament elections took place at a decisive moment for the Union, marked by global challenges, climate imperatives, and demands for greater transparency. Local and regional leaders stressed that Europe’s future depends on building closer ties between EU institutions and citizens, while ensuring that local governments are recognised as central actors in European governance.

Local Governments at the Heart of Europe
Europe’s 130,000 municipalities and regions are indispensable to democracy and public life. They provide services, drive innovation, and implement EU policies on the ground. To meet citizens’ expectations, the EU must adopt governance models that fully recognise the role of local authorities in decision-making, as outlined in Article 4 of the Treaty on the European Union.

Key Priorities for the Future
The challenges Europe faces, climate change, sustainable growth, social inclusion, and democratic participation, require a strong partnership across all levels of government. Local and regional leaders have called for:

Strengthened cohesion policy as a central EU priority to reduce inequalities and foster sustainable development.
Citizen-centred democracy, including local dialogues between communities and EU institutions and greater transparency in decision-making.
Education for Europe, such as promoting the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in schools and ensuring every pupil has the chance to visit EU institutions.
Climate and global commitments, with local governments mobilising to achieve the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Inclusive governance, with clearer recognition of the representative role of local associations and easier cooperation across borders, including with UK local governments post-Brexit.

A stronger European Union can only be built in partnership with its cities, municipalities, and regions. By embedding local governments into EU governance, supporting their projects, and fostering open dialogue with citizens, Europe can remain democratic, resilient, and united in the face of today’s challenges.

For more information, contact:

Director – Policy & Impact

Towns leading global change

How Europe’s towns and regions are turning global sustainability goals into everyday reality

Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, it has become increasingly clear that towns and regions are at the forefront of making the global goals a reality. Local and regional governments are responsible for many of the services that directly affect citizens’ lives, education, housing, transport, waste management, and health. Their actions, often taken without reference to international frameworks, already contribute to creating more sustainable communities.

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) and PLATFORMA highlight the central role of local governments not just as service providers but also as policy shapers, awareness raisers, and partnership builders. By engaging citizens and other stakeholders, municipalities are uniquely placed to embed sustainability principles in everyday governance.

To support and strengthen this work, four clear recommendations emerge:

Increase participation – raise awareness among citizens and encourage greater involvement in sustainability initiatives.

Ensure coherence – integrate local governments into national strategies to avoid fragmented approaches.

Build capacity – provide technical tools and knowledge so municipalities can implement goals effectively.

Support partnerships – back international cooperation and exchange between towns and regions to reinforce solidarity.

Progress is visible, but challenges remain: insufficient resources, difficulties in collecting local data, and the need for stronger national frameworks. Despite these obstacles, municipalities are proving to be powerful drivers of sustainable change. From inclusive policies to decentralised cooperation, they are demonstrating that building a sustainable future must begin at the local level.

The global goals are not about imposing new tasks on towns and regions, but about offering a common framework and shared language. Europe’s municipalities are showing that sustainability is not abstract: it is local, practical, and essential for the well-being of communities today and tomorrow.

For more information, contact:

BANOS DE GUISASOLA Eva

Senior Advisor – Global Agendas, SDGs & Climate

TONHAUSER Boris In Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Latest, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Publications

How Europe is taking the lead on SDGs

Just out: New study on how to assess the UN Global Goals on the ground