CEMR is calling for proposals for external services to design and produce a publication on our study “Women in Politics”.
For more information, you can access our Terms of Reference here.
Director – Policy & Impact
Since its launch, CEMR has monitored the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) to assess the experiences of local and regional governments in navigating this crucial funding instrument aimed at revitalizing the EU’s economy post-COVID-19. In collaboration with the Committee of the Regions (CoR), CEMR conducted a targeted consultation in 2021, engaging with associations of local and regional governments. The objective was to examine the involvement of these bodies in both the design and execution phases of the RRF. Initial findings revealed a very limited engagement of local and regional governments in the process.
This year, CoR and CEMR conducted a follow-up consultation to assess any changes in the situation. Despite the RRF being halfway through its implementation, local and regional governments express continued frustration at being sidelined from National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRPs). The results of the CoR-CEMR survey confirm a trend of highly centralised management of the RRF by Member States.
On April 16, CEMR hosted a high-level panel debate featuring representatives from EU institutions, where the key findings of the consultation were unveiled. The results of the CoR-CEMR consultation can be accessed here.
Senior Adviser, Governance, Gender Equality, Local Democracy
Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz) for the Federal Republic of Germany, the German Association of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (RGRE) is set to host the 5th National Conference on the Implementation of the European Charter for Equality.
Initiated by CEMR in 2006, the Charter aims to empower European municipalities in their efforts to promote gender parity within their communities. It has received endorsements from over 2,000 municipalities spanning 36 European countries, with Germany contributing more than 60 signatures alone.
The two-day Conference, organised on the 25th and 26th of April, under the theme “Women – Truly equal?”, delves into the evolution of gender equality in Germany, addressing contemporary challenges amidst resurgent anti-feminist sentiments in Europe.
The conference will examine Germany’s progress and explore the broader European landscape of gender equality policies within EU institutions, focusing on gender equality-related amendments in 1994 to current anti-feminist challenges throughout Europe.
Director – Policy & Impact
A new CoR-CEMR consultation shows that the territorial allocation of funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility is widely perceived as unbalanced on the ground.
On the eve of a crucial meeting of European heads of state and government focused on competitiveness, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) unveil the results of their third joint survey on the implementation of the post-pandemic Recovery and Resilience Facility (RFF), which is worth €648 billion.
While the implementation of the RRF is at the halfway point, regions and cities still feel left aside from National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRPs). A new consultation conducted jointly by CoR and CCRE-CEMR confirms the highly centralised management of the RRF by the Member States.
Key findings
Christophe Rouillon (FR/PES), Mayor of Coulaines and CoR’s rapporteur on the Mid-term evaluation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility said: “The results of the joint consultation underscore that the RRF is not the silver bullet it was claimed to be. The RRF was the appropriate response in a multi-crises context and will probably have had a positive macroeconomic impact. However, the centralisation it brought about as well as the deficiencies of the performance-based mechanism cannot be extrapolated to the future Cohesion Policy post-2027 if we do not want to put at risk that this policy remains the most efficient EU policy for delivering fair transitions throughout all EU regions.“
Kamila Bláhová, Vice-president for European Affairs, Union of Towns and Municipalities of SMOCR (CZ), stated: “The RRF and the national recovery plans of the Czech Republic have a huge potential to support the efforts of local and regional governments aimed at revitalizing the local economy and green infrastructure investments at the local level. However, the issue of administrative capacity and poor synergies between the RRF and other EU funds present significant challenges. It’s crucial to optimize how subnational governments can maximise the use of this substantial funding source and that we address any shortcomings as the RRF moves forward.”
Background
The consultation was conducted between January and March 2024, collating the views and experiences of 36 organisations representative of a variety of subnational government levels across 22 EU Member States. The respondents were from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden. The geographical composition of the respondents was not identical to that of previous consultations. Responses received from individual local and regional governments were also taken into account.
Results of the previous CoR-CEMR joint consultations (January 2021 and April 2022).
Contacts:
Matteo Miglietta – CoR
Tel. (+32) 470 895382
Matteo.miglietta@cor.europa.eu
Senior Adviser, Governance, Gender Equality, Local Democracy
A new CoR-CEMR consultation shows that the territorial allocation of funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility is widely perceived as unbalanced on the ground.
The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is pleased to announce an upcoming in-person panel debate titled “Pathways to Resilience: Local and Regional Perspectives on the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF)”, scheduled for 16th April, from 9:30 AM to 12:15 PM. The event will be held at CEMR’s Secretariat in Square de Meeûs, Brussels.
In light of the upcoming Committee of the Regions Plenary on 17th and 18th April in Brussels, CEMR extends a warm welcome to elected members to register for the event.
The debate will allow to go beyond the narrative of the RRF’s milestones and targets and assess the impact of the programme at the local and regional levels. Lessons learned will be shared during the panel, as we discuss its potential to shape future EU investment programmes, particularly future Cohesion Policy initiatives.
Distinguished speakers confirmed for the event include:
CEMR anticipates robust participation in this high-level event and encourages stakeholders to contribute actively.
Senior Adviser, Governance, Gender Equality, Local Democracy
CEMR is excited to announce the launch of a call for project proposals to enhance Twinning activities among its member associations.
This initiative, part of the REALISE project funded by the European Commission, seeks to promote collaboration, share best practices, and address challenges faced by local and regional governments across Europe.
Read more and fill out the forms below:
Project Lead in Twinning & Partnership
Christoph Schnaudigel, the Co-President of the German Association of Counties and CEMR (RGRE), Vice-President of the German Section of CEMR (RGRE), and President of the County of Karlsruhe, presents a compelling call to action for the upcoming tenth direct elections to the European Parliament scheduled for June 6 to 9, 2024. Highlighting the crucial role of Europe’s municipalities, Dr. Schnaudigel emphasises the need for collaboration between local authorities and European institutions to effectively address the complex challenges facing the European Union. Touching upon issues such as Russia’s aggression, energy and migration crises, and municipal finances, Dr. Schnaudigel l underscores the significance of local governments in implementing and influencing European policies. Dr. Schnaudigel also calls for a more streamlined and less burdensome regulatory environment, ensuring that European legislation aligns with the needs and capacities of local and regional authorities. Additionally, the editorial addresses the importance of a meaningful regional policy, highlighting the necessity for funds to be allocated based on local needs and emphasising the partnership principle.
A call to action: Europe only together with the municipalities
The tenth direct elections to the European Parliament, which will take place from June 6 to 9, 2024, will also be of great importance for Europe’s municipalities. The European Union (EU) and the world continue to face profound challenges to which national governments alone cannot respond adequately. The effects of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the energy and migration crises and the pressure on municipal finances are coming up against far-reaching economic and social transformations such as the Green Deal and digitalization.
In order to proactively address these challenges, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) adopted a “Call for Action” at its General Assembly in Prague in December 2023. This formulates demands for a successful municipal European policy, addressed to European institutions, candidates and new members of the European Parliament.
As the most comprehensive European association of local and regional authorities, CEMR has been bringing together one million democratically elected European politicians from 60 member associations in 40 countries since 1951. Its mission is to build a united, peaceful and democratic Europe, based on local self-government, the principle of subsidiarity and the appropriate participation of citizens.
More participation in European decision-making processes: Better regulation for and with local authorities
Local authorities are important public economic, societal and political actors, they are responsible for the development and maintenance of local infrastructure, healthcare, waste disposal and local public transport. In doing so, they directly apply the European regulations on public procurement and state aid law.
However, local authorities are not only responsible for providing important public services. They and their representative associations also build a bridge between Europe and its citizens. On the one hand, they help the inhabitants of counties, cities and municipalities to understand the importance of the EU for their daily lives, and on the other hand, they communicate and convey local interests and needs to the EU and other international decision-makers.
As a result of their responsibilities, local authorities are confronted with a large number of EU initiatives. This currently applies in particular to the European Green Deal. Climate, energy and the environment are areas in which the European legislator has been very active in recent years and still is. However, the successful implementation of a climate-neutral future depends to a large extent on the municipal level, which is closest to the citizens. Local authorities are already implementing around 70% of European legislation. Land use planning for renewable energy, the implementation of mandatory renovation rates for public buildings and the restoration of local ecosystems are just a few current examples of this.
For this reason alone, districts, cities and municipalities must be involved in the decision-making process at the European level in good time. Local know-how and experience are indispensable for the European legislative process. The model of governance in partnership in Europe, which has already found expression in cohesion policy, is an important instrument for achieving inclusive results that at least attempt to take local needs into account appropriately.
The next European Parliament and the Commission should therefore commit to a political agenda that fundamentally incorporates local conditions on the ground into their decisions. This includes, above all, strengthening the partnership principle in cohesion policy, as well as a strict review of the subsidiarity and proportionality of new directives and regulations concerning local and regional interests.
It must be taken into account that the local level is already confronted with an almost unmanageable level of overregulation and complexity of standards. This is further exacerbated by the existing shortage of staff and the poor financial resources of local authorities in many places. With a view to future new EU regulations, we must therefore refrain from greater regulation and an excessive density of rules. It will be essential to concentrate European legislation on major issues relevant to the internal market for which European regulations also offer genuine added value. In addition, existing European regulations must be simplified and streamlined and bureaucratic hurdles removed.
A European regional policy that generates real added value on the ground!
For a meaningful and generally recognised regional policy of the EU, it is also necessary that the funds are used according to need. This in turn presupposes that the municipalities, as the level closest to the citizens, are appropriately involved in the decisions on the funding objectives and measures following the so-called partnership principle. This principle already exists but is sometimes interpreted by the administrative authorities of the federal states in such a way that local authorities are only informed about decisions and are not involved in them. For this reason, the CEMR is committed to expanding and specifying the requirements of the principle.
The participation of local authorities of all types and sizes also brings benefits to the European level by making the diversity of the local level visible and highlighting existing strengths and needs. It enables the development of location-based strategies that are better suited to the concerns of the respective local authorities. Centralist approaches based on the motto “one size fits all” must be a thing of the past.
As CEMR, we therefore also demand that European decision-makers adhere to the principle of “do no harm to cohesion” when drafting new and existing legislation. This principle essentially states that European regulations must not adversely affect socio-economic development in areas, as otherwise the effect of the funding will be lost. For example, local authorities should not be obliged to carry out extensive renovations to existing buildings without being provided with the necessary funds.
Furthermore, we encourage the next European Commission to appoint a dedicated Commissioner for Territorial Development with a clear mandate to drive forward the EU’s strategic and long-term cohesion policy. Such a bundling of competencies could, in particular, help to create guidelines that can be implemented in both large cities and rural areas. The sometimes-incoherent support for urban and rural areas must be better coordinated with each other and with the local challenges. We call on the new MEPs to set up an intergroup on public services of general interest that focuses its work on improving local and regional public services.
Systemic approaches and innovative tools for better local cooperation
However, our vision goes beyond the current political debate; it also includes systemic approaches and innovative tools to promote fair, inclusive and sustainable local societies. The European Parliament must support the promotion of digital skills in local administrations. The EU framework must be developed in line with user-centred public services to improve their quality and accessibility for our citizens.
In an increasingly interconnected world, an open and responsible model of international cooperation is indispensable. More than ever, international developments have a concrete impact on the way we live together at the local level. European decision-makers must continue to support decentralized cooperation as a proven tool to promote inclusive international cooperation and democracy.
Municipal partnerships and twinning agreements also play an important role in this context. They promote shared values and contribute to openness and a better understanding between the citizens of Europe. Financing instruments for partnership work should continue to be made available to municipalities on a decentralized basis.
In summary, the 2024 European elections provide an important opportunity for the German Association of Counties and CEMR to advocate for a Europe that listens to its local voices. The implementation of our “Call to Action” can empower the European Parliament and the next European Commission to create a basis for a responsive and citizen-centred European Union that serves all citizens. With our common messages and recommendations, we want to shape Europe together.
Senior Adviser, Governance, Gender Equality, Local Democracy
The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is gearing up for the upcoming European Parliament (EP) elections in 2024 by releasing its Call to Action, addressing the unprecedented challenges faced by Europe and the world.
In a time when national governments grapple with complex issues, such as climate change, the revision of its competition model and geopolitical shifts, CEMR and its national associations underscore their unwavering commitment to fundamental values such as democratic governance, human rights, subsidiarity, and sustainability. CEMR emphasises the critical role of local and regional autonomy in the face of re-centralisation trends and attempts to diminish power at the local level.
Fabrizio Rossi, Secretary General of CEMR, highlighted the significance of this Manifesto, stating, “Now, more than ever, it is imperative that local and regional governments actively participate in shaping policies that address the pressing challenges of our time. The upcoming EP elections provide a crucial opportunity for collaboration and co-creation with the new Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).”
CEMR EU Manifesto Four Key Advocacy Points
1. Active Subsidiarity and Multi-level Governance Cooperation:
Subnational governments are responsible for over 50% of public investment, and the involvement of LRGs in implementing EU legislation at the national level is at least 70%. CEMR emphasises the need for greater participation of LRGs at any level of decision-making to ensure the effective deployment of EU legislation, especially concerning the Green Deal package.
2. Systemic Approaches for Equitable, Inclusive, and Sustainable Societies:
LRGs are key enablers of the digital transition and, therefore, need sufficient public and private investment in digital services technologies, infrastructures, and skills to achieve this goal. CEMR urges the next European Parliament to be bold in promoting an enabling environment that supports the digital literacy of local public administrations.
3. Integrated Territorial Approach:
Urban and rural areas should be treated as mutually complementary assets, creating a reinforcing relationship that defines the concept of the urban-rural continuum. To accomplish this synergy, the upcoming EU co-legislators should advocate for appointing a dedicated Commissioner for Territorial Development within the next European Commission, scheduled to assume office in autumn 2024.
4. Open and Responsible Model of International Cooperation:
LRGs have attested to their commitment to fostering shared values and promoting openness within diverse communities through European partnerships, twinning arrangements, and city-to-city cooperation. This dedication extends to the context of EU enlargement. To amplify the impact of LRGs’ territorial diplomacy, it is imperative for EU policymakers to establish ongoing dialogues and involve local elected representatives in high-level meetings, including those convened by the United Nations and European institutions.
As the clock ticks down to the EP elections, CEMR encourages political parties to incorporate these priorities into their programs and candidate lists. CEMR believes that only through collaborative efforts with Europe’s future policymakers can meaningful outcomes be achieved on the ground.
For more information, contact:
Director – Policy & Impact
The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has released the first infographics showcasing critical insights from their latest report, “Women in Politics.”
The data offer a visual snapshot of the representation of women in elected roles across various subnational levels. Additionally, a detailed breakdown of their portfolios at the local level is provided. The second page of the infographics unveils the results of an anonymous CEMR survey involving 2 424 participants from 31 countries. Focused on elected women in local and regional European roles, the survey explores their experiences of violence in the political realm.
Annelies Coessens CEMR Gender and Diversity Officer states the importance of the report findings: “This evidence-based data will contribute valuable insights to discussions and be an important instrument to advocate for improved policies that can foster safer and a more inclusive political environment for women”.
Director – Policy & Impact
Town twinning has long been recognised as a bridge between communities, fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding. Since 1951, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has championed this practice, helping municipalities and regions across Europe build partnerships that transcend borders.
A new CEMR survey, with 315 responses from 27 European countries, reveals how twinning is adapting to today’s challenges. While cultural exchanges remain important, local and regional governments increasingly view twinning as a tool for practical cooperation, from joint projects and workshops to exchanges of best practices. Nearly 80% of respondents expressed their intent to further develop twinning activities, with national associations showing particularly high engagement.
At the same time, the study identifies three persistent barriers: limited financial resources, shortages of staff, and gaps in knowledge or experience. Respondents highlighted the need for more structured support to help municipalities realise their ambitions.
Looking to the future, municipalities and associations are especially interested in using twinning to:
CEMR concludes that twinning remains a relevant and powerful practice, but unlocking its full potential requires a multifaceted approach: more funding, better information on financing opportunities, and dedicated training programmes to empower municipal staff.
With its long-standing commitment to twinning, CEMR is uniquely placed to drive this renewed agenda, helping towns and regions use partnerships not only to connect communities, but also to advance shared European priorities, from innovation to the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
For more information, contact:
Project Lead in Twinning & Partnership
