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GRIFFON Axelle
In Climate, Environment, Impact community Climate, Latest

Joint letter on Climate Resilience

Letter on Climate resilience

Joint letter to President von der Leyen on Climate Resilience

600 words
3–4 minutes
Read the letter here

After a series of natural disasters this summer, CEMR joins 30+ organisations call on the front line of floods, droughts, wildfires, mate disasters.  

Two days ahead of the State of the European Union address, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has joined more than 30 organisations representing local and regional governments, sustainable farmers, water providers, healthcare providers and financial service providers in an open letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The letter urges her to make nature-based solutions the first line of defence against climate disasters, and to embed this ambition in the upcoming European Framework for Climate Resilience. 

A summer that exposed Europe’s vulnerability 

The letter follows a summer that broke heat records and once again exposed how unprepared Europe is for the climate it already faces. Western Europe recorded its hottest June–July period since records began, with severe wildfires sweeping across the continent. At least 35,000 excess deaths have been linked to this summer’s back-to-back heatwaves, a figure that does not even include August, meaning the true toll is likely higher still. 

For local and regional governments, who are on the front line of responding to floods, droughts, wildfires and heatwaves, these are not abstract statistics. They translate directly into strained emergency services, damaged infrastructure, and communities left exposed. 

Restoring nature to restore resilience 

The signatories point to a common root cause behind Europe’s intensifying climate risks: the degradation of landscapes, soils and water systems. Wetlands, floodplains, peatlands, healthy soils, coastal ecosystems and forests naturally store water, recharge aquifers, regulate temperatures and buffer extreme events. Yet, these systems have been steadily lost or degraded across the continent, leaving communities exposed to increasingly volatile cycles of flooding, drought and heat. 

The letter calls the Commission to: 

  • Make the systemic integration of nature-based solutions a key priority in the legislative part of the European Framework for Climate Resilience;  
  • Provide legal incentives and financing mechanisms so that Member States manage landscapes and water systems to prioritise resilience, including national targets for natural water retention delivered through locally driven approaches that reflect territorial needs and capacities. 

This last point matters greatly for CEMR’s members: it recognises that effective climate adaptation must be designed and delivered at the local and regional level, where the knowledge of territorial needs and the capacity to act actually sit. 

A moment for action 

“Europe’s recent summers have shown that climate resilience can no longer be treated as a problem for the future. The Commission has acknowledged the vital role that nature-based solutions play in protecting communities and ecosystems from climate disasters. With the interservice consultation on the European Framework for Climate Resilience expected to begin before the end of September, now is the moment to ensure that this recognition is translated into the legislation itself,” said Claire Baffert, Senior EU Policy Officer, Water & Climate Change Adaptation at WWF EU, speaking on behalf of the 30+ signatories. 

President von der Leyen has herself acknowledged the stakes: in her State of the Union speech last year, she warned that climate change is making summers hotter, harsher and more dangerous, and that Europe must radically step up its efforts on resilience, adaptation and nature-based solutions. In July, she confirmed in writing to MEPs that nature-based solutions play an essential role in adapting to heatwaves, droughts, and floods. 

CEMR and its co-signatories are now calling on the Commission to turn that recognition into law and to give local and regional governments the tools, incentives and financing they need to lead the way. 

For more information, contact:

Leonie Kuhlmann
In Housing, Impact community Cohesion, Latest, Territorial development

Reaction: EU Affordable Housing Act 

EU Affordable Housing Act

Local flexibility must remain at the heart of EU Housing

1,128 words
5–7 minutes

The European Commission has shared its proposal for an Affordable Housing Act, introducing a common EU framework for assessing and justifying housing-related measures at the local level. The proposal aims to provide greater legal certainty for public authorities while explicitly recognising that housing policy remains primarily a national, regional and local competence.  

The legislative proposal is accompanied by a Recommendation on Housing Affordability and Supply in Areas under Housing Stress, introducing the concept of affordable housing areas and proposing measures to address housing stress. 

CEMR welcomes the publications as important milestones in the growing recognition of housing as a European challenge that requires action at all levels of governance. Local and regional governments are on the frontline of addressing housing affordability and availability, and CEMR has consistently advocated for a framework that strengthens their ability to act while respecting territorial diversity.  

However, despite CEMR repetitive efforts indicating the importance of flexibility and strengthened capacity for local and regional governments, the Commission’s main solution to address housing affordability is a standardised definition for housing stress at EU level.  

While CEMR positively takes note of repeated recognition of regional and local competences in the proposal, the reliance on “competent authorities” under Article 4 in the Housing Act raises concerns for local and regional governments. That is because, according to this terminology, it is left to the discretionary interpretation of each Member State. The use of the terminology continues throughout the Recommendation, suggesting significant decision-making power and responsibility at the level of a “competent authority”.  

A common definition of housing stress 

Throughout its advocacy, CEMR has pushed to keep the Affordable Housing Act flexible enough to reflect Europe’s varied housing realities. In its recommendations to the Commission, CEMR argued for a place-based approach that preserves local assessment mechanisms rather than imposing a single, uniform definition of housing stress. 

Yet despite leaving room for “competent authorities” to decide what action is necessary, Article 6 in the Act still sets out a common EU methodology for determining when an area qualifies as being under housing stress. 

Under the proposed rules, an area can only be classified as experiencing housing stress if three conditions are met: the price-to-income ratio stands at 8 or higher, that ratio has risen over the past decade, and the pressure shows no sign of easing over the next three years. 

CEMR has repeatedly pointed out that this fairly narrow lens risks missing the bigger picture. Housing stress takes many forms across Europe and can’t always be reduced to a single affordability indicator. Pressures may come from tourism, supply shortages, demographic shifts, land constraints, planning and permitting bottlenecks, infrastructure gaps, or a simple shortfall in affordable and social housing. 

This nuance does appear in the proposal’s explanatory sections, in the Recommendation, and in comments made at the press conference. But it largely fades from view in the operative provisions themselves, where housing stress is defined almost exclusively through price and income indicators.  

What’s more, experience suggests local authorities often have legitimate public-interest reasons to act that go beyond affordability alone: environmental nuisance, for instance and the proposal makes no room for these.

Ellen van Selm (CEMR spokesperson on Housing and Mayor of Purmerend (The Netherlands)):

’We are pleased to see the efforts of the EC to support solving the housing crisis. However, we encourage the Commission to create a more beneficial framework for local and regional authorities. By introducing a rigid definition of housing stress, increasing burdens to deliver proof while data is not always available, and focusing repeatedly on short-term rentals, the Affordable Housing Act limits the place-based and innovative solutions that local and regional governments need. In practice, this makes it more difficult for towns, cities and regions to act proactively when housing pressures emerge.’’ 

A range of measures available to authorities 

The proposal largely reflects what CEMR has been asking for: giving local and regional governments the flexibility to deploy different interventions depending on local circumstances. Under the conditions set out in the Regulation, “competent authorities” would be able to restrict short-term rentals in non-primary residences and regulate the acquisition or use of land and residential property for purposes other than primary living. The proposal also allows for territorial targeting and differentiated approaches. 

Still, CEMR has consistently stressed that local authorities need to be able to act before housing pressures spiral out of control and, on this front, concerns remain. Article 9 requires authorities to prove that an activity has had an adverse effect on housing affordability or availability for at least three years before any restrictive measures can be introduced. For many local governments, this could place an additional burden on authorities and delay action to address housing pressures early enough.  

On streamlining, the Recommendation proposes creating Housing Acceleration Areas, to be identified by the “competent authority.” These zones would benefit from a unified permitting timeframe and, where relevant, tacit approval. But CEMR warns this approach doesn’t adequately account for local realities, which are shaped by complex legislative frameworks and need to be assessed case by case.  

The legislative proposal also seeks to clarify how housing measures interact with existing Internal Market legislation, including the Services Directive, with the aim of giving public authorities greater legal certainty and reducing the risk of litigation. Even so, CEMR warns that the Affordable Housing Act could end up doing the opposite for municipalities, adding extra difficulty and legal uncertainty around the burden of proof required across the different frameworks. 

Looking ahead 

The Affordable Housing Act represents a significant step in building a clearer EU framework for housing-related measures and includes several elements long advocated by local and regional governments. The Commission Recommendation indicates recognition of the importance of subsidiarity and rightfully promotes a holistic understanding of the challenges that are faced at the local level.  

However, important questions remain regarding the proposed definition of housing stress, the allocated responsibility to ‘competent authority’, the practical feasibility of making the right assessments, and the reduced flexibility for authorities to address broader forms of housing pressure that are not fully reflected in affordability indicators alone.  

Beyond the Affordable Housing Act and its action on securing the legality of local and regional housing policies, CEMR highlights that addressing the housing crisis will also require massive investments capacities. In this respect, discussions on the future of the Multiannual Financial Framework and Cohesion Policy should reflect the political attention given to housing and enable adequate support for local action to address the housing crisis. 

CEMR will continue to engage with the European institutions throughout the legislative process to ensure that the final legislation provides local and regional governments with the flexibility, legal certainty and practical tools needed to respond effectively to Europe’s diverse housing challenges.

For more information, contact:

Meritxell PARRAMON VILA
In Call, Latest

Call for proposals – Graphic Designer

Call for Proposals BoT - News 2023

Call for proposals: Design and develop a visual identity and branding concept for the CEMR Congress

216 words
1–2 minutes
Read the call

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is seeking a graphic designer to develop the visual identity and branding of the CEMR Congress 2027, taking place in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, from 9 to 11 June 2027.

Working closely with CEMR’s Communications Team, the selected designer will create the Congress branding and visual concept, ensuring a consistent look and feel across all communication materials, digital assets and event spaces.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for a designer, studio or agency with proven experience in event branding and visual communication. The assignment includes the development of the Congress visual identity, brand guidelines, promotional materials, digital assets, stage branding, signage, accreditation materials and other event-related designs.

The selected contractor will also liaise with local suppliers and production companies to ensure the successful delivery of all branded materials.

How to apply

Interested applicants should submit:

  • A portfolio of relevant work;
  • A financial proposal (excluding VAT);
  • References from previous clients;
  • Legal and tax registration documents.

Applications must be sent in a single PDF to communications@ccre-cemr.org by 20 September 2026, 23:59 CEST.

Budget

The maximum budget available for this assignment is €12,000 (excluding VAT).

For full details, please consult the call for proposals document.

For more information, contact:

GAUDRON Marine
In Housing, Housing, Impact community Cohesion, Latest

Europe’s housing agenda must start locally  

Cities, towns and regions call for investment, smart simplification and local autonomy as Europe steps up its response to the housing crisis

791 words
3–5 minutes

Europe’s housing initiatives will only succeed if they reflect the realities faced by cities, towns, and regions. This was the central message from the latest meeting on 3 September of the CEMR Housing Task Force, which brought together participants from 12 national associations of local and regional governments, alongside representatives of the Irish government and the European Commission. 

During the meeting, CEMR Task Force members exchanged experiences from across Europe and discussed two major initiatives expected to shape the EU housing agenda: the forthcoming Affordable Housing Act and the Housing Simplification Package. The discussion enabled CEMR members to provide early feedback directly to EU policymakers and help prepare CEMR’s contribution to the European Commission’s ongoing call for evidence on housing simplification.

Housing: high on the European agenda 

The meeting opened with an exchange on the housing priorities of the Irish Presidency of the EU. Ireland plans to build on the political momentum generated by previous presidencies, with housing supply, affordability and homelessness among the priorities under discussion. Participants also heard about plans for stronger European cooperation, including a pan-European housing investment platform and the recently established European Housing Alliance, which aims to promote networking and the exchange of good practices. 

CEMR members stressed that local and regional governments must have a meaningful place in this emerging European architecture, including in ministerial discussions and stakeholder events. They also expressed strong interest in financial solutions capable of supporting long-term public and affordable housing investment, such as revolving funds.

Simplify delivery is not deregulation 

The European Commission’s forthcoming Housing Simplification Package, expected in the second quarter of 2027, offers an opportunity to remove unnecessary costs, delays, and inconsistencies affecting housing delivery. EU rules on procurement, State aid, environmental assessment, energy performance, taxation, and construction standards can all influence what local and regional governments are able to deliver. 

CEMR Task Force members nevertheless cautioned that simplification must not become deregulation. Environmental protection, building quality, and citizen participation remain essential. The objective should be to resolve conflicts and duplication between policies while preserving their public interest goals. 

Above all, participants called for respect for municipal autonomy over zoning, local taxation, permitting, and development plans. Definitions of affordability, housing stress, and priority groups must reflect local conditions rather than rely exclusively on uniform indicators or datasets that may not capture realities on the ground. 

Direct dialogue on the Affordable Housing Act 

In an exchange with Matthew Baldwin, Deputy Director-General at the European Commission and Head of its Housing Task Force, members discussed how the forthcoming Affordable Housing Act could provide greater legal clarity for public authorities in areas experiencing severe housing pressure. Members welcomed efforts to reduce legal uncertainty but stressed that Member States must allow the competent local and regional authorities to play a decisive role in assessing housing pressure and choosing the appropriate response. 

Short-term rentals are not the sole cause of Europe’s housing crisis. Nevertheless, in some territories, the combined effects of tourism, vacant homes, and insufficient supply can intensify local pressures. Cities need clear and workable legal tools to act where necessary, without new administrative burdens or EU interference in local decisions.

Different housing markets, shared barriers 

The meeting also featured a national roundtable, which showed the diversity of housing markets and challenges across Europe. Members reported ambitious construction targets, rising development costs, high mortgage rates, shortages of public funding, and difficulties financing renovation in lower-value areas. Severe pressure on municipal budgets is also limiting the ability of local governments to build and maintain public and social housing. 

Despite these differences, common priorities emerged: stable and accessible finance, stronger construction capacity, support for renovation, and policy frameworks that allow local authorities to respond to their own housing markets. 

Participants also highlighted the social dimensions of the crisis. Housing policies should better address homelessness and the needs of people at particular risk, including women experiencing domestic violence. Tackling skills shortages in construction, while opening the sector to a more diverse workforce, was identified as another important area for future work.

Turning local expertise into European influence 

The meeting’s conclusions will feed directly into CEMR’s response to the European Commission’s call for evidence on the Housing Simplification Package. By bringing together evidence from its members and maintaining a direct dialogue with the European Commission and Council presidencies, CEMR is ensuring that local and regional experience informs European decisions from their earliest stages. 

As the EU develops its housing agenda, CEMR will continue to advocate for a simple principle: local and regional governments must be trusted, financed, and fully involved if Europe wants to turn housing ambitions into affordable, sustainable, and inclusive homes. 

For more information, contact:

Anna Goclawska
In EU Covenant of Mayors, EU Covenant of Mayors, Latest

European Week of Regions and Cities 2026 

CEMR agenda for the European Week of Regions and Cities 

The European Week of Regions and Cities 2026 will take place from 12 to 14 October 2026. 

Organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy and the European Committee of the Regions, the European Week of Regions and Cities is the biggest annual Brussels-based event during which cities and regions showcase their capacity to create growth and jobs, implement European Union Cohesion policy, and prove the importance of the local and regional level for good European governance. 

If you are a CEMR member and plan to be in Brussels this week, please let us know by completing this form so we can contact you regarding visibility opportunities. 

CEMR events taking place during the European Week of Regions and Cities (outside the official programme) 

CEMR will organise, co-organise, or take part in several events during the Week, taking advantage of the presence of numerous local leaders in Brussels. 

Strengthening the territorial dimension in the future EU Cohesion Policy 

  • Date and time: 12 October 2026, 17:00 – 20:30 CET  
  • Venue: CEMR, Square de Meeûs 1, Brussels 
  • Organisers: CEMR and the German Association for Housing, Urban and Spatial Development (DV), with the financial support of the German Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building 

This high-level Brussels event will bring together EU, national and local leaders to discuss the future of Cohesion Policy and its territorial dimension. It will focus on upcoming decisions on the EU budget and investment framework, while promoting balanced, place-based development across urban and rural areas and strengthening cooperation between key European stakeholders. 

Making the freedom to stay a reality: The role of services of general interest in strengthening territorial cohesion

  • Date and time: 14 October 2026, 16:00  – 17:30 CET 
  • Venue: Square Brussels, Studio 214+216

This policy debate will explore how people can be supported to live and work in the places they call home. Speakers from different levels will share experiences and practical solutions to address regional gaps and improve access to services. Participants will be invited to exchange views and identify ways to strengthen support for local communities through European funding and cooperation. The panel will be moderated by Valeria Ronzitti, the Secretary General of SGI Europe, CEMR’s partner organisation.

Cohesion Alliance event 

  • Date and time: 14 October 2026, 16:30 CET 
  • Venue: TBC, Brussels  

This high-level evening event in Brussels will create a timely political space to take stock of where Cohesion Policy is heading, and what is at stake for the territorial dimension in the next programming period. The event will deliberately connect that overarching debate with one of the most consequential upcoming decisions: the shaping of the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the emerging architecture of National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs), where the priorities, governance, and delivery tools for future EU investment will be negotiated. 

Bridges of Trust Annual Gathering 

  • Date and time: 14 October 2026, 13:30 – 17:30 CET 
  • Venue: CEMR, Square de Meeûs 1, Brussels 

The fourth edition of the Bridges of Trust Annual Gathering will bring together partners from Local and Regional Government Associations, networks, partner organisations and EU institutions to exchange experiences, strengthen cooperation, and shape joint initiatives on international municipal cooperation between European and Ukrainian towns, cities and regions. 

Bridges of Trust Award Ceremony

  • Date and time: 14 October 2026, 18:00 – 22:30 CET 
  • Venue: Les Ateliers des Tanneurs, Rue des Tanneurs 60A, Brussels
  • By invitation only

The Bridges of Trust Partnerships Award Ceremony will recognise five leading EU–Ukraine municipal partnerships as “Bridges of Trust Ambassadors” to celebrate their contribution to recovery, resilience, and EU integration at the local level. 

EU Covenant of Mayors Ceremony 

  • Date and time: 15 October 2026, 9:00 – 15:30 CET 
  • Venue: Charlemagne Building, Rue de la Loi 170, Brussels 
  • Organiser: Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy Europe 

From high-level political dialogue to practical workshops and peer exchanges, the Ceremony will bring together hundreds of local and regional leaders from across Europe alongside high-level representatives of the European Commission and other key stakeholders to discuss how local action is central to achieving European objectives.  

CEMR Green Day 

  • Date and time: 15 – 16 October 2026 
  • Venue: CEMR, Square de Meeûs 1, Brussels 
  • Registration here

Day 1 – From climate ambition to green competitiveness, what does the evolving EU agenda mean for local and regional governments?  

Thursday 15 October | 16:00-17:45 CEST | Open event – In person at CEMR office 

Panel discussion with CEMR spokespersons and external speakers, audience exchange and short “Territorial Spotlights” from members showcasing concrete local and regional practices of connecting competitiveness to territorial green policies, including climate adaptation, energy, circular economy, decarbonisation and clean mobility.  

Day 2 – Defining CEMR green priorities for 2027 

Friday 16 October | 10:00–13:00 CEST | CEMR members only meeting – In person at CEMR office & online  

The second day will focus on CEMR’s internal work and priorities for the year ahead. Spokespersons and Expert Group Chairs will provide brief updates on key policy developments, ongoing CEMR activities, and expected priorities for 2027.  

Are you organising an event during the European Week of Regions and Cities 2026? 

CEMR members and partner associations are invited to share details of their own events taking place during the Week by completing this form, so we can help promote them and coordinate the wider CEMR agenda for the Week. 

For more information, contact:

ALIJA Makfire
In About CEMR, Latest, PLATFORMA, Projects and Programmes

Job vacancy – Policy Adviser, PLATFORMA

CEMR Conferences

PLATFORMA is looking for a Policy Adviser

328 words
1–2 minutes
Read the full job description

PLATFORMA is looking for a Policy Adviser to join its Brussels-based team.

About the role

As a Policy Adviser you will be responsible for monitoring of policy and legislative developments in the field of EU external action (financing instrument NDICI – Global Europe and its programming and implementation, including the EU Global Gateway strategy, territorial approach to local development, EU-AU / EU-CELAC relations, aid effectiveness, innovative financing) and advocacy towards EU institutions to include the role of and the opportunities for local and regional governments. You will also be responsible for monitoring project partners’ activities. You will report directly to the Director of PLATFORMA.

Profile

Candidates should have:

  • A master’s degree in international relations, political science, development studies or a related field.
  • At least four years of experience in policy, advocacy and project management related to development cooperation.
  • A solid understanding of the role as well as the functioning of local and regional governments in the field of international cooperation.
  • Fluent (written and oral skills) in English and another official EU language; a working knowledge of French is an asset.
  • An outstanding knowledge of the European Union policy-making and decision-making processes.
  • Availability to travel, if necessary, in Europe and/or internationally

Our offer

For this position, we offer an initial short-term contract, starting as soon as possible and ending on 31 December 2026, with a possibility to extend based on performance and funding available.

A competitive salary package (54k – 75k gross per year, depending on experience and background), including the 13th month of salary, legal and extra-legal holidays, a teleworking policy and teleworking allowance, holiday allowance (as per Belgian legal framework), lunch vouchers, eco-vouchers, medical insurance, and coverage of public transport.  

How to apply

Interested candidates should send a CV and cover letter by 2 September 2026, at midnight, to:

application@ccre-cemr.org
Subject line: “Policy Adviser, PLATFORMA”

Read more here

CEMR is an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and inclusion.

For more information, contact:

BORDELOT Federica
In EU budget, Impact community Cohesion, Latest

EU budget campaign – Slovenia

Nova Gorica - Slovenia

The advocacy work of our national associations: the case of Slovenia

359 words
2–3 minutes

As negotiations on the next EU long-term budget move forward at both European and national level, CEMR is calling for a stronger role for local and regional governments in shaping EU investments and priorities.

In a recent video message, Samo Turel, Mayor of Nova Gorica and President of the Association of Urban Municipalities of Slovenia, says that the current proposal does not fully reflect the needs and realities of cities. Speaking from Nova Gorica, a border city that has experienced firsthand how European cooperation and EU funds shape local development, he highlights, in particular, that a weaker cohesion policy could widen development gaps between regions rather than closing them, pulling Europe away from its shared goals.

The Association of Urban Municipalities of Slovenia has been active both nationally and at European level, engaging directly with national ministries, the European Commission and Slovenian Members of the European Parliament to argue that involving the local level in policymaking leads to better outcomes for citizens.

Watch the video

Our views on the current EU budget proposal

CEMR calls for stronger guarantees for multilevel governance and partnership, greater flexibility for local governments to respond to crises, and a budget that reflects today’s challenges: from climate adaptation and housing to digital services and territorial cohesion.

The message behind the campaign is simple: when local and regional governments are involved from the start, Europe delivers better results for citizens.

For months, CEMR has been calling for:

  • A strong role for local and regional governments in EU programmes and funds
  • Clear guarantees for multilevel governance and partnership
  • Greater flexibility so local governments can respond quickly to crises
  • A budget that matches today’s real challenges, from climate adaptation to housing, digital services and territorial cohesion

CEMR’s EU budget campaign centres on one simple truth: When local and regional governments are involved from the start, Europe delivers better results for its citizens.

This is how democracy works — through cooperation, partnership and decisions made close to the people they affect.

Join us in defending that principle.

Learn more about the CEMR EU budget campaign

For more information, contact:

SKAZLIC Ivana
In Governance, Governance, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, International cooperation, International cooperation, Latest, Mindcraft, Mindcraft, Projects and programmes, Projects and Programmes, Publications

EU Delegations study

Mindcraft study on EU Delegations 2026

EU Delegations engagement with local and regional governments: what will it take to make that cooperation more systematic?

441 words
2–3 minutes
Read the study

“The Work of EU Delegations with Local and Regional Governments” is a new Mindcraft publication, following on from the report published by PLATFORMA in 2021. Since 2021, the EU’s external action framework has undergone significant change. Under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) Global Europe and the Global Gateway strategy, EU international cooperation has moved towards a more geographic, investment-driven approach, with growing emphasis on the localisation of development cooperation.

This new study examines to what extent and how EU Delegations (EUDs) engage with Local and Regional Governments (LRGs) and their associations (LRGAs) in the partner countries. It is based on a 2025 survey of 40 EUDs worldwide and, interviews with five of them in Chad, Guatemala, Madagascar, Nepal and Zambia, as well as additional exchanges with EU Member States development cooperation agencies.

 Key findings:

  1. Enabling environment is key for LRG engagement. 62.5% of surveyed EUDs assessed the decentralisation in the partner country as favourable, and 57.5% support decentralisation efforts. Examples across partner countries show that support to local governance and public finance management helps LRGs engage in territorial development and EU-funded initiatives, though access to finance and the preparation of bankable projects remain persistent challenges.
  2. LRG engagement in EU international cooperation remains uneven and rather limited. 57.5% of surveyed EUDs stated they engage with LRGs and LRGAs under the NDICI-Global Europe, while 20% stated they engage with them under the Global Gateway strategy. EUDs point to the lack of a right framework for structured cooperation as an obstacle. 69.2% consider that a specific budget line for LRGs would help.
  3. LRG engagement can be valuable in fragile contexts. Among EUDs working in fragile settings, 76.4% consider that engaging with LRG would facilitate their work.
  4. Decentralised cooperation remains generally underused.  Illustrative examples of partnerships between European and partner-country LRGs, along with cooperation through LRGAs and their international cooperation structures, show real potential to strengthen local governance and support the localisation of EU initiatives but require greater visibility and emphasis.
  5. There is an ongoing need to strengthen EUDs capacities to work with LRGs. Only 30% of surveyed EUDs reported having received specialised training or support for engaging with LRGs, which were assessed useful for understanding territorial approaches to local development.

These findings come at a timely moment, as negotiations on the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, including its proposed Global Europe Instrument, are underway. CEMR-PLATFORMA calls for a clear engagement framework, dedicated funding mechanisms for LRGs, and stronger support for decentralised cooperation as a route to shared development goals.

Read the full publication, available in:

For more information, contact:

Anna Goclawska
In AI, Digitalisation, Impact community Labour, Latest, Skills

Episode Call Simone: cities and digitalisation

Episode Call Simone cities and digitalisation

How do cities shape Europe’s digital future?

713 words
3–5 minutes
Listen to the episode

Who should Europe call to understand its digital future? How local governments are shaping Europe’s digital transformation

A European Commissioner, a tech company, a national government or the people delivering public services on the ground? That is the question at the heart of the latest Call Simone episode, which brings together two very different voices: Katrin Rajamäe-Soosaar, digital transformation expert at the Association of Estonian Cities and Municipalities, and Federico Menna, CEO of 28Digital.

Estonia’s digital success starts with the basics

Estonia is often described as Europe’s digital pioneer, but Katrin is quick to note that this reputation rests less on flashy technology than on decades of investment in shared infrastructure and a national digital identity used by citizens for over twenty years. Today, residents can complete most administrative procedures online, from anywhere.

That success is not confined to big cities like Tallinn. Estonia also has villages and islands of only a few hundred people, all expected to deliver the same digital services. The answer has been to build shared, reusable platforms with national authorities rather than asking each municipality to build its own.

A transition that can widen the gap

Despite this reputation, digital transformation in Estonia remains uneven. Some municipalities offer full self-service portals; others still rely on email or paper. As expectations grow around cybersecurity, data management and AI-readiness, Katrin warns that smaller administrations risk falling further behind; turning digitalisation into a source of new inequality rather than a solution to it.

Trust, e-voting and the limits of AI

Estonians’ comfort with digital public services, including secure, widely trusted electronic voting, shows what sustained investment in identity systems and user-friendly design can achieve over time. Traditional channels haven’t disappeared either: citizens who prefer face-to-face contact can still visit their municipal office.

Most current use is generative AI supporting everyday administrative work, with more advanced applications; such as detecting unauthorised construction from satellite imagery, still emerging. Her message is clear: AI should support decision-making, not replace it. Accountability and human oversight remain essential.

A stronger voice for local government

A recurring theme is the distance between European policymaking and local implementation. Local and regional governments are usually the ones putting EU digital rules into practice, yet they rarely help shape them upstream; a disconnect Katrin believes needs correcting if regulation is to work on the ground.

From Tallinn to Cluj-Napoca

The episode’s second guest is Federico Menna, CEO of 28Digital, who has led the organisation through a strategic transformation aimed at positioning it as Europe’s leading platform for digital entrepreneurship, talent and innovation. His work centres on strengthening Europe’s digital sovereignty and building bridges between startups, corporates, scale-ups, researchers and students across the continent.

Asked who he would call to talk about Europe’s digital future, Federico’s answer echoes Katrin’s: not a capital, but a city, specifically, the mayor of Cluj-Napoca.

For Federico, digital transformation doesn’t happen only in capitals or in the largest member states, and Cluj is proof of that. Having recently opened an office there, he describes a city that has used technology in an ethical and inclusive way to build a genuine tech ecosystem, complete with a strong presence of European institutions and, crucially, a good quality of life for its residents.

It is a combination he believes could be replicated across Europe, and one that reinforces the episode’s broader theme: that mayors, not just national governments, are central to shaping where Europe’s digital transformation goes next.

Looking ahead

Asked who Europe should call in ten years, Katrin’s answer is a city; one where digital skills are no longer confined to specialist teams but shared across every public service. Her hope, echoed throughout the episode, is for closer cooperation between local and regional governments across Europe, and for digital transformation decisions to be guided by democratic values rather than business interests alone.

Europe’s digital future, this episode suggests, won’t be decided solely in Brussels or in national capitals. It will be shaped, city by city, by the people turning policy into public service.

And as Europe navigates the opportunities and risks of digital transformation, finding the right balance between innovation, regulation and democracy may prove to be the most important challenge of all.

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Anna Goclawska
In About CEMR, Latest, Local Insights

Voices of our 75-year history: Stefano Bonaccini

75 years - Bonaccini

Interview with Stefano Bonaccini – “A united Europe cannot exist without its diverse territorial sensitivities”

549 words
2–3 minutes
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Stefano Bonaccini served as the President of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) from 2016 to 2022, leading the organisation through two consecutive three-year terms. With an extensive background in Italian regional governance, having served for 10 years as the President of the Emilia-Romagna region and six years as the President of all Italian regions, Bonaccini brought a deep understanding of local administration to the European stage. Today, as a Member of the European Parliament, he welcomes us to discuss his experience, the role of local governments in Europe, and the challenges ahead.

In this interview, Bonaccini looks back on the challenges and rewards of leading a continent-wide network such as CEMR. He shares his views on the importance of cohesion policy in the ongoing discussions on the EU budget and reflects on what lies ahead for both CEMR and the wider local and regional government movement within the EU project.

Building consensus across a diverse membership

Asked about his fondest memory from his six years as CEMR President, Bonaccini does not point to a particular event. Instead, he highlights what he sees as one of the organisation’s greatest achievements: bringing together local and regional governments from across Europe around a shared agenda.

Representing members from countries with different political traditions, cultures and priorities is no easy task. During Bonaccini’s presidency, CEMR brought together local and regional leaders from both EU and non-EU countries, often with very different perspectives on key issues.

Despite long debates, Bonaccini proudly recalls that nearly all major decisions and objectives were voted on and passed almost entirely with unanimity. For him, this ability to find common ground is one of CEMR’s defining strengths and a key reason why the organisation has remained an influential voice for local and regional government in Europe throughout its 75-year history.

Standing firm on the relevance of local governance in EU discussions

Drawing from his experience as CEMR President, Bonaccini stresses the importance of organisations such as CEMR in shaping European debates.

In his view, decisions taken at the EU level cannot be effective unless they take account of the realities faced by towns, cities and regions on the ground. This is particularly true for the ongoing discussions on the next EU budget, where he clearly states that “we cannot exclude cohesion policy” because “that would mean excluding regions and municipalities from the planning of European funds”. “When planned and discussed together with the territories, these policies can provide citizens with opportunities”, he concludes.

A vision for an expanded, fairer, and more cohesive continent

Looking toward the next decade, Bonaccini outlines a clear, ambitious path for the future of CEMR. His hope is to see the family of European territories, cities, and regions expand even further, welcoming more diverse local voices.

 At the same time, he believes CEMR must continue to make the case for a Europe that works closely with its local and regional governments. Whatever their political complexity, national and European leaders need to recognise that many of today’s challenges can only be addressed through stronger cooperation and solidarity across the continent.

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Stefano Bonaccini is part of the CEMR Italian national association of AICCRE.

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