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GURI Durmish
In Impact community Society, International cooperation, Latest, Projects and Programmes, Twinning, Twinning

The future of town twinning

Town twinning - Village of Pyrenees in Spain

Town twinning in Europe: unlocking opportunities with AgoraEU

Since 1951, CEMR has championed town twinning as a driver of peace, democracy, and European identity. With the European Commission’s new AgoraEU programme proposed in the long-term budget, CEMR reflects on its legacy and introduces tools to further strengthen twinning, ensuring it continues to connect citizens across Europe.

Over seven decades later, town twinning remains one of Europe’s most powerful instruments for European integration and local governments diplomacy. In its long-term EU budget proposal presented last July, the European Commission (EC) included the AgoraEU programme, a promising opportunity to support and revitalise town twinning efforts. Yet, if twinning is to remain a vital bridge between Europe and its citizens, further steps must be taken to reinforce its role in today’s evolving political and social landscape.

Where does town twinning come from? Why does it still matter today? And how can the AgoraEU programme help strengthen its role in the Europe of today and tomorrow?

A legacy of connection and peace

In the mid-1990s, in cooperation with the EC, CEMR played a central role in coordinating the town twinning programme. Working closely with national associations of local and regional governments, CEMR promoted twinning, inspired thousands of initiatives and co-managed the “Star of Europe awards” with the EC to recognise outstanding partnerships. These efforts empowered thousands of small and medium-sized municipalities—particularly in rural and border regions—to build lasting bonds across borders, turning twinning into a grassroots driver of European integration. The 2002 Antwerp Congress further reinforced twinning as a vital tool for peace, democracy, and sustainable development.

A means to foster a shared European identity

Twinning has been evolving to better respond to the needs of cities, towns and municipalities facing multiple challenges in their territories. While cultural exchange and mutual understanding remain at its heart, today’s partnerships also address issues such as climate action, migration, social inclusion, digitalisation, and youth engagement. According to CEMR’s 2023 Twinning Report, municipalities of all sizes continue to value twinning highly, but smaller towns in particular face barriers in accessing funding and navigating sometimes complex EU procedures.

Pakruojis and Inhulka Municipalities signing Memorandum of Understanding during the Bridges of Trust Annual Gathering 2024  

Far from being outdated, twinning continues to play a vital role alongside other Europe’s mobility programmes, fostering connections that celebrate both cultural diversity and the continent’s shared heritage. For many citizens, especially teenagers, senior citizens, and residents of deprived or rural areas, town twinning remains one of the few ways to directly experience Europe. It offers a deep entry point into European construction and debates, helping to reduce the growing distance between citizens and the European Union (EU), while fostering a shared European identity and a spirit of living together.

The Matchmaking Platform: an innovative tool to tackle today’s challenges

Many towns, cities, and regions face challenges in twinning, including finding suitable partners, limited opportunities for joint projects, difficulties accessing funding, and gaps in knowledge or capacity. Visibility and recognition of local initiatives can also be limited. To bridge these gaps, CEMR has launched a digital Matchmaking Platform, enabling subnational governments to:

  • Find peers and partners across Europe
  • Start joint projects with international visibility
  • Access funding and support opportunities more easily

This tool represents a modern continuation of CEMR’s long-standing role as a facilitator of exchange and cooperation between subnational governments in Europe and beyond.

A roadmap for 2028–2035

Looking ahead, CEMR calls for the revitalisation of twinning, especially for small and medium-sized municipalities by:

  • Simplifying access to EU twinning by cutting barriers and targeting support to underserved areas.
  • Strengthening national associations as local champions—reviving CEMR’s model of national correspondents to inspire and guide projects.
  • Creating a small-grants facility for new or renewed twinning between small towns, rural areas, and cross-border or enlargement partners.
  • Relaunching the “Star of Europe Awards” to celebrate excellence and raise the profile of high-impact twinning.
  •  Promoting twinning as a strategic tool to deliver EU priorities locally: democratic trust, youth participation, gender equality, climate, energy, and migrant inclusion.

AgoraEU: a timely opportunity

The European Commission’s €3.6 billion AgoraEU programme (2028–2034) shows a renewed commitment to citizen engagement. CEMR urges at least a doubling of EU support for town twinning and calls for simplified access to funding and streamlined administrative procedures, including application processes and reporting.

This support is urgently needed. Town twinning projects face growing financial pressures at the local level. Municipalities continue to invest heavily in keeping partnerships alive, yet many risk being unable to sustain them without stronger European backing. Twinning is not just a tradition, it is a living, evolving practice that connects citizens, strengthens democracy, and builds resilience across Europe.

The European Parliament and the Council will now examine the proposal. CEMR calls on both institutions to ensure that town twinning receives the recognition and resources it deserves, as one of the EU’s most effective tools to bring Europe closer to its citizens.

For more information, contact:

BORDELOT Federica
In EU budget, Impact community Cohesion, Latest

What the EU budget proposal means locally

Analysis of the EU budget proposal of the European Commission: time to raise the voice of local and regional governments

On 16 July, the European Commission unveiled its proposals for the next EU long term budget: the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034. This proposal represents a significant shift in the EU’s approach and governance to its long-term budget. While the Commission is proposing an overall budget increase compared to the current period, investment priorities are being substantially reshaped.

There is a marked shift towards funding for defence and security, as well as for competitiveness and support for European businesses and industries. However, this change comes at the expense of traditional EU policies such as Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which have long provided relevant funding to local and regional governments for structural investments in their communities.

In this context, the coming months will be crucial. CEMR and its members will engage with decision makers in the European Council and the European Parliament to ensure that local and regional governments are not sidelined in the negotiations.

These are the key areas for which CEMR will be advocating in the coming months:

1. Multi-level governance and funding for Cohesion Policy

The Commission proposes a major restructuring of all shared management funds, including Cohesion Policy, CAP, Common Fisheries Policy, and funding instruments for internal security, border management, asylum and migration. All these funds would now be brought together under comprehensive ‘National and Regional Partnership Plans’.

The proposed MFF represents a major turning point for the role of cities and regions in delivering economic, social, and territorial cohesion. While Member States may still choose to collaborate with local and regional governments as Managing Authorities – as currently practised under Cohesion Policy – the new framework grants them broader discretion in setting investment priorities. This increased flexibility, however, comes with a clear risk: a shift toward greater centralisation of funding decisions at both the European and national levels. Such a trend could weaken the place-based approach and marginalise the very actors – our cities and regions – who are best positioned to respond to local needs and deliver tangible results on the ground.

Another major concern is the reduced financial weight given the cohesion objectives. The proposed national and regional funding now merge resources from cohesion policy funds, CAP, fisheries, and other programme objectives (e.g. LIFE, Social Climate Fund), diluting the funding explicitly dedicated to economic, social, and territorial cohesion. CEMR estimates that Cohesion Policy could shrink to just 20% of the total EU budget, compared to nearly one-third in the current MFF. In addition, repayment of Next Generation EU has been integrated in the MFF first heading together with the national and regional partnership plans, which could raise an issue of additional decrease in this budget in case of increased interest rates.

2. Acknowledging the role of local and regional governments in competitiveness

The main spending priority in the European Commission proposal is competitiveness, with a focus on the new European Competitiveness Fund, a strengthened Horizon Europe programme, and flagship EU initiatives such as Erasmus +.

Local and regional governments are crucial drivers of economic and social ecosystems at the local level, leading innovation and fostering local economic development. Many municipalities and regions have already benefited from the Horizon programme. It will therefore be essential to clearly identify local and regional governments as key beneficiaries in order to achieve the dual objective of cohesive competitiveness.

Likewise, the increased focus on defence and security must be matched by a recognition of the role local and regional authorities play in securing resilient infrastructure and essential public services, including civil protection and crisis preparedness. This role must be reflected in both national and regional budget allocations, as well as in EU direct fundings.

3. Consistent approach in the role of local and regional in the Global Europe pillar

CEMR and PLATFORMA welcome the attention given to local governments in the proposed Global Europe regulation, particularly their inclusion in consultation, engagement, and capacity-strengthening in line with their respective mandate, as well as the support foreseen for local authority networks and alliances in Europe and partner countries.

However, this recognition is not applied consistently across all geographic pillars. It is notably absent for candidate and potential candidate countries, including Ukraine, and for the neighbourhood countries East and South. Furthermore, the regulation  overlooks the potential of decentralised (city-to-city and region-to-region) cooperation as a proven modality to empower local authorities in partner countries, provide local public services for the populations, localise the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030  Agenda, and create an enabling environment for Global Gateway investments and for civil society organisations.

As inter-institutional negotiations begin, CEMR will actively engage with EU institutions, building on existing coalitions such as the Local Alliance and the Cohesion Alliance to amplify the messages of united local and regional governments in Europe.

Note: This is an initial analysis of the proposal presented by the European Commission. CEMR will provide its members with a more in-depth assessment in the coming weeks, once all the regulations have been thoroughly reviewed.

Sofie OVERGAARD
In Lab, Latest, Projects and Programmes

New project to boost social dialogue

Lab project launch - News 2025

CEMR has launched a new project to promote social dialogue in Eastern and Southeastern Europe

In April 2025, CEMR launched the LRG-SD Capacity Building Project (LAB project), a project funded by the European Commission and carried out in cooperation with EPSU, the European Public Service Workers Union.  

The aim of the project is to strengthen social dialogue in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, candidate countries, and Southern European islands by equipping local and regional social partners with the tools and knowledge to engage effectively at both the national and EU level. In line with this objective, CEMR has for many years been actively involved in social dialogue at the European level as part of its impact goal on labour, including the adoption of the European Multi-sectoral Guidelines to Prevent and Tackle Third-Party Violence and Harassment Related to Work (TPVH). 

The LAB project will run for a period of two years and will include the organisation of workshops and twinning activities targeting countries in the mentioned regions to address the underrepresentation and challenges to participation of local and regional government social partners. The capacity building activities will be based on a comprehensive analysis of social dialogue systems in the target countries to tailor effective tools to address specific needs. 

The first workshop will be held in Malta on the 13th and 14th of November 2025 and focus specifically on Southern European islands.  The workshop will aim to bring together social partners from Malta, Cyprus and Greece to share experiences, challenges, and best practices. It will serve as a platform for knowledge exchange and will help build a common understanding of the importance and benefits of robust social dialogue, inspiring and motivating CEMR and EPSU Member Associations to actively participate in this process. 

More information on the project can be found here. Additional information on the individual activities will be communicated directly to member organisations in the targeted countries.  

For more information, contact:

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

Local leaders bring their voice to the UN

HLPF 2025 - News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Local voices in National Reviews: making VNRs truly inclusive 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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BORDELOT Federica
In EU budget, Latest

Local Alliance reacts to EU budget proposal

EU Budget proposals risk cutting out cities and regions

The Local Alliance – a coalition of eight leading networks of local and regional governments – is raising the alarm over the European Commission’s proposal for the next EU budget, warning it could sideline cities and regions and undermine the delivery of key EU priorities.

The Commission’s proposal for the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework,  presented on 16 July, introduces new ‘National and Regional Partnership Plans’, intended to simplify EU funding and reduce disparities. However, the Local Alliance argues that this approach risks centralising the EU budget, weakening Cohesion Policy, and marginalising local and regional governments in the policy design and implementation. 

Without a clear earmarking of Cohesion Funds for all territories, including cities, and robust multilevel governance, local and regional authorities are unlikely to access the tools they need to implement EU priorities on the ground. Building on the Court of Auditors’ warnings of the limited impact and quality of projects funded through Recovery Funds, the Local Alliance fears that this new structure of National- Regional Plans might not be able to respond to the real transition and cohesion needs of communities. 

The proposal also fails to clarify how cities and regions would be affected if national governments fall short on reform commitments or breach horizontal conditions such as the Rule of Law. This could jeopardise progress on critical local goals, from clean transport and affordable housing to inclusive communities, the creation of jobs and quality public services, while weakening democratic governance and the principle of multilevel democracy.

The Alliance welcomes the proposed European Competitiveness Fund and the FP10 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, recognising their potential to address productivity and innovation gaps across regions. However, both instruments must ensure meaningful involvement of cities and regions in priority setting and delivery, as competitiveness and cohesion are two sides of the same coin, as highlighted in the Letta Report. 

As the budget negotiations move forward, the Local Alliance calls on the European Parliament and the European Council to seize this crucial opportunity to strengthen the role of cities and regions, safeguard cohesion policy, and ensure the EU budget delivers tangible results for people across Europe.

Ahead of the EU budget negotiations, local leaders call for: 

  • Reforms and investments are to be defined through a multilevel governance approach. Safeguards must be included in the National and Regional Partnerships Plans to ensure mandatory cooperation with local governments in the design and implementation of the plan.
  • The territorial chapter of these plans must be clearly stated as an obligation and not as an option left to the discretion of central governments.
  • Clear and enforceable safeguarding mechanisms to ensure that local and regional authorities can directly access EU funds, especially in cases where national governments delay or restrict disbursements.
  • Concrete institutionalised cooperation with cities and regions in the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) and FP10, and we urge the EU institutions to involve local and regional governments as partners in setting priorities and strengthening place-based innovation.

 Notes to editors:

The Local Alliance represents the eight leading networks of European local and regional governments, ACR+, CEMR, Climate Alliance, Energy Cities, Eurocities, FEDARENE, ICLEI Europe and POLIS working together to ensure the next EU budget 2028- 2034 delivers for people by empowering local and regional governments in delivering the transition on the ground.

Christoph Schnaudigel, Co-President of CEMR; Vice-President of the German Section of CEMR (RGRE); President of the County of Karlsruhe, German County Association, said: 

“After analysing the European Commission’s proposal for the EU budget, it is clear that local and regional governments across Europe must mobilise. The proposal fails to uphold economic, social, and territorial cohesion as a core objective. As a result, the share of the budget allocated to Cohesion Policy — including social and territorial development — has been reduced, with real consequences for the quality of life across Europe. Furthermore, centralising decision-making towards member states will not help address the realities and challenges of the territories, making EU funding less efficient. We must act decisively in the coming months to reverse this and defend a strong, inclusive Cohesion Policy, as well as the respect of multilevel governance”.

For more information, contact:

BORDELOT Federica
In EU budget, Latest

What do we want from the EU budget

EU budget - Op-Ed news

Don’t repeat Recovery and Resilience Facility mistakes: local governments must shape EU’s long-term budget

As the European Commission prepares to unveil its proposal for the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework today, Wednesday (16 July), attention is turning to how the EU will shape its long-term investment strategy.

What is at stake is not just the amount of funding, but how and with whom those resources will be planned and implemented.

At the EU annual budget conference in May, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made a shift in tone.

For the first time, she spoke not only of “national” plans, but of “national and regional partnerships for investments and reforms.”

This is more than a semantic change, but words must be followed by action. Without concrete steps, even the most inclusive language risks remaining just words.

The new proposed investment architecture is set to build on lessons from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). But unless a key flaw of the RRF is addressed — namely, the lack of involvement of local actors — the same mistakes will be repeated.

If we want these partnerships to succeed, they must be co-created with the local and regional governments that will implement them. From green mobility to housing and digital infrastructure, success also depends on getting the governance right.

Luckily, we do not need to start from scratch. The word “partnership” recalls an existing model: the Partnership Agreements used in the Cohesion Policy. These already require member states to involve local and regional governments in shaping investment strategies.

In countries like Poland and Portugal, it has led to investments aligned with real local needs—revitalising industrial areas, developing green transport—showing that when local actors are at the table, EU funding delivers real impact.

But this is about more than funding. As the EU aims to pair investments with reform, multilevel governance must become a central principle of the reform agenda itself. We are therefore calling for:

1. A co-creation approach that underpins new investment and reform partnerships, with transparent and structured mechanisms to involve local and regional governments in shaping priorities, both at the national level and within EU processes such as the European Semester.

2. Multi-level governance must be embedded in the reform dimension of these partnerships, ensuring that Member States not only consult but also empower local and regional governments to act as both planners and implementers.

3. A funding model that respects the principle of subsidiarity, with flexible, bottom-up approaches and less stringent thematic concentration decided at the Commission level to avoid the repetition of the challenges recalled in the mid-term revision of the RRF.

The EU stands at a turning point. The next long-term budget is a chance to move towards a more democratic, grounded, and effective policymaking, or to repeat the mistakes of the past. Let’s not miss this chance. Let’s make partnership the rule, not the exception.

Signatories: 

  • Christopher Schnaudigel is co-president of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), vice-president of the German Section of CEMR (RGRE), and president of the county of Karlsruhe (German County Association)
  • Ľubica Karvašová is an MEP, vice-chair of the Committee on Regional Development, Renew Europe coordinator in REGI Committee
  • Vladimir Prebilič is an MEP, rapporteur on Simplification of the Cohesion Policy, Greens/EFA Coordinator in the REGI Committee.

*****

This opinion article was published on EU Observer on 15 July 2025. You can read it here

For more information, contact:

ROSSI Fabrizio
In Bridges of Trust, Impact community Cohesion, International cooperation, Latest

European Partnership Hub launch

Ukraine Recovery Conference - News 2025

CEMR launched the European Partnership Hub to strengthen inter-municipal cooperation between Ukraine and the EU

At the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Rome 2025, and in the context of the Coalition for Sustainable Municipalities, CEMR Secretary General Fabrizio Rossi announced the launch of the European Partnership Hub – a practical response to the Berlin Call to Action and a next step in connecting Ukrainian and European municipalities. 

This Hub will serve as the operational secretariat of the Bridges of Trust (BoT) Community — a pan-European network that brings together local and regional governments and key stakeholders to strengthen inter-municipal cooperation between Ukraine and the EU, promote decentralisation, build local resilience, and support Ukraine’s path towards EU integration.

This announcement marks a new milestone following last year’s launch of the Matchmaking Platform — an innovative tool that connects Ukrainian cities with other municipalities across Europe to support cooperation and unlock targeted funding.

Connecting, consolidating, and coordinating to maximise efforts

“We know that partnerships don’t work on their own, they need coordination, shared purpose, and long-term support”, reminded CEMR Secretary GeneralFabrizio Rossi to ministers, mayors and partners who attended the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome.

Objectives of the European Partnership Hub:
– Expand and connect: link local and regional governments through the Matchmaking Platform and other digital tools, while activating sectoral networks and national associations.
– Build capacity: provide tailored services to support partnerships through targeted funding, joint projects, project guidance, and mentoring, addressing Ukraine’s recovery needs.
– Boost synergies: ensure coordinated support among actors, programmes and existing initiatives, and maximising collective impact.

With the Hub and the Matchmaking Platform, every city or region can find the right partner, develop joint projects, access funding, join a vibrant network and actively contribute to Ukraine’s sustainable recovery and European future.

The European Partnership Hub is possible thanks to the support of the European Union and its member states Germany, with the leadership of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Denmark, France, Poland and Slovenia through U-LEAD with Europe and other supporters on European level as Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Reconstruction of Ukraine and many CEMR national association.

CEMR and SGI Europe meet Commissioner Raffaele Fitto

On the margins of the conference, CEMR Secretary General Fabrizio Rossi, together with SGI Europe, met with European Commission Vice-President and Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Raffaele Fitto. The meeting was an opportunity to reaffirm the strong support of both organisations for a Cohesion Policy that continues to deliver on its Treaty-based mission: reducing regional disparities and supporting Europe’s most disadvantaged areas.

CEMR and SGI Europe acknowledged the importance of adapting the EU budget to current challenges while underlining that the future of Cohesion Policy must remain anchored in solidarity, flexibility, accessibility, and effectiveness. As the EU enters a new institutional cycle, both organisations reiterated that reform must reinforce—not replace—the core mission of Cohesion Policy.

For more information, contact:

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

Local voices at the UN for sustainable development

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Local and regional leaders at the United Nations: getting local SDG actions onto the fast track

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More than 30 local and regional European leaders are heading to New York to advocate for their vital role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). Among them is Clifford Galea Vella Maslennikov, President of the Tramuntana Region (Malta) and a member of the CEMR-PLATFORMA Young Elected Officials Committee. He also signs the foreword of this year’s study on SDG localisation.

Galea Vella Maslennikov sends a strong and hopeful message:

“I firmly believe that localising the SDGs through inclusive processes that engage all levels of government, and all sectors of society […] is in fact the key to building a more inclusive, just, and sustainable future for all.”

This year’s report includes contributions from 31 associations of local and regional governments and puts forward nine key recommendations to the United Nations, the European Union, and EU Member States.

Local governments in dialogue with Member States

In recent years, the United Nations has increasingly acknowledged the essential role of local action in advancing global sustainability, including through various HLPF initiatives. However, the degree of involvement of local and regional governments – and their associations – in national SDG reporting processes still varies significantly from one country to another.

This year, Malta is one of 37 countries presenting a Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the HLPF. Three other countries with membership within CEMR – Bulgaria, Finland, and Germany – will also present their VNRs. Our latest study provides insights into how these four nations have involved local authorities in shaping their national SDG reports.

It also gives details about the progress made in achieving the five SDGs under review this year: SDG 3 (Good health and well-being), SDG 5 (Gender equality), SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth), SDG 14 (Life below water), and DSG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).  

Over 30 local and regional leaders representing Europe

Next week, PLATFORMA and CEMR, in collaboration with the Global Task Force of Local and Regional Governments (GTF), will represent European cities and regions at the HLPF, under the auspices of the UN.

Their participation aims to fast-track the localisation of the SDGs and ensure that local voices are not only heard, but also acted upon.

Here are some of the events they will attend:

  • 15 July, Local and Regional Governments’ Networking Hub, with the launch of the GTF Annual Report “Towards the Localization of the SDGs”, by the GTF and UCLG
  • 16 July, 8th Local and Regional Governments Forum on the 2030 Agenda, by UCLG, GTF, UN-DESA, the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General, UN Habitat, UNDP, Local2030
  • 17 July, EU delegation – local leaders breakfast meeting, by CEMR and PLATFORMA
  • 17 July, HLPF Official Session on Localisation: “Transformation from the ground up: Acting at local level”, by UN
  • 18 July, VNR Lab on Local and Regional Governments engagement in VNR/VLR processes, by UN-DESA, UN-Habitat, and UCLG

For more information, contact:

TONHAUSER Boris
In Latest, PLATFORMA

Debate at the UN on localising SDGs

Localising SDGs - News 2025

Local and regional leaders at the HLPF: Getting local Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) actions onto the fast track

More than 30 local and regional leaders are heading to New York to advocate for their vital role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). Among them is Clifford Galea Vella Maslennikov, President of the Tramuntana Region (Malta) and a member of the CEMR-PLATFORMA Young Elected Officials Committee. He also signs the foreword of this year’s study on SDG localisation.

Galea Vella Maslennikov sends a strong and hopeful message:

“I firmly believe that localising the SDGs through inclusive processes that engage all levels of government, and all sectors of society […] is in fact the key to building a more inclusive, just, and sustainable future for all.”

This year’s report includes contributions from 31 associations of local and regional governments and puts forward nine key recommendations to the United Nations, the European Union, and EU Member States.

Local governments in dialogue with Member States

In recent years, the United Nations has increasingly acknowledged the essential role of local action in advancing global sustainability, including through various HLPF initiatives. However, the degree of involvement of local and regional governments – and their associations – in national SDG reporting processes still varies significantly from one country to another.

This year, Malta is one of 37 countries presenting a Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the HLPF. Three other countries with membership within CEMR – Bulgaria, Finland, and Germany – will also present their VNRs. Our latest study provides insights into how these four nations have involved local authorities in shaping their national SDG reports.

It also gives details about the progress made in achieving the five SDGs under review this year: SDG 3 (Good health and well-being), SDG 5 (Gender equality), SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth), SDG 14 (Life below water), and DSG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).  

Over 30 local and regional leaders representing Europe

Next week, PLATFORMA and CEMR, in collaboration with the Global Task Force of Local and Regional Governments (GTF), will represent European cities and regions at the HLPF, under the auspices of the UN.

Their participation aims to fast-track the localisation of the SDGs and ensure that local voices are not only heard, but also acted upon.

Here are some of the events they will attend:

  • 15 July, Local and Regional Governments’ Networking Hub, with the launch of the GTF Annual Report “Towards the Localization of the SDGs”, by the GTF and UCLG
  • 16 July, 8th Local and Regional Governments Forum on the 2030 Agenda, by UCLG, GTF, UN-DESA, the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General, UN Habitat, UNDP, Local2030
  • 17 July, EU delegation – local leaders breakfast meeting, by CEMR and PLATFORMA
  • 17 July, HLPF Official Session on Localisation: “Transformation from the ground up: Acting at local level”, by UN
  • 18 July, VNR Lab on Local and Regional Governments engagement in VNR/VLR processes, by UN-DESA, UN-Habitat, and UCLG
Discover the 2025 study now

Contact for more information:

ROSSI Fabrizio
In Impact community Society, Latest, Local democracy, Local democracy, Publications

Concerns over local democracy in Türkiye

Democracy in Turkyie - News 2025

CEMR issues a statement condemning escalating pressure against democratically elected mayors in Türkiye 

Read the statement on democracy in Türkiye

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has issued a statement expressing its deep concern over the intensifying political pressure on local democracy in Türkiye, following the detention of Zeydan Karalar, Mayor of Adana and Deputy-President of the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (UMT), CEMR’s member organisation. 

In recent months, an increasing number of opposition-affiliated mayors and staff members of the municipalities have been suspended, prosecuted, or detained in ways that obstruct their ability to carry out their democratic mandates. 

The detention of Mayor Karalar follows the earlier arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, former President of UMT. These successive events “risk undermining the principles of local democracy and have potentially far-reaching consequences for stability, democratic resilience, and social cohesion across our continent”. “The legitimacy of democratic governances relies on strong, autonomous local governments, and respect for political pluralism”, defend the signatories.  

CEMR calls on the European and international communities to keep the principles of democracy, the rule of law, and local self-government at the core of their engagement with Türkiye. 

“We respectfully urge the prompt release of all detained Mayors and officials and the full restoration of their rights to perform their democratic functions without fear or interference”, the signatories declare. “Democracy and local self-government cannot and will not be compromised”, they conclude. 

Signatories of this statement include: 

  • Vince Maple, Councillor of Medway, Chair of CEMR Financial Management Committee 
  • Philippe Laurent, Mayor of Sceaux, CEMR Co-President 
  • Christoph Schnaudigel, President of the County of Karlsruhe, CEMR Co-President 
  • Gunn Marit Helgesen, Member of Telemark County Council, CEMR President 
  • Jan van Zanen, Mayor of The Hague, CEMR Executive President 
  • Anders Knape, Councillor of Karlstad, CEMR Executive President 
  • Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdansk, CEMR Executive President 

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