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BAIER Jessica
In Impact community Society, International cooperation, Latest, Projects and Programmes, Twinning

Twinning – REALISE 2024

Twinning REALISE - News 2024

CEMR Announces Grant Recipients for REALISE 2024 Twinning Programme

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is pleased to announce the recipients of its grant scheme established under the REALISE project. Funded by the European Commission’s CERV programme, the initiative aims to bolster subnational government Twinning endeavours.

The grant scheme not only supports the promotion of Twinning arrangements but also empowers national associations to undertake related initiatives that address specific challenges. Proposals with merit are eligible for funding of up to €30,000.

CEMR expresses its delight in selecting the following Local and Regional Government Associations for the REALISE 2024 grant programme:

Twinning serves a leading role in fostering connections between Local and Regional Governments. This collaborative approach facilitates the tackling of a wide range of pressing issues, encompassing urban development, climate change, service improvement, social inclusion, and migration.

Additionally, Twinning initiatives promote peace and solidify European values and belonging.

Since its inception in 1951, CEMR has been an advocate for Twinning, recognising its potential to connect communities, cultivate mutual understanding, and drive collaborative efforts. Today, these programmes extend beyond cultural exchanges, encompassing the sharing of best practices and the joint development of solutions to shared challenges.

CEMR extends its sincere gratitude to all associations that participated and submitted compelling proposals. We encourage you to stay informed of forthcoming updates on these exciting projects.

GRIFFON Axelle
In Climate, Energy, Energy, Environment, Environment, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Latest, Publications, Water, Water

Adoption of the nature restoration law

Green City - News Section

Cities and regions urge swift adoption of EU Nature Restoration Law to combat climate and biodiversity crises

Read the full letter

As Europe faces intensifying environmental challenges, from biodiversity loss to climate-driven heatwaves and pollution, cities and regions are stepping up their call for action. Partners of the Urban Agenda for the EU Partnership on Greening Cities, including many local and regional governments, have issued a joint letter urging EU Member States to swiftly adopt the long-delayed Nature Restoration Law. 

Local authorities are often at the frontline of environmental crises. With over 70% of Europeans living in urban areas, the need to restore green spaces is not only a climate priority but also a public health and quality-of-life imperative. The proposed law would provide a long-awaited framework to strengthen biodiversity, adapt cities to rising temperatures, and support sustainable land use. 

Delays in the law’s adoption not only undermine urgent environmental action but also threaten democratic trust in EU decision-making. A provisional agreement between the European Parliament and Council was reached months ago, and failure to finalise it now would send the wrong signal, both to EU citizens and the global community. 

CEMR and its partner’s stress: restoring nature is not optional. It is essential! Local governments stand ready to deliver, but they need the political will at the EU level to match their ambition. 

For more information, contact: 

REVAULT Martin
In Latest, United Cities and Local Governments

UN – Pact for the Future

United Nations Pact for the Future: A Seat for the LRGs

On 22-23 September 2024, the United Nations will organise the Summit for the Future where the UN Pact for the Future should be adopted. This document aims to better prepare our multilateral systems for the current and future challenges. It is also a great opportunity for our constituency of Local and Regional Governments (LRG) at the United Nations to advocate for strengthening LRGs engagement in intergovernmental processes. As of today, the document is still being negotiated between the different members of the UN.

In collaboration with UCLG and the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments, CEMR is an advocation for supporting a reference in Chapter 5 of the UN Pact for the Future on “Transforming global governance” to “strengthen the engagement of local and regional authorities in United Nations intergovernmental bodies and processes”.

To support this initiative, the CEMR President, Ms Gunn Marit Helgesen has already sent four letters to:

  • The President of the European Commission;
  • The President of the European Council;
  • The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy;
  • The EU Ambassador to the UN in New York (where the Summit of the Future will be held).

In addition, to strengthen our impact and maximise our chances of securing that the aforementioned reference is included in the final draft of the Pact for the Future, all CEMR members have been invited to send a letter on their behalf to their respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs and their permanent representation to the United Nations in New York before the end of June.

For more information about how to get involved in this advocacy action please get in touch with CEMR Attaché to Secretary General Martin Ravault martin.revault@ccre-cemr.org

TARAN Stanislav
In Bridges of Trust, Latest, Projects and Programmes

Bridges of Trust – Branding

Bridges of Trust Branding - News 2024

Bridges of Trust: New Branding and Strengthening Municipal Partnerships

On the 7th of May, the Bridges of Trust project held a pivotal coordination meeting for partner municipalities where CEMR, along with AUC and U-LEAD with Europe, unveiled the new branding for the initiative. Developing a cohesive branding and visual identity is crucial for the project as it enhances recognition, fosters a unified message, and strengthens the impact of our collaborative efforts.  

The meeting was honoured by the presence of Antje Kaestner, Senior Policy Officer, Task Force Ukraine at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Ms. Kaestner provided an insightful presentation on the preparations for the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference 2024, in Berlin. For the first time, this conference will focus on the regional and local level dimensions.

This month, the framework of the project a series of bilateral meetings among the mayors of municipalities took place to deepen the existing cooperation between the municipalities.  

  • Korop – Gulbene 
  • Lebedyn – Papa
  • Malyn – Teruel
  • Pidhorodne – Soria
  • Borodianka – Minsk Mazowiecki 
  • Korosten – Bourges
  • Vasylkiv – Sundbyberg
  • Novyi Bilous – Kekava
  • Bohodukhiv – Azuqueca dé Henares
  • Byshiv – Bacsolmas
  • Yasinia – Česká Třebová

These meetings, conducted in collaboration with the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC), are designed to strengthen ties and enhance cooperation among European and Ukrainian municipalities. We remain committed to advancing our collective efforts and fostering meaningful partnerships through this ongoing initiative.

OKKALI AKTAS Ayben
In About CEMR, Latest

CEMR Leaders Summit

CEMR Leaders Summit 2024: A Crucial Post-Election Gathering for Local Governments

The CEMR Leaders Summit, 17-18 June 2024, at the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels, marks the first gathering of CEMR leaders with the new EU Parliament. This event is a crucial moment for shaping future policies and strategic directions for the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR).
 
The agenda for the Summit opens with the Policy Committee Meeting, which will address various statutory affairs and thematic work, including sustainability initiatives, territorial cohesion, and urban-rural linkages. These discussions are essential for addressing the immediate and long-term needs of local communities in the context of the recent elections.
 
June 18th will feature high-level panel debates focusing on the future of Europe and integrated territorial development. Key topics include democracy, sustainable development, enlargement, and effective collaboration across government levels. These timely discussions offer an opportunity to align local priorities with the broader European agenda.
 
The previous CEMR Policy Committee, held in Prague, culminated in the signing of the Prague Declaration, setting expectations for local leaders for the next EU mandate. Holding this year’s summit immediately after the European elections allows for a timely recalibration of priorities and strategies in light of the election results. This gathering will enable CEMR leaders to forge a unified vision and collaboratively address the pressing challenges and opportunities facing Europe’s local and regional governments in the coming years.

BORDELOT Federica
In Gender equality, Impact community Society, Latest

Looking for Proposals

Looking for Proposals WiP - News 2024

CEMR is currently looking for an agency to design, publish and print our study on Women In Politics

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.

GAUDRON Marine
In Impact community Cohesion, Latest

Cohesion Forum 

Is territorial dimension disappearing from Cohesion Policy?

The Cohesion Forum took place on 11-12 April in Brussels, organised every three years by the European Commission following the publication of its Cohesion Report, it is an important event gathering the Member States, Managing Authorities, regions, and cities involved in the implementation of the Cohesion Policy. And in this election year, the Forum was an even more important moment for the European Commission to start preparing Cohesion stakeholders for the big change ahead.
 
The proposals for the next EU long-term budget (2028-2034) are expected to be published in the first half of 2025, therefore it is no surprise that the current Commission used the Cohesion Forum to test some ideas. Increasingly DG REGIO is talking about a radical change for the Cohesion Policy, which is no longer called “Cohesion” but “Instrument for Reforms and Investments” – on the model of the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The idea of linking instruments to reform conditionality seemed to be quite consensual during the Cohesion Forum. This is presented as a major simplification together with a “performance-based model”, meaning that the funds will be delivered upon completion of activities and milestones, which is expected to reduce a significant part of the administrative burden compared to the current system of financing linked to actual costs.  
 
In this scenario, it is possible that the different Cohesion funds as we know them (ERDF, ESF+, Just Transition Fund, etc) could be merged into a single instrument. But will the fundamental objectives of Cohesion Policy remain in such architecture? Commissioner Ferreira started her opening speech of the Cohesion Forum saying “This is an important moment for economic, social and political cohesion in Europe”. It can only be deliberate that the Commissioner ignored the “Territorial” dimension of Cohesion Policy as enshrined in article 174 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. And versions of the upcoming strategic agenda for Member States’ leaders also referred only to “economic and social cohesion”, forgetting the territorial dimension.
 
In this context it will be important to strongly share the messages of the CEMR position paper on future of Cohesion Policy, advocating for a place-based approach and the extension of the Partnership Principle to all EU Policies with an impact on local and regional levels, and particularly the European Semester which will guide Member States reforms agenda. Whatever the shape of the upcoming instrument(s) for investment, it is essential to ensure it will not be spatially blind, and able to answer the specific needs of the various municipalities and regions in Europe.
 
Local and Regional governments are also invited to sign and share the Cohesion Alliance joint call on a renewed Cohesion policy post-2027 that leaves no one behind.

THOMAS Carol
In Impact community Society, Latest, Local democracy

COR-CEMR Consultation 

A follow-up consultation from the CoR and CEMR on the RRF implementation

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.

GRIFFON Axelle
In Energy, Impact community Climate, Latest

CEMR Green Day

Insights from CEMR Green Day 2024: What will the future green transition look like in European municipalities and regions?

CEMR Green Day 2024 provided a platform for policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to delve into the future of the green transition within the EU and beyond. Held on April 10th, this event fostered a dynamic exchange of strategies, challenges, and opportunities for driving climate action at the local and regional levels.

Tadashi Matsumoto, Head of the National Urban Policy and Climate Resilience Unit at OECD, presented the report “A Territorial Approach to Climate Action and Resilience.” Matsumoto emphasised the need for a coherent territorial approach to enhance climate resilience and bridge regional disparities. He introduced the TACAR policy framework, aimed at prioritizing climate policies at the local level and enabling more effective climate action. The framework’s applicability was illustrated through examples from Bratislava and New York State.

The panel discussion featured insights from diverse stakeholders, including Michaël Quernez, Mayor of Quimperlé; Patrick Princen, First Alderman of Mechelen; Pedro Dias, Policy Director at Solar Heat Europe; and Lucian Pârvulescu from the European Commission’s European Green Deal Unit.

Quernez emphasized the importance of EU funds for supporting local transitions, while Princen shared Mechelen’s successful climate resilience initiatives. Dias stressed the need for empowering LRGs in energy policy, and Pârvulescu outlined the EC’s commitment to supporting local initiatives.

The discussion highlighted the importance of empowering LRGs, engaging citizens in climate action, adopting a territorial approach to address regional disparities, and enhancing dialogue between national and local levels.

“We need to ensure that local governments are actively involved in planning, decision-making, and implementation processes to guarantee the effectiveness of sustainability measures” concluded Marianne Overton, CEMR spokesperson for Climate.

In the second part of the meeting, CEMR experts discussed water resilience and 2040 climate targets. We also discussed CEMR’s forthcoming study on the challenges of the implementation of the green agenda to be published in autumn.

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