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Take part in the selection of the very first European Capital of Democracy!

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Join a Europe-wide jury composed of 10,000 European citizens and take part in the selection of the very first European Capital of Democracy!

This Europe-wide initiative aims to innovate and strengthen democracy on the ground. From 2022, each year, one city will be selected in a five-stage process and granted this honorary title.

To become a European Capital of Democracy, cities must have a population of over 100,000 within the member states of the Council of Europe, and present a portfolio of their best democratic practices and new project ideas.

An experts’ jury will then evaluate the projects and decides on a shortlist of three to five Cities. Finally, a jury of 10,000 European citizens will get the final word on the selection of the City to carry the title European Capital of Democracy.

The winning city will host a one-year-long programme of exciting events, festivals and activities designed to improve and strengthen democracy, which puts citizens’ participation at the heart of it.

To become a citizens’ juror and play a crucial role in strengthening and securing Europe’s democratic future, just click here.

How do we support Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia on their path to joining the European Union?

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In the wake of Russia’s war of aggression, the people of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia are more determined than ever to join the European Union. But how can this “Associated Trio” of countries, and in particular their local governments, be supported in implementing the sometimes difficult reforms necessary to become full members of the bloc?

Local leaders from across Europe gathered on Monday (26 September) during CEMR’s annual retreat to discuss the Trio’s challenges and prospects on the path to EU membership.

Fighting for freedom and Europe

In 2014 the EU signed bilateral association agreements with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. These agreements set the foundation for their political association and economic integration with the EU and aim to foster democracy, the rule of law, human rights, good governance and economic development.

There is no questioning these nations’ determination to live the European dream. In Ukraine in particular, this has become a matter of life and death. “EU candidate status is very important for all of us”, said Nataliya Lazarenko, international cooperation manager of the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC). “People are dying for the sake of European values.”

While these reforms must mostly be undertaken by the national government, the AUC is also pushing for reforms to ensure strong local democracy, in line with the European Charter of Local Self-Government.
Ms Lazarenko stressed that learning from EU countries’ success stories and mistakes during their European integration would be of great value to Ukrainian local governments.

Helping local governments make the most of the EU

Back in July, CEMR endorsed in formal Declaration a “Trio holistic approach” to Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia’s accessions. Concretely, European local governments will continue to support their peers in these countries through peer exchanges, study visits and training to help them develop the skills and knowledge to make the reforms needed to harmonise with EU legislation and make the most of European funds.

Magda Kostava, member of Kutaisi City Council in Georgia, welcomed the opportunities for sharing guidance and good practices from European partners. “We know we have to work a lot to be the candidates and we are ready for that,” she said. “We see our bright future here in Europe. CEMR is one of the big opportunities and platforms to help us to do the necessary work.”

Alexandru Osadci, coordinator of international relations at the Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova (CALM), stressed that the pace of reforms in candidate countries had slowed down as a result of having to react to constant crises and reduced external funding. “We need to do much more than emergency ‘firefighting’ in response to these crises,” he said. “We need to adjust to the acquis communautaire, we need to implement the EU policies. The necessary reforms are the key issue in Moldova.”

While local governments in Moldova have been steadfast in their support for European integration, the national government has often changed its composition and orientation. As a result, the political will to reform administration, justice and anti-corruption offices has been lacking. Furthermore, external funding is needed to undertake the costly reforms required by EU membership.

Dusica Perisic, executive director of the North-Macedonian Local Government Association (ZELS), highlighted the fact that EU candidate status had facilitated cross-border cooperation with municipalities in neighbouring countries. While expressing the hope that North Macedonia would eventually join the EU, she warned that this would be a difficult winter with a loss of both funds and energy.

Annika Vaikla, councillor for Viimsi Municipality in Estonia, said that leaving the Soviet Union had enabled her country to embrace local democracy and fight corruption. Even the leaders of small villages now participate in municipal work and reducing corruption means local administrations are genuinely serving their citizens.

Vaikla also emphasised that Estonian municipalities are ready to share their experiences and good practices on how to prepare for EU membership. “We are so glad to help you and support you so can be among us”, she said.

Officials from the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) presented their study on Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova’s prospects for joining the EU. The main takeaway from the session’s exchanges? Even though each of these countries will follow a different path towards the EU, local and regional governments’ efforts will will go very much in the same direction.

Nominations open for Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award

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Nominate your candidate for the 2022 Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award honouring the work of persons or organisations who advanced human rights, solidarity, cooperation and trust among citizens. To nominate the next winner of the award, please fill this online nomination form by 31 October 2022. 

From Berlin to Beirut, “migration is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be managed”

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Multiple global crises impacting migration and mobility require immediate and coordinated local responses. What are the main challenges and which solutions have already proven sustainable? CEMR and IncluCities explored these questions at the International Metropolis Conference in Berlin.

Berlin is known as multicultural city where every second child has a migration background. Migrants play an important role in the city and migration affects all levels of political and daily life. Indeed, Berlin was the German state to implement a specific Act on migrant integration, notably boosting their opportunities to work in the public sector.

Local authorities work hand in hand with NGOs and civil society to have a sound understanding of the situation on the ground. In crisis management, the local level is strategic, explained Katarina Niewiedzial, Commissioner of the Berlin Senate for Integration and Migration. “However, we are very slow and still do many things on paper“, she said. “There is still a lot we can learn on digital solutions on migration from other cities, like Warsaw“.

Knowledge-sharing goes both ways

Conversely, the city of Warsaw has also learned from Berlin’s best practices and experience to build a more efficient and comprehensive response for migration flows. When 800,000 Ukrainian refugees arrived in Warsaw following the Russian invasion, less than 12 hours were needed for the city to set up a working plan for crisis management.

Despite having minimal or no resources and depending on support from various organisations, civil society and NGOs, they focused on integration and the labour market from the very beginning. “Over half of the adult refugees, mainly women, managed to find a job in the city within four months”, said Tomasz Pactwa, Director of Warsaw’s Projects and Social Affairs Department.

Public attitudes were another vital element they tackled to prevent negative propaganda around refugees. After conducting a survey, city authorities identified and addressed citizens’ fears, such as overcrowding and crime, through communication campaigns. This paid off as the narrative changed and solidarity prevailed.

Instrumentalised by populists

Not all cities have positive stories to tell. Lebanon is the country with the highest number of refugees per capita. They have been facing one of the worst economic and financial crises in decades if not more, with most residents falling under the poverty line and an inflation rate of over 150%.
Refugees in the country are not seen as a problem to be solved but rather a tool for political elites to gain influence through populist rhetoric and spreading misconceptions. “An alarming increase in discrimination, harassment, and violence against refugees is present”, explained Fatima A. Ibrahim, Executive Director of the Refugees=Partners project (Lebanon & Syria).

Changing perceptions of migration

Gaziantep, a big Turkish city near the Syrian border, hosts half a million refugees: one-fifth of the city’s population are newcomers. Since 2015, the local authorities have adapted their services to the situation by establishing local principles on refugee response that leave no one behind and include conflict-sensitive planning.

The city has opened a migration management department, a social research centre, health care units, community centres, art and vocational centres, a women’s solidarity and empowerment shelter and a rehabilitation centre, as well as distributing humanitarian aid. “In Gaziantep, we believe migration is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be managed,” said Önder Yalçın, Director of the migration department for the city of Gaziantep.

Learning from each other

Inclusion happens at the local level and presents a huge challenge for local communities that lack capacity, knowledge and financial resources. “This is why we have started with the EU IncluCities project, to enable a vivid exchange of best practices among mentor and mentee cities to improve local inclusion”, said Maria Grazia Montella, CEMR migration officer.

The responses from stakeholders on the ground, cities, their support networks, and local and regional government associations are strikingly positive. In two years and a half, cities participating in the IncluCities project have already begun impressive processes of change.
The Belgian #BuddieswithRefugees project is being replicated in the Sicilian town Capaci. A migrant consulting body has been established in the Greek city of Levadia to co-create policies with the newcomers.

Meanwhile, in France, the town of Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle has created a women’s house to integrate refugees with a view to their particular needs. And with Russia’s war in Ukraine, Jelgava in Latvia went from having just a handful to over a thousand refugees. The municipality managed to set up from scratch an operational information and reception centre for newcomers.

Everywhere, we can see things happening and that’s the main goal of our project. Every city has different dynamics and structures, yet the fundamentals of addressing migration through a lens of inclusion and respect for human rights form the core of successful management at the local level. Through IncluCities and similar projects, the principles and practices that work in one locale can be replicated and adapted in other places.