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Annual report on SDGs goes digital

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Our annual report on the SDGs goes digital at the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF)


Available for the first time in an online format, PLATFORMA and CEMR have just published their fifth annual study on the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Released on the occasion of the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York, discover this innovative publication today on local-sdgs.eu

This study gathers the most recent information on how and to what extent associations and networks of local and regional governments have been involved in the localisation of the SDGs, both in Europe and with their global peers, and in particular during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s survey therefore, included questions on the SDGs’ implementation since 2015 and the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. In the last two sections, there were also additional questions regarding Voluntary Subnational Reviews (VSR) and decentralised cooperation.

It gathers 63 answers from 28 European countries, 37 associations of local and regional governments and 18 municipalities and regions.

Main recommendations

Six main recommendations came out of this study, targeting EU institutions, national governments and local and regional governments and their national associations:

  1. The European Commission should report regularly on any progress made in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the EU level and indicate how the different levels of governance have contributed to this process.
  2. We encourage associations of local and regional governments to actively take part in the Voluntary Subnational Reviews (VSR) process.
  3. Local and regional governments (LRGs) are calling for the firm recognition and inclusion by national governments of the role of LRGs and their associations in the monitoring and reporting of progress in the implementation of SDGs at the national level.
  4. European states and the EU need to strengthen their dialogue with the subnational levels and include them in any relevant high-level delegation meetings.
  5. Strengthen international cooperation to achieve the 2030 Agenda at the local and regional levels
  6. There is still a need to localise and territorialise the SDGs, through the deployment of appropriate funds and resources

This study will be presented by a PLATFORMA-CEMR delegation at different events during the second week of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) taking place in New York between 5 and 15 July 2022.

This delegation is composed of:

  • Fabrizio Rossi, CEMR Secretary General
  • José Hila, Mayor of Palma de Mallorca (Spain, FEMP)
  • Hannah-Lea Braun, Member of Maichingen Council (Sindelfingen, Germany) and the CEMR Young Elected Officials Committee
  • Luis Salaya, Mayor of Cáceres (Spain, FEMP)
  • Valérie Dumontet, Vice-President of Aude Region, (France, Cités Unies France)
  • Pilar Díaz, Mayor of Espluges de Llobregat, Deputy to the Presidency, Delegate for International Relations at the Diputació de Barcelona (Spain, Barcelona Provincial Council – DIBA)
  • Jan van Zanen, Mayor of The Hague (Netherlands, VNG International)

Directors, advisers and technicians from CEMR, the City of Paris, DIBA, FEMP, the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS), UCLG and VNG International are also attending HLPF this year.

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For more information, contact:

CEMR in Kyiv

Bridges of Trust Branding - News 2024

“Meeting Mayor Klitschko in Kyiv was a true experience”


This op-ed was originally published in Euractiv and was authored by CEMR secretary general, Fabrizio Rossi, upon his return from Kyiv in June 2022. 

When I found myself sitting at the same table with Mr Vitali Klitschko in a rooftop restaurant in Kyiv last June, I was able to measure both the charisma and authenticity of the multiple world boxing champion and current Mayor of Kyiv.

Although I had known about Vitali Klitschko and his brother as sports icons and tough, powerful and extremely technical boxers, before meeting him I had no idea what to expect. After spending half a day with him in Kyiv, I can say that he is a leader that cannot hide: he is totally himself.

It is quite rare to meet a political leader who is not tempted to provide complacent answers to satisfy his audience and interlocutors. Mayor Klitschko seems uninterested in any of this and stirred only by his determination to strive, overcome challenges and move forward.

When I asked him how he managed to keep the Russian forces away when they have already kidnapped more than 50 local elected politicians from across the country, he reacted by instinct: “well, if the Russian come to me, I’ll be ready.” He paused, looked at me resolutely and resumed: “sometimes people call me and say: ‘Vitali, you should hide, they are looking for you.’ But for a person like me it’s hard to hide. Once they called in the middle of the night while I was perlustrating the city with my staff and they told me to hide underground: ‘Russians are looking for you!’ We  found a ruined building and spent the night sleeping on the floor.”

It was at that moment that I realised that Mr Klitschko had again become an icon. This time the tremendous admiration and respect for him comes from local elected politicians all over Europe. These local leaders who indeed cannot hide before the urgent and crucial responsibilities they are facing: from climate change to social inequalities, economic recovery and even war. To them Mayor Klitschko has become a true reference. Someone that leads by example. A leader that walks the talk.

Mr Klischtko may be the most famous of Ukraine’s local leaders, but many more are also selflessly sacrificing and risking their lives every day in this war. Mayors, district leaders and local public workers across Ukraine have continued to heroically serve their people in the most trying of circumstances. Conditions vary greatly by territory. Local governments in areas of heavy fighting work to evacuate residents and provide water and basic supplies despite regular shelling and bombardments.

In territories that have been de-occupied since April, mayors are already beginning the work of reconstruction, the restoration of damaged buildings being especially important to achieve before the onset of winter. Local governments in other parts of the country are coping with the massive influx of internally displaced people and the need to house them and integrate them into local life.

It is humbling to see this work undertaken by mayors and local leaders despite the looming threats of kidnapping and death. Ukraine’s local government associations have also been working hard since the beginning of the conflict: coordinating aid provision, identifying the diverse needs of different territories and facilitating contact with their European supporters.

Local and regional government associations across Europe have been doing their part to support Ukraine during this difficult time. The Association of Towns and Communities of Slovakia has sent thousands of packages of various medical supplies. In the UK, the Local Government Association has called for new powers to lawfully exclude companies supporting Russia from winning public contracts. Meanwhile the Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe (NALAS) was among the first to provide emergency financial assistance to the Association of Ukrainian Cities; and many other associations have followed suit. These examples are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what has been achieved and undertaken.

Local leaders’ engagement in support of their Ukrainian peers and in handling the direct and indirect consequences of this war is just a further confirmation that in this new era of systemic crisis, territorial leadership is the basis on which to build our responses. At the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) we are receiving very encouraging signs of the strong willingness of local and regional governments to play a crucial role in the postwar recovery.

The Mayor of Kyiv is ready to take up the task. “Reconstruction efforts should focus on grassroots projects and be designed by local communities”, he told me. During our bilateral meeting he emphasised the urgent need for short-term support to build key infrastructures in the Kyiv city area such as new fire stations.

This is one of the projects we at CEMR are gathering support for. Our taskforce on the war against Ukraine meets regularly to coordinate local and regional governments’ support to Ukraine and ensure political, material and financial aid is meeting the most urgent needs on the ground.

Hopefully, many other projects will be discussed at the occasion of my next visit to Mr Klitschko in Kyiv. The Mayor of Ukraine’s capital invited me to come for a longer visit next time and reassured me in his inimitable style: “If you are concerned about your security, I would like to reassure you, that you’ll have the two toughest bodyguards in town: my brother and myself!”

Political Debate on AI

AI - News Section

AI and local adaptation: an essential antidote to climate chaos


From automatic translation and the detection of cancer cells to the promise of self-driving cars, artificial intelligence (AI) is already transforming work and processes in many areas of life. But this revolution, which will only intensify in the coming years, also concerns public services and, in particular, local and regional governments.

This is particularly true in the area of climate change adaptation, given that meteorological risks are as diverse as the patchwork of the world’s territories. That’s why CEMR held a political debate on AI and climate adaptation in Bologna on Monday (4 July), featuring national, regional and local political leaders, as well as academic and international experts.

Stefano Bonaccini, the president of CEMR and of the Emilia-Romagna Region, highlighted Bologna’s hosting of the supercomputers of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). “This is a data centre for the entire European Union, containing some of the most powerful supercomputers in the continent”, he said. “By forecasting meteorological risks, the Centre contributes to shaping the most appropriate local and regional actions to adapt to an increasingly unstable climate.”

Such data will be sorely needed. European territories are increasingly being devastated by wildfires, floods and other extreme weather events. Andreas Wolter, the Mayor of Cologne, underlined that last year floods in Germany and Belgium killed almost 250 people and inflicted €20-40 billion in damages. The summer of 2021 was also the hottest on record in Europe, reaching 48.8 degrees Celsius in Sicily in August.

Patrizio Bianchi, the Italian Minister of Education, stressed the importance of AI and data to developing local, national and European responses to climate change and potential disasters. “We need data, data, data, and more data! And the capacity to elaborate on this data”, he said. “We are using this data to improve our capacity to live well and healthily, as well as to avoid war and disasters.”

Minister Bianchi stressed that Bologna’s data centre is one node in a pan-European system of climate simulations and that cooperation at all levels is key. He also emphasised that AI cannot substitute for human collective intelligence and civic responsibility: “The only real danger is human stupidity. We can avoid this by returning to the basic values of our democracies.”

Combined European and local action

Reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) increasingly suggest that we will not achieve the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting the global rise in temperatures to 2 degrees Celsius. As such, local climate adaptation will be necessary in addition to mitigation through reduced global emissions.

The European Union is taking numerous actions to anticipate and adapt to climate risks. These include the Copernicus Earth satellite observation programme, the Destination Earth digital model of our planet’s environmental system and a barrage of legislation and funding as part of the European Green Deal.

One European project particularly concerning local and regional governments is the Covenant of Mayors. The towns and regions making up the Covenant’s 11,000 signatories, covering 341 million inhabitants, all commit to taking measures to decarbonise their economies and proactively adapt to climate change.

The European Commission’s scientific body, the Joint Research Centre (JRC), regularly produces data-based studies on local climate risks and adaptation. These notably help identify the most coherent and effective actions to be undertaken in different localities, as well as flagging sometimes neglected issues such as social inequalities.

Public data and models are key to designing effective local adaptations

Enrico Biffis, Associate Professor of Actuarial Finance at Imperial College London, stressed the importance of data and accurate climate models to take the most relevant local adaptation actions. “If we don’t get it right the costs are going to be huge. Some of these projects are multi-year, 10, 20, 30 years”, he said. “You cannot just backtrack 10 years down the line. It’s imperative to get it right.”

Mayors and other local and regional elected leaders shared their experiences and challenges regarding climate adaptation. Michaël Quernez, Mayor of Quimperlé, Vice-President of Brittany and Secretary General of CEMR’s French association (AFCCRE), cited the problems of climate data becoming privatised. “In France, for a mayor like me to access to data from Météo-France (a public weather forecaster), he must buy it”, he said. “What can we do to ensure this is public data and it is not marketized?”

This is just one of the issues that local and regional representatives can raise among national and European policymakers. One thing is for certain: we need accurate information and cooperation at all levels if Europeans are to fight and adapt to climate change.

EU accession

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How can we support Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia’s joining the European Union?


It was a few days after the outbreak of war by Russia: Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia each submitted an official application to join the EU. Since then, Ukraine and Moldova have been granted official candidate status to join the Union, while for Georgia, EU leaders recognised its “European perspective,” a sort of prelude to formal candidacy.

But how can these countries that are betting on a European future prepare themselves? CEMR’s members adopt a declaration on the subject at their Policy Committee meeting, on 5 July 2022.

While it is undeniable that the enlargements of 2004, 2007 and 2013 have mechanically led the EU to play a greater role in Ukrainian, Georgian and Moldovan politics, the road to membership for these countries is still long and perilous.

In this context, local and regional governments and their representative associations can contribute to bringing them closer to the EU. As affirmed in the declaration, CEMR “commits to defending a Trio holistic approach and is ready to accompany the EU accession process of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia from a local perspective.”

For almost 25 years, CEMR, later supported by PLATFORMA, has been providing unstinting support to local governments in the EU’s eastern neighbours. As the declaration explains, CEMR’s network works continuously “to strengthen local autonomy and institutional capacity and foster multi-level governance reforms.”

In order to accompany the necessary institutional reforms and to ensure a sustainable integration process, CEMR’s members recommend “decentralised cooperation (…) to ensure a sustainable integration process.” And they specify that “peer exchanges, municipal partnerships, mentorship, study visits, twinning, seminars and training” are all levers to bring these three countries closer to the European Union.

While CEMR is ready to “continue to underpin its member associations in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine in their contribution to the EU accession process”, let’s hope that the European institutions and the relevant authorities fully involve local and regional governments in this process in due time.

As the European Commission points out, “the reform of public administration and the decentralisation process in these three countries are essential components of the EU accession criteria.” Europe is not built from the top down. In order to create a common base, it is necessary to start from the bottom.

EU directive on gender and domestic violence 

Gender Violence - News 2023

CEMR urges multi-level coordination, victim support, and recognition of women politicians’ safety 


Violence against women and domestic violence remain among the most widespread violations of fundamental rights in Europe. In response to the European Commission’s proposed Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has published a position paper calling for a unified and multi-level approach to ensure effective implementation across the EU. 

CEMR welcomes key elements of the Directive, including provisions on safeguarding victims, training professionals, tackling harmful gender stereotypes, and addressing sexual harassment at work. However, the organisation stresses that the Directive must go further to recognise the central role of local and regional governments (LRGs), who are on the frontline of prevention, victim support, and access to justice. 

Among its recommendations, CEMR calls for: 

  • Formal consultation with LRGs in policy design and coordination, ensuring that Article 39 on multi-level response explicitly requires their involvement. 
  • Targeted EU funding for local authorities through programmes such as CERV, ERDF and ESF+, to strengthen prevention, awareness-raising and victim services. 
  • Better data collection, disaggregated by sex, age and region (NUTS 2, NUTS 3, and local level), to tailor policies effectively. 
  • Improved victim support systems, combining both “one-stop” online access and physical centres, with minimum geographic coverage standards. 

The paper also highlights violence against women in politics, noting that harassment and threats against elected representatives undermine democracy itself. CEMR urges the addition of a specific clause under Article 13 on aggravating circumstances for violence against women in public office. 

Finally, CEMR emphasises the importance of prevention, beginning with early education to challenge gender stereotypes, and extending to workplaces where women in public-facing professions are disproportionately exposed to third-party violence. The organisation recommends a dedicated article on cooperation between LRGs and social partners to strengthen workplace protections. 

By adopting a truly coordinated, multi-level approach, the Directive could transform Europe’s fragmented response into a coherent framework that empowers governments at every level to protect women’s rights and safety. 

Read the policy paper here 

For more information, contact: 

CEMR report of 2021 

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Report on the publications, knowledge-sharing, advocacy and communications in 2021 


The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is pleased to present its 2021 Activity Report, which provides an overview of the organisation’s main actions and achievements over the year. Guided by the 2021–2030 multiannual strategy and the 2021–2022 work programme, CEMR focused its work on four objectives: 

  1. Policies and advocacy 
  1. Knowledge sharing and capacity-building 
  1. Pan-European campaigns and visibility 
  1. Internal organisation and sustainability 

All actions were aligned with the aim of advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across Europe’s territories. 

Shaping European and Global Agendas 

Throughout 2021, CEMR actively influenced European initiatives and alerted members to upcoming developments affecting local and regional governments. Activities included: 

  • Monitoring EU initiatives on recovery, resilience, and international cooperation. 
  • Engaging in structured dialogues on cohesion policy, rural development, disability rights, and urban development. 
  • Providing input that shaped OECD analyses, Council Conclusions, and the European long-term vision for rural areas. 
  • Publishing position papers and resolutions on gender equality, migration, the Fit for 55 energy package, water, and digitalisation. 

At the international level, CEMR deepened cooperation with UCLG, the Global Taskforce, OECD, and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. 

Building Knowledge and Capacity 

To strengthen understanding of EU policies and empower members to act, CEMR: 

  • Produced publications and webinars, including a new edition of the TERRI Report on decentralisation reforms. 
  • Organised workshops on member participation in national and European processes. 
  • Delivered capacity-building through externally funded projects in areas such as EU funding, climate adaptation, gender equality, migration, and SDG implementation. 

Raising Visibility and Engaging Citizens 

2021 was also a year of celebrations: 

  • 70th anniversary of CEMR and the 15th anniversary of the Equality Charter brought together 500 participants online. 
  • Pan-European campaigns were launched for Europe Day, SDG Day, and equality, highlighting the voices of local leaders and women in politics. 
  • CEMR ensured visibility for its spokespersons through social media, interviews, videos, and participation in international events. 

In numbers: 

  • Over 120 articles published in English and French. 
  • More than 650 tweets reaching 1 million views. 
  • 14 newsletters delivered to the network. 

Strengthening Internal Organisation 

CEMR took concrete steps to become a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient organisation: 

  • Two online Policy Committee meetings gathered 170 elected representatives to adopt policy positions and validate the strategy. 
  • A new Secretary General selection process was launched. 
  • Internal processes were modernised with digital templates, e-signatures, and reduced paper use. 
  • Staff received training on project management, budget monitoring, public speaking, and team collaboration. 

Milestones and Campaign Highlights 

  • Advocated for local governments to be included in post-COVID recovery plans (#CohesionAlliance). 
  • Shared local leaders’ visions for the Conference on the Future of Europe. 
  • Continued the #Power2Her and #LocalEquality campaigns on gender equality. 
  • Helped secure recognition of the multilevel cooperative model in the Glasgow COP26 agreement. 

2021 was a year of adaptation, resilience, and influence for CEMR. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the network succeeded in shaping European debates, amplifying the voice of local and regional governments, and strengthening internal capacities. With a stronger foundation and renewed strategy, CEMR continues its mission to empower Europe’s municipalities and regions to lead sustainable change. 

Read the study here

For more information, contact:

Training on Climate

Elected representatives receive training on climate adaptation and mitigation


CEMR, PLATFORMA together with United Cities and Local Government (UCLG), and the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative, organised two training sessions for politicians dedicated to climate adaptation and mitigation.

The aim of the training academy was to inspire politicians to develop their strategies, plans and actions through the discussion about climate change adaptation, mitigation and resilience in the global and Europe and Central Asia-specific context.  We counted over 120 participants worldwide.

World Refugee Day

Refugees - News Section

​CEMR marks World Refugee Day with a high-level event


Local and Regional Governments (LRGs) all over Europe are playing a crucial role in the management of this new migration wave as well as in the integration process of the newcomers. But this refugee crisis not only calls for emergency management but also reminds us of the urgency of establishing better-coordinated and more sustainable integration strategies that take into consideration the local perspective as the most relevant one. 

For this reason, the next in the series of IncluCities debates on core issues related to the current migration crisis will cast light on the importance of effective multilevel governance as a key tool to face migration emergencies.  We will discuss with MEPs: Birgit Sippel (S&D), Fabienne Keller (Renew), Damian Boeselager (Green/EFA) and Thomas Liebeig from the OECD. (Agenda) You can still register to follow the event in person or online. 

Statement on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

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European municipalities and regions reaffirm support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and local democracy amid ongoing threats 


The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has voiced deep concern over the ongoing Russian military build-up around Ukraine. Such actions pose new threats not only to Ukraine’s security and sovereignty but also to peace and democracy across the wider region. 

Local Governments Under Pressure 
Ukrainian municipalities and regions face immense challenges: providing public services under the daily threat of military escalation, sustaining decentralisation and governance reforms, and continuing the democratic development of their cities and communities. These pressures are particularly acute in eastern regions, which have already endured the consequences of war since 2014. 

Standing by Ukraine’s Sovereignty 
European local and regional leaders reaffirm their unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. These principles, rooted in international agreements and European security, cannot be compromised. 

Support from Europe 
CEMR welcomes the European Commission’s emergency financial assistance package to Ukraine and urges EU institutions and national governments to strengthen their support. Local authorities, directly in touch with citizens, continue to deliver essential services despite threats of conflict and energy blackmail. 

Commitment to Cooperation 
Europe’s municipalities and regions remain committed to supporting their Ukrainian peers through decentralised cooperation, city-to-city and region-to-region partnerships, and international solidarity efforts. Strengthening these ties will help ensure Ukraine’s continued development, resilience, and democratic future. 

Read the declaration here 

For more information, contact: 

Local Solidarity Forum

Bridges of Trust - News 2023 2

Join us at the occasion of the Slovakia-Ukraine Local Solidarity Forum


Join us on 9 June, from 10:00 to 12:00 CEST, for a lively online exchange on how to keep the momentum and support Ukrainian municipalities which are the backbone of the national resistance. Taking place online, the event will be conducted in English, Ukrainian and Slovak with simultaneous interpretation in three languages.

The Slovakia-Ukraine Local Solidarity Forum is jointly organised by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), PLATFORMA, the Association of Towns and Communities of Slovakia and the U-LEAD with Europe Programme. It will provide a unique space for dialogue and fostering cooperation among local authorities from Ukraine and Slovakia. 

The aim of this local solidarity forum between Slovakia and Ukraine will be to:

  • Highlight specific challenges of war time local governance from the ground in Ukraine;
  • Present best examples of local support by Slovakia, the challenges that were encountered and addressed;
  • Encourage creation of new municipal partnerships between Slovakia and Ukraine.

The full programme of the Forum can be found here: English, Ukrainian and Slovak.

To register, please fill in this online form by 7 June 2022. If you have any questions, please contact Yana.Brovdiy[at]ccre-cemr.org.


Форум місцевої солідарності: Словаччинa – Українa

Приєднуйтесь до нас 9 червня (з 11:00 до 13:00 за київським часом / 10:00-12:00 за словацьким часом) для того щоб обговорити, як ми можемо зберегти імпульс і продовжувати допомагати українським громадам, які є хребтом національного опору. Форум пройде онлайн. Трансляція буде доступна українською, словацькою та англійською.

Форум проводиться спільно Радою європейських муніципалітетів та регіонів,  ПЛАТФОРМОЮ, 
Асоціацією міст і громад Словаччини та програмою  « U-LEAD з Європою ». Він забезпечить унікальний простір для діалогу та сприяння співпраці між місцевими органами влади України та Словаччини. 
Форум місцевої солідарності між Словаччиною та Україною покликаний: 

Висвітлити конкретні виклики місцевого самоврядування під час воєнного часу в Україні; 

  • Представити найкращі приклади підтримки України з боку місцевої влади у Словаччині, проблеми, з
  • якими стикалися та як вони вирішувалися;
  • Сприяти створенню нових муніципальних партнерств між Словаччиною та Україною.

З повною програмою Форуму можна ознайомитися тут.

Щоб зареєструватися, будь ласка, заповніть цю форму до 7 червня 2022 р.

Якщо у Вас виникли запитання, будь ласка, зв’яжіться з нами за адресою Yana.Brovdiy[at]ccre-cemr.org.