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BIZARRO Pedro
In Climate, Climate, Covenant of Mayors for Sub-Saharan Africa [closed project], Covenant of Mayors for Sub-Saharan Africa [closed project], Environment, Environment, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Latest, Projects and Programmes, Projects and programmes, Publications

Building climate-ready cities in Africa 

Sub-Saharan Africa - News Section

Lessons from the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa on strengthening local capacity for energy access and resilience

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The Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) has, over its first four years, shown that local leadership is essential in tackling climate change and improving energy access. Supported by the European Union and global partners, the initiative empowers municipalities to design and implement Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plans (SEACAPs), tailored to their contexts. 

Developing Local Capacity 

One of the clearest lessons is the importance of involving African partners early and consistently. Contextualising European approaches to local realities in Sub-Saharan Africa has proven key to success. Peer-to-peer learning, including informal exchanges like WhatsApp groups, has strengthened communities of practice and allowed cities to share knowledge beyond language and geographic barriers. 

At the same time, challenges remain. Sparse data, limited technical expertise, and difficulties in political continuity have slowed progress. Travel barriers, connectivity issues, and shifting national dynamics have highlighted the need for more flexible and innovative support structures. The presence of local intermediary organisations, universities, NGOs, or research centres has emerged as critical in anchoring capacity and ensuring sustainability beyond donor cycles. 

Successes and Lessons 
Despite obstacles, CoM SSA has enabled cities such as Bouaké, Dakar, and Tsévié to make tangible progress on emissions inventories and resilience planning. The development of SEACAP guidelines, adapted through extensive consultation, provided a framework that cities could build upon. Simplified tools and hands-on training helped municipalities overcome initial hurdles, while regional workshops fostered solidarity and collective ambition. 

The first phase of CoM SSA demonstrates that building climate resilience in African cities requires time, trust, and resources. Moving forward, stronger capacity-building, continuous peer exchanges, and deeper involvement of local support organisations will be vital. With growing international momentum on climate action, this initiative has laid the groundwork for a long-term transformation: cities that are not only more resilient but also better equipped to deliver sustainable energy for all. 

Read the study here 

For more information, contact: 

BIZARRO Pedro
In IncluCities [closed project], Latest, Projects and Programmes

Inclucities – Hiring

BoT Expertise - News 2023

We are recruiting a Project Officer – Migration and Integration

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is recruiting an Officer for IncluCities (full-time contract at the CEMR Secretariat in Brussels until January 2023).

Find all the details in the Job description.

Please send your CV and application letter, telling about your motivation and interest to application@ccre-cemr.org before 10 January 2021 – 23:59. Please put ‘Project Officer – IncluCities’ in the title of the email.

ROSSI Fabrizio
In About CEMR, Latest

CEMR in mourning

Valéry Giscard d’Estaing - News 2020

CEMR pays tribute to Valéry Giscard d’Estaing

CEMR pays tribute to Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, key architect of the European project and strong advocate for local democracy.

“Valéry Giscard d’Estaing’s presidency of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions was marked by his commitment to fight for the recognition of local and regional governments as integral parts of governance. We owe him article 4(2) of the Lisbon Treaty protecting local self-government, which he had inserted into the draft constitution while he served as president of the Convention on the Future of Europe.”

Stefano Bonaccini, President of CEMR and of the Emilia-Romagna Region
Frédéric Vallier, CEMR Secretary General

BIZARRO Pedro
In IncluCities [closed project], Latest, Projects and Programmes

IncluCities Website

IncluCities Website - News 2020

IncluCities goes live

We are launching a brand new IncluCities website!

With all project-related information and everything you need to know to keep yourself up-to-date on European policy on migrant integration and inclusion, this will be the focal point of the IncluCities community.

Keeping all eight participating cities and their local government associations involved, we will offer insights into the IncluCities project’s progress, dynamics, ideas from the ground, lessons learned and action plans for cities to improve the way local communities welcome newcomers.

LOCAL is the new GLOBAL

This website will gather news on topics related to migration, integration and inclusion. The main aim is to focus on global issues by presenting existing local practices of the IncluCities’ partners and sharing ideas from other cities and municipalities across Europe. However, we won’t miss any key EU initiatives around these topics, such as the new EU Action Plan on integration and inclusion of migrants.

Check the handshake

With the interactive map of participating cities, we want to present the participants and their associations. Click on the maps handshakes to access a visual presentation of each mentoring pair cooperation, listing data and describing the strengths, needs and best practices of participating cities.

Method in a snapshot

For those interested in in-depth methodology, check out our resources page with all the mentoring documents. Take a look at the graphical step-by-step explanation of each process. From study visits to training academies and workshops, the process will lead to effective action plans that will open new approaches and structures for migrant integration.

Meet our partners

A full section is dedicated to our partners, the seven associations of local and regional governments and their participating cities. To learn more about them, follow the links or get in touch with the contact person.

Behind the scenes

There is always a human story behind every initiative. We hope to showcase many, through interviews and various videos on how integration and education work in everyday life.

Want to know how child refugees are coping in Livadia, Greece? Or to learn how the Spanish town of Fuenlabrada is fighting discrimination with an animated video dispelling unfounded rumours? Or how migrants and people with migrant backgrounds in Brussels help refugees find their way as volunteers in reception centres? If so, the news on work behind the scenes is the right place to go. Lots of other external publications, project deliverables and working documents will be placed under resources.

Stay engaged

To stay updated, click on the website’s letter icon to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Twitter or Facebook. There are many ways and channels where we can connect and interact.

BALLESTA ORTA Rocío
In Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Latest, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Projects and Programmes, Projects and programmes, Publications

Educating for global citizenship 

Education - News section

How local and regional governments raise awareness for sustainable development through Development Education

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In the face of global challenges like climate change, migration, and rising inequalities, citizen engagement is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. Local and regional governments (LRGs), being the level of governance closest to the people, are uniquely positioned to connect global issues with daily realities. Through Development Education and Awareness Raising (DEAR), LRGs play a transformative role in fostering active, informed and responsible citizenship. 

DEAR is not just about delivering information, it’s about sparking engagement, critical thinking, and collective action. This article presents the key findings and recommendations from PLATFORMA’s Success Stories Collection, showcasing how LRGs and their associations help citizens understand global interdependencies and become agents of change. 

PLATFORMA, a pan-European coalition of LRGs active in development cooperation, advocates for the strategic role of LRGs in informing, mobilising, and engaging communities for global sustainable development. The collection highlights real-life examples of how LRGs across Europe use DEAR to bring the 2030 Agenda closer to citizens. 

Why LRGs Matter for DEAR 
LRGs are trusted institutions with a public mandate. By collaborating with schools, civil society organisations (CSOs), and cultural actors, they can: 

  • Simplify complex global agendas like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) without diluting their message, 
  • Restore trust in public institutions, 
  • Build social cohesion, 
  • Reach under-resourced municipalities through national associations of LRGs (LRGAs). 

What is DEAR? 
Development Education and Awareness Raising (DEAR) strategies seek to transform community behaviour and attitudes toward global challenges. Rooted in concepts like Global Citizenship Education (GCE), DEAR blends learning with action. Its two main approaches are: 

  • Global-Learning: Focused on knowledge-building and participatory education. 
  • Campaigning-Advocacy: Aimed at policy and behaviour change through public mobilisation. 

Showcasing DEAR in Action 
The publication features 19 case studies, divided into two parts: 

  • Part 1: Ten Campaigning-Advocacy projects targeting policy or institutional changes. 
  • Part 2: Nine Global-Learning projects focused on pedagogical empowerment and community knowledge-building. 
    A third section delves into the financial tools and methodologies that support DEAR implementation. 

The DEAR experience proves that raising citizens’ awareness is not a one-off campaign, it’s a continuous process of reflection, transformation, and action. PLATFORMA outlines seven clear recommendations for local and regional governments to enhance their DEAR impact: 

  1. Promote whole-of-society partnerships: Create inclusive spaces and initiatives like the European Days of Local Solidarity to unite communities around shared challenges. 
  1. Commit to long-term planning: Change takes time; DEAR strategies must evolve and stay relevant. 
  1. Foster mutual learning and participation: Engage citizens in workshops, forums, and school programmes, learning is most effective when it is shared. 
  1. Defend the unique role of LRGs: Encourage inclusion of LRGs in EU DEAR calls and empower their associations to support smaller municipalities. 
  1. Prioritise youth engagement: Let young people lead and amplify messages through social media and peer-to-peer initiatives. 
  1. Use public and digital spaces creatively: Awareness campaigns in urban areas and online tools ensure a wide reach and participation. 
  1. Evaluate meaningfully: Include both qualitative and quantitative indicators, participatory feedback, and mid-term evaluations to track behaviour change. 

As we face increasingly complex global challenges, LRGs and their associations are vital in shaping how communities think, act, and respond. By embedding DEAR into their governance and outreach strategies, local institutions become not only service providers but educators and catalysts of global change. 

Read the study here 

For more information, contact: 

GAUDRON Marine
In Impact community Cohesion, Latest

Cohesion Alliance

Cohesion Alliance - News 2020

#CohesionAlliance mobilises to back the European Parliament in the final stretch to secure a strong and participated cohesion policy 2021-2027

The #CohesionAlliance partner organisations met online to discuss the current state of the trilogue negotiations of the cohesion policy package with representatives from the European Parliament, the European Commission and the German Council Presidency. The partner organisations representing cities, regions and regional assemblies voiced their concern about macroeconomic conditionality, the risk of centralisation and the full implementation of cohesion and REACT EU programmes over the upcoming years.

The negotiations between European Parliament and Council on the rules for cohesion policy 2021-27 are entering the final phase. Cities, townsand regions and the European Parliament have converged on key demands and successfully advocated for strong cohesion policy beyond 2020. 

“Concluding the negotiations on all cohesion policy programmes is more urgent than ever. It’s less than one months until Christmas, so national governments should stop playing games and listen to its cities and regions. A delay in the negotiations on the cohesion policy regulation risks a postponement of the start of programmes. This would have a direct impact on our citizens, who urgently rely on the EU support. These funds are essential for local and regional authorities to take action against the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and accelerate a sustainable and socially-fair recovery“, said Isabelle Boudineau, Chair of the Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy and EU Budget (COTER) of the European Committee of the Regions.

Younous Omarjee, MEP, Chair of the REGI committee: “The European Union is going through an economic and social crisis on an unprecedented scale. The conditions for recovery in 2021 are unknown. More than ever, cohesion policy must be powerful, because today what is threatening is the distortion of economies and divergence. The logic of cohesion and solidarity must take precedence over that of competition. The principles of cohesion must be at the heart of the recovery, and we must plead for a recovery that is sustainable, but also fair and equitable.”

During the debate with Marc Lemaitre, Director-General DG REGIO, European Commission, and Heinz Hetmeier, Deputy Director-General for European Economic Policy, EU Structural and State Aid Policy, and Twinning at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the #CohesionAlliance partners voiced their concern about some remaining key issues in this last phase of the negotiations. In particular, towns, cities and regions worry that macroeconomic conditionality introduces significant uncertainty on future investment once the Growth and Stability Pact comes back into force. Furthermore, a narrow definition of the scope of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) would make key investment ineligible and an ill-conceived flexibility would allow for centralisation and weakening of key tools such as the European Social Fund. 

At the same time, managing authorities will face significant implementation challenges as the new programmes 2021-2027 will run in parallel with the current prolonged programmes 2014-2020. The #CohesionAlliance partners therefore call on the European Parliament and the Council to simplify the new regulations as much as possible as well to speed up their adoption. 

Further interventions from the conference (alphabetical order): 

• Magnus Berntsson, President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER): “In this crisis, it is time to practice the leadership that our citizens expect from the EU and national governments. Time to promote new jobs, competitiveness, sustainable and inclusive growth to drive the recovery. To achieve this, funding must reach our regions, villages and cities immediately. And they must have a say in how best to use the funds.”

• Wim Dries, Mayor of Genk and member of the Policy Committee of Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR): “Even when all Member States will agree in the Council, Europe’s next long-term budget and Recovery Plan will still have to go through parliaments to become fully adopted and operational. The resulting delay will clash with our urgent needs, in terms of public services delivery and finances. National associations of local and regional governments can help convey the urgency of swift local action to our parliaments.”

• Karl-Heinz Lambertz, President of the Association of European Border Regions (AEBR): “The difficulties for recovery in regions with different pre-existing handicaps such as border regions, peripheral, sparsely populated, mountainous, etc., should be considered when planning the allocation of new or extended EU programmes. Territorial cooperation programmes and a new generation of integrated territorial instruments should receive the necessary inputs to accelerate the economic recovery of all territories of the EU and, thus, serve as laboratories for a strengthened European integration. The participation of local and regional authorities and stakeholders in the design and management of these programmes will mean a better identification of the needs to address and the best way to proceed, adding a great value to their implementation while guaranteeing high-quality delivery.“

• Ricardo Rio, Mayor of Braga and member of the Executive Committee of EUROCITIES: “We can maximise the impact of future investments, if we target the local needs in times of crisis. For this to happen, cities must have a seat at the table when the decisions about programming priorities are taken. When we work closely together across levels of government, we can ensure that cohesion policy is invested where it makes a positive difference to the quality of life locally.“

• Ana Martinez Vidal, Vice-President of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) and Regional Minister of the Region of Murcia: “As Cohesion Alliance Partners, we should keep our efforts to voice the view of the local and regional authorities. A sustainable economic recovery will only be achieved if local and regional authorities have a central role in designing and delivering the investments under the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The Partnership principle and multilevel governance become more important than ever.”

GAUDRON Marine
In Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Latest, Publications, Territorial development, Territorial development

Empowering Europe’s rural future

Cohesion Policy Alliance - News 2020

CEMR urges inclusive, place-based vision for rural territories 

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As the European Union shapes its long-term vision for rural areas, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) calls for a fresh, inclusive approach that recognises rural territories as vibrant, diverse, and essential to Europe’s sustainable future. 

In a context shaped by post-COVID realities, demographic shifts, and the need for climate resilience, CEMR stresses that rural areas must no longer be seen as peripheral or left behind. Over 50% of Europeans live in rural or peri-urban territories, yet these areas still face gaps in investment, connectivity, and access to services. 

CEMR’s position lays out a clear path forward: 

  • Shift the narrative: Rural areas are not just agricultural zones in decline, but places of opportunity, well-being, and innovation. A positive and modern image must be promoted across all levels of government. 
  • Invest in connections: Better transport links, broadband access, and energy infrastructure are key to rural inclusion. Public investment must step in where market failures persist. 
  • Strengthen local governance: Municipalities and regions are best placed to tailor solutions to their rural communities. They must be true partners in designing and delivering EU and national policies. 
  • Support rural services and quality of life: Equal access to health, education, culture, and mobility is crucial to prevent depopulation and ensure territorial cohesion. 
  • Target EU funding more effectively: Cohesion Policy, CAP, Horizon Europe, and recovery instruments must better support rural-specific needs, with simplified access for small municipalities. 
  • Foster youth engagement and gender equity: Making rural areas attractive for young people, women, and families will require tailored policies and investment in social infrastructure. 

CEMR calls on the EU, Member States, and institutions like the OECD and Council of Europe to take these principles seriously and to build rural policies that are integrated, inclusive, and future-focused. From tourism and energy to local governance and public services, rural areas must be seen as full contributors to Europe’s social and territorial fabric. 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

BANOS DE GUISASOLA Eva
In Climate, Climate, Energy, Energy, Environment, Environment, EU Covenant of Mayors, EU Covenant of Mayors, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Latest, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Projects and Programmes, Projects and programmes, Publications

Local action for climate at COP26

Climate Change - News Section

Municipalities and regions are essential to implementing the Paris Agreement and achieving the SDGs 

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As the world prepares for COP26, the urgency of implementing the Paris Agreement is clearer than ever. Delays are no longer acceptable: ambitious climate action must be delivered across all levels of governance, with municipalities and regions at the forefront. Local leadership, appropriate regulatory frameworks, and decentralised solutions will be crucial to achieving carbon neutrality and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Tackling climate change requires ambitious leadership, and local governments are uniquely positioned to deliver practical results. Cities and regions across Europe are already setting climate targets and developing local solutions to global challenges. Their involvement in international processes, such as through the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) constituency, ensures that local voices shape global action. 

Effective climate policies also depend on appropriate regulatory and financial support. EU and national frameworks must acknowledge the diversity of local realities, enabling tailored solutions. Adequate funding, capacity-building, and investment are necessary to empower municipalities and regions to meet their commitments. Initiatives like the European Green Deal and a just transition should ensure no community is left behind. 

Finally, the localisation of the SDGs is inseparable from the climate agenda. With 65% of SDG targets linked to local action, decentralised approaches and multi-level governance are vital. Embedding the 2030 Agenda into territorial strategies will ensure that global commitments translate into tangible improvements in communities. 

The path to COP26 underscores a simple truth: global goals can only be achieved through local action. By supporting municipalities and regions with resources, recognition, and a genuine role in decision-making, the EU and international community can ensure that the Paris Agreement and SDGs are implemented effectively, delivering a sustainable and resilient future for all. 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

BENNIS Hamza
In Digitalisation, Digitalisation, Employment, Employment, Gender equality, Gender equality, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Latest, Migration and inclusion, Migration and inclusion, Publications, Skills, Skills, ,

Social rights, local action 

Social Rights Labour - News

What are the priorities for implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights with a strong local and regional involvement? 

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The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) welcomes the European Pillar of Social Rights as a step toward strengthening fairness and equality in Europe. While supporting its ambition, CEMR stresses that the measures linked to the Pillar’s 20 principles should remain non-binding, respecting the diversity of national, regional and local competences. For local and regional governments, the Pillar should serve as a reference framework to inspire reforms, rather than impose uniform rules. 

CEMR identifies key challenges where Europe must act: rising inequality, persistent poverty, gender gaps, and labour market transitions accelerated by digitalisation and COVID-19. Municipalities and regions, as major providers of education, housing, health, social inclusion and employment services, are at the heart of delivering social rights. 

CEMR’s policy priorities include: 

  • Skills and education: investment in training, apprenticeships and digital access to avoid a “lost generation” of young people. 
  • Demographic change: integrating women, older workers, migrants, and disadvantaged groups into the labour market. 
  • Gender equality: boosting women’s participation and addressing work-life balance challenges, especially in the pandemic’s aftermath. 

At the same time, CEMR warns against excessive bureaucracy or additional reporting obligations for local authorities, calling instead for best practice exchange, benchmarks, and adequate funding. 

For the European Pillar of Social Rights to succeed, it must respect subsidiarity, strengthen social dialogue, and involve local and regional governments as essential actors. Municipalities, cities, and regions are indispensable in turning principles into concrete progress, provided they are given the flexibility, resources and recognition needed to deliver. 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

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

New EU strategy to climate change 

Climate - News Section

CEMR’s Response to the EU Adaptation Strategy Review 

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The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) strongly supports the development of a revised EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change, calling for a clear EU Action Plan that empowers local and regional governments (LRGs) to lead on the ground. 

Climate change is already a reality for Europe’s cities and regions, with impacts ranging from floods and heatwaves to droughts, wildfires and biodiversity loss. As the first responders to these challenges, LRGs are on the front line and play a vital role in ensuring climate-resilient communities. 

In its official response to the 2020 EU consultation, CEMR stresses that: 

  • Adaptation is as urgent as mitigation. While reducing emissions remains essential, Europe must also adapt to unavoidable impacts already underway. 
  • Localised responses are essential. Climate impacts vary significantly across territories. An effective adaptation strategy must reflect local vulnerabilities, risks and capacities. 
  • Integration is key. Adaptation should be embedded into land use planning, infrastructure, housing, water and environmental management, combining it with mitigation whenever possible. 
  • Transformation requires support. LRGs need financial tools, enabling policies, capacity-building, data access and stronger multilevel governance to deliver meaningful change. 
  • Nature-based solutions are critical. Investments in green infrastructure, biodiversity and water retention areas help cities adapt sustainably and cost-effectively. 

CEMR also urges the Commission to ensure that adaptation becomes a mainstream requirement in planning and investment decisions. Risk and climate vulnerability assessments should guide long-term urban development, infrastructure planning and emergency preparedness. 

Moreover, LRGs are not only ready to act locally but also to support international efforts, particularly in cooperation with developing countries, contributing to the goals of the Paris Agreement. 

As part of the European Green Deal, the new strategy should enable and accelerate local action, ensuring that no city or region is left behind in preparing for climate risks. 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

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