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BORDELOT Federica
In Governance, Governance, Latest, Local democracy, Local democracy, Publications

European elections manifesto of 2019 

EU Elections - News

Stronger EU policies require the full involvement of local and regional governments to ensure democracy, sustainability, and citizen engagement 

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The 2019 European Parliament elections took place at a decisive moment for the Union, marked by global challenges, climate imperatives, and demands for greater transparency. Local and regional leaders stressed that Europe’s future depends on building closer ties between EU institutions and citizens, while ensuring that local governments are recognised as central actors in European governance. 

Local Governments at the Heart of Europe 
Europe’s 130,000 municipalities and regions are indispensable to democracy and public life. They provide services, drive innovation, and implement EU policies on the ground. To meet citizens’ expectations, the EU must adopt governance models that fully recognise the role of local authorities in decision-making, as outlined in Article 4 of the Treaty on the European Union. 

Key Priorities for the Future 
The challenges Europe faces, climate change, sustainable growth, social inclusion, and democratic participation, require a strong partnership across all levels of government. Local and regional leaders have called for: 

  • Strengthened cohesion policy as a central EU priority to reduce inequalities and foster sustainable development. 
  • Citizen-centred democracy, including local dialogues between communities and EU institutions and greater transparency in decision-making. 
  • Education for Europe, such as promoting the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in schools and ensuring every pupil has the chance to visit EU institutions. 
  • Climate and global commitments, with local governments mobilising to achieve the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 
  • Inclusive governance, with clearer recognition of the representative role of local associations and easier cooperation across borders, including with UK local governments post-Brexit. 

A stronger European Union can only be built in partnership with its cities, municipalities, and regions. By embedding local governments into EU governance, supporting their projects, and fostering open dialogue with citizens, Europe can remain democratic, resilient, and united in the face of today’s challenges. 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

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

Financing climate action in Africa

Africa - News Section

New guide helps African cities unlock funding to implement their sustainable energy and climate plans 

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As cities across Sub-Saharan Africa face mounting climate threats, they are also increasingly expected to lead the response. Rapid urbanisation, vulnerability to extreme weather, and growing emissions underscore the urgent need for robust local climate action. Yet financing remains a critical hurdle. 

To address this, a new publication supported by the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) offers a practical overview of climate finance options available to local governments. It focuses on helping cities develop and implement their Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plans (SEACAPs), a cornerstone of the CoM SSA initiative. 

While numerous funding mechanisms and instruments exist, from global climate funds to development grants and blended finance models, many remain inaccessible to local authorities. Complex application processes, lack of technical capacity, and a mismatch between financing requirements and city realities are key barriers. 

The publication identifies actionable pathways forward. Among them: 

  • Clearer guidance on eligibility and technical criteria for accessing major funding streams. 
  • Support for project preparation, including technical assistance and capacity building. 
  • The need for intermediary institutions, such as subnational development banks, to channel finance to the local level. 
  • Improved national frameworks to enable direct municipal access to funds and attract private sector investment. 
  • Community-based and innovative financing models, such as cooperatives, crowdfunding, and microfinance, to mobilise local capital. 

The guide also encourages governments and donors to strengthen partnerships with local authorities, recognising their key role in meeting national and global climate goals. 

Ultimately, the success of SEACAP implementation depends not only on access to finance but also on inclusive planning, local ownership, and sustained political will. Empowering cities with the tools and resources to act will be essential for climate resilience and sustainable development across the region. 

Read the study here 

For more information, contact: 

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

Talanoa for climate action 

Covenant of Mayors in Africa - News

Inclusive dialogues in Africa driving cooperation to strengthen and raise ambition of national climate commitments 

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Urban areas contribute up to 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions and are highly vulnerable to climate impacts. Cities in Africa, already hotspots of climate risk, are therefore central to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. Recognising this, the Cities and Regions Talanoa Dialogues have emerged as an innovative approach to align national, subnational, and international actors in raising climate ambition. 

The concept of Talanoa, originating in Pacific Island traditions, emphasises open, inclusive, and participatory dialogue. First introduced in the UNFCCC process at COP23, it provides a safe space for stakeholders to reflect, share experiences, and identify pathways forward. ICLEI, together with the Global Covenant of Mayors and UN-Habitat, launched the Cities and Regions Talanoa Dialogues in 2018 to bring this ethos into climate policy discussions. 

By the end of 2018, more than 60 dialogues in 40 countries were held, including eight in seven African countries, convening local leaders, youth organisations, investors, and development agencies. These dialogues addressed three guiding questions: 

  1. Where are we? – assessing current national and local commitments. 
  1. Where do we want to go? – linking climate action to SDGs and urban development policies. 
  1. How do we get there? – identifying joint models for financing, governance, and implementation. 

In Africa, the Talanoa ethos resonated strongly. Participants pointed out similar local traditions of collective storytelling and decision-making, such as oxungt in Namibia. This cultural grounding reinforced the importance of making global frameworks relevant to local realities. 

Key lesson: for NDCs to be both credible and ambitious, regular multi-level engagement is essential. National governments must work hand in hand with municipalities, regional authorities, and civil society to mobilise the technical, financial, and policy resources required for implementation. 

The Talanoa Dialogues in Africa have shown that inclusive storytelling is not just a cultural tradition, it is a practical pathway to more ambitious climate action. 

Read the study here 

For more information, contact: 

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

Cohesion policy at risk 

Cohesion Policy Alliance - News 2021

CEMR outlines 10 key messages on the future of cohesion policy and calls for stronger territorial and partnership approaches 

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The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has set out ten key messages on the European Commission’s proposals for the future of cohesion policy. While welcoming steps towards simplification, CEMR warns against funding cuts, weakened territorial approaches and the exclusion of rural development from cohesion policy. 

Protecting territorial and partnership principles 

CEMR stresses that the Partnership Principle must be enforced across all regulations, ensuring that local and regional governments have a meaningful role in designing and implementing programmes. Equally, the territorial approach should not be sidelined but mainstreamed across all policy objectives of cohesion policy, including ESF+ and CAP rural development. 

Ensuring flexibility and capacity 

The proposals must safeguard the possibility of multi-fund approaches such as Community Led Local Development (CLLD) and Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI). Local and regional governments also need more flexibility to set investment priorities according to local needs, backed by sufficient resources for capacity building and technical assistance. 

Avoiding harmful reductions 

CEMR warns that cohesion policy risks losing its integrated character if funding is fragmented or reduced. Particular concern is raised over cuts to European Territorial Cooperation (INTERREG), which plays a vital role in fostering cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation. 

Conclusion 

CEMR calls on EU institutions to ensure that the next Multiannual Financial Framework preserves cohesion policy as a strong, place-based instrument, rooted in partnership and territorial development, capable of addressing Europe’s diverse challenges. 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

BANOS DE GUISASOLA Eva
In Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Latest, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Publications

Towns leading global change  

Sustainable Development Goals - News

How Europe’s towns and regions are turning global sustainability goals into everyday reality 

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Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, it has become increasingly clear that towns and regions are at the forefront of making the global goals a reality. Local and regional governments are responsible for many of the services that directly affect citizens’ lives, education, housing, transport, waste management, and health. Their actions, often taken without reference to international frameworks, already contribute to creating more sustainable communities. 

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) and PLATFORMA highlight the central role of local governments not just as service providers but also as policy shapers, awareness raisers, and partnership builders. By engaging citizens and other stakeholders, municipalities are uniquely placed to embed sustainability principles in everyday governance. 

To support and strengthen this work, four clear recommendations emerge: 

  1. Increase participation – raise awareness among citizens and encourage greater involvement in sustainability initiatives. 
  1. Ensure coherence – integrate local governments into national strategies to avoid fragmented approaches. 
  1. Build capacity – provide technical tools and knowledge so municipalities can implement goals effectively. 
  1. Support partnerships – back international cooperation and exchange between towns and regions to reinforce solidarity. 

Progress is visible, but challenges remain: insufficient resources, difficulties in collecting local data, and the need for stronger national frameworks. Despite these obstacles, municipalities are proving to be powerful drivers of sustainable change. From inclusive policies to decentralised cooperation, they are demonstrating that building a sustainable future must begin at the local level. 

The global goals are not about imposing new tasks on towns and regions, but about offering a common framework and shared language. Europe’s municipalities are showing that sustainability is not abstract: it is local, practical, and essential for the well-being of communities today and tomorrow. 

Read the study here 

For more information, contact: 

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

How Europe is taking the lead on SDGs

Localising SDGs - News

Just out: New study on how to assess the UN Global Goals on the ground

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Towns and regions still lack the financial resources to monitor the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is one of the problems identified by associations of local and regional governments in a ground-breaking study carried out by PLATFORMA and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) on the evaluation of the actions taken to localise the UN Global Goals.

This study, entitled “Sustainable Development Goals – How Europe’s town and regions are taking the lead”, highlights the main challenges identified by associations of towns and regions, the top three being the lack of financial resources, the lack of data available at the local level and the lack of training.

But this fresh study is not only about identifying obstacles, it also collects good practices taken by associations and makes concrete recommendations on how to monitor the local implementation of the SDGs at domestic and international level. This includes the nomination of local SDG ambassadors, the setting of indicators or awareness raising campaigns.

The study was presented today in New York, at the 2018 UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, an 8-day meeting with a central role in the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Representing CEMR and PLATFORMA, the Mayor of Soria (Spain), Carlos Martínez Mínguez, explains: “Today, cities represent the global leadership which allows people to be at the core of the 2030 Agenda.”

He adds: “There is no doubt that towns and regions, national governments, the European Union and international institutions can overcome obstacles together to achieve the localisation of the SDGs. However, local and regional governments need support, both financially and technically. This is the role that associations of towns and regions are playing, but they can’t achieve this alone.”

For Carlos Martínez, the study shows that by working closer together, everybody wins: on the design, implementation and monitoring of national SDG strategies. He also also called on all EU Member States to follow the Spanish example and include next year a chapter on local governments’ actions to localise SDGs in their Voluntary National Reviews to the UN.

This publication is also available in French.

Background

Based on a survey sent out to national associations of local and regional governments, this study complements the Global Task Force’s 2nd Report to the High-Level Political Forum 2018, to which CEMR and PLATFORMA have also contributed.

This study was developed in the framework of the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed between CEMR-PLATFORMA and the European Commission.

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GAUDRON Marine
In EU budget, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Society, Latest, Publications, Territorial development, Territorial development

Protecting regional solidarity funds 

Investing in Europe - News

CEMR warns against budget cuts and calls for strong, ambitious cohesion policy at the heart of Europe’s future 

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At its Policy Committee meeting in Bilbao (11 June 2018), the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) adopted a declaration on the European Commission’s proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). While the proposals maintain cohesion policy interventions in all European regions, CEMR highlights serious concerns about the reduced ambition and risks for Europe’s territories. 

Risks of a reduced budget 

The proposed 7% cut to cohesion policy represents more than a financial adjustment: it risks undermining the EU’s ability to deliver on key priorities such as climate action, social inclusion and economic development. CEMR stresses that cohesion policy is not just another programme, but an objective enshrined in the EU Treaties and central to the Union’s DNA. 

Safeguarding cohesion and partnership 

CEMR calls for cohesion policy to remain focused on territorial, economic and social cohesion, not diluted by unrelated measures such as public administration reforms. It also warns that new provisions risk weakening integrated territorial development by creating further divisions between funding streams such as the ERDF and ESF+. At the same time, local and regional governments must not be penalised for decisions taken at national or EU level within the European Semester. 

A modernised but ambitious approach 

CEMR welcomes efforts towards simplification, flexibility and sound financial management. However, the organisation insists that modernisation cannot come at the cost of ambition. Local and regional governments, the main investors in cohesion policy sectors, must be closely involved in shaping and implementing programmes through strong partnership agreements. 

Looking ahead 

As negotiations continue, CEMR urges that the future cohesion policy reflect the EU’s broader commitments, including the Sustainable Development Goals, climate action and the European Pillar of Social Rights. Europe’s capacity to meet these challenges depends on empowering its municipalities and regions, placing them at the heart of the European project. 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

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

Review of clean vehicles directive

Mobility - News section

Rethinking EU Clean Vehicles Rules: Why CEMR Calls for Flexibility, Funding, and Local Autonomy 

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With road transport accounting for nearly a quarter of Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions, the EU is pushing for cleaner mobility solutions across all sectors. But in its current form, the proposed revision of the Clean Vehicles Directive could undermine the very public transport systems it aims to green. The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) raises serious concerns about the directive’s scope, rigid procurement quotas, and potential to impose disproportionate costs on local and regional governments. 

Rather than empowering local authorities, the directive risks creating new financial burdens, administrative complexity, and counterproductive outcomes, such as reduced services or higher fares that could drive citizens away from public transport. 

Key messages include: 

  • Public authorities are not the problem. Local public transport is already among the cleanest transport modes. Efforts must focus more on vehicle manufacturers and private transport operators, not just municipalities. 
  • Procurement must remain flexible. While green public procurement should be encouraged, mandatory environmental or social criteria for public contracts would conflict with the subsidiarity principle and public procurement law. Local governments must retain the freedom to balance cost, service needs, and environmental goals. 
  • Technology neutrality is essential. The directive should avoid favouring specific technologies. Instead, a life-cycle emissions approach should guide definitions of “clean vehicles,” including real-driving emissions and biofuels. Special-purpose vehicles such as snow ploughs and waste trucks should be excluded. 
  • Quotas may backfire. Mandatory targets for clean vehicle procurement risk creating a vicious cycle: higher costs for local authorities may lead to service cuts, higher fares, and reduced public transport use, ultimately undermining climate goals. 
  • Funding must follow ambition. The transition to cleaner fleets requires substantial investment. CEMR calls for EU support, including a “golden rule” exempting public transport investment from Maastricht deficit rules, and more targeted funding. 
  • Reporting must be simplified. New national-level monitoring and reporting rules must not overload the over 100,000 local authorities across the EU. CEMR urges a streamlined, risk-based approach to limit bureaucracy. 

Ultimately, CEMR opposes the directive in its current form and urges amendments that respect local autonomy, enable cost-effective transition, and support sustainable transport without penalising the public sector already leading the way. 

Read position paper here

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BORDELOT Federica
In EU budget, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Latest, Migration and inclusion, Publications

Funding migration integration 

Migration - News Section

How EU funds can better support local and regional governments in managing migration and long-term inclusion 

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Migration continues to shape Europe’s future, bringing both challenges and opportunities. While national governments define migration policies, it is local and regional governments that carry the responsibility of welcoming newcomers, providing housing, schools, healthcare, and jobs. Yet, access to EU funds that support integration remains complex and often out of reach for municipalities that need it most. 

Towards Smarter EU Funding 

The post-2020 EU budget framework is an opportunity to rethink how migration funds are designed and accessed. Local governments call for: 

  • More resources for integration: A larger share of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) should be earmarked for integration, rising from 20% to at least 30%. 
  • Direct access to funding: Cities and regions should be able to apply directly to the EU for integration projects, especially when dealing with urgent pressures. 
  • Simpler, fairer rules: Current procedures are often overly bureaucratic, leaving small and medium-sized municipalities excluded. Simplification and flexibility would allow more actors to take part. 
  • Block grants and blending facilities: Innovative funding tools combining multiple EU resources (AMIF, ESF, ERDF) with loans or microfinance could deliver integrated, long-term solutions tailored to local realities. 
  • Better coordination: Strengthening the partnership principle would ensure that municipalities are involved in programming, avoiding duplication and ensuring EU resources meet real needs on the ground. 

From Emergency to Long-Term Strategy 

Too often, EU migration funds are designed for short-term emergencies rather than sustainable integration. But integration is not a one-off response; it is a long-term process requiring education, job creation, social cohesion, and community investment. Aligning EU funds with local priorities and recognising integration as a shared responsibility will ensure better outcomes for both migrants and host communities. 

Migration is a European challenge, but its solutions are local. By improving access to EU funds, simplifying procedures, and investing in long-term integration strategies, Europe can empower municipalities and regions to turn migration into a driver of social cohesion and sustainable development. The future EU budget must make this shift a reality. 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

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

EU strategy on climate change

Climate Change - News

Why Local Governments Must Be Central to the EU’s Climate Resilience Strategy

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As the EU evaluates its 2013 Adaptation Strategy, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) highlights a critical gap: climate resilience cannot succeed without fully involving local and regional governments. In its response to the Commission’s consultation, CEMR stresses that municipalities are already adapting to the effects of climate change, but current EU and national frameworks fail to empower them with the resources, recognition, and flexibility they need.

From floods and droughts to infrastructure strain, local authorities are on the frontlines of climate impacts. Yet too often, policies are shaped top-down, with insufficient consultation and support for those who must implement solutions on the ground. CEMR calls for a strengthened multi-level governance model, dedicated funding streams, and enhanced city-to-city cooperation to ensure the EU’s adaptation ambitions translate into effective, community-driven action.

Read the position paper here

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