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BANOS DE GUISASOLA Eva
In Climate, Climate, Energy, Energy, Environment, Environment, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Latest, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Publications

Key messages of regions for COP21

Climate - News

From Lyon to Paris: Regions and Municipalities as Catalysts for COP21 Success

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As the world prepared for the Paris Climate Summit (COP21), Europe’s municipalities and regions highlighted their crucial role in delivering climate action. Close to citizens and equipped with the political legitimacy to act, they are key to building sustainable and low-carbon societies. 

Local governments are already leading by example. Initiatives such as the Covenant of Mayors, with thousands of signatories, show that ambitious commitments like reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 are achievable. These successes underline that global climate agendas can only succeed with strong local engagement. 

CEMR and its partners call for genuine recognition of subnational governments in international negotiations. This means giving them a seat at the COP discussion table, integrating their role in EU and national strategies, and ensuring appropriate political and financial frameworks. 

Decentralised cooperation is also vital. Through networks such as PLATFORMA, municipalities and regions share expertise with partners worldwide, ensuring that climate action is effective on the ground and adapted to local realities. 

From Lyon to Paris, towns and regions proved they are catalysts for global climate success. Recognising and empowering them is essential for the achievement of the Paris Agreement and a sustainable future. 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

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

Towards a practical urban agenda

Supporting local action through partnership, flexibility, and smarter EU policy

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As Europe’s cities and towns face growing challenges, climate change, demographic shifts, and rising inequalities, an EU Urban Agenda can help better connect European policies to realities on the ground. But for it to succeed, it must be built with local and regional governments at its core. 

In 2015, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) outlined key principles to guide this agenda: partnership across all levels of government, flexible tools for diverse local contexts, and a shift toward policies that empower action rather than add complexity. 

What an effective EU Urban Agenda should include: 

  • Real partnership with local authorities 
    Local and regional governments must help shape EU policies and programmes that affect them. A working method, like the “partnership principle” used in cohesion policy, should apply across all relevant EU initiatives. 
  • Territorial impact assessments 
    EU policies should be tested for their effects on local areas before they are adopted. This helps ensure relevance and reduces administrative burden. 
  • A broad, inclusive definition of “urban” 
    The Agenda must reflect Europe’s diversity. It should apply to small towns, medium-sized municipalities, and functional urban areas, not just large cities. 
  • Better access to funding and simpler frameworks 
    Urban development tools should be easier to navigate. Local governments must retain flexibility to act based on their needs, not top-down templates. 
  • Space for innovation, without rigid standards 
    Cities should be encouraged to innovate through voluntary tools like the Reference Framework for Sustainable Cities or the Smart Cities and Communities Initiative, while avoiding binding indicators or labels. 

Aligning with global goals 

CEMR also highlights the importance of involving local authorities in shaping Europe’s contribution to global urban strategies, such as the UN’s Habitat III and the Sustainable Development Goals. Local governments are closest to citizens and best placed to deliver results on the ground. 

Moving from vision to action 

CEMR welcomed steps by the EU presidencies in 2015–2016, including pilot initiatives and declarations recognising the role of small and medium-sized cities. But to make the Urban Agenda real, the EU must ensure that cities and towns are partners, not just stakeholders and that policies support, rather than complicate, their work. 

Read the declaration here 

For more information, contact: 

BENNIS Hamza
In Governance, Governance, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Latest, Public services, Public services, Publications

TTIP: protect local autonomy

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CEMR warns trade deal must not undermine public services or local self-government

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As negotiations progress on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) urges the European Commission to ensure that any final agreement fully respects the autonomy of local and regional governments across Europe. 

While recognising the potential economic benefits of TTIP, CEMR underlines that free trade must not come at the expense of democratic governance, public service quality, or citizens’ rights. The organisation stresses that local and regional authorities (LRAs) must retain the freedom to shape and deliver public services tailored to their communities’ needs. 

Safeguarding Public Services 

CEMR calls for a clear, horizontal exemption of all public services from TTIP. Ambiguous definitions such as “public utilities” or “services supplied in the exercise of governmental authority” are inadequate and leave room for legal uncertainty. CEMR strongly opposes “standstill” and “ratchet” clauses that would make liberalisation irreversible, limiting future political choices at the local level. 

Local governments must remain free to organise, finance, and deliver services such as water, energy, transport, health and social care. These services are essential to social cohesion and territorial equality, and their regulation must not be constrained by trade rules designed for commercial markets. 

Rejecting Investor Privileges 

CEMR expresses deep concern over the inclusion of Investor-to-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanisms. Such provisions would allow corporations to sue public authorities outside national courts, threatening democratic decision-making and the general interest. In stable democracies like the EU and the US, robust national legal systems already offer sufficient protection for investors. 

Regulatory Cooperation and Standards 

While regulatory cooperation can reduce trade barriers, CEMR insists it must not lead to a lowering of European standards in areas such as environmental protection, health, safety, labour rights or data privacy. Instead, TTIP should provide opportunities to raise standards on both sides of the Atlantic. 

Moreover, local and regional authorities must maintain the right to set stricter rules where justified by the public interest. 

Transparency and Democratic Accountability 

CEMR criticises the lack of transparency in TTIP negotiations and the limited involvement of local authorities. As the agreement would have far-reaching implications for subnational governance, LRAs and their national associations must be meaningfully involved in the process, not merely consulted post-factum. 

CEMR calls for regular dialogue between EU negotiators and local governments, and for national parliaments and the European Parliament to have a real say in shaping the agreement. 

“Trade must never override democracy. Local authorities are not just economic actors – they are democratically elected institutions with a duty to serve the public good. TTIP must reflect that.” 
— Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

GRIFFON Axelle
In Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Latest, Publications, Sustainable mobility, Sustainable mobility, Territorial development

Smart and sustainable transport 

Mobility - News Section

Empowering municipalities to shape Europe’s mobility future 

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As the EU reviews its 2011 White Paper on Transport, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) highlights one key message: local and regional governments are essential partners in delivering a competitive and sustainable European transport system. 

Key messages: 

  • Mobility is local – and diverse 
    Transport challenges and solutions often begin at the local level. But EU transport policy focuses too narrowly on urban centres. Rural, remote, mountainous, and island regions also need tailored support to ensure territorial cohesion. 
  • One-size-fits-all won’t work 
    Europe’s regions vary widely. EU goals must allow flexibility, especially for smaller municipalities, to adapt to their specific geographic, economic, and social conditions. 
  • EU action should add value, not burden 
    New initiatives must be based on solid evidence and real local benefit. More legislation is not the answer. Instead, local governments need support through guidance, training, financial tools, and sharing of good practices. 
  • “Soft targets” allow for smart solutions 
    Instead of rigid rules, the EU should promote voluntary targets, like increasing clean mobility or public transport use and leave room for local innovation. 
  • Invest in public transport and clean mobility 
    Cities need better access to EU investment for expanding sustainable public transport, encouraging cleaner vehicles, and supporting new technologies. 
  • Think beyond city borders 
    Integrated transport doesn’t stop at city limits. Cooperation between local and regional authorities is vital, especially for cross-border mobility and shared services. 
  • Policy coherence is a must 
    EU transport goals must align with other areas like energy, environment, digitalisation, and regional development. More coordination across EU institutions is needed to ensure a consistent and effective approach. 

What local governments need from the EU: 

  • No more red tape, just clear, flexible frameworks 
  • Better access to funding and R&D support 
  • Inclusion in decision-making and expert groups 
  • Support for cleaner vehicles and alternative fuels 
  • Help with digital tools and open data for smart mobility 

Conclusion: 
Local governments are not just users of transport policy; they are builders of mobility solutions. If the EU wants to meet its transport and climate goals, it must work with local and regional authorities, not around them. 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

BENNIS Hamza
In Employment, Employment, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Latest, Publications

Review of the working time directive

Work - News Section

CEMR calls for a balanced review of the Working Time Directive that respects local autonomy and public service delivery 

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In response to the European Commission’s public consultation on the review of the Working Time Directive, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) reaffirms its long-standing position: any revision must safeguard both the health and safety of workers and the ability of local and regional governments (LRGs) to deliver quality public services. 

CEMR welcomes the opportunity for dialogue, while stressing the importance of flexibility, subsidiarity and legal clarity in any future proposals. The organisation emphasises that solutions must be tailored to the realities of the public sector at the local level and negotiated by social partners closest to those realities. 

A Directive in need of modernisation… but not at any cost 

Unchanged since 2003, the Working Time Directive is due for modernisation. However, CEMR warns that changes must not impose one-size-fits-all rules that hinder municipalities and regions’ capacity to organise their services effectively. 

CEMR supports a legislative framework that allows space for social dialogue, enabling employer-employee solutions that reflect local conditions and needs. It also opposes extending the scope of the Directive to cover areas beyond health and safety, such as pay, reconciliation of work and private life, or new work patterns, which are either beyond EU competence or should be left to national and local arrangements. 

Flexibility, Clarity and No Overreach 

In its response, CEMR reiterates the need for: 

  • Flexibility to adapt working time rules to diverse services and contexts; 
  • Respect for local autonomy and social partner agreements; 
  • Clarity and legal certainty to avoid confusion and facilitate implementation; 
  • No new legislative initiatives until the full impact assessments are published and analysed. 

CEMR’s position is rooted in its 2011 policy paper, which remains relevant due to the lack of substantial follow-up from the European Commission since its adoption. Until more is known from the latest assessments and stakeholder feedback, CEMR believes any legislative action would be premature. 

“Local and regional governments are employers and service providers. They know best how to balance workers’ rights with the need to ensure essential services run smoothly, day and night.” 
— Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

THOMAS Carol
In Governance, Governance, Latest, Local democracy, Local democracy, Publications

European charter of municipal liberties 

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How the 1953 European Charter of Municipal Liberties laid the groundwork for local self-government in Europe 

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In October 1953, more than one thousand mayors and local representatives from 16 European countries gathered in Versailles for a historic assembly. Out of their debates emerged the European Charter of Municipal Liberties, a pioneering text that recognised the essential role of municipalities in safeguarding democracy, peace, and citizen freedoms. Drafted and adopted under the auspices of the Council of European Municipalities, it was one of the first pan-European commitments to local democracy, years before the binding European Charter of Local Self-Government (1985). 

The Charter of 1953 marked a crucial step in Europe’s post-war reconstruction: ensuring that citizens had a say in shaping their communities, free from arbitrary authority, and rooted in centuries-old traditions of liberty and human dignity. 

The Charter of Municipal Liberties defined local self-government as the cornerstone of democratic societies. It emphasised that municipalities were the very foundation of nations, where citizens had the right and duty to participate in local life. 

Key principles included: 

  • Constitutional guarantees: Municipal liberties must be enshrined in law and safeguarded by independent courts. 
  • Autonomy in decision-making: Municipalities should decide on local matters, adapt national laws to local circumstances, and manage their own staff and administration. 
  • Financial independence: Local authorities should raise their own taxes and resources to meet citizens’ needs, with systems of compensation available for those with weaker resources. 
  • Checks and balances: Municipal decisions could only be controlled for legality, and boundaries could not be altered without consulting the affected population. 
  • International cooperation: Municipalities and their associations had the right to belong to international organisations to defend their interests and strengthen European unity. 

The Assembly also adopted a Resolution on Municipalities and European Institutions, declaring municipal self-government the “bulwark of personal liberties” and calling for local authorities to have a voice in the emerging European political community. 

The European Charter of Municipal Liberties (1953) was a visionary document that helped establish the principle that democracy begins at the local level. At a time when Europe was rebuilding from the devastation of war, it placed municipalities at the heart of political, social, and economic renewal. 

Though not legally binding, the Charter inspired decades of work to protect and strengthen municipal autonomy across Europe. It laid the moral and political foundation for the European Charter of Local Self-Government (1985), which gave these principles full legal recognition. 

Seventy years on, the 1953 Charter stands as a testament to the determination of Europe’s mayors and local leaders to defend liberty, democracy, and cooperation across borders, values that continue to shape Europe’s governance today. 

Read the charter here 

For more information, contact: 

THOMAS Carol
In Governance, Governance, Latest, Local democracy, Local democracy, Publications

European charter of self-government 

SDG Implementation - News 2023

How the European Charter of Local Self-Government reshaped democracy in Europe 

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The 20th century witnessed the rise of local and regional democracy as one of the most important democratic innovations. At its heart lies the European Charter of Local Self-Government, the first binding international treaty to guarantee the rights of communities and their elected authorities. Adopted in 1985 under the Council of Europe, the Charter firmly established local democracy as the cornerstone of governance closest to citizens, ensuring that power is not only shared but decentralised in practice. 

The Charter was drafted within the Council of Europe after years of advocacy by the Standing Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe, the predecessor of today’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. Opened for signature in 1985 and in force since 1988, it has been ratified by the overwhelming majority of Council of Europe member states. 

The Charter requires that the principle of local self-government be enshrined in domestic law or constitutions. It sets out clear democratic safeguards, including the right of citizens to manage public affairs through elected councils, the protection of local authority boundaries, and the free exercise of local elected representatives’ functions. 

A landmark principle of subsidiarity runs through the text: decisions should be taken at the level closest to the citizen. This decentralisation of power must be matched with adequate financial resources, ensuring local governments are able to act effectively. Safeguards against undue interference, guarantees of financial autonomy, and the right of local authorities to associate nationally and internationally further reinforce their role. 

The Charter is flexible, allowing governments to choose which provisions they accept, but also firm, requiring adherence to a core set of fundamental principles of local democracy. Monitoring by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities ensures compliance and encourages states to respect and expand local autonomy. 

The European Charter of Local Self-Government remains the benchmark treaty for local democracy, affirming that democracy begins at the local level. It guarantees that communities have the autonomy, powers, and resources to manage their affairs, while protecting citizens’ rights to participate directly or through elected representatives. 

More than three decades after its adoption, the Charter has not only safeguarded local self-government but has become a foundation of European democracy. It continues to inspire reforms, guide constitutional principles, and strengthen the voice of local and regional authorities across the continent. In doing so, it secures what is perhaps democracy’s most vital truth: that governance is most effective when it is closest to the people. 

Read the charter here 

For more information, contact: 

BENNIS Hamza
In Employment, Employment, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Latest, Publications

Protecting local services 

Public procurement services - news

A new Charter asserts local governments’ rights over how public services are organised and delivered

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CEMR adopts European Charter to defend local self-government and services of general interest!

Local and regional governments are on the front lines of delivering essential public services, from waste collection and housing to education and healthcare. Yet, their ability to make decisions on how these services are provided is increasingly shaped, and at times constrained, by EU internal market rules. In response, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has adopted the European Charter on Local and Regional Services of General Interest, a call to reaffirm the role of local democracy in public service delivery. 

This Charter sets out fundamental principles to ensure that municipalities and regions retain the freedom to define, organise, and deliver services in the way that best responds to local needs. It highlights that there is no “one-size-fits-all” model for public service provision, it is up to elected local governments to choose between direct delivery, public-private partnerships, outsourcing, or other legal forms. 

The Charter underlines the growing tension between the EU’s market-oriented approach and the principle of local self-government. While the European Commission has promoted internal market rules as a tool for efficiency and competition, local and regional governments stress that services of general interest are not merely economic activities. They are social responsibilities, rooted in democratic choice and proximity to citizens. 

Key articles in the Charter emphasise: 

  • Local autonomy to decide how services are defined and delivered; 
  • Exemptions from internal market rules for non-commercial, social, cultural, educational, or environmental services; 
  • Recognition of inter-municipal cooperation and in-house provision as valid and lawful approaches; 
  • Limits to EU intervention, stressing proportionality and subsidiarity. 

CEMR is concerned that recent rulings from the European Court of Justice and some Commission practices risk undermining these democratic rights by imposing market principles too rigidly. This Charter is both a political statement and a tool for advocacy, calling on EU institutions to rebalance their approach and respect the democratic space of local and regional authorities. 

In the broader context of building a strong and democratic Europe, CEMR’s message is clear: strong local services need strong local democracy. The Charter is a step forward in ensuring that local voices remain central to the future of public service provision in Europe. 

Read the Charter: 

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