Establishing municipal partnerships between Ukraine and a European partner country in the context of the project “Towards a Bridges of Trust (BoT) Community”
The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) wishes to establish new partnerships between municipalities in Ukraine and municipalities in different European countries.
CEMR is looking for a service provider as an implementer to perform certain activities under this phase andprovide dedicated expertise and support in the respective country. The service provider will work closely with CEMR, the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC) and if required, with other partners of the Bridges of Trust Community.
The call is divided into the following lots:
Lot 1: Belgium
Lot 2: Cyprus
Lot 3: Finland
Lot 4: France
Lot 5: Italy
Lot 6: Latvia
Lot 7: Malta
Lot 8: Netherlands
Lot 9: Norway
Lot 10: Portugal
Lot 11: Spain
Applicants can apply for one or several lots. All documents need to be submitted for each lot separately. The terms of reference describe the services per lot.
Deadline for submissions: 3 February 2026, 2 pm (CET)
Contract period: February 2026 – June 2026
Budget: Financial offer for the services up to 14.000 Euro without VAT. The costs of activities (e.g. interpretation costs for events, travel costs related to internship and events) will be covered directly by the BoT project.
Interested organisations or experts are invited to submit their application by email to application@ccre-cemr.org with the subject line: “Establishing Municipal Partnerships between Ukraine and Name European Country”. Please specify the lot(s) you are applying for.
The country profiles offer a short overview of national models of (decentralised) development cooperation frameworks in selected EU Member States. The aim is to provide insights into specific mechanisms and modalities of analysed national frameworks and identify enabling factors as well as challenges related to practical implementation, focusing on the role and opportunities for local and regional governments and their associations.
Based on the study, the Spanish framework for Decentralised Development Cooperation (DDC) is characterised by:
Highly decentralised system – enables actors across levels to be active in DDC. The new Law 1/2023 recognises Local and Regional Governments as actors of development and DDC as a modality.
Strong commitment to achieve 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) to Official Development Assistance (ODA) across levels – keeping the development cooperation as a priority.
Funds for development cooperation – gathering municipal and supra-municipal actors who pool their resources to implement impactful projects.
This article is part of a series of 7 Country Profiles examining DDC frameworks across Europe. The fourth edition, focusing on Belgium, will be published in March. Stay tuned!
Read the Country Profile of Spain, available in four languages:
You can find the rest of Mindcraft’s publications here.
CEMR encourages Spanish authorities to strengthen the role of LRGs in development policy, not only as implementers, but also as strategic partners helping shape a more resilient, inclusive and effective development agenda.
This publication is produced within the Bridging and Mapping Knowledge Gaps in Decentralised Cooperation (Mindcraft), funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
Sakharov Prize 2025: standing with those who defend freedom of thought
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is the European Parliament’s most prestigious award for human rights. Established in 1988, it honours individuals and organisations who demonstrate extraordinary courage in defending democracy, freedom of expression and fundamental freedoms, often under severe repression.
Awarded annually, the Prize is both a recognition and a call to action: a reminder that freedom of thought is not guaranteed and must be actively defended.
The 2025 Laureates
On December 16 2025, the European Parliament awarded the Sakharov Prize to Mzia Amaglobeli of Georgia and Andrzej Poczobut of Belarus, two journalists imprisoned for their commitment to truth, democracy and human rights.
Andrzej Poczobut, a journalist, essayist and activist from the Polish minority in Belarus, has long criticised the Lukashenka regime. Detained since 2021, he was sentenced to eight years in a penal colony on politically motivated charges. His health has deteriorated, his family is denied access, and yet he remains a symbol of resistance against authoritarian repression.
Mzia Amaglobeli, a Georgian journalist and director of the independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was arrested in January 2025 after joining pro-democracy protests. Sentenced to two years in prison, she became Georgia’s first female political prisoner since independence and a powerful symbol of the country’s democratic aspirations.
Announcing the laureates, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola stated that “both have paid a heavy price for speaking truth to power, becoming symbols of the struggle for freedom and democracy. The Parliament stands with them, and with all those who continue to demand freedom.”
Democracy, EU values and enlargement
The Sakharov Prize reflects the European Union’s commitment to defending democracy beyond its borders. In both Belarus and Georgia, democratic backsliding, repression of independent media and attacks on civil society threaten not only national freedoms but also the countries’ European paths.
The European Parliament has repeatedly called for the immediate and unconditional release of both journalists and has adopted resolutions condemning repression, political imprisonment and the erosion of democratic institutions.
Defending democracy from the ground up
At CEMR and PLATFORMA, defending democratic values is central to our work, and we have a specific focus in the context of EU enlargement and the Eastern Partnership. Through cooperation with local and regional governments, national associations of local governments (such as NALAG in the case of Georgia), and civil society, we support democratic governance, freedom of expression and institutional resilience.
Local democracy is often the first target of authoritarian pressure and the first line of defence. By empowering local and regional actors, supporting peer exchange and promoting EU values, CEMR and PLATFORMA contribute to a democratic Europe that is inclusive, resilient and anchored in fundamental rights.
The Sakharov Prize is a reminder that democracy depends on courage but also on solidarity.
As the EU prepares its next long-term budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034, CEMR calls for a clear message to EU institutions and Member States: Europe’s future strength depends on empowering its towns, cities and regions.
CEMR’s new position paper, A stronger Europe is built locally, sets out how the next EU budget can effectively support territorial cohesion, competitiveness, democracy, and resilience. In the paper, CEMR warns that while the Commission’s proposal slightly increases overall resources, it reorients priorities toward defence, security, and industrial competitiveness—often at the expense of cohesion and local development, the very pillars that bring the EU closest to its citizens.
Multilevel governance must be non-negotiable
The paper highlights a major risk of recentralisation: by granting Member States and the European Commission broader discretion in defining funding priorities, the proposal could marginalise local governments, particularly in countries with weaker multilevel governance structures.
CEMR urges the EU to reinforce partnership mechanisms across all programmes—especially within the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPP), the European Semester, the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) and the Global Gateway. Stable, well-resourced local and regional governments platforms are essential to tailor EU investments to realities on the ground.
Cohesion at the heart of Europe’s transformation
CEMR stresses that cohesion is a treaty-based objective and must remain central. The paper calls for:
Mandatory regional and territorial chapters in all Partnership Plans
Increased budget allocation for the single integrated funding instrument proposed by the EU Commission, “The Fund”
A mandatory 30% earmark for sustainable territorial development, including 15% for urban development
A safeguarding mechanism to protect local governments’ access to funds when national governments fail to meet conditionalities
Strengthening ESF+ (European Social Fund) for cohesion, youth and inclusion
Without these guarantees, Europe’s green, digital, and social transitions risk leaving entire territories behind.
Competitiveness and connectivity must acknowledge territorial reality
While competitiveness is a top EU priority, CEMR notes that the Commission’s budget proposal overlooks the territorial dimension. Cohesion and competitiveness are two sides of the same coin, and local and regional governments’ role in driving local and regional economic development should be recognised.
CEMR paper also calls for biodiversity and nature restoration to become explicit priorities in the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) and urges simpler access to ECF, Horizon Europe, and the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)—especially for smaller municipalities. It also stresses the need to include urban mobility as a strategic CEF priority.
Democracy and enlargement: supporting the foundations of Europe
With rising polarisation, disinformation, and harassment of local politicians, the position paper urges the EU to strengthen local democracy, support civic participation, and fund democratic resilience—including Global Citizenship Education and support for local media.
On enlargement, CEMR calls for local and regional governments to play a central role in the accession process of candidate countries, backed by stronger capacity-building and dedicated resources.
Towns, cities and regions call for a stronger partnership in advancing the Global Gateway
International networks of towns, cities and regions have issued a joint Declaration yesterday [10 December 2025] in Brussels, calling for a stronger and more structured involvement of local governments in the implementation of the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy. Representing thousands of towns, cities, regions, and local government associations worldwide, the signatories stress that partnering with local and regional governments (LRGs) is essential to ensure the legitimacy, sustainability, and long-term impact of Global Gateway investments.
This Declaration was handed over on behalf of the signatories by Joseph Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City (Belize) and Chairperson of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), to Koen Doens, Director-General at the European Commission Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), during the Plenary Session of the Committee of the Regions, marking the end of the 3-day “Cities and Regions for International Partnerships” 2025 Forum.
Local and regional governments are recognised by the EU as distinct development actors and play a central role in shaping inclusive economic growth, delivering public services, and connecting communities to global opportunities. Their leaders warn that without systematic engagement of towns, cities and regions, Global Gateway projects risk missing their full development potential.
A joint call for a more inclusive Global Gateway
The declaration is signed by the leaders of four major global networks of local and regional governments:
Fabrizio Rossi, Secretary General, Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) – PLATFORMA
Lucy Slack, Secretary General, Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF)
Emilia Saiz, Secretary General, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)
Frédéric Vallier, General Delegate, International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF)
Together, they call on EU institutions, partner countries, and development actors to recognise towns, cities and regions as co-creators of the enabling environment needed for sustainable, inclusive and democratic investment.
Quotes
“It is critical that local governments are around the table in the context of investments being made through Global Gateway. After all, we are responsible for all development in our territories, and should be recognised as partners in planning and delivery,” Joseph Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City (Belize) and Chairperson of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) stressed in his speech.
“Local and regional governments should be involved in the designing phase of the Global Gateway. As CEMR and PLATFORMA, we see ourselves as the enabling institutions, and we are there to harvest learning and data, to monitor and evaluate the actions,” CEMR Secretary General Fabrizio Rossi earlier said during the Forum.
“Decentralised cooperation is a real lever for solidarity and development that serves the interests of local communities. However, it can only be effective if decentralisation itself is effective and if our local authorities have secure financial and human resources. The Global Gateway is an important opportunity to support us in this regard,” Dieudonné Bantsimba, Mayor of Brazzaville, Vice-President of the AIMF.
“The mobilisation of our members at the Forum of Cities and Regions shows the strong commitment of local and regional governments to cooperation and city diplomacy. Yet the localisation of the Global Gateway will only be possible if local governments are fully recognised as strategic partners,” Emilia Saiz, UCLG Secretary General
“Towns, cities and regions are the link between investments and citizens. As first ports of call to citizens, they bring legitimacy, ownership and long-term sustainability to Global Gateway projects,” the signatories emphasise.
“Local and regional governments are indispensable partners for making the Global Gateway a strategy that truly works for people,” the signatories stress.
Towns and regions: Essential partners for sustainable impact
In their declaration, associations of local and regional governments highlight that LRGs hold wide-ranging mandates across Global Gateway priority sectors, including digitalisation, climate and energy, transport, health, education and research. By grounding investments in local realities, they ensure projects respond to the needs and priorities of communities, reinforce policy coherence, and foster inclusive economic ecosystems involving SMEs, investors, CSOs, academic institutions and citizens.
The declaration also underscores the decisive role of local governments in fragile and conflict-affected contexts, where they are often the only functioning public institutions capable of coordinating local stakeholders and delivering basic services.
Key recommendations to strengthen the Global Gateway
To unlock the full potential of local authorities as partners for sustainable investment, the signatories put forward three main recommendations:
Engage directly with local governments and give them direct access to funding within Global Gateway investments. This includes dedicated calls for proposals, tailored evaluation criteria, specific funding streams similar to the former “Partnerships for Sustainable Cities” programme, and country-level mechanisms to ensure structured dialogue between EU Delegations, Teams Europe and LRGs.
Ensure systematic involvement of governments in all phases of Global Gateway projects. Clear guidance should be provided to EU Delegations and Teams Europe to meaningfully include local authorities in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes.
Support national associations and international networks of local governments. These organisations—signatories of Framework Partnership Agreements with the EU since 2015—are crucial in coordinating LRG participation, sharing knowledge, and scaling innovations across borders.
New Observatory launched to protect local democracy in Europe
Europe’s first Observatory to track threats against mayors and local councillors, from online harassment to intimidation and disinformation.
Joint initiative of CEMR, Bilbao City Council, EUDEL, Bocconi University and the Basque Government to strengthen the quality of local democracy and support elected representatives.
The Observatory responds to a sharp rise in online harassment, intimidation, disinformation and organised hate campaigns targeting mayors, councillors and regional leaders across Europe.
“Local democracy is Europe’s first line of defence”, stressed CEMR President Gunn Marit Helgesen. “When mayors and councillors are threatened, harassed or silenced, it is not only individuals who are targeted — it is the democratic fabric of our societies. With this Observatory, we are taking a united step to protect those who serve their communities and to ensure that democracy remains strong”.
On the opening of the launch event, Commissioner Michael McGrath responsible for democracy, justice, the rule of law and consumer protection in the European Commission, stated that “I am delighted to launch the European Observatory for the Defence of Democracy at the Local Level (the Observatory). Local democracy is not just a concept; it is the cornerstone of political life. It shapes decisions that affect citizens directly and gives everyone a tangible role in the choices that impact their communities. Today, our democracies face increasing threats, and these challenges are often felt at the local level. These threats don’t always arrive as overt attacks on institutions. Often, they creep quietly into our communities, directly affecting elected representatives and the everyday functioning of local democracy. And this is why the work of the Observatory is so important – we all need to work to protect and promote the democracies of tomorrow”.
The initiative — a partnership between the Council of Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), the City Council of Bilbao, the Association of Basque Municipalities (EUDEL), with the scientific expertise of Bocconi University and the support of the Basque Government — will generate data, analyse trends, and strengthen institutional responses at all levels.
Bilbao Mayor Juan Mari Aburto stressed the urgency of coordinated action: “Bilbao is a city of values because we have collectively chosen to build it that way. As the founding city of this Observatory, we share a clear conviction with Europe: democracy is safeguarded not only through laws, but through civic culture, respect and active listening. Defending democracy also means nurturing everyday coexistence in our neighbourhoods, where diversity enriches our communities rather than threatens them”.
EUDEL President Esther Apraiz highlighted the Basque contribution and experience: “In the Basque Country and across Europe, local democracy is embodied by the elected representatives who serve their communities every day. The Observatory must protect those who uphold democracy and help attract new talent to local politics, because when a mayor or councillor steps away, democracy weakens. Hosting the Observatory also in the Basque Country allows us to share our experience in collaborative local governance internationally”.
The Secretary General for External Action of the Basque Government, Ander Caballero, emphasised: “In the Basque Country, we work every day to build a territory grounded in cutting-edge democracy. That is how we build trust and satisfaction among citizens, and spark motivation and enthusiasm for taking part in political life. It is also a way to reinforce the foundations of our shared home against those who seek to weaken or undermine democracy. We have a tool to move forward: collaborative governance. The Observatory supports and promotes this approach, fostering cooperation between local institutions—both in the Basque Country and across Europe”.
Representing the scientific partnership, Bocconi University Rector Francesco Billari underlined the importance of evidence-based data: “When local leaders face intimidation, it is not only their safety that is compromised—it is the trust and participation on which democratic life depends. Studying this violence with state-of-the-art methods and data is essential if we are to safeguard those foundations.”
The Observatory will track threats, share solutions, build solidarity, and advise national and EU institutions.
For media inquiries, interviews or accreditation requests, please contact:
CEMR local leaders reaffirm political leadership and confront Europe’s demographic turning point
St. Julian’s, Malta, 5 December 2025 – Over 160 European mayors, councillors and representatives of national associations of local and regional governments gathered in Malta for the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) Leaders’ Summit 2025, hosted by the Maltese Association of Local Councils. During the event, CEMR confirmed its political leadership for the 2026–2028 mandate.
The confirmed leadership reflects a strong commitment to stability, continuity and collective action at a time when Europe’s territories face accelerating demographic change, geopolitical instability and shifting investment priorities.
CEMR Leadership for the 2026–2028 mandate
Gunn Marit Helgesen, President of CEMR; President of the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS); Member of Telemark County Council
Philippe Laurent, CEMR Co-President; President of AFCCRE; Mayor of Sceaux; Vice-President of Territoire Vallée Sud – Grand Paris; Member of the Ile-de-France Regional Council
Christoph Schnaudigel, CEMR Co-President; President of the German Section of CEMR (RGRE); President of the County of Karlsruhe
Vince Maple, Chair of the CEMR Financial Management Committee; Councillor of Medway; Vice-President of CEMR (Local Government Association, UK)
CEMR also announced the appointment of 24 new spokespersons, who will serve as political voices for Europe’s local and regional governments on key issues such as the EU Budget, cohesion policy, democracy, the green and digital transitions, territorial development and international cooperation.
2026_2028 CEMR spokespkerson (ENG) page 1
“This Summit marks the beginning of a renewed direction for CEMR. Europe is transforming at a pace we have not seen in decades, and our communities feel the pressure every day. We need stronger partnerships, deeper territorial cooperation and long-term investment. Local and regional governments are not secondary actors — we are essential partners in shaping Europe’s future.” — Gunn Marit Helgesen, CEMR President
Demographic change in the European continent takes centre stage
* Maltese Financial Minister Clyde Caruana – Leaders’ Summit 2025 Malta
The Summit’s political debates highlighted the profound impact of demographic transitions across Europe. In her opening intervention, Maltese Financial Minister Clyde Caruana stressed the realities his country faces as an island deeply shaped by mobility and rapid population change.
* Journalist and founder of Friends of Europe, Giles Merritt – Leaders’ Summit 2025 Malta
Giles Merritt, journalist and founder of Friends of Europe, warned that “ageing, rural depopulation and housing pressures are converging into a structural challenge for Europe’s future prosperity”.
* Head of Unit at DG REGIO, Kadri Uustal; Municipal Councillor of Elva (Estonia) and representative of AECM, Juhani Jaeger, and member of KEDE and mayor of Agrinio in Greece, Giorgos Papanastasiou – Leaders’ Summit 2025 Malta
A high-level panel featuring Kadri Uustal, Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO); Alison Zerafa Civelli, Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government within Malta’s Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government; Giorgos Papanastasiou, Member of KEDE and Mayor of Agrinio (Greece); and Juhani Jaeger, Municipal Councillor of Elva (Estonia) and representative of AECM, explored how demographic pressures—declining birth rates, shrinking cities, labour shortages and uneven territorial development—require strong multilevel governance and durable policy consistency.
Their message was clear: local and regional governments are on the frontline of Europe’s demographic shift, and their leadership is essential to reverse decline, foster resilience and rebuild attractiveness in Europe’s territories.
* Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government in the Ministry of the National Heritage, Arts and Local Government of Malta, Alison Zerafa Civelli – Leaders’ Summit 2025 Malta
Local governments call for a central role in shaping the next EU Budget
On the second day of the CEMR Leaders’ Summit, attention shifted to the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034). Contributions from Zsolt Darvas, Senior Fellow at Bruegel, John Mallia, President of the Malta Cooperative Federation, Jan Olbrycht, former MEP and Co-Rapporteur of the 2021–2027 EU Budget, Sigrid Sengers, Mayor of Druten (Netherlands), and Carlo Borghetti, Councillor of the Lombardy Region (Italy), reaffirmed a shared objective: ensuring that Europe’s budgetary priorities truly reflect the needs of its territories.
* Senior Fellow at Bruegel, Zsolt Darvas; President of the Malta Cooperative Federation, John Mallia; former MEP and Co-Rapporteur of the 2021–2027 EU Budget, Jan Olbrycht; Mayor of Druten (Netherlands), Sigrid Sengers; and Councillor of the Lombardy Region (Italy), Carlo Borghetti – Leaders’ Summit 2025 Malta
Speakers emphasised that cohesion and competitiveness must go hand in hand, and that the EU Budget must recognise the operational reality of local and regional governments, who implement over 70% of EU legislation and manage more than half of public investment.
Building Europe from the ground up
In his closing message, Fabrizio Rossi, CEMR Secretary General, underlined that the Summit had reinforced a shared political commitment across Europe’s territories. He stressed that CEMR will continue to champion stronger multilevel governance, advocate for EU investments that reflect the realities of every territory, confront demographic and social disparities, and defend democratic values where they matter most: at the local and regional levels. Rossi concluded by affirming that Europe’s future can only be built by empowering the communities that form its foundation.
The Summit was opened by Mario Fava, President of the Maltese Association, who stressed that “demographic pressures, territorial fractures and shifting EU priorities show that Europe’s future begins locally. As the 2028–2034 MFF is shaped, cities and regions must be co-authors — not afterthoughts”, and also counted with an opening introduction by Olaf McKay, Mayor of Valletta, who underlined “today’s transitions demand the same instinct that built our city. We are facing demographic change, and as Europe shapes its next EU budget, cities must be co-authors of Europe’s agenda. That is the spirit of this Summit”.
CEMR welcomes the publication of the EU Agenda for Cities and the renewed recognition of local and regional governments as essential partners in delivering Europe’s priorities
The publication of the Agenda for Cities marks an important step towards strengthening the urban dimension of EU policies. It does acknowledge the key role of local and regional governments in implementing 70% of EU legislation, and the importance therefore to better inform and associate local governments in the preparation of European legislations. But the agenda falls short of answering the “ambition” level announced by President Ursula von der Leyen in her mission letter to Executive Vice President Raffaele Fitto.
Beyond a catalogue of policy areas where cities play an important role, and a list of initiatives already implemented by the European Commission, several elements will require clarification and improvement to ensure the Agenda truly delivers solutions for cities of all sizes and contribute to better policy making by transparent and representatives partnership with local and regional governments at European level.
The Agenda for cities is just one piece of the puzzle
While the EU Commission states that the Agenda applies to cities of all sizes, as well as suburbs and towns, the continued reliance on the Eurostat definition of “urban centres” (50,000+ inhabitants) risks leaving much of Europe behind. As we have seen with the implementation of the European Innovative action, the Eurostat definition has become the minimum population criteria in calls for proposals directly managed by the European Commission. This approach may inadvertently exclude small and medium-sized municipalities, which make up the majority of local governments and are at the heart of delivering EU policies.
But beyond the Agenda for Cities, CEMR regrets that this initiative has not been enshrined in a broader more comprehensive territorial development strategy for Europe. As set out in our position paper Towards an inclusive EU agenda for cities of every size and context, an effective EU Agenda must reflect the full territorial diversity of the EU and avoid reinforcing urban–rural divides.
A welcome recognition of cities’ role, but structured multilevel governance is still missing
CEMR welcomes the acknowledgement of local and regional authorities as key implementers of EU legislation. However, the governance model proposed in the Agenda still relies heavily on ad hoc consultations, including the reference to the June 2025 Implementation Dialogue, which lacked transparency and representativity.
We reiterate the need for a permanent, structured and inclusive multilevel governance mechanism involving local and regional governments and their representative associations at national and European level. This is essential for shaping, not only implementing, EU policies. In this respect, associations representing local and regional governments at European but also national level must be the go-to partners for the European Commission, to ensure representativity and legitimacy of their consultation processes.
When mentioning the preparation of the “National and Regional Partnership Plan” for the EU budget post 2027, the Commission states that structured multilevel dialogue will be key feature in the preparation and implementation of the plan, but did not include any binding measure to ensure this is the case. CEMR also made concrete recommendations to secure the involvement of local and regional governments in preparation of these plans.
Better Implementation must become a priority of the EU Agenda
It is positive that the Agenda includes some specific support under a new “EU Cities platform” for capacity building, innovation and participation in dialogue. It will be important that this support offer is not restricted to few cities but available to all subnational governments. CEMR calls in particular for a dedicated Better Implementation pillar as part of the EU Urban Agenda with:
Governance and competence impact assessments for all new EU proposals,
capacity-building resources in the reforms pillar of the next MFF,
regular and inclusive implementation dialogues,
and a one-stop-shop integrating all support tools for subnational governments.
These elements are indispensable for translating EU ambitions into real local outcomes.
Funding: more clarity, but uncertainties remain
We welcome the launch of the new EU City Portal, which can help cities navigate funding opportunities more easily. At the same time, the future EU Facility – to be directly managed by the European Commission raises questions about the future of existing programmes (EUI and URBACT) and on governance, accessibility, and safeguarding participation of smaller municipalities. To unlock the full potential of local governments, the EU must deliver simpler, fairer and better-aligned funding, as outlined in our position paper.
Promising measures in the agenda, if they remain accessible to all
CEMR welcomes new initiatives announced in the Agenda, including:
“potential” access to the European Competitiveness Fund for clean transition and industrial decarbonisation, as well as for resilience, security and defence
High and technical levels consultations of urban stakeholders
strengthened support for capacity building, including on public procurement,
While cities are encouraged to adopt the “mission approach” it remains unclear whether that is mere suggestion or whether it will come with a new call and potential funding for these “Mission Cities”.
These measures can help cities accelerate the green and digital transitions—as long as access is equitable and not restricted to larger or well-resourced municipalities.
Our final message
Today’s publication is a milestone for Europe’s urban future. But an EU Agenda for Cities must be inclusive, territorially balanced and grounded in genuine multilevel governance. CEMR stands ready to work with the European Commission, Member States, and its member national associations to ensure that this Agenda becomes a truly transformative framework—one that delivers for cities, towns and regions of every size and context.
Local and regional governments are at the heart of Europe’s digital transformation. As the public authorities closest to citizens, they deliver services such as healthcare, education, transport, social support and broadband deployment, all increasingly shaped by EU digital legislation. Their role is essential to ensure that digitalisation remains inclusive, sustainable and accessible to everyone. Yet many local and regional governments still face major obstacles: unequal access to digital infrastructure, insufficient financial and human resources, cybersecurity risks, and widening gaps in digital skills.
Across Europe, disparities in connectivity and digital access disproportionately affect rural and remote areas, low-income households and vulnerable groups. These inequalities threaten territorial cohesion and limit citizens’ ability to participate fully in digital society. To make digital public services truly accessible, digital solutions must follow inclusive design principles and remain complemented by in-person service options for those who cannot or prefer not to use digital channels.
Cybersecurity has become an increasing concern as local authorities manage sensitive public data and critical infrastructure, often without sufficient expertise or funding to meet growing EU requirements such as those under the NIS2 Directive. Smaller municipalities, in particular, lack the resources to implement robust cybersecurity measures, respond to incidents or comply with complex regulatory frameworks. Reinforced cooperation, simplification of rules and sustainable financial support are essential to strengthen local resilience.
Skills development remains another pressing challenge. To implement new EU digital policies, including those related to artificial intelligence, interoperability and data governance, local administrations need staff trained to oversee digital systems, maintain human oversight, and ensure ethical, transparent and fair use of technologies. At the same time, strengthening digital literacy among citizens through lifelong learning and community-based initiatives helps build trust, inclusion and participation. Cooperation between municipalities and across regions also accelerates innovation and avoids fragmentation by enabling the exchange of best practices and common solutions.
A Call for Stronger EU Support
To ensure a fair, secure and inclusive digital transition, CEMR calls on European institutions to reinforce investment in digital infrastructure, especially in underserved regions; provide technical and financial support for accessible digital public services; maintain non-digital access to essential services during the transition; facilitate public-private partnerships to expand connectivity; and offer tailored guidance, capacity-building and long-term funding to help local and regional governments strengthen their cybersecurity and digital skills. Europe’s digital future depends on empowering the actors closest to citizens: its municipalities, cities and regions!
Training on gender equality at the local level: from commitment to actions
On 18 November, CEMR organised the online workshop “From commitment to action: Training on gender equality action planning”. The event brought together around 60 participants from more than 10 countries, including France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Romania, Ukraine, Greece, Poland, the United Kingdom and Austria. Municipal representatives, national coordinators and experts joined to strengthen their capacity to design, update and implement Gender Equality Action Plans (GEAP) in line with the European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life.
As the Charter approaches its 20th anniversary in 2026, the session provided practical guidance, tools and inspiration to support renewed commitment at local and regional levels.
Gender equality action planning: tools and approaches
The workshop started with inputs on the importance of gender mainstreaming as a core tool for local gender equality strategies. Miguel Hernandez Littlewood from DG REGIO presented the EU’s strategic framework, relevant funding mechanisms and the new gender-tracking methodology.
Aline Burni research fellow at the think tank ODI Europe shared findings from the GAP III report and offered practical guidance on conducting needs assessments, securing financial resources, ensuring leadership commitment and developing monitoring systems focused on impact rather than activities.
The experience of the Charter’s signatories
Several Charter signatories shared their experiences and challenges in developing their Action Plans.
Nataliya Lazarenko, on behalf of the Association of Ukrainian Cities, and Alina Khaletska, member of the Expert Council on Gender Integration of the City of Kyiv (Ukraine), presented their unique experience with the Charter, recalling that the first Ukrainian signatory was Vinnytsia (Ukraine) in 2017 and explaining how the context of war has intensified gender equality concerns.
Pascale Douineau, elected official responsible for gender equality from the City of Quimperlé (France),shared her work on the visibility of women in public spaces, while also highlighting the specific challenges faced in rural areas.
They emphasised the importance of strong political commitment, noting that signing the Charter is a concrete signal to take action, and that Action Plans are essential tools for implementing equality measures in daily life.
The workshop offered participants the chance to work through a practical exercise to design an action plan based on the Charter’s articles, including Article 22 on gender-based violence, which encouraged the exchange of good practices. Participants also discussed the need for an integrated approach, the challenges of securing adequate financial resources, and the importance of setting dedicated budget targets. Finally, the relevance of effective monitoring tools emerged as a key point of reflection.
The main takeaways from the workshop highlight that an assessment of gender needs is indispensable for identifying priorities and ensuring that measures are not generic but reflect local realities. Sustainable implementation requires adequate financial resources, committed leadership, and long-term structures. Ultimately, the discussions made clear that a single model for gender equality action planning does not exist. Each approach must be tailored to local contexts, and Gender Equality Action Plans are essential tools to translate these commitments into concrete, measurable actions.
Preparing for the Charter’s 20th anniversary
As next year 2026, we move toward the 20th anniversary of the Charter, CEMR will keep working alongside towns, cities and regions to advance their gender equality strategies. Participants are encouraged to take forward the tools and insights gathered during the workshop, embed them in their local plans, and remain active partners in the collective push for gender equality.
