On 21 May 2026, from 14h to 15h15, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) and partners of the Observatory for the Defence of Local Democracy in Europe will host an online webinar exploring the growing threats faced by local and regional elected representatives across Europe.
Launched in December 2025 by CEMR, the Municipality of Bilbao and the Association of Basque Municipalities (EUDEL), in partnership with Bocconi University and with the support of the Basque Government, the Observatory aims to monitor, analyse and respond to the increasing pressures affecting local democracy across Europe.
The webinar will present the preliminary findings of the Observatory’s upcoming European report examining patterns of intimidation, harassment, violence and attacks targeting local and regional politicians. The discussion comes at a time when democratic institutions across Europe are facing growing polarisation, disinformation, and declining trust in public authorities.
Local elected representatives are often on the frontline of these challenges. As the level of government closest to citizens, municipalities and regions play a crucial role in safeguarding democratic participation, social cohesion and public trust.
“Threats to local politics affect integrity, how we speak, and can silence people. It can make elected representatives afraid — or push them to leave public life,” said Eider Inuntziaga, city councillor of Bilbao and CEMR spokesperson on local democracy.
The event will bring together local elected representatives, researchers, international organisations and European institutions to discuss how to strengthen democratic resilience at the local level and better protect those serving in public office.
Speakers include Filiz Ceritoğlu Sengel, who will open the webinar, as well as academics and experts working on democratic governance and political violence. Representatives from the European Commission and the Council of Europe Congress will also contribute to the discussion.
The webinar will also examine threats occurring during electoral processes and explore possible policy responses to violence and intimidation targeting local elected officials.
A new chapter for local democracy in the Western Balkans: launch of the LORAI programme
April 1st marked an important milestone for local democracy and European integration in the Western Balkans, as CEMR joined the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, the European Commission, NALAS, and local government associations from across the region to officially launch LORAI – the Local Observatory on Reform Agendas Implementation.
The high‑level ceremony took place on the margins of the Congress’s 50th Session, bringing together European institutions, municipal leaders, experts and national associations to celebrate the beginning of a partnership designed to strengthen the role of local authorities in one of the most decisive phases of the region’s EU accession process.
A new observatory with a clear mission
LORAI is not just a new project. It is a new architecture of collaboration.
The programme, jointly established by the European Union and the Council of Europe, will support local authorities in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia to take a more active role in shaping, implementing, and monitoring their countries’ Reform Agendas under the EU’s Reform and Growth Facility.
For years, local and regional governments (LRGs) have been responsible for delivering essential services, infrastructure, and community support – yet they have been only marginally involved in monitoring the reforms that directly affect them. LORAI is designed to close that gap.
It aims to:
Empower municipalities to take part in designing, monitoring and evaluating reforms
Strengthen policy dialogue between all levels of government
Build local capacity to identify investment priorities for the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034
Increase transparency and accountability through an open‑access dashboard tracking reform progress on the ground
Boost peer learning through regional exchanges, workshops, and reviews
These collective efforts will enable reforms to become not only national commitments, but tangible improvements in citizens’ daily lives.
A strong partnership to drive real results
LORAI will be implemented by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, in partnership with:
NALAS – Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe
CEMR – Council of European Municipalities and Regions
Local government associations from each beneficiary country
This partnership brings unparalleled reach, expertise and legitimacy. Each organisation plays a vital role in ensuring reforms are not abstract commitments but concrete transformations at the local level.
Opening the launch event, Congress President Gunn Marit Helgesen highlighted the stakes:
“With its unparalleled convening power among local and regional authorities, this partnership will deliver real benefits for the citizens of the Western Balkans. Real change happens when local governments are active shapers of reform; we must enable their meaningful participation in the reform process.”
Representing the European Commission, Valentina Superti, Director for the Western Balkans at DG ENEST, added:
“For citizens, progress must be visible and tangible. LORAI plays a key role in empowering local authorities to turn reform commitments into concrete results. Today marks the beginning of a fruitful collaboration.”
CEMR Vice‑President Mélanie Lepoultier emphasised the importance of linking reforms to investment readiness:
“Our mission at CEMR is to transform local experiences into actionable policy. Through LORAI, we will support local officials to convert reforms into investment roadmaps aligned with the next Multiannual Financial Framework and foster meaningful peer‑to‑peer exchanges.”
NALAS President Dubravko Bilić stressed the Observatory’s long‑term value:
“Sustainable progress requires tracking implementation where it matters most—at the local level. LORAI will ensure reforms deliver measurable and lasting results for citizens.”
Why LORAI matters
Reform Agendas represent some of the most strategic commitments Western Balkan governments have made on their path towards EU accession. Yet reforms can only succeed when local governments, those closest to the citizens, are active contributors, not bystanders.
LORAI is important because it brings:
1. Accountability, where reforms are felt the most
The open-access dashboard will provide communities, governments, and partners with transparent data on how reforms are progressing locally.
2. Stronger multilevel governance
The programme strengthens collaboration between national and local authorities, ensuring reforms are implemented realistically and sustainably.
3. Investment-ready local priorities
LRGs will be better equipped to shape priorities for future EU funding, especially in the next MFF (2028–2034).
4. A regional ecosystem of learning
Peer exchanges, workshops, and reviews will allow governments from Western Balkan countries to learn from each other, share solutions, and amplify impact.
For CEMR, this programme is fully aligned with our mission:
To ensure that Europe’s local and regional governments are empowered, heard, and equipped to shape the future of their communities.
Looking ahead
With a dedicated budget of €2,222,222 for its first two years and a duration running from March 2026 to February 2028 (with the possibility of extension), LORAI is set to become a cornerstone for stronger governance, better reforms, and deeper European integration in the Western Balkans countries.
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 Belgian framework for Decentralised Development Cooperation (DDC) is characterised by:
1) Municipal associations are central to DDC in Belgium. Brulocalis, Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities (VVSG), and the Union of Cities and Municipalities of Wallonia (UVCW) act as key intermediaries in coordinating funded programmes and serving as the primary source of support and guidance for municipalities.
2) Focus on long-term cooperation with selected partners. Sustained partnerships help to ensure the effectiveness and added value of cooperation. There is a prioritisation of the least developed countries and fragile contexts.
3) Awareness-raising of Belgian citizens about international solidarity. Belgian actors, in partnership with NGOs, actively contribute to informing citizens about development cooperation-related topics through awareness-raising and education activities at home.
This article is part of a series of 7 Country Profiles examining DDC frameworks across Europe. The fifth edition, focusing on France, will be published in July. Stay tuned!
Read the Country Profile of Belgium, available in four languages:
You can find the rest of Mindcraft’s publications here.
CEMR encourages Belgian authorities to strengthen the role of Local and Regional Governments 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).
Local leaders’ climate academy: co‑creating justice‑centred climate action
On 25 and 26 March, CEMR, together with UCLG and PLATFORMA, hosted the Local Leaders’ Climate Academy, an online training and exchange space for local and regional leaders committed to advancing climate action rooted in justice, equality, and participation.
Held under the title “Co‑Creating Climate Action: Justice‑Centred Leadership for Local and Regional Governments”, the Academy brought together elected officials, practitioners, youth representatives, and experts to explore how local governments can translate climate commitments into inclusive, locally grounded action.
Putting justice at the centre of climate leadership
Opening the Academy, Fabrizio Rossi, Secretary General of CEMR, underlined the need for local leaders to move beyond fragmented climate responses and instead co‑create solutions that address climate change alongside social and gender inequalities.
On the second day, Pablo Fernández, Assistant Secretary‑General for Partnerships at UCLG, presented UCLG’s global learning strategy, emphasising city diplomacy and co‑creation as key tools for implementation. He stressed that inclusive capacity‑building — particularly involving youth and women — is central to accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, including the ongoing review of SDG 11.
Learning from local practice
Throughout the two days, the Academy showcased concrete examples of justice‑centred climate action led by cities and territories:
In Catalonia, municipalities are collaborating on collective renewable energy purchasing to reduce emissions and costs.
Dublin shared its work on systemic climate finance approaches to address organisational barriers to investment.
Athens presented the co‑creation of its Climate Contract, including a Youth Climate Assembly and support for 30 youth‑led projects.
International partnerships were highlighted, such as the long‑standing cooperation between Cologne (Germany) and Indigenous communities in Yarinacocha (Peru), and the Bio Plateau project promoting community‑based water management in the Guyana Shield.
Youth voices and global perspectives
The Academy was shaped by keynote interventions from Marcele Oliveira, Youth Climate Champion for COP30, and Mark M. Akrofi, Research Fellow at AISESA. Their contributions stressed the importance of engaging vulnerable communities, addressing environmental racism, and integrating intergenerational justice into local climate planning.
Their reflections echo broader debates on climate justice, including those shared in the PLATFORMA interview “Climate justice starts where people live”, which explores why locally rooted approaches are essential to fair and effective climate action.
Climate adaptation and multi-level cooperation: the Climate Chance session
On 26 March 2026, a dedicated session organised by Climate Chance brought climate adaptation to the centre of the discussions, highlighting the growing impact of floods, droughts, heatwaves and wildfires across European territories, and the need to act now.
Opening the session, Ronan Dantec, President of Climate Chance and CEMR spokesperson on climate, stressed that tackling climate risks requires collective effort: “Climate change affects Europe with floods, droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires impacting communities and economies. Building resilience requires collaboration between governments, businesses, insurers, investors, and civil society.”
The exchange focused on the challenges ahead for climate adaptation and on how multi‑level governance, cross‑sector cooperation, and improved financing and risk‑sharing mechanisms can strengthen resilience. The session also contributed reflections to the forthcoming EU Integrated Framework on Climate Adaptation, expected in late 2026, and featured expert input from Dr. Christiana Photiadou of the European Environment Agency.
Want to know more?
Do you want to know more about our Local Leaders’ Climate Academy?
CEMR is currently looking for a professional interpretation provider for English-Ukrainian
CEMR seeks a professional interpretation provider for English-Ukrainian simultaneous interpretation. The assignment is linked to our project, Bridges of Trust, which will organise several online training sessions, information sessions, and related events.
The selected contractor will work in close and continuous coordination with CEMR’s Administrative and Finance team, who will oversee the development and delivery of all outputs covered by this call for proposals.
Celebrating a decade of driving local climate action in sub-Saharan Africa
The Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) is the “regional covenant” of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM). It is a bottom-up and voluntary initiative that invites cities to define and meet ambitious and realistic energy and climate targets.
Launched in 2015 and funded by the European Commission, CoM SSA was initially led by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions, in partnership with African and European city networks, national associations of local governments, and civil society organisations.
To mark this decade, the new publication A Decade of Implementation, produced by GIZ in the framework of CoM SSA, brings together reflections from cities, institutional partners, donors and long-standing experts. Combining strategic perspectives with concrete city examples, it documents how more than 400 local governments, representing over 166 million people, have moved from climate planning to implementation and investment. The publication highlights key milestones and results achieved over the past ten years, including the development of the Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plans (SEACAP), support for project preparation for cities, and an increasing focus on implementation, investment and impact.
Over the past decade, CoM SSA has shown that local climate and energy actions can only be effective and sustainable when it is anchored in political ownership and supported by strong associations of local governments and city networks. By empowering mayors and local leaders, and by facilitating peer exchange and collective representation, the initiative has enabled cities to move from commitments to concrete action.
The publication includes a contribution from CEMR, authored by the Director of Projects and Programmes, Durmish Guri, reflecting on the role of national associations of local and regional goverments and networks in anchoring the Covenant politically and ensuring its sustainability, a message that remains highly relevant as reflections on the future of the Covenant of Mayors continue, including in Europe.
“We therefore call upon funders, governments and partners to continue investing in CoM SSA. Anchored in local realities and supported by diverse partnerships, it stands as a cornerstone of climate resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa.”
Durmish Guri, Director of Projects & Programmes, Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR)
We would like to thank our partners — Climate Alliance, Energy Cities, Environment Development Action in the Third World (ENDA), French Agency for Environment and Energy Management (ADEME), ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability (World Secretariat and Africa), International Association of French Mayors (AIMF), Portuguese Energy Agency (ADENE), Sustainable Energy for Africa, and United Cities and Local Governments Africa (UCLG Africa) — for their invaluable collaboration and commitment.
Inside Bonn’s 40-year effort to advance gender equality
The city of Bonn (Germany) signed the European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life nineteen years ago. Yet Bonn’s story promoting gender equality does not begin there. It stretches back more than forty years, to a time when gender equality was little more than an ambition, and when the structures needed to drive real change barely existed.
In 1984, Bonn established a dedicated Office for Equal Opportunities, a bold move for its time, signalling that equality was not an abstract value but a governance priority. By 1991, the city had introduced its first bylaws on equal opportunities. A decade later, in 2001, Bonn adopted its first comprehensive Equal Opportunities Plan, laying the foundations for long‑term, structural change in work, care, safety and representation.
Bonn’s commitment has remained unwavering. Today, the city hall maintains a near-equal gender balance in senior management, while women in middle management are empowered to assume leadership responsibilities through structured mentoring programmes.
Deputy Mayor of Bonn, Ursula Sautter, explains that the local administration “advocates and promotes equal care solutions” due to the “still unequal division of work and care”.
Sautter also highlights that the city actively combats all forms of violence and stands firmly with victims. This effort is reinforced by the new German Violence Assistance Act of 2025, which strengthens support frameworks across the country.
Bonn has been a signatory of CEMR’s European Charter for Equality since 2007, demonstrating its commitment to turning principles into action. As Sautter mentions, “the European Charter for Equality is a beacon of empowerment for us, uniting us with a multitude of diverse cities in this important endeavour”.
Ursula Sautter, Deputy Mayor of Bonn
20 years of the European Charter for Equality
This year, we mark the 20th anniversary of the European Charter for Equality,a milestone that invites reflection, celebration and renewed ambition.
Since its creation, the Charter has become one of Europe’s strongest frameworks for driving equality at the local and regional levels. Today, more than 2,053 signatories from 36 countries are part of this growing movement of cities, towns, and regions committed to turning equality principles into reality.
Developed by CEMR together with its national associations and project partners, the Charter brings together diverse European visions of equality. Hundreds of local and regional representatives contributed to shaping a shared framework that considers the diverse competences and contexts across Europe. Signing the Charter is a public and formal commitment, a pledge to advance gender equality through policies, programmes, and concrete actions implemented in cooperation with local partners and civil society.
While the Charter is not legally binding, it is intentionally ambitious. CEMR recognises that achieving these objectives requires time, dialogue, and structural change. That is why signatories are encouraged to adopt a progressive approach, identifying priority areas for action while steadily expanding their efforts.
To support signatories, CEMR established the European Observatory on the Charter, dedicated to helping local and regional authorities develop and implement strong equality policies.
The Observatory’s mission is threefold:
Support the development of Local Action Plans for gender equality
Monitor implementation and progress on the ground
Evaluate impact and share knowledge across Europe
By connecting municipalities, facilitating exchanges, and making progress visible, the Observatory ensures that the Charter remains a living, evolving tool, anchored in real practice.
—
Discover the story of Aubagne (France), which signed the European Charter for Equality in November 2025.
Bonn is a member of CEMR’s association Deutscher Städtetag.
Last week, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) adopted in Plenary the ‘Enlargement package 2025 – Ukraine, Moldova & Georgia’
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has adopted an amendment explicitly recognising the European Partnership Hub (EPH) as the “one-stop-shop” for cooperation between local and regional governments in Ukraine and the EU. The Hub was launched at the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference, following the Joint Statement of the European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Reconstruction of Ukraine.
Hosted by CEMR, which already drives EU–Ukraine municipal partnerships through Bridges of Trust, the Matchmaking Platform, and SUN4Ukraine, the Hub coordinates and connects initiatives within the Bridges of Trust Community. It facilitates exchanges, provides information, and organises joint meetings to align efforts, build synergies, and support municipalities with the skills needed for recovery, cooperation, and EU accession.
Six other amendments reinforcing the role of local and regional governements in the EU enlargement
The final text of the CoR also includes six amendments tabled by CoR members Māris Zusts and Gints Kaminskis and suggested by the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (LALRG), in close cooperation with PLATFORMA.
The amendments aim to reinforce a central political message: EU enlargement will only succeed if it is rooted in local and regional levels, resilient to hybrid threats, and democratically endorsed by citizens. In this opinion, decentralisation, multilevel governance, gender equality, and combating foreign information manipulation are framed as essential components of sustainable enlargement.
Cooperation with local governments
The adopted amendments further stress the need for public support through cooperation with local governments, especially in Ukraine’s post-war context, advocating for awareness campaigns and media engagement to foster acceptance of candidate countries. Democratic resilience and integrity are further prioritised, particularly through strengthened anti-corruption measures at all government levels. Transparency in public procurement is highlighted, especially regarding reconstruction efforts.
Concerning Moldova, the amendments commend reform progress but express concerns over foreign interference (FIMI) during the 2025 elections, advocating for resilience measures and support for independent media.
The amendments also support local governments in Georgia amidst democratic backsliding, emphasising ongoing cooperation to maintain dialogue and democratic governance as the country navigates its EU accession path.
Looking ahead
These amendments place local and regional governments at the heart of EU enlargement, recognising that lasting impact, resilient democracies, and strong communities depend on their active role.
The next step is for the European Parliament, Council, and Commission to take these recommendations into account for their respective work on enlargement. CEMR together with PLATFORMA and their partners will continue to advocate, coordinate initiatives, and foster exchanges, to strenghten the role of local and regional governments.
The European Partnership Hub is supported by the European Union and its member states through U-LEAD with Europe.
Four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, local and regional elected representatives from the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) once again reaffirm their unwavering support for Ukraine and its people.
On this fourth anniversary of Russia’s aggression, CEMR has issued a formal declaration strongly condemning the war, which continues to claim countless victims, and reiterating the commitment of European local and regional governments to stand alongside Ukraine in its struggle for freedom, reconstruction and European integration.
Call against attacks on Ukrainian mayors
Local and regional elected representatives remain on the frontlines of the war, ensuring the continuity of essential services under extraordinary and often dangerous conditions. Yet they continue to be directly targeted.
CEMR denounces the abduction of Ukrainian mayors and supports the call of the Association of Ukrainian Cities demanding the immediate release of those still detained:
Oleksandr Babych – Hola Prystan City Mayor
Ihor Kolykhaiev – Kherson City Mayor
Anatolii Siryi – Starosta of Novi Borovychi Starosta District, Snovsk City Municipality
CEMR also condemns the arbitrary imprisonment, torture and murder of Ukrainian people in Russian captivity, including:
Yevhenii Matvieiev – Mayor of Dniprorudne
Oleksii Vynnychenko – Starosta of the Hrebenykivka Starosta District of Boromlia Village Municipality
Commitment to peace, reconstruction and EU integration
CEMR calls for the immediate end to the war, and for decisive actions to enable the establishment of a just and lasting peace in Europe and the reconstruction of Ukraine. Achieving this requires full engagement of the European Union and its Member States at every stage of the process. European local and regional governments stand ready to contribute actively to recovery, democratic resilience, and long-term stability.
In its declaration, CEMR reaffirms its dedication to:
Supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction through partnerships, exchanges and decentralised cooperation between towns, cities and regions.
Accompanying Ukraine on its path to full EU membership, strengthening democratic governance and multilevel cooperation across Europe.
Sustaining and expanding cooperation through key initiatives, including:
CEMR’s Matchmaking Platform, connecting municipalities, regions and local governments across Europe to strengthen practical cooperation.
Bridges of Trust Community, bringing together local and regional representatives engaged in cooperation to foster trust, resilience, sustainable development and democratic governance.
As the war enters its fifth year, sustained political, financial and institutional support remains essential. The reconstruction of Ukraine and the achievement of a just and lasting peace demand continued solidarity, coordinated action and long-term commitment.
CEMR stands firm in defending European values of democracy, peace and the rule of law. European local and regional governments remain committed to accompanying Ukraine to full EU membership, contributing to a stronger, more resilient and more secure Europe.
Pol Morillas (CIDOB), MEP Hanna Jalloul and local leaders reflect on the current geopolitics and its effects in Europe, global disorder, and why local leaders matter more than ever
At a time when global politics is increasingly shaped by power rivalries and zero-sum logic, cities and regions may appear peripheral to the big geopolitical chessboard. But according to Pol Morillas, Director of CIDOB (Barcelona Centre for International Affairs), this perception is deeply misleading.
Speaking at a UCLG gathering of the European section, alongside MEP Hanna Jalloul, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, and representatives from municipalities and regions across Europe, Morillas offered a sharp diagnosis of the global moment, and a compelling argument for why local and regional leaders are essential actors in Europe’s response to it.
“We are entering a world we were not built for”
Morillas describes 2026 as the year when “brutal geopolitics” has fully taken shape.
“We are not living in the world the European Union wanted”, he explained. “The open markets, rules-based globalisation, and cooperative multilateralism that Europe championed are giving way to power politics, transactional alliances, and the return of the state as the dominant actor”.
*Pol Morillas, Director of CIDOB (Barcelona Centre for International Affairs)
This shift goes beyond any single election or leader. While the return of Donald Trump to the White House has accelerated trends, Morillas sees a broader transformation driven by major powers — including China and India — embracing national interest and zero-sum competition.
In this emerging order, actors are reacting differently. Some are accommodating. Some are resisting, particularly youth movements across the globe. Others are disoriented.
“And the European Union”, Morillas noted, “is navigating this disorientation”.
Europe’s three strategic choices
According to Morillas, Europe is currently debating three broad strategies:
Keep the United States engaged, even if it requires tactical appeasement, especially in areas like security and intelligence where Europe lacks full autonomy.
Build new alliances with middle powers such as Japan, India, and Mercosur countries to preserve elements of a rules-based order.
Pursue greater autonomy, particularly in areas like technology and geo-economics — though, as Morillas cautioned, “there is often more talk of autonomy than real action”.
These strategies coexist, sometimes uneasily, as Europe attempts to redefine itself in a harsher global landscape.
But this is only part of the story.
New diplomatic opportunities for cities and regions as “laboratories for finding solutions”
While geopolitics grabs headlines, Morillas argues that some of the most urgent crises are concentrated in cities and regions and that is precisely where their diplomatic relevance lies. “The role of cities and regions will be most important when they are laboratories for finding solutions to crises that are most held in cities and regions”, he said.
He pointed specifically to:
Housing
Cost of living
Energy
Youth mobilisation and the response to young people’s demands
“These areas are far away from brutal geopolitics and do not have defence as their main component”, Morillas explained. “They are low-hanging fruits for cities and regions to play an interesting diplomatic role”.
In other words, while states compete over security and strategic dominance, local governments are managing the everyday pressures that shape citizens’ trust in democracy. Their ability to innovate and respond effectively becomes a form of diplomacy in itself.
Youth mobilisation and democratic response
Morillas also underlined a growing global trend: youth resistance to national political systems perceived as unresponsive.
“We are seeing increasing numbers of young people resisting national politics and proposing alternative models of understanding society”, he said.
For cities and regions, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Local governments are often the first institutional level confronted with youth demands — from climate action to housing affordability. The quality of their response will shape democratic resilience in Europe.
A multipolar world, including the local level
The global order’s fragmentation is also reshaping inter-city cooperation. The CIDOB director pointed to new forums emerging beyond traditional Western-led networks, including initiatives linked to BRICS+.
“This multipolar world also takes place within regions”, he observed. “European cities and regions need to be aware of these new forums”.
Global alignment is no longer only a matter for foreign ministries. It is increasingly reflected in how cities cooperate, partner, and position themselves internationally.
From consultation to co-decision in Europe
Perhaps most significantly, Morillas sees cities and regions gaining weight within the European architecture itself. “It is not only a question of member states”, he argued. “Cities can play an important role in the European architecture — sometimes only as being consulted but increasingly having something to say about the future of European integration”.
From housing initiatives to urban energy transitions, European policy debates are increasingly touching areas where cities have primary competence.
To advance this agenda, CIDOB has launched the “Local Europe” initiative with the support of Barcelona City Council, aiming to reinforce what Morillas calls “the Europe of cities”.
The underlying message is clear: the future of European integration will not be decided solely in national capitals.
How should local leaders look at the world?
How, then, should local and regional leaders look at the world — and how are they perceived within it?
The discussion made clear that towns, cities and regions are no longer peripheral actors but central pillars of Europe’s global credibility.
As Carola Gunnarsson, CEMR spokesperson for international affairs and local councillor of Sala, Sweden, underlined also during this session, “municipalities and regions are not merely implementers of European policy. We are co-creators of Europe’s credibility”.
*Carola Gunnarsson, CEMR spokesperson for international affairs and Lord Mayor of Sala, at the Leaders’ Summit in 2025
In a geopolitical environment marked by ideological confrontation and democratic strain, consistency between local governance and global ambition becomes decisive. “If we would like Europe to be a strong global actor, we must be consistent both internationally and locally”, she stressed.
Echoing this call for coherence, MEP Hanna Jalloul, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, underlined the direct impact of EU decisions on citizens’ daily lives.
Yet, she questioned the persistent democratic disconnect: “Why have we reached only 50% participation in European elections?” According to Jalloul, “many citizens don’t fully realise how economic and agricultural decisions taken here directly affect them.”
*MEP Hanna Jalloul, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, European Parliament photo
Beyond internal policy, she stressed the importance of consistency in Europe’s external action. “We speak of peace, but our multilateral system — which we’ve defended since 1945 — must be consistent.” In a challenging geopolitical environment, she argued, the European Union must align its commercial priorities and strategic autonomy with its foundational values.
When democratic disconnect reaches the local level
This disconnect between European decision-making and citizens’ perception, participants warned, does not remain abstract. When people feel that decisions are distant, unclear or inconsistent with proclaimed values, frustration grows — and it often manifests first at the local level.
As highlighted by Eider Enunciaga, spokesperson for local democracy at CEMR and representative of Bilbao City Council, local leaders are increasingly experiencing hostility and intimidation — both offline and online. “The future of our democracies in Europe is at stake here,” he stressed, noting that geopolitical tensions, disinformation and polarisation are directly affecting municipalities and regions.
*Eider Enunciaga, spokesperson for local democracy at CEMR and representative of Bilbao City Council, at the CEMR event on the launch of the European Observatory
In response to this growing pressure, CEMR, together with the City of Bilbao, Bocconi University and the Basque Association of Municipalities, has launched the European Observatory for Democracy at the Local Level. The initiative aims to gather data on threats against local representatives, identify emerging trends and better understand the drivers behind attacks on democratic institutions.
“By strengthening democracy at the local level, we are also strengthening the European project,” Enunciaga concluded.
