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Empowering local Europe since 1951  

Democracy, diversity, and sustainability at the heart of CEMR 


Since its founding in 1951, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has worked to promote a peaceful, democratic, and united Europe. Rooted in local self-government and citizen participation, CEMR brings together municipalities, counties, and regions across 41 countries, giving local democracy a strong voice at European and international levels. 

Our Values 

CEMR stands on three core pillars: 

  • Local democracy: Protecting municipal autonomy, human rights, and the rule of law. 
  • Sustainability: Guiding action through the United Nations’ Global Goals. 
  • Diversity: Promoting gender balance, inclusiveness, and respect for differences. 

With a team of 40 professionals in Brussels, representing a dozen nationalities and speaking 15 languages, CEMR embodies the European mosaic it serves. 

A History of Local Leadership 

CEMR was born in 1951 when 56 mayors from six countries gathered in Geneva to lay the foundations of a united Europe from the bottom up. Their early efforts focused on town twinning, fostering reconciliation through exchanges and cultural ties. Today, with some 20,000 twinnings across Europe, this remains the continent’s most widespread form of cooperation. 

CEMR also pioneered the push for local autonomy, adopting the European Charter of Municipal Liberties in 1953, which later inspired the Council of Europe’s European Charter of Local Self-Government. 

In 1984, CEMR officially added “Regions” to its name, reflecting its advocacy for decentralisation and the growing importance of regional governance. 

What We Do Today 

CEMR’s mission is organised around four “Ps”: People, Places, Planet, and Partnerships

  • Advocacy: Representing local and regional interests to the EU, the Council of Europe, OECD, and the United Nations. CEMR works to ensure that 70% of EU laws affecting municipalities and regions take account of local realities. 
  • Knowledge: Sharing expertise and producing ground-breaking studies on local democracy, equality, climate action, migration, and finance. 
  • Partnerships: Leading externally funded projects on sustainable development, integration, climate, and democracy, including initiatives such as PLATFORMA, IncluCities, and the Covenant of Mayors. 
  • Communication: Reaching citizens, members, and global partners through campaigns, media work, and digital platforms. 

Looking Ahead 

Marking its 70th anniversary in 2021, CEMR reflected on past achievements while preparing for future challenges. In an age of polarisation, climate change, and digital transformation, the organisation continues to champion local democracy as the bedrock of peace and progress. 

As former CEMR President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing once urged Europe’s young people: “Today, power is there for the taking! It is the power to act, to bring on the future and to organise it.” 

Read the study here 

For more information, contact: 

Eastern Partnership

People Europe - News

Don’t miss the 3rd edition of the EU-Eastern Partnership Local Leaders’ Forum


The 2021 EU-EaP Local Leaders Forum will focus on the Local Public Administration and Decentralisation Reform as a booster for sustainable and inclusive development.

Decentralisation reforms in Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries (Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine) have increased the role of local governments in key strategic sectors and while significant progress has been made, major challenges remain in terms of political commitment and advancing the fiscal dimension of trends.

Against this backdrop, the Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe (NALAS), in cooperation with the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (LALRG), the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania (ALAL), CEMR and PLATFORMA, organises this 3rd Forum online on 7 December 2021, from 10:00 to 14:00 (CET).

Local leaders from the Eastern Partnership and the European Union countries will hear about the future post 2020 Eastern Partnership priorities and the EU support: how to build a cooperation framework on local level which would promote effective governance and institutional reforms in EaP countries such as public administration and decentralisation processes in order to reinforce local democracy.

Register for the event before 1 December 2021. The working languages are English, Ukrainian, Georgian and Romanian (with simultaneous interpretation).

Follow the conversation on Twitter with #EaPLocal.

Bringing Equality Closer to Home 

UCLG people banner

2021 Report – CEMR Charter15 Reflection Process 


The European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life, developed by CEMR, is both a political commitment and a practical tool enabling local and regional governments to integrate gender equality into all aspects of policy and administration. Since its launch in 2006, nearly 2,000 signatories across 36 countries have joined the initiative. 

Marking 15 years in 2021, CEMR initiated a reflection process to ensure the Charter remains relevant, inclusive and fit for the future. The process culminated in a set of recommendations to revitalise and adapt the Charter, supported by the EU’s CERV programme

Key Activities and Participation 

  • 6 online workshops (June–November 2021) 
  • 5 interviews with national gender focal points 
  • 75 participants from 21 countries, including local authorities, associations, and civil society. 

Workshop Themes & Findings 

1. Employment & Economic Development (September 2021) 

Gender gaps persist in pay, part-time work, and parental leave. The Charter update should reinforce equality in employment practices, particularly relevant to local governments as employers. 

2. Climate, Urban Space & Sustainable Development (October 2021) 

There is a demand to strengthen Article 25 on urban planning by including monitoring and evaluation tools, and to align with SDG 5 through the Charter’s indicators. 

3. Violence Against Women and Girls (November 2021) 

Updates should better address violence prevention, include children (especially girls) as victims, and consider the complex issue of honour-based violence

4. Communication, Stereotypes & International Cooperation (June 2021) 

The Charter must adopt an intersectional perspective without weakening its gender focus and show how gender equality benefits men and boys as well. 

5. Multiple Discrimination & Intersectionality (September 2021) 

A call to inclusively reflect diverse experiences of discrimination, guided by approaches like Sweden’s: “always gender, but never gender alone.” 

6. Public Services & Administration (September 2021) 

The Charter should be made more actionable at the local level. COVID-19 showed the need for gender-sensitive crisis planning to avoid backsliding on equality. 

Next Steps 

Based on the rich input from this process, an updated version of the Charter will be developed in 2022. This will ensure that it continues to serve as a dynamic tool for gender equality, adaptable to modern challenges, while respecting the commitments of existing signatories. 

Read the study here 

For more information, contact: 

Revitalising the Equality Charter 

Gender Charter - News

CEMR’s 15-year reflection process sets the stage for a renewed push to advance gender equality in Europe’s local and regional life 


2021 marked the 15th anniversary of the European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life, a milestone moment to celebrate achievements, reflect on lessons learned, and chart a course for the future. Initiated by CEMR in 2006, the Charter has grown into a powerful instrument for advancing gender equality at the local level, now embraced by nearly 2,000 signatories in 36 countries. 

The anniversary served not only to honour progress but also to examine how the Charter can evolve to remain relevant and impactful for today’s and tomorrow’s local governments. 

To mark the occasion, CEMR launched a wide-ranging reflection process. A series of six online workshops was held between June and November 2021, involving Charter signatories, national associations, gender focal points and other stakeholders. Five in-depth interviews complemented these to deepen the analysis. 

The process revolved around four key areas: 

  • Recognising achievements: Highlighting the tangible improvements in local equality made possible by the Charter; 
  • Reflecting on relevance: Considering how to modernise the Charter and connect it with broader policy frameworks; 
  • Celebrating commitment: Acknowledging the people and organisations driving real change on the ground; 
  • Revitalising tools: Gathering practical insights and suggestions to strengthen the Charter’s implementation. 

Participants emphasised that while the Charter remains a strong and valuable framework, its language, accessibility, and visibility could be improved. There was broad support for clearer, more inclusive, and action-oriented language. Concerns about legal implications for current signatories were addressed with a proposed solution: allowing signatories to either reconfirm or upgrade their commitment, while still validating earlier engagements. 

The 15-year review reaffirms the Charter’s relevance and potential as a living document. CEMR has now put forward a set of concrete recommendations to enhance its clarity, inclusivity and usability, ensuring it remains a cornerstone for gender equality at the local and regional level: 

  • Simplify the language and prioritise clarity and accessibility; 
  • Use assertive, action-driven phrasing to emphasise commitments; 
  • Improve translation quality in coordination with national associations; 
  • Adapt language to gender-inclusive norms, particularly in gendered languages. 

As the Chair of the Standing Committee for Equality put it: 

“Beyond chapters and clauses lies a common goal: bringing equality closer to home.”

Read the study here 

For more information, contact: 

Paris agreement at the local level

Renewable Energy - News

Glasgow Climate Pact calls for “multilevel and cooperative action”


“Disappointment” was a word on the lips of many at the closing on the COP26 UN climate conference in Glasgow in Saturday (13 November). The outcomes leave open many questions regarding national governments’ commitments. Local and regional governments were able however to effectively mobilise during the conference. Thanks to their advocacy efforts, the importance of municipalities, regions and “multilevel and cooperative action” is recognised in the new Glasgow Climate Pact.

“We, local and regional governments, should be proud that the Glasgow final agreement includes the multilevel cooperative model as a way forward to achieve the Paris Agreement objectives”, said CEMR Secretary General Frédéric Vallier, who was present at the COP. “This is a real achievement for municipalities and regions, regardless of the conference’smixed overall results.

The final text has been signed off by 197 countries (from the big emitters such as China and the United States to the small island nations). It aims to keep global temperatures at 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century, the aspiration of the Paris Agreement, but fails to be more ambitious.

Room for improvement

Reacting on social mediaLéonore Moncondhuy, Mayor of Poitiers (France), spokesperson of PLATFORMA and representative of Cités Unies France said: “The Glasgow Pact does not at all measure up to the climate emergency. While it was supposed to ‘save the 1.5 ° C target’, it is once again mortgaging our future by subjecting it to states’ diluted and disingenuous commitments. Without immediate action, soon + 2.7 °C.”

Earlier last week, Moncond’huy met with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and UN Executive Director Maimunah Sharif in Glasgow, expressing the need to support local governments as frontline workers on climate challenges. Her arguments were later echoed in plenary by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London: “The involvement of cities now is like day and night … nothing compared with the past.”

Local and regional governments and their associations were widely mobilised. CEMR, PLATFORMA and the Global Task Force led by UCLG were well represented at COP26 and co-organised numerous side events and bilateral meetings.

Enabling local climate action

The Glasgow Climate Pact recognises “the urgent need for multilevel and cooperative action” as well as the important role of local and regional governments in realising the Paris Agreement. As highlighted by Steven Heddle, Member of Orkney Islands Council (COSLA) and CEMR spokesperson on territorial development, this will require facilitating local governments’ access to climate finance.

Local governments need revenue, resources and long-term loans. With these tools, we can contribute more to the objective of reducing emissions before 2050”, said Ronan Dantec, CEMR spokesperson on climate, French senator and president of Climate Chance, during one of the sessions.

The Pact includes many other provisions, such as developed countries agreeing to double funding for climate adaptation and a first global commitment to cut methane emissions by 2030.

What’s next

The next COP will take place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. Africa being the world’s youngest and most rapidly-urbanising continent, COP27 will focus on booming demography, sustainable urbanisation and financing green plans for sustainable low carbon development. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was selected to host the COP28 in 2023.

More:

For more information, contact:

BoT Online Forum

Bridges of Trust - News 2023 2

Online Forum: Strengthening Municipal Cooperation between Ukraine and the EU (10 December)


Join us on 10 December (9:30 to 15:00 EET/ 08:30 to 14:00 CET) for an exciting day of talks and exchanges about municipal cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union. Taking place online, the event will be conducted in Ukrainian and English with simultaneous interpretation in both languages.

The Forum is organised jointly by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), PLATFORMA and the U-LEAD with Europe Programme. It will provide a unique space for dialogue and fostering cooperation among local authorities from Ukraine and the European Union. 

Building on success of the previous municipal partnership activities organised by the U-LEAD with Europe Programme and long-lasting commitment of CEMR PLATFORMA in this field, this Forum will highlight:

  • viable partnership tools and recommendations for municipalities that want to develop their international partnerships
  • successful case studies of EU-Ukraine municipal cooperation and programmes that support it.

Specific attention during the Forum will be given to the 10 municipalities from Ukraine and 10 municipalities from Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia that have recently started partnerships in the framework of the Initiative “Bridges of Trust”. 

The full programme of the Forum can be found here: English, Ukrainian.
To register, please fill in this online form by 3 December 2021.

If you have any questions, please contact Yana.Brovdiy[at]ccre-cemr.org.

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Мости довіри
Посилення муніципальної співпраці між громадами України та Європейського Союзу

Приєднуйтесь до нас 10 грудня (з 9:30 до 15:00 за київським часом / 08:30-14:00 за брюссельським часом) для захоплюючого дня обговорень та  обмінів  про  муніципальну співпрацю між Україною та Європейським Союзом. Форум пройде онлайн. Трансляція буде доступна українською та англійською мовами.

Форум проводиться спільно Радою європейських муніципалітетів та регіонів,  ПЛАТФОРМОЮ та програмою  «U-LEAD з Європою». Він забезпечить унікальний простір для діалогу та сприяння співпраці між місцевими органами влади з України та Європейського Союзу. 

На основі успіхів попередніх заходів на підтримку муніципального партнерства, організованих програмою «U-LEAD з Європою» та досвіду CEMR та PLATFORMA у цій сфері, цей Форум  виділить:

  • Інструменти та рекомендації для муніципалітетів, які хочуть розвивати міжнароднi партнерствa
  • Успішні приклади муніципального співробітництва між Україною та ЄС  та програми, які його підтримують

Особливу увагу під час Форуму буде приділено 10 муніципалітетам з України та 10 муніципалітетам з Польщі, Словаччини, Литви, Латвії та Естонії, які нещодавно розпочали партнерські відносини в рамках ініціативи «Мости довіри».

З повною програмою Форуму можна ознайомитися тут.
Щоб зареєструватися, будь ласка, заповніть цю форму до 3 грудня 2021 р.

Якщо у Вас виникли запитання, будь ласка, зв’яжіться з нами за адресою Yana.Brovdiy[at]ccre-cemr.org.

Bridges of Trust

Ukraine people - News

How cooperation opens up opportunities for small Ukrainian and Lithuanian cities


What brings closer two cities, one Ukrainian, the other Lithuanian, separated by 700 km? Some will say their similar demographics or town size. Others will put forward their common urban challenges and opportunities.

This is precisely what the “Bridges of Trust” project is heading at: to increasing cooperation and exchange of best practices, knowledge and skills between municipalities in Ukraine and the EU.

On 22 October 2021, a first exchange between Korosten (Ukraine) and Ukmergė (Lithuania) took place online. Earlier, the two municipalities expressed interest to establish a new partnership in the framework of the project.

During this first meeting, the partners presented their respective municipalities and discussed possible areas of cooperation. Speakers on either side noted with great interest how similar the two communities are, for example, in terms of key business sectors (e.g. woodworking), interest in green tourism, culture and even some joint challenges (e.g. ageing of the population, migration of the young people, investments).

Energy efficiency and rising gas prices, waste management, investments and business attractiveness, digitalization of public services, are just some of the topics that were discussed during this first exchange.

The exchanges will continue to take place online during the next months. In spring 2022, it is planned that representatives of Korosten will visit Ukmergė to learn more about its successful projects and to see what aspects of these projects can be taken, adapted and integrated to the local realities in Korosten.  

As correctly pointed out by the mayor of Ukmergė, Rolandas Janickas, it is always better to see something once, and Ukmergė is looking forward to welcome Ukrainian colleagues next year.

About the “Bridges of Trust” project

The project is implemented by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions and PLATFORMA, and is funded by the U-LEAD with Europe programme, a multi-donor action of the European Union and its member states Germany, Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia and Slovenia.

EU Week of Regions and Cities

Inclucities Interview - News 2022

How the Covenant Community is blazing trails for the green transition


The recent European Week of Regions and Cities 2021 was the occasion to highlight how local governments and their associations are pioneering new ways of fighting against climate change.

The Covenant of Mayors Europe Office and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) highlighted such local climate action during their workshop “The Covenant Community: a trailblazer for the green transition”, heldon 13 October 2021.

The event was the moment to bring together the Covenant Community of Coordinators, Supporters and National Ambassadors from the CoR to demonstrate how the Covenant of Mayors’ model of cooperation between levels of government works in practice to accelerate the green transition.

The event notably presented the Covenant report “Multi-Level Governance in (Climate) Action – Co-creating policy solutions to tackle climate change”, which makes recommendations for cooperation and highlights examples of how the Community has worked on climate change mitigation, adaptation and energy povery.

Committing and cooperating for net zero

Julije Domac, member of the Covenant of Mayors Political Board and Director of the North-West Croatia Energy Agency (REGEA), opened the event highlighting that “2021 marks new ambitions, new targets, a new Covenant, and indeed, one shared vision: By 2050, all European citizens will be living in climate-neutral, decarbonised and resilient cities with access to affordable, secure and clean energy.”

On behalf of the National Ambassadors, Kata Tutto, Vice Mayor of Budapest and Covenant Ambassador for Hungary, stressed the close cooperation between the Covenant of Mayors and the CoR: “It’s a natural cooperation. The role of the national ambassadors is to help the process, promote and reinforce the Covenant in their own EU Member States, in cooperation with the Covenant of Mayors Office and the European Commission.”

95% of Flemish municipalities to join the Covenant

Local and regional government associations also share their perspectives as CEMR members and Covenant Supporters. During a session on multi-level climate actionMarteen Tavernier of the Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities (VVSG) presented the Flemish Climate Pact, an idea launched two years ago by the association and developed with the Flemish government.

One of the requirements to participate in the Flemish Climate Pact is to also be a Covenant Signatory. “We think we will end up with more than 95% of local authorities participating in both the Climate Pact and the Covenant of Mayors”, Marteen Tavernier said. The Pact covers both climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Wide-ranging support for local action in Finland

We learned about the Finnish and Latvian contexts during the session on local adaptation to climate change. Pauliina Jalonen of the Finnish Association of Local and Regional Authorities (Kuntaliitto) highlighted that two-thirds of Finnish municipalities have a climate target and 130 out of 309 have a carbon neutrality target.

The Finnish Association is providing concrete and practical support such as by piloting a climate leadership coaching programme for mayors to undertake local climate work, reinforcing knowledge by producing a guide on climate adaptation for municipalities and advocating at national level for funding for climate-proof infrastructure. “The impacts of climate change are happening already,” said Pauliina Jalonen. “So adaptation needs to take place today.

“No regrets” for Latvian municipalities

Agita Kaupuza outlined the actions being taken by the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (LALRG) to support local climate mitigation. LALRG works with municipalities to choose the “no regrets option”, which can feature work on coastal areas, notably erosion prevention, or inland areas. The Association helps showcase and share best practices of local adaptation actions, on issues ranging from urban regeneration in topics that cover from regeneration to water management.

You can also consult the recording of the event.

The Covenant of Mayors campaign for achieving a climate-neutral Europe by 2050 is at full speed. More and more municipalities are renewing their commitments and joining the world’s largest movement for local climate and energy action. As a CEMR member, if you want to organise national events to promote the Covenant and provide capacitybuilding support to municipalities in your country reach out to Pedro Bizarro.

Building partnerships with Ukraine

Ukraine partnership - News

Key factors for successful and sustainable partnerships between Ukrainian and EU local governments 


Ukrainian municipalities have a long tradition of international cooperation, especially with their counterparts in European Union (EU) member states. Today, this cooperation is more relevant than ever. Municipalities seek to improve local services, modernise administration, attract investment, and promote tourism and culture by learning from and working with EU partners. 

At the same time, establishing meaningful partnerships is not straightforward. Many municipalities, particularly those with limited international experience and resources, face challenges in sustaining long-term cooperation. To respond to this need, the Bridges of Trust initiative was launched to support exchange, promote best practices, and help local governments in Ukraine and the EU build effective partnerships. 

Mapping cooperation 

Ukraine’s decentralisation reform, launched in 2014, created 1,469 consolidated territorial communities, strengthening local governance and budgets. This has enabled municipalities to take greater responsibility for international engagement. Reports by the European Commission and the European Parliament have recognised Ukraine’s decentralisation as a success story, while also stressing the need to safeguard its achievements through constitutional reform. 

Success factors in municipal cooperation 

Drawing on decades of European experience with twinning and decentralised cooperation, several factors emerge as critical to success

  • Careful partner selection, ensuring shared interests and commitment. 
  • Clear partnership strategies with defined objectives. 
  • Sustainable planning and dedicated support structures (e.g. steering committees). 
  • Joint financing and access to external funding. 
  • Active involvement of schools, youth, and citizens to broaden visibility. 
  • Political leadership and motivated staff, supported by international departments. 
  • A strong European dimension to reinforce unity and common identity. 

Challenges facing Ukrainian municipalities 

Despite progress, obstacles remain. Studies of cooperation with Polish and other EU municipalities highlight recurring issues: 

  • Partnerships that exist only on paper, with little or no joint activity. 
  • Limited staff capacity, foreign language barriers, and a lack of experience in managing international projects. 
  • Insufficient awareness among citizens of the benefits of cooperation. 
  • Irregular contacts and a lack of strategic alignment between partners. 
  • Funding shortages for travel, exchanges, and project implementation. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has created both challenges and opportunities. While some partnerships stalled due to travel restrictions, others adapted by embracing online platforms. Virtual exchanges, such as U-LEAD’s study visits and the Bridges of Trust online forums, demonstrated how digital tools can sustain and even intensify cooperation. 

Looking ahead 

Above all, motivation and leadership remain the decisive factors. As Ukrainian officials note, training and case studies are valuable, but without committed local leaders and engaged staff, partnerships cannot thrive. Conversely, municipalities with strong motivation but little experience can quickly grow if supported with targeted training, funding, and practical guidance. 

International municipal cooperation is not simply an instrument of solidarity: it is a strategic investment in Ukraine’s recovery, resilience, and European future. By learning from each other, municipalities in Ukraine and the EU can build sustainable partnerships that deliver tangible results for their communities and strengthen the foundations of a common European identity. 

Read the study here 

For more information, contact: 

Mayors’ Action Platform

Green City - News Section

Mayors of Europe and beyond, take part in the Mayors’ Action Platform


Publish your own success stories, read case studies by other municipalities and get directly in touch with other city representatives via the integrated chat of the online Mayors’ Action Platform (MAP).

The Geneva Cities Hub has set up the MAP, under the auspices of UNECE and UN-Habitat, in order to share cities’ innovative practices and track progress on the implementation of the Declaration of Mayors, adopted last year at the first-ever Forum of Mayors.

The objectives of this platform are twofold:

  1. showcase concrete actions and solutions devised by cities to address the issues covered by the Declaration of Mayors
  2. create a safe space for Mayors and their administration to exchange among peers

Mayors can also let the Geneva Cities Hub know about the success stories in their city by answering this survey.