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BIZARRO Pedro
In EU Covenant of Mayors, Latest, Projects and Programmes

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 action, Marteen 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.

TARAN Stanislav
In Bridges of Trust, Bridges of Trust, EU enlargement and Eastern Partnership, Impact community Society, Latest, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Projects and programmes, Projects and Programmes, Publications, Twinning, Ukraine reconstruction

Building partnerships with Ukraine

Ukraine partnership - News

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

Read full study

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: 

BIZARRO Pedro
In Latest, PLATFORMA

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.

BIZARRO Pedro
In EU Covenant of Mayors, Latest, Projects and Programmes

2021 Ceremony

Green City - News

Registration open: come celebrate cities’ commitment to achieve carbon neutrality

Time: 7 October 2021, 9.30 – 13.00
Place: online… and everywhere in Europe!
Event info | Programme | Registration

The big moment is coming: the 2021 Covenant of Mayors Ceremony “Towards a fairer and climate-neutral Europe for all” will take place next month. Municipalities and local government associations are invited to join us at great event to celebrate  the Covenant Community’s achievements and cities’ ambition to decarbonise by 2050. We will also discuss how to commit, engage and take action for a fairer, climate-neutral Europe. 

The event will be opened by David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament. Speakers include Frans Timmermans, Commission Vice President for the European Green Deal, and Kadri Simson, EU Commissioner for Energy, as well as many mayors and local government representatives. It will also include 4 side sessions addressing the following topics:

  • Climate Adaptation and the Policy Support Facility
  • The Fit for 55 package
  • The Covenant 2050 ambition and how to renew the commitment
  • The European Climate Pact

Von der Leyen backs the Covenant’s boosted 2050 goals

With over 10,000 signatories, the Covenant of Mayors is the world’s largest movement for local climate and energy action. By joining the Covenant, cities, towns and villages commit to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to climate change, secure access to affordable and sustainable energy and improve citizens’ quality of life.

In April 2021, the initiative entered a new phase, officially launching its renewed ambition for a fairer and climate-neutral Europe. Under this renewed ambition, Covenant signatories commit to seting a mid-target for 2030 at least as ambitious as their national targets and reaching climate neutrality by 2050.

This new phase of the Covenant has the direct support of EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. She invited cities to join in the effort: “Whether you are a long-standing member, a newcomer, or simply considering signing up to the Covenant of Mayors, I would like to invite you to join us to build an ever more ambitious and inclusive movement.”

“Every effort counts in implementing the European Green Deal”, she added. “Regardless of the size and capacity of your city, town or village, regardless of where in Europe you are located: you have a key role to play.”

Organise your own satellite event

We invite every member of the Covenant Community to organise a Satellite event of the 2021 Ceremony. Organising a Satellite event will give you the opportunity to promote the Covenant of Mayors’ 2050 vision, to discuss with your local / regional community what is needed to step up action and may include a moment to sign the new Political Commitment. Satellite events can take place from September to December 2021 and visibility will be provided the Covenant of Mayors website and social media.

Register national satellite events

TONHAUSER Boris
In Latest, PLATFORMA

IUCN Conservation Congress

Calendar - internal events

Local governments are taking part at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Marseille

The IUCN World Conservation Congress which will be held in Marseille from 3 to 11 September will be a highlight of the expression and commitment of local authorities in favour of biodiversity, in a context marked by the pandemic and its consequences.

This is a key step for nature conservation and the development of a new global framework for biodiversity at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15).

On this occasion, it is indeed a question of defining a new global framework for biodiversity after 2020 (following the plan defined at the Nagoya Conference (Japan – 2010), including for the action of local and regional authorities It is a question of ensuring strong recognition of the role of local authorities and of renewing decision X / 22 adopted in Nagoya which defined a specific action plan for sub-national governments, cities and local authorities.

At the initiative of AFCCRE and its spokesperson for climate, environment, sustainable development, Ronan DANTEC, Senator, city councilor of Nantes, and in conjunction with representatives of the IUCN, the French government, together with national and European organisations and global networks of local governments, several sequences devoted to local authorities are scheduled:

  • Friday 3 September (12.00-16.00): The IUCN Local Action Summit is organised by and for the members of IUCN. Those interested can consult: iucnlasummit.org.
  • Tuesday 7 September (8.30-18.00): thematic session led by the Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolis and France Urbaine which will bring together French urban areas wishing to both affirm their commitment to biodiversity and share their initiatives in this area.
  • Wednesday 8 September (10.00-13.00): the networks summit “Local and Regional authorities and their networks on the way to the COP 15” organised by AFCCRE will focus on the contribution of local and regional authorities and their networks to European and international negotiations.
  • Wednesday 8 September (15.00-17.30): session devoted to decentralised cooperation, organised by PLATFORMA, AFCCRE, DAECT, the French Committee of IUCN.

Participation is free on Wednesday 8 September but registration mandatory via this form.

Check the detailed program of these different sequences with local and regional governments.

Follow the conversation on Twitter with #IUCNCongress.

TONHAUSER Boris
In Latest, PLATFORMA

Agenda 2030

UCLG - News

Local and regional governments pave the way for the implementation of Global Goals

“Local and regional governments in Spain and across Europe are paving the way to the active implementation of the global goals”, writes Carlos Martínez Mínguez Mayor of Soria (Spain), CEMR Vice-President & Spokesperson on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He signed the foreword of PLATFORMA and CEMR’s joint study “European Territories Localise the SDGs: Continuity and Change in Times of COVID-19“. This opinion piece was originally published in EURACTIV.

Sustainable development is increasingly being linked with a new trending concept: sustainable recovery. The COVID-19 pandemic which hit Europe so hard, and continues to affect us, still requires local and regional governments to be at the forefront of crisis management and recovery planning, touching not only upon health issues but also social, environmental and economic priorities for citizens and local governments.

For us to build back better together towards a stronger and more resilient Europe, we need to fully harness and foster the power of the 2030 Agenda and all the values it showcases: inclusiveness and diversity; fostering new multi-sectoral and multi-level partnerships; policy coherence; gender equality; and territorial cohesion, with a particular focus on depopulated Europe. For effective localisation to take place, it is imperative to address all of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a whole, as an indivisible set of objectives that need to be achieved from the bottom-up.

New localisation strategies need to be addressed to promote synergies between the 2030 Agenda and the New Urban Agenda, as this political commitment will lay down the foundations for the holistic urban and rural design of Europe 2030: i.e. territories for better lives.

This year, Spain is presenting a Voluntary National Review at the United Nations High Level Political Forum that includes the recently approved Sustainable Development Strategy 2030, recognising and promoting the essential role of Spanish local governments to make the Sustainable Development Goals possible in the decade of action that lies ahead.

At the local level, periodical reports have been published (such as the Voluntary Local Review by Valencia, Barcelona, Diputación de Córdoba and Málaga, among others). Progress has been made in the definition of indicators, both with the Secretary of State for the 2030 Agenda of the Spanish Government and with a national think tank (Red Española para el Desarrollo Sostenible). All this with the strong support our national association, the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP).

Local and regional governments in Spain and across Europe are paving the way to the active implementation of the global goals, but we need to have a dedicated space in these national and international reports and decision-making processes to showcase the realities of our territories: our differences, our challenges and most of all our strengths.

BIZARRO Pedro
In IncluCities [closed project], Local Insights, Projects and Programmes

IncluCities Interview

Inclucities Interview - News 2022

“The city is what unites us, regardless of where we came from”

Fuenlabrada is a Spanish municipality located in the Madrid metropolitan area. The IncluCities mentor city has experienced rapid population growth because of migration. In response, the municipal authorities developed policies of social cohesion and equality that have become a reference for effective inclusion practices.

Francisco Javier Ayala Ortega has extensive experience in the field of public policies and held various positions in the Fuenlabrada City Council before being elected mayor in 2018. He chairs the International Relations Commission of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) and is CEMR Spokesperson for Employment. With a degree in law and a passion for the Andalusian dance, he promotes equal rights, active participation and collective work as the foundations of inclusive cities.

In the past year marked by COVID, mayors of cities across the world have faced unprecedented challenges. How did the city of Fuenlabrada manage the pandemic?

We had a clear strategy from the very beginning: making the municipal budget available to support the city hospital and to reach out to people most affected by the lockdown, especially the elderly and children. I am proud that within only a few days, we were able to set up an effective field hospital for COVID patients next to the city’s hospital centre.

The world is being rocked by challenging issues – the pandemic, recovery, climate change, migration. How do you see the role of cities in tackling them?

There is no doubt that local governments are the ones who are the closest to the citizens and, therefore, the ones who know best about their needs and understand the reality of their territories. Of course, the challenges are global, and they require the collaboration of the international community in order to create common efforts and achieve global goals. But the answers, the ways we reach these common objectives of recovery, the fight against climate change or the way we deal with migration, must be adapted to the population on the ground. In this process, the local governments play an essential and leading role.

The population of Fuenlabrada has grown in the past 40 years because of migration. The population tripled, and the average age of the population is now 6 years lower than the national average. How did the city adjust?

In my view, there are two main keys to addressing this challenge: one is civil participation and the other is social cohesion policies. Fuenlabrada is an important point of reference when we talk about citizens’ participation. We’ve managed to develop the participation of citizens through their involvement in transformation processes with a common goal of improving our city and the lives of the citizens. We’ve also been seen as a successful example of cohesion policies in the past decades. In parallel with the population growth, we have developed innovative programmes that helped us decrease the unemployment rate and improve inclusion.  

What is the current migrant situation in Fuenlabrada?

Currently, the foreign population represents slightly less than 13.5 per cent of the city’s population, and the majority are people between 20 and 49 years old. Most of them come from Romania, Morocco, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Colombia and China. On integration, our efforts are focused on adequate municipal services responding to the basic needs of the newcomers. Furthermore, we support the development of intercultural and transversal integration projects. Our aim is also to promote the associations that best represent migrants, to motivate them to actively participate in city ​​life and to search for solutions to common problems. Thanks to all of these efforts, we established an important network of citizen participation. Among more than 400 registered entities, there are around 60 migrant-led or pro-immigration organizations.

How can we prevent social exclusion, especially among vulnerable groups such as migrants, if unemployment is already particularly high among less skilled young people?

In recent years, Fuenlabrada has developed an EU-funded project called MILMA, which was selected among hundreds of projects across Europe. Its objective was to foster collaboration among the public administration, companies and other organisations. More concretely, MILMA enables job seekers to connect with potential employers. With the development of efficient and innovative models to access employment, we managed to include the unemployed people, both nationals and migrants, in the city life in Fuenlabrada. The response in participation was beyond our expectations, and we intend to turn it into a model that could be exported to other cities across Europe.

What role is played by the narrative about migrants in the integration process? How do you tackle negative attitudes and disinformation in your city?

For years Fuenlabrada has participated in the Anti-Rumours Network. This programme is one of our best practices in tackling racism and xenophobia. It aims to teach children and adults the value of truth and warns against false harmful rumours and prejudice in the local community and society at large. In addition, we take part in an already well-established project like the Coexistence Board (Mesa por la Convivencia), where dozens of neighbourhoods and social or migrant organisations work together. This initiative has also launched a Solidarity Network to help people affected by the pandemic. This showcased how we can all work together side by side if we have a common goal – to fight the pandemic and help all fellow citizens, making sure no one is left behind.

As a mentor in IncluCities, you work together with the Greek city of Levadia to improve its integration practices and develop tools for decent employment of refugees and migrants. What do you expect from this participation?  

We will learn a lot from Levadia’s experience, its policies and its activities, as well as from the other cities, municipalities and associations participating in the project. On the other hand, working on an action plan to improve local integration of migrants and refugees, and sharing experiences, is a very good methodology that will allow us to assess our own actions and improve them.

Do you think that people are where they come from? How much, for instance, did the fact that you were born in Córdoba mark you as a person or as a politician in Fuenlabrada? Do you still visit the Andalusia regional house and dance “sevillanas”?

People have many dimensions. We are influenced by where we were born and where we spent our childhood, and we are also impacted by the places where we spend our lives. We are shaped not only by places but also by people. I was born in Córdoba, I spent part of my childhood in Almería and, since I was 6, I have been a neighbour of Fuenlabrada. I partially represent all those people whose parents came to this city 30 or 40 years ago from Andalusia, Extremadura or Castilla La Mancha in search of a better future. You see, I understand people coming from other countries with the dream of a better life. However, I can say I am from Fuenlabrada, and the city is what unites us regardless of where we come from. Yes, Andalusian blood also runs through my veins, and you can notice this too, especially when I dance.

How do you maintain contact with your city fellows?

Daily, I deal with many people, individuals who approach me on the street or address me through social media. I walk around my city every day. It is essential not to lose direct and permanent contact with citizens. However, it is also important to keep in touch with the space, the streets, the squares and the parks.

BIZARRO Pedro
In EU Covenant of Mayors, Latest, Projects and Programmes

Climate-neutral territories

Green City - News Section

Host your own Covenant of Mayors satellite event

Get ready for the premier event promoting local climate action in Europe: EU leaders, mayors and regional presidents active on climate change and citizens will come together on 7 October 2021 for the Covenant of Mayors – Europe Ceremony.

This fully digital event will be a key moment to celebrate the achievements of the Covenant community and debate on how to commit, engage, act and network towards a fairer, climate-neutral Europe.

Covenant signatories and supporters can organise their own satellite events to accompany the Ceremony. This will give you the opportunity to promote the Covenant of Mayors’ 2050 vision of a Europe in which we all live in decarbonised and resilient cities with access to affordable, secure and sustainable energy.

You will be able to discuss your local or national community what is needed to step up action and may include a moment to sign the new Political Commitment to decarbonise their territory.

These events can be organised at local, regional or national level by signatories, coordinators, supporters and other members of the Covenant community. Your event should take place between September and December 2021 and have no admission fees.
Multiple types of event can be registered:

  • An awareness-raising action around the Covenant of Mayors’ vision to promote the 2050 Political Commitment to local leaders and local communities.
  • A mini-signing ceremony with local leaders and elected representatives.
  • A climate and energy event open to the general public, for example: an exhibition, debate or study visit.
  • A networking session around climate and energy issues tackled as part of the Covenant movement.
  • And more!

Go to this page to find more information and submit your event. Events should be submitted at least two weeks before they take place.
We encourage everyone to submit their events as early as possible to increase their visibility and promotion. A report of the event must be submitted within 10 working days after taking place.

The Covenant of Mayors – Europe Office will support you with templates, communications materials and promotion in our online calendar and social media. Events submitted before 1 October will also receive visibility in the main Ceremony.

Get involved and become part of the bottom-up movement for the climate transition and a healthy planet!

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

European territories localise the SDGs

Climate - News

Hot off the press: “European Territories Localise the SDGs”

Read full study

From global to local: PLATFORMA and CEMR are proud to present the 2021 edition of our regular series of publications on how municipalities, regions and their associations are making the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) a reality on the ground.

Entitled European Territories Localise the SDGs: Continuity and Change in Times of COVID-19, this 46-page report is jam-packed with data, infographics, charts and best practices on how local and regional governments are working on the SDGs in Europe and beyond.

Based on data from 39 local and regional government associations in 29 countries, the study provides a succinct overview of the often-diverse situation across the European continent.

Local governments: key to monitoring and cooperation on the SDGs

The report’s findings are clear: an increasing number of local and regional governments and their associations in Europe are taking the lead in implementing what is still seen by many others as ‘just’ a global agenda. Those on the forefront however know how the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs can transform their daily work, policies and public services with inclusive approaches.

Indeed, 15.4% of associations are now more involved in the SDGs than in 2019. Today, over 3/4 associations have sound knowledge of the SDGs and 1/3 use them as a guiding reference.

The SDGs offer a shared vocabulary and goals, enabling local governments to interconnect with other governments and players, ultimately forming links between citizens and the world. Local governments and their associations have a particularly crucial role in promoting cooperation on and monitoring of progress on the SDGs.

84% of associations are involved in some way in national SDG coordination mechanisms. What’s more, around 4/5 associations have taking action on the SDGs’ international dimension and considers that the SDG framework helps development of partnerships with peers (i.e. decentralised cooperation activities around the 2030 Agenda).

The report also highlights the essential role of local government associations have played during the COVID crisis. This has included sharing information with municipalities and regions, capacity-building, advocating for financial support and participating in national consultations.

Recommendations to realise the 2030 Agenda from the bottom-up

We have long known that the ambitious goals of the 2030 Agenda need to be implemented from the bottom-up. The local level is ideal for experimentation, innovation and acceleration of work on the SDGs. However, the right conditions need to be in place to realise this potential.

The report formulates 5 key recommendations:

  • Increase EU and national funding for SDG localisation
  • Promote mutli-level governance, multi-stakeholder partnerships and policy coherence
  • Local and regional governments and their associations should continue peer learning within and outside Europe
  • National governments should increase recognition and support for SDG localisation (notably to monitor progress)
  • Strengthen human resources and capacities on SDG localisation

The report and its key findings will be presented on 29 June at the 12th Annual Meeting of Cités Unies Frances (CUF), on 8 July during a PLATFORMA-CEMR dedicated webinar taking place in the context of the the UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF, registration form) and at other local government events.

More information:

For more information, contact:

TONHAUSER Boris
In Latest, PLATFORMA

Sustainable Development Goals

Promoting the Global Goals - News 2023

Hot off the press: “European Territories Localise the SDGs”

From global to local: CEMR and PLATFORMA are proud to present the 2021 edition of our regular series of publications on how municipalities, regions and their associations are making the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) a reality on the ground.

Entitled European Territories Localise the SDGs: Continuity and Change in Times of COVID-19, this 46-page report is jam-packed with data, infographics, charts and best practices on how local and regional governments are working on the SDGs in Europe and beyond.

Based on data from 39 local and regional government associations in 29 countries, the study provides a succinct overview of the often-diverse situation across the European continent.

Local governments: key to monitoring and cooperation on the SDGs

The report’s findings are clear: an increasing number of local and regional governments and their associations in Europe are taking the lead in implementing what is still seen by many others as ‘just’ a global agenda. Those on the forefront however know how the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs can transform their daily work, policies and public services with inclusive approaches.

Indeed, 15.4% of associations are now more involved in the SDGs than in 2019. Today, over 3/4 associations have sound knowledge of the SDGs and 1/3 use them as a guiding reference.

The SDGs offer a shared vocabulary and goals, enabling local governments to interconnect with other governments and players, ultimately forming links between citizens and the world. Local governments and their associations have a particularly crucial role in promoting cooperation on and monitoring of progress on the SDGs.

84% of associations are involved in some way in national SDG coordination mechanisms. What’s more, around 4/5 associations have taking action on the SDGs’ international dimension and consider that the SDG framework helps development of partnerships with peers, namely for decentralised cooperation activities centered around the 2030 Agenda.

The report also highlights the essential role of local government associations have played during the COVID crisis. This has included sharing information with municipalities and regions, capacity-building, advocating for financial support and participating in national consultations.

Recommendations to realise the 2030 Agenda from the bottom-up

We have long known that the ambitious goals of the 2030 Agenda need to be implemented from the bottom-up. The local level is ideal for experimentation, innovation and acceleration of work on the SDGs. However, the right conditions need to be in place to realise this potential.

The report formulates 5 key recommendations:

  1. Increase EU and national funding for SDG localisation
  2. Promote mutli-level governance, multi-stakeholder partnerships and policy coherence
  3. Local and regional governments and their associations should continue peer learning within and outside Europe
  4. National governments should increase recognition and support for SDG localisation (notably to monitor progress)
  5. Strengthen human resources and capacities on SDG localisation

The report and its key findings will be presented on 29 June at the 12th Annual Meeting of Cités Unies Frances (CUF), on 8 July during a PLATFORMA-CEMR dedicated webinar taking place during the UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF, registration form) and at other local government events.

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