Projects and Programmes 169

Caught in the COVID-19 storm, Europe’s local and regional governments and their associations are at risk of losing the progress made in the last few years to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Although they are increasingly familiar with the Global Goals, they need further support to bring international ambitions to territorial realities.

This is what emerges from a new study led by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) and PLATFORMA entitled “The 2030 Agenda through the eyes of local and regional governments’ associations”.

In times of COVID-19: the SDGs at a make-or-break moment

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe and around the world has brought about unprecedented challenges for local and regional governments. In several countries, the pandemic has markedly deepened inequalities and has slowed down efforts to raise awareness and promote the work of the 2030 Agenda at local and regional level.

“The current crisis and the uncertain future are a call for action. Every player around the globe has to act now,” said Tine Soens, Member of the City Council of Kortrijk (Belgium), CEMR and PLATFORMA Spokesperson on 2030 Agenda. “Local and regional leaders should not be afraid to take the leap! Our generation of politicians, civil servants and citizens is the generation that has to turn the tide.”

The study at a glance

Based on a survey of 34 associations from 28 European countries, the study shows that one third use the SDGs as an important reference in their own development strategies, compared to only one fifth last year. What’s more, four out of five associations are aware of the SDGs. The trend is clear: year after year, local and regional governments and their associations are increasingly making the efforts necessary to materialise the global agenda at local level.

But have the SDGs also gained traction among central governments? Our study shows that close to 80% of associations indicated that there is an official national strategy to implement the SDGs. For those who indicated that a national strategy has been set up, 59% specified that there is a clear mention of the need to support local and regional action in SDG implementation.

Nevertheless, there is still considerable room for improvement to bring about closer ties between all levels of government and to achieve global progress on sustainable development. To step up our efforts, the study offers a checklist for associations “Know where your members stand in the localisation of the SDGs”, a set of simple steps to contribute to Voluntary National Reporting and several key recommendations.

What’s more, this 40-page publication is packed full of illustrative examples from the ground. Finally, it identifies persisting challenges and new opportunities that municipalities, regions and their associations have been encountering when working with the SDGs. These come at a timely moment as the pandemic continues to spread around the world.

Background information

This new study is based on a joint survey conducted by CEMR and PLATFORMA, designed in collaboration with United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG). It is a follow up to the 2019 study “How local & regional government associations bring the SDGs to life” and the 2018 study “Sustainable Development Goals – How Europe’s towns and regions are taking the lead”.

The study was launched on 15 July 2020 at the occasion of the workshop Localising the Sustainable Development Goals (watch the recording) organised by PLATFORMA during the United Nations’ 2020 High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF).

PLATFORMA and CEMR are actively taking part in many of this virtual event’s sessions and webinars together with their partners and members.

Please click on this link if you want to get printed copies of our study (Europe only).

For more information, contact:

TONHAUSER Boris

Director – PLATFORMA

BIZARRO Pedro In Climate, Climate, Covenant of Mayors for Sub-Saharan Africa [closed project], Covenant of Mayors for Sub-Saharan Africa [closed project], Environment, Environment, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Latest, Projects and Programmes, Projects and programmes, Publications

Evaluation of Covenant of Mayors in Africa

Evaluating the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa: added value, progress, and lessons for the future

Since its launch in 2015, the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) has become a major initiative supporting African cities in their response to climate change and in improving access to clean energy. Funded by the European Union and co-financed by Germany and Spain, CoM SSA is part of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. Today, more than 200 cities across 36 Sub-Saharan countries have signed up, committing to long-term climate and energy action through Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plans (SEACAPs).

Programme Achievements
The final evaluation highlights both the relevance and scale of the initiative. With Africa’s rapid urbanisation, CoM SSA’s focus on local governments is crucial. The programme has successfully engaged hundreds of municipalities, surpassing its target of 200 signatories, and has provided significant capacity building through technical assistance and workshops. Cities especially valued peer exchanges, which created strong networks for sharing experiences and best practices.

Pilot projects showed mixed results: while some cities advanced quickly with draft SEACAPs, others faced delays due to political instability, lack of technical expertise, or limited direct involvement of city administrations. Still, the overall added value of the initiative is clear: it created political ownership, improved local technical skills, and promoted sustainable energy and climate planning at the local level.

Key Lessons and Recommendations
The evaluation also draws important lessons for the future. Greater alignment between local SEACAPs and national climate strategies is needed to ensure impact. Capacity building remains a priority, requiring more technical staff on the ground and support from local organisations to guarantee continuity. Better coordination with other international programmes is recommended to avoid duplication of efforts. Finally, fostering multilingual platforms for experience-sharing among cities will strengthen the CoM SSA community and enhance learning across regions.

The Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa has proven its relevance and value by mobilising hundreds of cities and building local capacity for climate action. While challenges remain, the initiative has laid a strong foundation for Phase III, where scaling up, deepening vertical integration with national governments, and securing sustainable financing will be key. CoM SSA is now well-positioned to continue empowering African municipalities as central actors in the global fight against climate change.

For more information, contact:

Read the declaration here

Project Lead – Climate, Energy & Urban Development

BORDELOT Federica In IncluCities [closed project], Latest, Projects and Programmes

IncluCities

Launching ‘IncluCities’, a new CEMR project to improve long-term migrant integration

With the launch of IncluCities, eight European cities and local government associations are joining forces to improve the integration of migrants. The initiative, managed by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), pairs more and less experienced cities to learn find and spread sustainable local solutions.

Over the past years, migrant and refugee arrivals have often faced negative public attitudes, stereotypes and misconceptions. While there are challenges in some areas, the reality is that there are thousands of good examples and practices from cities and towns.

While many cities have managed to find sustainable solutions for migrant integration, others, especially smaller and medium-sized often lack the necessary human and financial resources, knowledge and experience.

To bridge this gap the IncluCities project has been brought to life, designed to share knowledge, experiences and good practices among cities in a mentoring process. For that purpose, a network of eight cities with varying degrees of migration-related experience and their corresponding local government associations has been established.

The participating cities, accompanied by their respective associations, are ‘paired’ in groups of two, in which one city acts as a mentor and the other as a mentee. Mechelen, for instance, will be paired with Partinico in Italy.

“For the Municipality of Partinico, participation in the IncluCities project represents an opportunity to create a territory of multicultural dialogue, shifting the focus from reception, seen as emergency management, to a rigorous inclusion strategy ”, said Pietro Puccio, CEMR’s spokesperson for migration and integration. “Cooperation between cities experiencing migration phenomena seems to be of great value, especially in light of searching for sustainable solutions.”

Participating municipalities will collaborate closely at every stage of the project. The cities will organise study visits to identify where integration policy can be improved and co-design action plans to enhance their performance. What’s more, training academies will be organised at a later stage, open to other cities and local government associations, so as to spread the lessons learned and strengthen their capacity to integrate migrants.

IncluCities aims not only to spread successful local practices among cities, but also to contribute to the development of improved EU policies on migration that better reflect local needs and realities. Associations of local and regional governments will play a pivotal role, both by disseminating good practices to the rest of their network and by interfacing with national governments and the EU institutions to feed into policymaking and scale up good practices.

Participating cities and associations:

The city of Livadia and the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE)
Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle and the French Association of CEMR (AFCCRE)
Capaci and the Italian Association of CEMR (AICCRE)
Fuenlabrada and the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP)
Brussels and Schaerbeek, together with the Association of the City and Municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region (BRULOCALIS)
Mechelen and the Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities (VVSG)
The city of Jelgava with Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (LPS)

IncluCities is a three-year project led by CEMR and funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) of the European Union.

BORDELOT Federica

Director – Policy & Impact

TSKHELISHVILI Bella In EU enlargement and eastern partnership, EU enlargement and Eastern Partnership, Impact community Society, Latest, Local democracy, Local democracy, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Publications, Twinning

Local role in the EU enlargement

Decentralisation and strong local governance are key for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia’s EU accession path

Read full declaration

The decision of the European Council to grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova and to recognise Georgia’s perspective once further reforms are met marks a historic step in the enlargement of the European Union. Beyond the geopolitical dimension, the process will require profound reforms at the local level, particularly in decentralisation, public administration, and democratic governance.

The European Commission’s opinions emphasise decentralisation as a cornerstone of EU membership criteria. Strengthening local autonomy, building institutional capacity, and fostering multilevel governance are essential for sustainable reforms in Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. Empowering municipalities and regions will not only improve service delivery but also ensure that EU values and standards are implemented where citizens feel them most directly: at the local level.

Decentralised cooperation plays a decisive role in this transformation. Peer exchanges, partnerships, mentorship programmes, and twinning initiatives provide practical support for reforms while reinforcing democratic practices. These mechanisms are particularly vital in contexts of crisis and recovery, such as the post-pandemic and post-war reconstruction efforts.

Granting candidate status also strengthens local governments’ ability to modernise, adopt new technologies, and access tools that improve governance and resilience. This process will accelerate reforms in public administration, boost citizen participation, and ensure a closer alignment with the EU’s Green Deal and Sustainable Development Goals.

The path toward EU membership for Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia must include a strong local dimension. By prioritising decentralisation and local autonomy, the accession process can deliver long-term sustainable development, stronger democracies, and better services for citizens. Supporting municipalities and regions is therefore not just complementary, but essential for a successful enlargement process.

For more information, contact:

TSKHELISHVILI Bella

Advisor – Eastern Partnership and Geographical Dialogues

Adapting to climate in Africa

How African cities are assessing climate risks and building resilient futures

As climate change accelerates, African cities face mounting threats to their infrastructure, economies, and public health. Rising sea levels, water scarcity, disease outbreaks, and food insecurity are just some of the growing challenges. In response, many local governments across the continent are taking voluntary steps to adapt and strengthen territorial resilience.

Adaptation is more than reacting to extreme weather, it means preparing for long-term climate impacts and turning risks into development opportunities. This involves adjusting policies, infrastructure, and urban practices to reduce vulnerability and protect communities.

A recent methodological review explores how African cities are assessing the local effects of climate change and using that knowledge to shape their adaptation strategies. Actions range from bioclimatic architecture to reduce indoor heat, to shifting agricultural practices, protecting water resources, and diversifying tourism away from climate-vulnerable coastlines.

Importantly, cities must ensure that adaptation and mitigation plans are aligned. Involving the same stakeholders in both processes supports integrated planning and more coherent climate action.

This work reflects a growing commitment among African cities to lead the way in climate adaptation by studying local risks, acting early, and building more sustainable urban futures.

For more information, contact:

Project Lead – Climate, Energy & Urban Development

Financing climate action in African cities

Innovative approaches to funding sustainable urban transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa

Cities across Sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly vulnerable to climate change, with two-thirds considered at “extreme risk”. Yet, these same cities, particularly smaller and secondary urban areas, also hold significant potential to drive sustainable development. Through the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA), local governments are acting by developing Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plans (SEACAPs) and seeking ways to finance their implementation.

Building on years of support, the CoM SSA initiative is now focused on helping cities move from planning to implementation, particularly by unlocking access to climate finance. This includes support in understanding the finance landscape, preparing robust projects, and building partnerships with funders and investors.

A recent publication highlights solutions adopted by cities to finance SEACAPs, from reducing planning costs through inter-municipal cooperation to using public-private partnerships, risk-sharing mechanisms, and community-based funding models.

Key lessons include:

Diversifying financial sources improves resilience and reduces dependency. This includes crowdfunding, climate funds, local capital markets, and private investment.

Empowering communities through pooled resources, microfinance, and participatory planning ensures sustainability and buy-in.

Using digital technologies helps cities manage climate action more efficiently and affordably.

These examples illustrate that while challenges remain, Sub-Saharan African cities are making progress in creating bankable, inclusive, and resilient climate solutions, paving the way for sustainable urban futures.

For more information, contact:

Project Lead – Climate, Energy & Urban Development

Climate finance in Sub-Saharan Africa

Helping Sub-Saharan African cities access funding to deliver local climate and energy action plans

Sub-Saharan African cities are on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Rapid urbanisation has increased their exposure to climate risks and greenhouse gas emissions. To address this, signatories of the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) are developing Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plans (SEACAPs). These plans aim to foster low-carbon, resilient development while ensuring access to sustainable energy.

However, limited access to climate finance remains a major hurdle. Many local governments lack the necessary knowledge and tools to navigate the complex landscape of climate-related funding. A new publication addresses this gap by mapping out available financing instruments, eligibility criteria, and technical considerations tailored to Sub-Saharan cities.

While a range of climate finance sources exists, most are not directly accessible to local authorities, often requiring intermediaries such as national governments or development banks. To close this gap, national institutions must improve coordination, provide direct financial support, and create enabling environments for private investment. Mechanisms like Subnational Development Banks and dedicated national climate funds are also key to improving financial flows at the local level.

Development partners and the international community play a critical role by offering technical assistance for project planning, design, and implementation. With stronger multilevel cooperation, cities across the region can increase their access to climate finance and accelerate the delivery of their SEACAPs, driving both climate resilience and sustainable development.

For more information, contact:

Project Lead – Climate, Energy & Urban Development

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

Study on how local and regional governments apply the SDGs

Just out: New study on how towns, regions and their associations bring international ambitions to territorial realities

Four years into Agenda 2030, it is clearer than ever that a global shift requires local action. But how are local and regional governments, and their associations, paving the way towards sustainable development? Find out more in the new study carried out by the Council of European and Municipalities (CEMR) and PLATFORMA.

This study entitled “How local & regional government associations bring the SDGs to life” highlights how towns and regions are bringing international ambitions to territorial realities.

The 10 recommendations of this study are there to take towns and regions one step closer to better localise the SDGs. The study also shows that no less than 73% of the European countries surveyed are now developing local indicators to assess the implementation of the SDGs.

Towns and regions are “tailoring, mainstreaming and living” the SDGs

“One year on, local and regional government associations have not just been implementing policies in service of the goals, they are tailoring, mainstreaming and living them. Local and regional government associations are increasingly being recognised as the torchbearers in embracing the 2030 Agenda,” said Frédéric Vallier, Secretary General of CEMR, lead partner of PLATFORMA.

“The clock is ticking – we only have around ten years left before we hit 2030. We need all hands on deck! Until then, we should be proud of what Europe’s cities and regions have already achieved,” added Stefano Bonaccini, President of CEMR, AICCRE & Emilia Romagna Region (Italy).

This new study is based on a joint survey conducted by CEMR, PLATFORMA and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) sent out to national associations of local and regional governments. It is a follow up of the 2018 study entitled “Sustainable Development Goals – How Europe’s towns and regions are taking the lead”.

More about #LocalizingSDGs

Local and regional governments represented in New York

European local and regional leaders from a CEMR-PLATFORMA delegation are calling to accelerate climate action and the localisation of UN Global Goals at the UN General Assembly.

> Read more

Engaging citizens in Global Sustainable Development

PLATFORMA is presenting the 4th edition of the European Days of Local Solidarity (EDLS) at the Europeaid InfoPoint Lunchtime Conference “Cities & regions: engaging citizens in Global Sustainable Development” on Wednesday 25 September 2019, 12:30-14:00.

> Read more & register

CEMR Congress on SDGs

Ten years ahead of the SDGs global deadline, CEMR invites you to its congress on SDGs in Innsbruck, from 6 to 8 May 2020. One of a kind, the congress will bring together the whole SDG family in one place: mayors, local and regional leaders, national governments, etc.

> Read the interview with the Mayor of Innsbruck, Georg Willi.

Note to the editor:

25 September is the Global Day to act for SDGs: it marks the 4th anniversary of the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by Heads of State and Government. But even though the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were launched by the United Nations, the targeted beneficiaries are citizens and its primary implementers are local and regional governments.

For more information, contact:

TONHAUSER Boris

Director – PLATFORMA

BANOS DE GUISASOLA Eva In Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Latest, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Publications

Global goals into local action

How local and regional government associations turn global goals into local action

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Goals are often seen as a global framework, but their success depends on local action. Nearly two-thirds of the SDGs must be implemented at the local level, making municipalities, regions, and their associations crucial actors in bringing this agenda to life.

Local and regional government associations (LRGAs) act as bridges between citizens and higher levels of governance. They support awareness-raising, provide technical expertise, and advocate on behalf of local governments at the national, European, and international levels. Their proximity to communities allows them to translate abstract global objectives into tangible improvements in daily life, from better public services and climate action plans to gender equality policies and local economic development.

Since the first CEMR-PLATFORMA study in 2018, the role of associations in localising the SDGs has grown significantly. Many are now actively involved in monitoring, reporting, and international advocacy, including through contributions to the UN’s High-Level Political Forum. Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) and decentralised cooperation projects have become powerful tools to highlight progress, inspire others, and ensure that local voices are heard on the global stage.

At the same time, challenges remain. Municipalities and their associations still struggle with limited resources, lack of data, and uneven awareness across regions. In particular, gaps persist between Northern/Western Europe, where SDG implementation is more advanced, and Central/Eastern Europe, where awareness and uptake are still developing. To make the 2030 Agenda truly transformative, multi-level collaboration and inclusive partnerships are essential.

Despite these hurdles, LRGAs continue to push boundaries. By fostering cooperation between cities and regions, they strengthen international solidarity, enhance capacity-building, and adapt services to better reflect sustainability goals. They are not only localising the SDGs but also giving them credibility and momentum in Europe and beyond.

In short, associations of towns and regions are proving that the SDGs are more than a global vision: they are a practical tool for creating sustainable, inclusive communities, driven by partnerships and citizen engagement.

Check the infographic here

For more information, contact:

BANOS DE GUISASOLA Eva

Senior Advisor – Global Agendas, SDGs & Climate

Climate action in African cities

Lessons from the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa on energy, adaptation and resilience

The Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) is a landmark initiative launched by the European Union in 2015 to strengthen local governments’ response to climate change, promote access to clean energy, and build long-term urban resilience. With over 200 signatory cities and a strong support network of partners, the initiative has empowered local authorities to develop Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plans (SEACAPs) based on their own priorities and challenges.

At a concluding workshop held in Cape Town, participants from pilot cities, non-funded signatories, and local experts gathered to reflect on their experiences, share lessons learned, and chart the way forward for climate action at the local level.

A bottom-up approach to climate action
The CoM SSA approach is rooted in the understanding that cities, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, are uniquely positioned to implement climate policies that are both ambitious and inclusive. Through support in planning, training, technical assistance and data collection, cities were equipped to address three central themes: mitigation, adaptation and access to affordable energy.

Energy access remains one of the region’s most pressing challenges, with only 32% of the population having access to electricity. Yet despite low carbon emissions compared to global averages, African cities are disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This makes the integration of climate and development priorities not only desirable, but essential.

Key lessons from the ground
The workshop highlighted a set of practical insights for future projects:

Climate planning must be institutionalised across all levels of government to ensure continuity and avoid fragmentation.
Political backing is vital: champions within local councils can significantly boost project success.
Data collection is fundamental, but often difficult. Cities need targeted support to overcome technical and bureaucratic hurdles.
Stakeholder inclusion, especially at the early stages, is key to making plans locally relevant and actionable.
Behaviour change within institutions and communities is as important as infrastructure investment.
Training local officials and developing tailored communication strategies are essential to securing long-term buy-in.
Journalists and the media can play a crucial role in building public understanding, but they also need to be supported and trained.

The transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient cities in Sub-Saharan Africa is urgent, and the CoM SSA programme has laid a solid foundation for this transformation. However, participating cities stressed that they are not ready to continue alone. Continued support for capacity-building, funding, and guidance through the next phases of SEACAP implementation is essential.

To meet global climate goals and reduce inequality, both bottom-up and top-down approaches must work together. Local governments need stronger backing from national authorities and the international community to bridge the gap between policy ambition and service delivery.

Ultimately, the experience of CoM SSA cities shows that climate action in Africa must be collaborative, context-specific, and inclusive, because the future of climate resilience lies in empowering those who are closest to the challenge.

For more information, contact: