As the European Union prepares its next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034, the Global Europe instrument will define the EU’s external action for the years ahead — encompassing development cooperation, humanitarian aid, enlargement support and Global Gateway. Discover PLATFORMA detailed policy position outlining how this strategic instrument should be shaped to foster sustainable global partnerships and advance inclusive governance.
At a time marked by intersecting global crises — from climate breakdown and shrinking development funds to geopolitical instability — the role of local and regional governments (LRGs) is more critical than ever. PLATFORMA’s paper is thus anchored in the belief that effective global action starts from the ground up.
Local and regional governments as co-decision-makers, implementers and partners
PLATFORMA’s position starts from a stark reality: despite their proximity to citizens and deep knowledge of local contexts, LRGs remain under-recognised in EU external action frameworks. The coalition calls for the Global Europe instrument to move beyond symbolic references to “local authorities” and embed mechanisms that genuinely empower LRGs as co-decision-makers, implementers and partners in EU external policies.
Key recommendations
The Policy Paper makes 9 key recommendations to EU decision makers:
Strengthen multilevel governance in Global Europe and place local and regional governments in the driving seat of territorial development
Pair flexibility and simplification with ambitious official development assistance targets, and enhance accountability and transparency mechanisms
Unlock Global Gateway’s potential through the involvement of local and regional governments
Foster EU delegations’ engagement with local and regional governments
Recognise and empower local and regional governments as unique and effective development partners in fragile contexts
Advance the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals to achieve decarbonised societies and climate justice
Involve citizens through Global Citizenship Education as a key component of decentralised development cooperation
Foster inclusive and participatory local governance: empower youth, women, and disadvantaged and underrepresented groups
Strengthen local governance through the EU Eastern neighbourhood and enlargement strategy
Through these recommendations, PLATFORMA aims to improve the current proposal for the Global Europe instrument, so that it fully recognises, acknowledges, and supports the contribution of local and regional governments to EU external action, notably through decentralised cooperation as a development aid modality.
PLATFORMA also calls on the European Commission to issue an updated Communication on the structured involvement of local and regional governments and their associations in the new (geo)strategic approach to EU external action.
Meet the Local Hero: Eider Inuntziaga, building trust from the streets of Bilbao
When Eider Inuntziaga talks about local government, one word comes up again and again: closeness.
Since 2023, she has served as a city councillor in Bilbao, after years of political engagement within the Basque Nationalist Party. It is her first public mandate, and the experience has changed how she sees political life.
Before, she observed politics from the inside. Now, she experiences it daily — in the street, in neighbourhood conversations, and in the direct reactions of citizens to local decisions. The distance between elected representatives and residents is minimal, which makes local politics both uniquely meaningful and uniquely exposed. She also brings this experience to the European level as one of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions’ spokespersons on Local Democracy.
Across Europe, these challenges are increasingly visible. To better understand and address them, CEMR and its partners, including the City of Bilbao, have launched the European Observatory for the Defence of Democracy at the Local Level — an initiative that collects data, documents threats and harassment against local elected representatives, and helps develop practical tools and responses to better protect those serving their communities.
As she puts it, “local governments are the closest level of administration; we are the face of democracy.”
That proximity builds trust, but it also concentrates frustration. When people are unhappy, local leaders are often the first — and easiest — target.
Social media: useful, but risky
That visibility now extends far beyond the street.
Inuntziaga describes her relationship with social media as “conflicted.” While it can help connect people and share information, she also sees clear downsides.
“Social media can connect people and stories, and it can be useful—up to a point. But it also creates noise, polarisation, and sometimes hate. It can be dangerous.”
For local politicians, the effects are concrete. “It affects integrity, it affects how we speak, and it can silence people. It can make people leave the work they’re doing—or become afraid of what’s happening.”
She keeps her presence limited, using Facebook and LinkedIn, and mixing personal and political communication carefully.
Participation beyond election day
Despite these challenges, Inuntziaga remains firmly optimistic about the role local governments can play in strengthening democracy.
Her approach is simple: stay close, listen carefully and involve citizens as much as possible. For her, elections are only the starting point. Day-to-day participation matters just as much. In Bilbao, this philosophy has taken concrete form through participatory initiatives that invite residents to help shape the city’s direction.
One example is “Bilbao City of Values,” a process through which citizens collectively identified a shared set of principles to guide public life. The idea is to create a common framework that strengthens belonging and counters misinformation. The goal, she explains, is not only better policies, but stronger relationships between institutions and the people they serve.
Learning from Bilbao’s past
Bilbao’s history has also shaped how she thinks about governance.
The city has experienced profound transformation over the past decades — from industrial decline and unemployment to renewal driven by long-term planning and cooperation between public institutions, private actors and civil society. For Inuntziaga, this experience shows that change does not happen overnight and that stability requires patience.
She often points to three elements behind Bilbao’s recovery: cooperation, shared values and long-term vision. Quick fixes rarely work. Instead, consistent decisions taken with the future in mind gradually rebuild trust.
“Decisions must be made with the long term in mind,” she says, describing democracy and stability as mutually reinforcing.
Eider Inuntziaga during the launch of the European Observatory for the Defence of Democracy at the Local Level.
Rooted locally, thinking European
Although her work is grounded in municipal politics, Inuntziaga keeps a strong European outlook. She follows debates beyond Spain closely and draws inspiration from leaders such as Kaja Kallas, whom she admires for her perspective on Europe’s role in a changing world.
Still, her focus remains firmly local. For her, cities are where democracy is tested every day — where policies meet real life, and where trust is either built or lost through everyday interactions.
It is not the most visible level of politics — but, in many ways, it is the one where democracy is felt most directly.
To hear more from Eider Inuntziaga, you can listen to the full episode of Call Simone, also with Gianmarco Daniele of Bocconi University, . They discuss how growing harassment and disinformation are affecting local leaders across Europe, and how the launch of the European Observatory for the Defence of Democracy at the Local Level can better track threats and protect local democracy.
Local democracy is often described as the closest level of government to people’s everyday lives. But across Europe, that closeness is increasingly being tested.
In the latest episode of Call Simone, we explore how power and democratic pressure are playing out at the local level — where politics is most visible, most accessible, and, increasingly, most exposed. Harassment, intimidation, disinformation campaigns, and threats are becoming part of the reality for many local elected representatives. The consequences go well beyond individual cases: when intimidation shapes who speak, who run, and who stay, representation shrinks and democracy weakens.
This episode brings together two voices who connect political experience with rigorous research:
Eider Inunciaga, City Councillor in Bilbao, Spain
Gianmarco Daniele, Executive Director of the CLEAN Unit, Bocconi University, Italy
Together, they unpack what harassment looks like in practice, why it is rising, who is most affected, and what local leaders — and European institutions — can do to respond with policies grounded in evidence.
When intimidation becomes a political filter
Harassment against local elected representatives is not only “bad behaviour” online — and the way humans respond to these attacks has little to do with personal resilience. As the episode shows, intimidation can work as a political filter: it discourages participation, pushes people out, and narrows the diversity of voices in local councils.
For Eider Inunciaga, the change became more tangible when she entered a public mandate in 2023. Local politics means proximity: you can be approached in the street, at community events, at school gates — and anger is often directed at local representatives precisely because they are the most reachable. As she puts it: “Local governments are the face of democracy.” And that visibility comes with exposure.
“Local governments are the face of democracy — and that makes us the most exposed.” – Eider Inunciaga, City Councillor Bilbao, Spain.
Who pays the highest price?
One recurring theme in the conversation is that harassment does not hit everyone equally. Those seen as “different” — women, minority representatives, LGBTQIA+ politicians — are often targeted more aggressively, with the implicit message: you don’t belong here.
Gianmarco Daniele shares research findings from Italy that put numbers to what many already sense. Using a carefully matched dataset to compare women and men in similar contexts, his work finds women are three times more likely to be targeted — and that almost one-quarter of female mayors experience an attack during their mandate. Importantly, these are offline attacks: assaults, burned cars, arson against property, threatening letters — not simply online hostility.
The timing is also revealing: attacks concentrate in the first year after election, consistent with a backlash against women’s visibility in power — and not explained by performance differences in office. The democratic cost is direct: women who are attacked are less likely to run again, turning progress on representation into a revolving door.
As Daniele notes, we often focus on how to get more diverse candidates into politics — and too rarely on why people leave.
“Without data, we’re fighting blind. Europe needs comparable evidence to spot risks early and respond.” – Gianmarco Daniele, Executive Director Clean Unit, Bocconi University, Italy.
Bilbao’s lesson: rebuild trust through participation and shared values
The episode also looks at the other side of the equation: how local governments can maintain trust and stay close to citizens in a polarised environment.
For Eider Inunciaga, the starting point is closeness and participation: democracy is not only elections and voting day. In Bilbao, she highlights the “Bilbao City of Values” process, where citizens helped define a set of shared values to create a common framework for community life. In her view, shared values and participation are also part of the response to misinformation: they strengthen belonging and reduce the space in which false narratives thrive.
Bilbao’s longer history adds perspective. The city’s transformation — shaped by industrial crisis, social hardship, terrorism and the 1983 floods — was driven by cooperation across institutions, partnerships with society, and long-term vision. The lesson is simple and demanding: coexistence is not inherited; it is cultivated — and democratic stability requires sustained investment.
From stories to evidence — and from evidence to action
This episode connects directly to the launch of the European Observatory for the Defence of Democracy at the Local Level: a new partnership bringing together local and regional governments (including Bilbao and Basque municipalities represented by EUDEL) and the research community at Bocconi, with the support of the Basque Country and CEMR.
The Observatory’s goal is to help Europe move from scattered stories to coordinated action by connecting the dots between:
what local elected leaders experience on the ground
what research and data can show about patterns, drivers and impact
what public authorities and institutions can do to prevent, protect and respond more effectively
A central message from the conversation is the data gap. Today, there is no comparable European-level dataset even on local politicians, let alone on attacks and threats. Without common data infrastructure, risks are harder to detect early and policy responses are harder to evaluate.
As Daniele explains, better data brings not only understanding — but visibility. In Italy, there is evidence of more than one attack per day on average, yet the issue often remains local news and rarely reaches broader political attention. Data can help turn a hidden pattern into a shared European priority.
About Call Simone
Call Simone is CEMR’s podcast on power and democracy in Europe — told through the lens of the local level. Each episode brings together local leaders, insiders and researchers to explore who gets to sit at the table, who is pushed out, and why it matters for Europe’s future.
Establishing municipal partnerships between Ukraine and a European partner country in the context of the project “Towards a Bridges of Trust (BoT) Community”
The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) wishes to establish new partnerships between municipalities in Ukraine and municipalities in different European countries.
CEMR is looking for a service provider as an implementer to perform certain activities under this phase andprovide dedicated expertise and support in the respective country. The service provider will work closely with CEMR, the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC) and if required, with other partners of the Bridges of Trust Community.
The call is divided into the following lots:
Lot 1: Belgium
Lot 2: Cyprus
Lot 3: Finland
Lot 4: France
Lot 5: Italy
Lot 6: Latvia
Lot 7: Malta
Lot 8: Netherlands
Lot 9: Norway
Lot 10: Portugal
Lot 11: Spain
Applicants can apply for one or several lots. All documents need to be submitted for each lot separately. The terms of reference describe the services per lot.
Deadline for submissions: 3 February 2026, 2 pm (CET)
Contract period: February 2026 – June 2026
Budget: Financial offer for the services up to 14.000 Euro without VAT. The costs of activities (e.g. interpretation costs for events, travel costs related to internship and events) will be covered directly by the BoT project.
Interested organisations or experts are invited to submit their application by email to application@ccre-cemr.org with the subject line: “Establishing Municipal Partnerships between Ukraine and Name European Country”. Please specify the lot(s) you are applying for.
The country profiles offer a short overview of national models of (decentralised) development cooperation frameworks in selected EU Member States. The aim is to provide insights into specific mechanisms and modalities of analysed national frameworks and identify enabling factors as well as challenges related to practical implementation, focusing on the role and opportunities for local and regional governments and their associations.
Based on the study, the Spanish framework for Decentralised Development Cooperation (DDC) is characterised by:
Highly decentralised system – enables actors across levels to be active in DDC. The new Law 1/2023 recognises Local and Regional Governments as actors of development and DDC as a modality.
Strong commitment to achieve 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) to Official Development Assistance (ODA) across levels – keeping the development cooperation as a priority.
Funds for development cooperation – gathering municipal and supra-municipal actors who pool their resources to implement impactful projects.
This article is part of a series of 7 Country Profiles examining DDC frameworks across Europe. The fourth edition, focusing on Belgium, will be published in March. Stay tuned!
Read the Country Profile of Spain, available in four languages:
You can find the rest of Mindcraft’s publications here.
CEMR encourages Spanish authorities to strengthen the role of LRGs in development policy, not only as implementers, but also as strategic partners helping shape a more resilient, inclusive and effective development agenda.
This publication is produced within the Bridging and Mapping Knowledge Gaps in Decentralised Cooperation (Mindcraft), funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
Sakharov Prize 2025: standing with those who defend freedom of thought
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is the European Parliament’s most prestigious award for human rights. Established in 1988, it honours individuals and organisations who demonstrate extraordinary courage in defending democracy, freedom of expression and fundamental freedoms, often under severe repression.
Awarded annually, the Prize is both a recognition and a call to action: a reminder that freedom of thought is not guaranteed and must be actively defended.
The 2025 Laureates
On December 16 2025, the European Parliament awarded the Sakharov Prize to Mzia Amaglobeli of Georgia and Andrzej Poczobut of Belarus, two journalists imprisoned for their commitment to truth, democracy and human rights.
Andrzej Poczobut, a journalist, essayist and activist from the Polish minority in Belarus, has long criticised the Lukashenka regime. Detained since 2021, he was sentenced to eight years in a penal colony on politically motivated charges. His health has deteriorated, his family is denied access, and yet he remains a symbol of resistance against authoritarian repression.
Mzia Amaglobeli, a Georgian journalist and director of the independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was arrested in January 2025 after joining pro-democracy protests. Sentenced to two years in prison, she became Georgia’s first female political prisoner since independence and a powerful symbol of the country’s democratic aspirations.
Announcing the laureates, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola stated that “both have paid a heavy price for speaking truth to power, becoming symbols of the struggle for freedom and democracy. The Parliament stands with them, and with all those who continue to demand freedom.”
Democracy, EU values and enlargement
The Sakharov Prize reflects the European Union’s commitment to defending democracy beyond its borders. In both Belarus and Georgia, democratic backsliding, repression of independent media and attacks on civil society threaten not only national freedoms but also the countries’ European paths.
The European Parliament has repeatedly called for the immediate and unconditional release of both journalists and has adopted resolutions condemning repression, political imprisonment and the erosion of democratic institutions.
Defending democracy from the ground up
At CEMR and PLATFORMA, defending democratic values is central to our work, and we have a specific focus in the context of EU enlargement and the Eastern Partnership. Through cooperation with local and regional governments, national associations of local governments (such as NALAG in the case of Georgia), and civil society, we support democratic governance, freedom of expression and institutional resilience.
Local democracy is often the first target of authoritarian pressure and the first line of defence. By empowering local and regional actors, supporting peer exchange and promoting EU values, CEMR and PLATFORMA contribute to a democratic Europe that is inclusive, resilient and anchored in fundamental rights.
The Sakharov Prize is a reminder that democracy depends on courage but also on solidarity.
Towns, cities and regions call for a stronger partnership in advancing the Global Gateway
International networks of towns, cities and regions have issued a joint Declaration yesterday [10 December 2025] in Brussels, calling for a stronger and more structured involvement of local governments in the implementation of the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy. Representing thousands of towns, cities, regions, and local government associations worldwide, the signatories stress that partnering with local and regional governments (LRGs) is essential to ensure the legitimacy, sustainability, and long-term impact of Global Gateway investments.
This Declaration was handed over on behalf of the signatories by Joseph Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City (Belize) and Chairperson of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), to Koen Doens, Director-General at the European Commission Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), during the Plenary Session of the Committee of the Regions, marking the end of the 3-day “Cities and Regions for International Partnerships” 2025 Forum.
Local and regional governments are recognised by the EU as distinct development actors and play a central role in shaping inclusive economic growth, delivering public services, and connecting communities to global opportunities. Their leaders warn that without systematic engagement of towns, cities and regions, Global Gateway projects risk missing their full development potential.
A joint call for a more inclusive Global Gateway
The declaration is signed by the leaders of four major global networks of local and regional governments:
Fabrizio Rossi, Secretary General, Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) – PLATFORMA
Lucy Slack, Secretary General, Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF)
Emilia Saiz, Secretary General, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)
Frédéric Vallier, General Delegate, International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF)
Together, they call on EU institutions, partner countries, and development actors to recognise towns, cities and regions as co-creators of the enabling environment needed for sustainable, inclusive and democratic investment.
Quotes
“It is critical that local governments are around the table in the context of investments being made through Global Gateway. After all, we are responsible for all development in our territories, and should be recognised as partners in planning and delivery,” Joseph Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City (Belize) and Chairperson of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) stressed in his speech.
“Local and regional governments should be involved in the designing phase of the Global Gateway. As CEMR and PLATFORMA, we see ourselves as the enabling institutions, and we are there to harvest learning and data, to monitor and evaluate the actions,” CEMR Secretary General Fabrizio Rossi earlier said during the Forum.
“Decentralised cooperation is a real lever for solidarity and development that serves the interests of local communities. However, it can only be effective if decentralisation itself is effective and if our local authorities have secure financial and human resources. The Global Gateway is an important opportunity to support us in this regard,” Dieudonné Bantsimba, Mayor of Brazzaville, Vice-President of the AIMF.
“The mobilisation of our members at the Forum of Cities and Regions shows the strong commitment of local and regional governments to cooperation and city diplomacy. Yet the localisation of the Global Gateway will only be possible if local governments are fully recognised as strategic partners,” Emilia Saiz, UCLG Secretary General
“Towns, cities and regions are the link between investments and citizens. As first ports of call to citizens, they bring legitimacy, ownership and long-term sustainability to Global Gateway projects,” the signatories emphasise.
“Local and regional governments are indispensable partners for making the Global Gateway a strategy that truly works for people,” the signatories stress.
Towns and regions: Essential partners for sustainable impact
In their declaration, associations of local and regional governments highlight that LRGs hold wide-ranging mandates across Global Gateway priority sectors, including digitalisation, climate and energy, transport, health, education and research. By grounding investments in local realities, they ensure projects respond to the needs and priorities of communities, reinforce policy coherence, and foster inclusive economic ecosystems involving SMEs, investors, CSOs, academic institutions and citizens.
The declaration also underscores the decisive role of local governments in fragile and conflict-affected contexts, where they are often the only functioning public institutions capable of coordinating local stakeholders and delivering basic services.
Key recommendations to strengthen the Global Gateway
To unlock the full potential of local authorities as partners for sustainable investment, the signatories put forward three main recommendations:
Engage directly with local governments and give them direct access to funding within Global Gateway investments. This includes dedicated calls for proposals, tailored evaluation criteria, specific funding streams similar to the former “Partnerships for Sustainable Cities” programme, and country-level mechanisms to ensure structured dialogue between EU Delegations, Teams Europe and LRGs.
Ensure systematic involvement of governments in all phases of Global Gateway projects. Clear guidance should be provided to EU Delegations and Teams Europe to meaningfully include local authorities in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes.
Support national associations and international networks of local governments. These organisations—signatories of Framework Partnership Agreements with the EU since 2015—are crucial in coordinating LRG participation, sharing knowledge, and scaling innovations across borders.
New Observatory launched to protect local democracy in Europe
Europe’s first Observatory to track threats against mayors and local councillors, from online harassment to intimidation and disinformation.
Joint initiative of CEMR, Bilbao City Council, EUDEL, Bocconi University and the Basque Government to strengthen the quality of local democracy and support elected representatives.
The Observatory responds to a sharp rise in online harassment, intimidation, disinformation and organised hate campaigns targeting mayors, councillors and regional leaders across Europe.
“Local democracy is Europe’s first line of defence”, stressed CEMR President Gunn Marit Helgesen. “When mayors and councillors are threatened, harassed or silenced, it is not only individuals who are targeted — it is the democratic fabric of our societies. With this Observatory, we are taking a united step to protect those who serve their communities and to ensure that democracy remains strong”.
On the opening of the launch event, Commissioner Michael McGrath responsible for democracy, justice, the rule of law and consumer protection in the European Commission, stated that “I am delighted to launch the European Observatory for the Defence of Democracy at the Local Level (the Observatory). Local democracy is not just a concept; it is the cornerstone of political life. It shapes decisions that affect citizens directly and gives everyone a tangible role in the choices that impact their communities. Today, our democracies face increasing threats, and these challenges are often felt at the local level. These threats don’t always arrive as overt attacks on institutions. Often, they creep quietly into our communities, directly affecting elected representatives and the everyday functioning of local democracy. And this is why the work of the Observatory is so important – we all need to work to protect and promote the democracies of tomorrow”.
The initiative — a partnership between the Council of Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), the City Council of Bilbao, the Association of Basque Municipalities (EUDEL), with the scientific expertise of Bocconi University and the support of the Basque Government — will generate data, analyse trends, and strengthen institutional responses at all levels.
Bilbao Mayor Juan Mari Aburto stressed the urgency of coordinated action: “Bilbao is a city of values because we have collectively chosen to build it that way. As the founding city of this Observatory, we share a clear conviction with Europe: democracy is safeguarded not only through laws, but through civic culture, respect and active listening. Defending democracy also means nurturing everyday coexistence in our neighbourhoods, where diversity enriches our communities rather than threatens them”.
EUDEL President Esther Apraiz highlighted the Basque contribution and experience: “In the Basque Country and across Europe, local democracy is embodied by the elected representatives who serve their communities every day. The Observatory must protect those who uphold democracy and help attract new talent to local politics, because when a mayor or councillor steps away, democracy weakens. Hosting the Observatory also in the Basque Country allows us to share our experience in collaborative local governance internationally”.
The Secretary General for External Action of the Basque Government, Ander Caballero, emphasised: “In the Basque Country, we work every day to build a territory grounded in cutting-edge democracy. That is how we build trust and satisfaction among citizens, and spark motivation and enthusiasm for taking part in political life. It is also a way to reinforce the foundations of our shared home against those who seek to weaken or undermine democracy. We have a tool to move forward: collaborative governance. The Observatory supports and promotes this approach, fostering cooperation between local institutions—both in the Basque Country and across Europe”.
Representing the scientific partnership, Bocconi University Rector Francesco Billari underlined the importance of evidence-based data: “When local leaders face intimidation, it is not only their safety that is compromised—it is the trust and participation on which democratic life depends. Studying this violence with state-of-the-art methods and data is essential if we are to safeguard those foundations.”
The Observatory will track threats, share solutions, build solidarity, and advise national and EU institutions.
For media inquiries, interviews or accreditation requests, please contact:
Town Hall COP: Faster climate action and multilevel governance to tackle climate change
Strengthened local action and multilevel governance to meet climate targets is one of the key messages defended by CEMR and PLATFORMA. On 19 November 2025, both networks organised their first Town Hall COP, a community-led climate dialogueaimed at reinforcing partnerships across levels of government. Participants insisted onlinking climate efforts with broader global agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event took place online while COP30 negotiations are expected to conclude by the end of the week in Belém (Brazil).
COP30 negotiations update and progress made since COP21
Intervening from Belém, the Director for Intergovernmental Support and Collective Progress at UNFCCC Cecilia Kinuthia-Nienga provided an update on the COP 30 negotiations, highlighting the presidency’s focus on multilateralism, building trust, and moving “from commitments to implementation.”
She discussed the importance of clear governance structures, investment pipelines, and support for developing countries to ensure credible Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) implementation.
Just back from COP30, Bridgette Burken-Holder, Director of International Program at the European Climate Foundation, emphasised the evolution of the 2015 Paris Agreement as a “living instrument” and the progress made in reducing emissions in cities, but also the growing recognition of subnational governments in climate policy. She noted that 80% of submitted NDCs now include cities and regions as key partners.
Paraphrasing a COP30 participant, she said: “As local governments, we don’t need just a seat at the COP table, we need to rebuild the table to make sure that we can fit everyone we need.”
CEMR Spokesperson on environment and Senator for Loire-Atlantique (France) Ronan Dantec, also discussed the evolution of local governments’ role in climate governance over the past 20 years, emphasising the importance of their involvement for reaching climate targets.
Thysia Tchekouteff, Policy Assistant at the European Commission Directorate-General for Climate Action, reminded the European Union’s climate goals: to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, with a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and a 90% reduction by 2040.
Climate action: political, financial, and citizen engagement
“Climate change does not wait for the next election,” stressed Emil Brogn, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca (Romanian Municipalities Association), who called for reinforced political support, blending financial resources, and making green choices easy for citizens. The mayor named “three key elephants in the room”: political support, finance, and citizen engagement.
He stressed the importance of communicating climate change actions in a way that resonates with citizens. A comment shared by Siri de Vrijer, Policy advisor on environment to MEP Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (Renew Europe – Netherlands), who said: “we must show citizens what’s in it for them.” She discussed the need for a narrative that aligns with citizens’ perspectives and policy makers’ responsibilities.
This was also supported by Nadia Pellefigue who presented the Committee of the Regions’ opinion on COP30. “Without multi-level governance, ambitions remain theoretical. With it, ambitions become reality,” stated the Vice-President of the Occitanie Region (France). She called for a formal multi-level governance dialogue within the UNFCCC.
National perspectives from Moldova and Croatia
Marina Lungu, Head of Climate Change section at the Ministry of Environment of Moldova presented her country’s newly submitted NDC, which emphasises multi-level governance and includes institutional mechanisms for climate policy coordination across all levels of government.
Miljenko Sedlar, Head of climate in the Northwest Croatia Regional Energy and Climate Agency, presented Croatia’s approach to climate action. He also mentioned a new EU27 project called National Adaptation Hubs, which aims to shift from reactive to systemic adaptation and resilience across EU member states.
Local climate action initiatives
“80% of what can be done is under the influence of local governments,” said CEMR spokesperson for climate Marianne Overton, who discussed the challenges of climate change and the importance of local government in addressing it. The Councillor of North Kesteven and Lincolnshire (UK) highlighted the need “to make green choices easier for residents” and shared examples of successful initiatives, such as solar installations on council housing and energy-efficient building designs.
Overton emphasised the role of local municipalities in achieving climate targets and mentioned a motion passed by over 200 councils aiming for net zero by 2030.
Ola Nord, Head of the City of Malmö (Sweden) EU Office presented his city’s Town Hall COP initiative, which engaged 40 citizens to identify key climate action areas, resulting in 26 proposals focused on city planning, transport, democracy, just transition, lifestyle, and energy. “Change is happening, there’s a lot of positive developments, but it needs to be sped up and made stronger,” he said.
Looking towards 2027
Risto Veivo, Climate director at Central Administration of the City of Turku (Finland) provided an update on the IPCC Special Report on Cities to be presented at COP27. The report, involving approximately 100 lead authors will focus on various aspects of urban climate change, including solutions by city types and regions globally.
The results of CEMR-PLATFORMA Town Hall COP will now be shared with the large community of the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency of the United Nations, of which CEMR is a member. Ahead of COP30, CEMR endorsed the LGMA Joint Position, a joint call for COP30 leaders to empower cities and regions as key drivers of global climate implementation.
CEMR-EPSU Workshop on social dialogue in Southern European Islands
CEMR and EPSU hosted a workshop in Malta focusing on social dialogue in Southern European islands. The event brought together participants from Malta, Cyprus and Greece to discuss current challenges and opportunities for national and EU level social dialogue.
Social dialogue means all types of negotiation, consultation or exchange of information between, or among, representatives of governments, employers and workers, on issues of common interest relating to economic, employment and social policy.
The workshop included interventions by the Head of the European Commission’s Representation in Malta, Maria-Elena Despot and the Director General of the Department for Industrial and Employment Relations in Malta, Diane Vella Muscat. It also featured a meeting with the Maltese government’s representative to the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, Rodrick Zerafa.
The workshop featured examples of best practices for social dialogue by speakers from Germany, Estonia and Sweden. These included German practices to ensure staff retention and upskilling in collective bargaining agreements to address the need for new skills arising from the green and digital transition.
A representative from the Swedish trade union TCO presented the Swedish labour market model as an example of effective social dialogue leading to industrial peace and a high level of collective agreement coverage.
In their presentation on the digital transition in Estonian local governments, the Association of Estonian Cities and Rural Municipalities highlighted that “the digital transition can become a driver for dialogue, because it affects everyone’s work”.
This workshop marks the first of three regional events organised under the LAB project, an EU-funded initiative led by CEMR and EPSU. The project aims to strengthen social dialogue across Eastern and Southeastern Europe, candidate countries and Southern European islands by equipping local and regional social partners with the tools and knowledge to engage constructively at both national and EU levels.
These regions often experience challenges to active participation in national and EU level social dialogue due to limited capacities of the social partners and underdeveloped social dialogue frameworks. Social dialogue is becoming an increasingly important tool to address not only employment and social policy, but also to find inclusive and effective solutions to other challenges, such as the green and digital transitions.
