Migration and inclusion 16

As Europe continues to navigate complex migration dynamics, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) stresses that migration is lived and managed locally. Cities, towns and regions are the first to welcome newcomers, support vulnerable groups, and build long‑term inclusion. Yet, most of the time, they remain under‑recognised and under‑resourced in EU migration governance.

With its new position paper, CEMR urges EU institutions and national governments to place local and regional governments (LRGs) at the heart of migration policy. This means shifting from an emergency mindset to a sustainable, human‑centred, and territorially grounded approach.

CEMR’s key asks

1. Empower LRGs

Reinforce their formal role in migration governance, supported by structured multilevel cooperation, predictable funding, and targeted capacity‑building.

2. Adopt a human‑centred EU migration policy

Ensure that all asylum and migration measures respect fundamental rights, legal clarity, and the real capacities of municipalities.

3. Include LRGs in the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact

Systematically involve cities and regions in reception, integration, and emergency responses, backed by clear procedures and real-time information.

4. Sustain coordinated support for Ukrainians under Temporary Protection

Move from emergency assistance toward long‑term integration, with a focus on housing, employment, and access to essential services.

5. Strengthen labour‑market inclusion

Improve skills recognition, reduce administrative burdens, and promote local partnerships with businesses to ease migrants’ path to employment.

6. Secure long‑term EU funding for inclusion

Protect and expand AMIF and ESF+ resources in the next Multiannual Financial Framework to enable municipalities to continue innovative integration work.

By recognising the essential role of local actors, Europe can build a migration agenda that is both effective and true to its values—supportive, inclusive, and grounded in the realities of people and places. CEMR stands ready to work with EU and national leaders to make this shift a reality.

For more information, please contact:

Director – Policy & Impact

GAUDRON Marine In EU budget, EU budget, Gender equality, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Migration and inclusion, Press, Publications, Territorial development

X Budgeting – power of subnational finance

Municipalities and regions explore new approaches to budgeting, from participatory and priority-based models to green and SDG-oriented practices

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Municipalities, cities and regions across Europe are at the forefront of delivering essential services, from housing and health to climate action and mobility. Yet, they face increasing financial pressures, recovering from the pandemic’s “scissor effect” of higher costs and lower revenues, and coping with inflation. In this context, how budgets are designed and allocated has become a powerful political tool.

To explore this potential, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) organised a training event on 23 May titled “X-budgeting – the power of subnational finance.” The session brought together experts and practitioners to share knowledge on innovative approaches to local and regional finance.

“X-budgeting” refers to a range of methods that go beyond simple accounting, transforming budgets into instruments for shaping policy and engaging citizens. These include:

Priority-based budgeting, aligning spending with political or community priorities rather than repeating last year’s allocations.
Process-based budgeting, such as participatory models that involve residents directly in decisions.
Green and SDG budgeting, aligning local finances with climate goals and the Sustainable Development Agenda.

Each approach offers opportunities, from fostering transparency and boosting trust to mobilising investment for sustainability, but also poses challenges, such as methodological complexity, resource needs and the demand for strong political support.

By experimenting with new forms of budgeting, municipalities and regions can make financial choices that not only keep services running but also reflect citizens’ voices and accelerate progress towards long-term goals.

For more information, contact:

GAUDRON Marine

Advisor – Territorial Cohesion & Local Finances

GURI Durmish In Impact community Society, Impact community Society, IncluCities [closed project], Inclucities [closed project], Migration and inclusion, Migration and inclusion, Press, Projects and Programmes, Projects and programmes, Publications

Inclusion starts locally

Key lessons from IncluCities to improve migrant integration through multilevel cooperation

Read the position paper here

The IncluCities project, led by CEMR and funded by the EU’s AMIF programme, has shown how local and regional governments (LRGs) can lead inclusive migration policies when equipped with the right tools and support. Over three years, eight cities and six national associations worked together in a mentoring scheme to improve local integration strategies for third-country nationals.

From needs assessments to action plans and training academies, IncluCities focused on real collaboration between cities and their associations, guided by CEMR. The project clearly demonstrated that peer exchange and coordinated support lead to more effective and sustainable policies.

Turning Practice into Policy

Based on the project experience, CEMR outlines seven key recommendations:

Adopt a Whole Community approach – Integration policies should benefit all residents, not just newcomers, and promote active local citizenship.

Promote inclusion over adaptation – Inclusion must be a two-way process involving the whole community, not just the integration of migrants.

Train entire ecosystems – Sustainable action requires collaboration across municipal services, civil society, and migrant communities.

Guarantee meaningful participation – Participation must be recognised as a basic right and embedded in local governance structures.

Support migrant women – Women play a key role in communities and should be at the centre of local inclusion efforts.

Improve multilevel governance – Stronger cooperation between EU, national, and local governments is vital, along with direct access to funding.

Create local support networks – Clustered partnerships help cities share knowledge and raise their voice in national discussions.

Conclusion

Local and regional governments are essential in managing integration, yet they remain underrepresented in EU policymaking. As the New Pact on Migration and Asylum moves forward, CEMR calls for the full inclusion of local voices in shaping migration policy, especially those of small and medium-sized cities, which are closest to the ground.

For more information, contact:

GURI Durmish

Director – Projects & Programmes

BORDELOT Federica In Gender equality, Gender equality, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Migration and inclusion, Migration and inclusion, Press, Publications

EU directive on gender and domestic violence

CEMR urges multi-level coordination, victim support, and recognition of women politicians’ safety

Read the policy paper here

Violence against women and domestic violence remain among the most widespread violations of fundamental rights in Europe. In response to the European Commission’s proposed Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has published a position paper calling for a unified and multi-level approach to ensure effective implementation across the EU.

CEMR welcomes key elements of the Directive, including provisions on safeguarding victims, training professionals, tackling harmful gender stereotypes, and addressing sexual harassment at work. However, the organisation stresses that the Directive must go further to recognise the central role of local and regional governments (LRGs), who are on the frontline of prevention, victim support, and access to justice.

Among its recommendations, CEMR calls for:

Formal consultation with LRGs in policy design and coordination, ensuring that Article 39 on multi-level response explicitly requires their involvement.
Targeted EU funding for local authorities through programmes such as CERV, ERDF and ESF+, to strengthen prevention, awareness-raising and victim services.
Better data collection, disaggregated by sex, age and region (NUTS 2, NUTS 3, and local level), to tailor policies effectively.
Improved victim support systems, combining both “one-stop” online access and physical centres, with minimum geographic coverage standards.

The paper also highlights violence against women in politics, noting that harassment and threats against elected representatives undermine democracy itself. CEMR urges the addition of a specific clause under Article 13 on aggravating circumstances for violence against women in public office.

Finally, CEMR emphasises the importance of prevention, beginning with early education to challenge gender stereotypes, and extending to workplaces where women in public-facing professions are disproportionately exposed to third-party violence. The organisation recommends a dedicated article on cooperation between LRGs and social partners to strengthen workplace protections.

By adopting a truly coordinated, multi-level approach, the Directive could transform Europe’s fragmented response into a coherent framework that empowers governments at every level to protect women’s rights and safety.

For more information, contact:

Read the charter here

Director – Policy & Impact

BORDELOT Federica In European Charter for Equality, European Charter for Equality, Gender equality, Gender equality, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Migration and inclusion, Migration and inclusion, Press, Projects and Programmes, Projects and programmes, Publications

European charter for equality

Europe’s towns and regions commit to building fairer societies through the European Charter for Equality

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Equality between women and men is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of democracy. Yet, despite legal recognition, disparities remain in pay, representation, and everyday opportunities across Europe. Recognising the pivotal role of local and regional governments in tackling these inequalities, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) developed the European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life in 2006.

By signing the Charter, municipalities and regions make a public commitment to promoting equality across their policies, services and institutions, and to developing Equality Action Plans that transform principles into practice.

The Charter was drafted with the support of the European Commission and has since become a reference tool for towns and regions seeking to mainstream gender equality. It encourages signatories to act not only within their own administrations but also with local institutions, organisations and citizens.

Over the years, supporting tools have strengthened their implementation:

An online Observatory launched in 2011 provides resources and examples of good practice.
A toolkit of indicators, developed in 2014, helps monitor and evaluate progress.
A 2022 update, funded by the EU, introduced amendments to strengthen the Charter, clarifying language and emphasising intersectionality under the guiding principle: “always gender, never gender alone.”

New provisions were also added, including the need to apply a gender lens in crisis management and to address gender perspectives in digitalisation and online life. From 2023 onwards, all new signatories commit automatically to both the original Charter and the 2022 amendments.

The European Charter for Equality demonstrates how local and regional democracy is crucial for advancing fairness in daily life, whether through housing, transport, health, or political participation. By embedding gender equality into decision-making and governance, towns and regions can both safeguard rights and unlock economic and social potential.

More than a symbolic document, the Charter is a practical instrument for change, mobilising local authorities across Europe to ensure that equality between women and men is not only a principle on paper but a reality in every community.

For more information, contact:

Director – Policy & Impact

Empowering local Europe

CEMR unveils its vision for stronger, inclusive and sustainable territories across Europe

Read the position paper here

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has launched its political manifesto calling for a more inclusive, resilient, and citizen-driven European Union. With over 41 national associations of local and regional governments behind it, the manifesto sets out a roadmap to bring Europe closer to its citizens, starting from the ground up.

At its heart are six concrete proposals to reinvigorate European democracy: from establishing permanent citizen panels and annual Europe Day debates in schools, to relaunching town twinning and creating an Erasmus-style programme for civil servants.

CEMR also stresses that a strong Europe must leave no one and no place behind. It calls for renewed efforts to tackle territorial disparities, address depopulation, and ensure that public services, from education to health, are accessible to all citizens, no matter where they live.

The manifesto also focuses on key priorities for the coming decade, including:

Citizen participation through inclusive local democracy;
Empowered local climate action, as cities and regions lead Europe’s green transition;
Fair and coordinated migration policies, with strong local support for integration;
Digital transformation that bridges the urban–rural divide;
New forms of town-to-town partnerships, especially beyond the EU’s borders;
And financial means to invest in sustainable local infrastructure and innovation.

CEMR’s proposals emphasise the urgent need for deeper recognition of local and regional governments in European decision-making. This includes a stronger role for the Committee of the Regions, the creation of a local chamber, and systematic consultation of representative associations like CEMR when shaping EU legislation and strategies.

By calling for a Europe that is democratic, sustainable, and close to its people, the manifesto is a bold invitation to reimagine the Union from the local level up, with municipalities and regions playing a central role in shaping the continent’s future.

For more information, contact:

Director – Policy & Impact

Bringing Equality Closer to Home

2021 Report – CEMR Charter15 Reflection Process

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

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

Key Activities and Participation

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

Workshop Themes & Findings

1. Employment & Economic Development (September 2021)

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

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

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

3. Violence Against Women and Girls (November 2021)

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

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

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

5. Multiple Discrimination & Intersectionality (September 2021)

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

6. Public Services & Administration (September 2021)

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

Next Steps

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

For more information, contact:

Director – Policy & Impact

Revitalising the Equality Charter

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

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

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

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

The process revolved around four key areas:

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information, contact:

Director – Policy & Impact

BORDELOT Federica In European Charter for Equality, European Charter for Equality, Gender equality, Gender equality, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Migration and inclusion, Migration and inclusion, Projects and Programmes, Projects and programmes, Publications

Local leadership for equality

European local and regional leaders reaffirm support for Polish municipalities committed to the Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life

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Europe is at a turning point. To reach climate neutrality by 2050, the EU must drastically expand renewable energy and electricity grids. This challenge is also an opportunity: renewables are cheaper than fossil fuels, can reduce biodiversity risks, and bring local economic benefits. Yet progress remains too slow, hampered by lengthy permits, weak community dialogue, and a lack of perceived value for citizens.

To overcome these barriers, European stakeholders have united behind a set of baseline principles for fast and fair deployment of renewables and grids. These principles underline that projects must be shaped with communities, not imposed on them. Early engagement with mayors and citizens, transparent communication, and mechanisms for feedback are central to building trust.

Equally important is ensuring that local communities share in the value of new projects. This means creating jobs, offering benefit-sharing schemes such as funds or co-ownership, and guaranteeing that revenues are used transparently for local improvements, from transport to housing. The principles also commit to nature-positive deployment, applying strategies to avoid or minimise harm and, where possible, enhance biodiversity.

Finally, the consensus highlights the need to empower community-led initiatives, giving citizens and municipalities fair access to the energy market and the grid. By creating space for local ownership, Europe can ensure that the energy transition is not only fast but also fair.

Together, these principles form a European consensus: a shared roadmap to accelerate the transition while protecting ecosystems and ensuring citizens see real, tangible benefits.

Read the declaration: English | French | Polish

For more information, contact:

Director – Policy & Impact

BORDELOT Federica In Gender equality, Gender equality, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Migration and inclusion, Migration and inclusion, Press, Publications

Rights of persons with disabilities

Empowering local and regional governments to uphold the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD)

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In 2021, amid the launch of the new EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2021–2030), the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) conducted a survey to assess local and regional governments’ awareness, involvement, and needs regarding the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). The initiative comes ten years after the EU’s ratification of the Convention, recognising that local and regional governments (LRGs) are essential actors in making its rights a lived reality.

The survey, circulated in late 2020, aimed to gauge both knowledge and engagement with the UN CRPD across Europe’s municipalities and regions. It also sought to understand how the EU and its Disability Strategy could better support local efforts. A total of 34 responses were received from 10 countries including Iceland, Romania, Scotland, the Netherlands, and Ukraine.

Key findings reveal that most respondents were aware of the Convention and had participated in its implementation, often via national dialogues, local projects, or action plans. However, they reported significant challenges, including:

Lack of funding and staffing to develop targeted services
Insufficient guidance on mainstreaming disability rights
Inadequate infrastructure and facilities
Complex bureaucratic barriers

Critically, 76% of respondents expressed the need for specific EU-level support, requesting good practice guides and capacity-building tools covering accessible housing, education, transport, health, ICT, and public life, especially for under-resourced rural and urban areas.

Even more tellingly, 91% expressed interest in peer exchange and capacity-building programmes, emphasising the value of learning from other municipalities’ experiences to improve implementation, strengthen legal frameworks, and empower disability-inclusive governance.

Good Practices Highlighted

Scotland’s Local Government Delivery Plan for the UN CRPD, developed by COSLA, aims to enable independent, dignified living through local co-production with disabled people.
Romania’s City of Sibiu collaborates with NGOs and ministries to deliver inclusive services, including a multi-purpose centre for people with disabilities, offering therapy, socialisation, and housing support.
Iceland’s Local Authorities Association leads awareness-raising initiatives as part of a national disability strategy aligned with UN CRPD goals.
The “We Are Able!” Programme, developed by VNG International, supports inclusive governance across six African countries, linking European and Global South municipalities to promote the Local Inclusion Agenda through joint learning and capacity building.

The CEMR survey confirms that local and regional governments are vital enablers of the rights enshrined in the UN CRPD. Yet, many of them face systemic barriers that prevent meaningful implementation. To succeed, they need EU-level support, more financial resources, and access to shared knowledge and good practices.

As the EU Disability Strategy 2021–2030 progresses, it must ensure that municipalities and regions are not left behind. Supporting them is not only a policy necessity but a moral obligation to build more inclusive, accessible, and equitable communities.

Empowering local leadership is key to transforming international commitments into everyday rights for all persons with disabilities, close to home.

For more information, contact: