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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

Gender equality Declaration - News

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

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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, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Press, Publications

Localising sustainable goals after COVID19

Localising SDGs - News

How European territories are driving sustainable change amid the Covid-19 crisis 

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The Covid-19 pandemic has been a profound shock for municipalities and regions across Europe. Faced with health emergencies, social disruption, and economic slowdown, local and regional governments (LRGs) had to adapt swiftly, protecting essential services, reallocating budgets, and reshaping priorities. Yet, despite the immense challenges, many local authorities did not abandon global commitments. Instead, they turned to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs) as a framework to guide recovery and long-term resilience. 

With over 65% of SDGs requiring local implementation, municipalities and their national associations play a decisive role in ensuring progress. Some cities temporarily slowed their SDG-related work, but others actively integrated the Goals into recovery strategies, using them to design inclusive, coherent, and sustainable policies. This approach has strengthened their credibility as leaders in “building back better.” 

National associations of local governments proved to be vital allies. By coordinating efforts, connecting municipalities with resources, and advocating at the national and European levels, they helped ensure that even small and rural communities could advance the SDG agenda. Importantly, awareness and commitment have grown: associations in countries where SDG uptake was once limited are now actively building knowledge, promoting peer learning, and pushing for recognition of local action. 

Another breakthrough is the rise of Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) and Voluntary Subnational Reviews, which showcase municipal achievements and give visibility to local actors on the international stage. This not only strengthens city diplomacy but also fosters a shared vocabulary and sense of purpose among local, national, and global partners. 

The Covid-19 crisis has underscored the transformative power of the SDGs: as both a roadmap for sustainable recovery and a catalyst for innovation in governance, partnerships, and service delivery. Still, achieving the Goals requires greater investment and mobilisation of resources. EU initiatives such as the Green Deal, cohesion funds, and Global Europe offer crucial opportunities to scale up local action, alongside new forms of public-private partnerships. 

In short, the SDGs are not an abstract global agenda, they are a practical tool for territories to rebuild stronger, fairer, and greener communities. Even in times of crisis, Europe’s municipalities and their associations are proving that sustainability is not just a long-term ambition, but an immediate necessity. 

Read the study here 

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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 

Disabled people - News

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. 

Read the study here 

For more information, contact: 

TONHAUSER Boris
In Climate, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Publications

EU delegations & local action 

PLATFORMA - banner 2

Exploring how EU Delegations engage with local and regional governments in global development 

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As the global landscape of development cooperation evolves, the role of local and regional governments (LRGs) has moved from the margins to the mainstream. No longer seen merely as beneficiaries of aid, LRGs are now recognised as key actors in the design, implementation and ownership of sustainable development policies. 

With over 139 EU Delegations around the world, the European Union plays a pivotal role in supporting governance and development at all levels. This new PLATFORMA study explores how these Delegations are engaging with LRGs, the value of their cooperation, and the road ahead. 

This study highlights the growing political relevance of decentralised cooperation, mayor-to-mayor partnerships, city-to-city exchanges, and collaboration between national associations in achieving sustainable development. EU Delegations, representing the EU in partner countries, manage funding and support development policies aligned with local needs. In this context, their relationship with LRGs is crucial. 

Key insights from the study include: 

  • Local knowledge matters: LRGs are closest to citizens and understand their needs. Their involvement improves governance, ensures better delivery of services, and strengthens citizen engagement. 
  • TALD – Territorial Approach to Local Development: Promoted by PLATFORMA, TALD ensures local development strategies are not only nationally supported, but locally owned and shaped. 
  • From consultation to partnership: The new 2021–2027 EU Multiannual Financial Framework emphasises a permanent policy dialogue with LRGs, beginning with programme design and continuing through implementation and monitoring. 

Yet, the study also reveals a mixed picture. While some Delegations engage actively with local authority associations and decentralised actors, others have limited or no contact, missing opportunities for peer learning and stronger governance. 

The study calls for a deeper and more consistent relationship between EU Delegations and local governments in partner countries. It identifies four key areas where progress can be made: 

  1. Training: EU Delegation staff would benefit from greater awareness of local governance realities, decentralisation processes, and participatory mechanisms. LRGs can offer training and insights rooted in real experience. 
  1. Political closeness: LRGs understand the language of local politics. Stronger ties between EU Delegations and elected representatives could boost trust and effectiveness. 
  1. Networks and awareness: LRGs bring with them local networks and credibility. Their role in development education and public awareness can link global goals with local realities. 
  1. Support to associations: Many national associations of LRGs remain underused. Targeted EU support could enhance their capacity, sustainability and leadership in local development. 

By investing in these relationships, the EU can reinforce its commitment to local ownership, sustainable development and effective international cooperation. Ultimately, localising global agendas such as the 2030 SDGs will only be possible if local voices are not only heard, but also empowered. 

Read the study here 

For more information, contact: 

BALLESTA ORTA Rocío
In Impact community Society, Impact community Society, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Press, Projects and Programmes, Projects and programmes, Publications

Educating for global citizenship 

Education - News section

How local and regional governments raise awareness for sustainable development through Development Education

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In the face of global challenges like climate change, migration, and rising inequalities, citizen engagement is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. Local and regional governments (LRGs), being the level of governance closest to the people, are uniquely positioned to connect global issues with daily realities. Through Development Education and Awareness Raising (DEAR), LRGs play a transformative role in fostering active, informed and responsible citizenship. 

DEAR is not just about delivering information, it’s about sparking engagement, critical thinking, and collective action. This article presents the key findings and recommendations from PLATFORMA’s Success Stories Collection, showcasing how LRGs and their associations help citizens understand global interdependencies and become agents of change. 

PLATFORMA, a pan-European coalition of LRGs active in development cooperation, advocates for the strategic role of LRGs in informing, mobilising, and engaging communities for global sustainable development. The collection highlights real-life examples of how LRGs across Europe use DEAR to bring the 2030 Agenda closer to citizens. 

Why LRGs Matter for DEAR 
LRGs are trusted institutions with a public mandate. By collaborating with schools, civil society organisations (CSOs), and cultural actors, they can: 

  • Simplify complex global agendas like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) without diluting their message, 
  • Restore trust in public institutions, 
  • Build social cohesion, 
  • Reach under-resourced municipalities through national associations of LRGs (LRGAs). 

What is DEAR? 
Development Education and Awareness Raising (DEAR) strategies seek to transform community behaviour and attitudes toward global challenges. Rooted in concepts like Global Citizenship Education (GCE), DEAR blends learning with action. Its two main approaches are: 

  • Global-Learning: Focused on knowledge-building and participatory education. 
  • Campaigning-Advocacy: Aimed at policy and behaviour change through public mobilisation. 

Showcasing DEAR in Action 
The publication features 19 case studies, divided into two parts: 

  • Part 1: Ten Campaigning-Advocacy projects targeting policy or institutional changes. 
  • Part 2: Nine Global-Learning projects focused on pedagogical empowerment and community knowledge-building. 
    A third section delves into the financial tools and methodologies that support DEAR implementation. 

The DEAR experience proves that raising citizens’ awareness is not a one-off campaign, it’s a continuous process of reflection, transformation, and action. PLATFORMA outlines seven clear recommendations for local and regional governments to enhance their DEAR impact: 

  1. Promote whole-of-society partnerships: Create inclusive spaces and initiatives like the European Days of Local Solidarity to unite communities around shared challenges. 
  1. Commit to long-term planning: Change takes time; DEAR strategies must evolve and stay relevant. 
  1. Foster mutual learning and participation: Engage citizens in workshops, forums, and school programmes, learning is most effective when it is shared. 
  1. Defend the unique role of LRGs: Encourage inclusion of LRGs in EU DEAR calls and empower their associations to support smaller municipalities. 
  1. Prioritise youth engagement: Let young people lead and amplify messages through social media and peer-to-peer initiatives. 
  1. Use public and digital spaces creatively: Awareness campaigns in urban areas and online tools ensure a wide reach and participation. 
  1. Evaluate meaningfully: Include both qualitative and quantitative indicators, participatory feedback, and mid-term evaluations to track behaviour change. 

As we face increasingly complex global challenges, LRGs and their associations are vital in shaping how communities think, act, and respond. By embedding DEAR into their governance and outreach strategies, local institutions become not only service providers but educators and catalysts of global change. 

Read the study here 

For more information, contact: 

BENNIS Hamza
In Digitalisation, Digitalisation, Employment, Employment, Gender equality, Gender equality, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Migration and inclusion, Migration and inclusion, Press, Publications, Skills, Skills, ,

Social rights, local action 

Social Rights Labour - News

What are the priorities for implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights with a strong local and regional involvement? 

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The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) welcomes the European Pillar of Social Rights as a step toward strengthening fairness and equality in Europe. While supporting its ambition, CEMR stresses that the measures linked to the Pillar’s 20 principles should remain non-binding, respecting the diversity of national, regional and local competences. For local and regional governments, the Pillar should serve as a reference framework to inspire reforms, rather than impose uniform rules. 

CEMR identifies key challenges where Europe must act: rising inequality, persistent poverty, gender gaps, and labour market transitions accelerated by digitalisation and COVID-19. Municipalities and regions, as major providers of education, housing, health, social inclusion and employment services, are at the heart of delivering social rights. 

CEMR’s policy priorities include: 

  • Skills and education: investment in training, apprenticeships and digital access to avoid a “lost generation” of young people. 
  • Demographic change: integrating women, older workers, migrants, and disadvantaged groups into the labour market. 
  • Gender equality: boosting women’s participation and addressing work-life balance challenges, especially in the pandemic’s aftermath. 

At the same time, CEMR warns against excessive bureaucracy or additional reporting obligations for local authorities, calling instead for best practice exchange, benchmarks, and adequate funding. 

For the European Pillar of Social Rights to succeed, it must respect subsidiarity, strengthen social dialogue, and involve local and regional governments as essential actors. Municipalities, cities, and regions are indispensable in turning principles into concrete progress, provided they are given the flexibility, resources and recognition needed to deliver. 

Read the position paper here 

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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, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Press, Publications

Localising the 2030 Agenda 

Agenda 2030 - News

How local and regional governments and their associations are driving sustainable development 

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The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, laid out an ambitious global roadmap for peace, prosperity, people, and the planet. Its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are universal in nature but require deeply localised responses to be effectively achieved. 

Local and regional governments (LRGs), and the associations that represent them are at the frontline of this challenge. They have the democratic mandate, institutional legitimacy, and daily proximity to citizens to implement sustainable solutions tailored to local realities. This article explores the critical role these governments and their national associations play in bringing the 2030 Agenda to life across Europe and beyond. 

The Role of LRGs and Their Associations 
Local and regional governments are uniquely positioned to translate global goals into tangible public policies and services. Whether it’s improving access to education, ensuring clean water, fostering inclusive economies, or promoting environmental protection, the SDGs intersect directly with their mandates. 

However, the successful localisation of the SDGs requires not only local action but also strong national coordination and multilevel governance. That’s where national associations of LRGs come in. They serve as intermediaries between municipal and national levels, raising awareness, building capacity, and advocating for policy coherence and the resources necessary for implementation. 

A Framework for Transformation 
For LRGs, the 2030 Agenda is more than a checklist, it’s a strategic and transformative framework that enables long-term thinking, breaks down silos across departments, and connects various stakeholders. When well-integrated, the SDGs improve how public services are delivered and empower communities to engage meaningfully in decision-making processes. 

A New Decade of Action and Challenge 
Despite early progress, the world is not yet on track to meet the SDGs by 2030. The COVID-19 pandemic has added new complexity, strained local budgets and exacerbated inequalities. Yet the pandemic also highlighted the vital role of LRGs in crisis response, ensuring healthcare access, food security, education continuity, and social protection. 

The recovery period offers a chance to “build back better” by placing the SDGs at the core of reconstruction efforts. The UN Secretary General has emphasised the 2030 Agenda as a guiding principle for a resilient, inclusive, and green recovery. In this context, national associations of LRGs become even more essential to facilitate dialogue, share knowledge, and advocate for the tools local governments need to succeed. 

The decade ahead will be decisive. The COVID-19 crisis may have disrupted momentum, but it has not undermined the fundamental relevance of the 2030 Agenda. On the contrary, it has reaffirmed the importance of public services, local resilience, and inclusive governance, values that are deeply embedded in the SDGs. 

Local and regional governments, supported by their associations, are essential actors in this journey. They are adapting, experimenting, and collaborating to deliver sustainable results, even amid uncertainty. Their work shows that global agendas only become real when rooted in local action. 

Going forward, stronger partnerships across sectors and governance levels are needed to ensure no place and no person is left behind. Multi-level and multi-sector cooperation will be vital to address the growing challenges ahead and to seize the opportunities that lie in sustainable, equitable recovery. 

In short, if the SDGs are to be met, they must be localised and that starts with empowering the actors who are closest to the people. 

Read the study here 

For more information, contact: 

TONHAUSER Boris
In Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Press, Publications

Agenda 2030 study for local and regional governments

COVID 19 finances - News

Just out: New study reveals how municipalities, regions and their associations are embracing the SDGs

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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:

THOMAS Carol
In EU budget, EU budget, Governance, Governance, Local democracy, Local democracy, Local finances, Local finances, Press, Publications

Lessons from the COVID19 Pandemic

COVID recovery - News

Local and regional governments need stronger support, recognition, and autonomy in times of crisis

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As Europe continues to grapple with the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 crisis, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) highlights the vital role of local and regional governments during the pandemic and the urgent need for stronger multilevel governance and financial resilience.

From the earliest days of the pandemic, local and regional authorities were at the frontline: managing public health measures, ensuring social services, maintaining education and local transport, and supporting vulnerable groups. They also had to cope with increased expenditure while facing plummeting revenues, a phenomenon CEMR described as the “scissor effect.” Despite their efforts, many municipalities and regions received little compensation or recognition for their critical role.

In light of these challenges, CEMR has outlined ten key recommendations to ensure more effective responses in future crises and support long-term resilience:

  1. Recognition of essential services
    Local and regional governments must be acknowledged as essential actors in crisis management. Their competences, funding, and resources must be guaranteed and reinforced, with better alignment of policies across government levels.
  2. Equal access to EU recovery tools
    Municipalities and regions should be directly involved in shaping and implementing national recovery plans, particularly in the context of the Recovery and Resilience Facility. This means ensuring equal access to EU funds, simplification of procedures, and stronger monitoring mechanisms.
  3. Flexible financial frameworks
    The EU fiscal rules need to evolve. CEMR calls for more flexibility for local and regional governments in borrowing and investment, especially for long-term sustainable projects. Debt incurred for these purposes should be excluded from deficit calculations under the Stability and Growth Pact.
  4. Stronger digital transition
    The pandemic highlighted the digital divide across Europe. More investment is needed to strengthen local digital infrastructure and capacity, especially in rural and underserved areas. Local and regional authorities must play a central role in the EU’s digital transition.
  5. Health, care, and social services
    Municipalities and regions are often responsible for delivering or coordinating health and care services. They must be involved in national health policy planning, with proper resources and long-term investment to ensure quality and accessibility.
  6. Support for local economies
    Cities and regions played a key role in supporting local businesses and workers during the crisis. The EU and Member States must ensure that economic recovery policies reach the local level and that municipalities can take proactive measures to protect local economies.
  7. Strengthening social cohesion
    COVID-19 amplified existing inequalities. Local authorities are best placed to address social exclusion, support vulnerable groups, and reinforce community resilience, but need adequate funding and policy support.
  8. Better governance
    The pandemic exposed the weaknesses of top-down crisis responses. Multilevel governance, subsidiarity, and the partnership principle must be strengthened to ensure effective cooperation and faster, more tailored solutions.
  9. Green recovery
    Recovery funds and policies must prioritise sustainability. Local governments are already implementing the Green Deal at ground level, through sustainable mobility, energy-efficient buildings, and green public spaces. Their role must be formally supported in EU policy and funding instruments.
  10. Crisis preparedness
    Europe must develop better tools for future emergencies. This includes building the capacity of local administrations, sharing best practices, and ensuring municipalities have access to critical resources when crises hit.

Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a stress test for European governance and local governments passed it with resilience and determination. Now, CEMR urges EU institutions and Member States to turn these lessons into action. By strengthening the role, autonomy, and resources of local and regional authorities, Europe can better prepare for the next crisis and deliver a fair, green, and inclusive recovery for all.

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

GAUDRON Marine
In EU budget, EU budget, Governance, Governance, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Local finances, Local finances, Press, Publications, Territorial development

COVID impact on local finances 

COVID 19 finances - News

A Europe-wide snapshot of the pandemic’s fiscal impact on municipalities and regions, and what support is still missing  

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The COVID-19 pandemic placed local and regional governments at the frontline of public health response in Europe. While ensuring safety, maintaining essential services, and supporting vulnerable populations, these governments were simultaneously burdened with spiralling costs and plummeting revenues. A survey conducted by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) in May 2020 offers critical insight into the financial distress faced by cities and municipalities across 17 European countries. 

The survey reveals a dual pressure on local and regional finances: soaring expenditures, primarily for personal protective equipment, sanitation, and social support and sharp declines in revenue due to reduced economic activity. Tax revenues, municipal service fees, and income from the cultural and tourism sectors were severely impacted. For example, Bulgaria saw a 41% decrease in municipal income from its own sources, and Austria faced estimated municipal revenue losses between €900 million and €2 billion. 

While local authorities acted swiftly, organising food deliveries, providing accommodation for healthcare workers, and ensuring online education, support from national governments was slow and often insufficient. Although a few countries, like Estonia and Germany, implemented meaningful aid measures, most national support was delayed, limited, or only promised in future budget cycles. 

Many governments, like in France and Sweden, pledged support, but uncertainty remains about the long-term sustainability of subnational budgets. Furthermore, the varied structure of local financing systems across Europe means that the financial impact differs widely between countries and even among municipalities within the same country. 

The CEMR report makes it clear: without timely and adequate support from national and European levels, local and regional governments risk losing the capacity to invest in recovery and sustainable development. To prevent a prolonged post-pandemic investment slump, EU funds, especially from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, must be made directly accessible to local authorities. 

Only by empowering municipalities can Europe hope to achieve its long-term goals for resilience, cohesion, and sustainability. Now is the time for stronger multilevel cooperation and for the EU to acknowledge the central role of local and regional governments in shaping recovery. 

Read the study here 

For more information, contact: 

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