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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, Latest, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, 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, Latest, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, 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, Latest, Local democracy, Local democracy, Local finances, Local finances, 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, Latest, Local finances, Local finances, 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: 

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

Local role in the EU enlargement 

EU Enlargement - News

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read the declaration here 

For more information, contact: 

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

Gender equality: A local matter

Gender Equality - News

Exploring the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020–2025 and what it means for Europe’s local and regional governments 

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In a significant move for gender equality in Europe, the European Commission has adopted a new Gender Equality Strategy for 2020–2025. As the first high-level communication of its kind in years, this strategy sets out a clear ambition to achieve a Europe free from gender-based violence, stereotypes, and structural inequalities. 

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has conducted an in-depth analysis of the strategy, identifying its opportunities, shortcomings, and implications for local and regional governments. 

Key developments and opportunities 

The Commission’s strategy adopts a dual approach, combining targeted actions with systematic gender mainstreaming, and for the first time, takes an intersectional perspective. The strategy touches on six key areas, from violence prevention to women’s representation and gender equality in the workplace. 

Local and regional governments stand to benefit from new funding and networking opportunities, particularly in the areas of gender-based violence prevention, childcare provision, care infrastructure, and women’s entrepreneurship. The establishment of an EU network for preventing domestic violence, EU-wide awareness campaigns, and future updates to childcare targets all offer a space for local actors to lead and share practices. 

New investment and support opportunities through the European Social Fund Plus, Horizon Europe, and Common Agricultural Policy also provide avenues for local authorities to implement gender-sensitive services and policies. 

Gaps and concerns 

Despite these strengths, CEMR highlights areas where the strategy could go further. The role of local and regional governments is not sufficiently acknowledged, and the Commission misses the opportunity to reference the European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life, which has nearly 1,800 signatories across 36 countries. 

Furthermore, while the strategy rightly focuses on gender balance in the private sector, political representation at the local and regional levels is underdeveloped. There is also no mention of violence against elected women, a critical issue that undermines women’s participation in democratic life. 

CEMR’s key messages 

CEMR puts forward several recommendations to strengthen the strategy and better support local authorities: 

  • Recognise local and regional governments as strategic partners in implementing, monitoring, and reporting on the strategy. 
  • Include the European Charter for Equality in the EU Platform for Diversity Charters. 
  • Address the underrepresentation of women in politics and promote initiatives supporting female political leadership at all levels. 
  • Strengthen protections for women in public life, particularly against gender-based violence and harassment. 
  • Improve data collection on women’s representation and leadership and fund new studies across all European countries. 
  • Support local gender equality initiatives through EU funding programmes, including the Charter and work on men and masculinities. 

A call for greater collaboration 

Local and regional governments are not only essential for implementing EU policy, but they are also drivers of innovation in equality. As the level of government closest to citizens, they play a unique role in translating ambition into action. 

CEMR urges the European Commission to fully recognise and support this role in the implementation of the Gender Equality Strategy, ensuring local authorities have the tools and resources to build a truly inclusive Europe. 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact:  

ROSSI Fabrizio
In Governance, Governance, Impact community Society, Latest, Local democracy, Local democracy, Publications, Twinning

Europe 2030 – local leaders speak out

Europe 2030 - News

Local and regional leaders call for a renewed European model, rooted in unity, democracy, and empowered territories

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Europe has always been a bold political project. Born from the ashes of two World Wars, it was built on the conviction that lasting peace and prosperity can only be achieved together. From the beginning, local and regional leaders played a decisive role: mayors and municipalities spearheaded cooperation across borders and called for stronger local democracy through the European Charter for Local Liberties.

Today, facing crises from climate change to migration, from social tensions to war at its borders, Europe once again needs its local pioneers. In 2016, CEMR launched a visionary initiative inviting leaders, citizens, and young people to share their vision of Europe in 2030. The results were clear: citizens want a more cohesive, democratic, and responsive Europe, one that listens and acts closer to their daily lives.

The vision for 2030 is ambitious: empower local and regional governments with greater resources, strengthen cooperation between all levels of governance, and ensure that policies remain people-centered. Local governments already provide over 60% of public investment in the EU, showing that they are key drivers of innovation, social support, and sustainable development.

Contributors stress that decentralisation is essential to building trust in democracy. Nation-states should act as regulators and guarantors of equality, regions should drive economic growth, and towns should remain the heart of community life. At the same time, Europe must stay united in diversity, serving as the guardian of territorial cohesion, welfare, and collective security.

By 2030, Europe will be more global and more urban. Local and regional governments must therefore take a stronger role in international cooperation, through city diplomacy, twinning, knowledge-sharing, and decentralised cooperation, to tackle challenges like climate change and sustainable development.

The message is simple but powerful: to change the world, we must think and act locally while standing united as Europeans. A renewed European model, decentralised, democratic, and open to the world, is the key to regaining citizens’ trust and securing a brighter future.

Read the study here 

For more information, contact: 

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

Study on how local and regional governments apply the SDGs

ADD ME project

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More about #LocalizingSDGs

  • Local and regional governments represented in New York

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

> Read more

  • Engaging citizens in Global Sustainable Development

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

> Read more & register

CEMR Congress on SDGs

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

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

Note to the editor:

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

For more information, contact:

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

Global goals into local action  

Localising SDGs study - News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read the study here 

Check the infographic here 

For more information, contact: 

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

Women in politics – first edition 

CEMR study reveals persistent underrepresentation of women in politics and calls for stronger action at local and European levels 

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Gender equality is a cornerstone of democracy, yet women remain significantly underrepresented in politics across Europe. According to CEMR’s study Women in Politics: Local and European Trends, women account for only 34.1% of political decision-makers, despite representing half of the population. 

At the local level, the situation is particularly concerning: only 15.4% of mayors are women, while women councillors make up just under 30% of local councils. Although there has been gradual progress over the last decade, the pace is slow, and parity remains a distant goal. 

The report highlights important regional variations. Nordic countries lead the way, thanks to decades of policies fostering a genuine culture of equality. In Central and Eastern Europe, positive trends are visible, especially in the Balkans, where reforms and EU accession processes have strengthened gender mainstreaming. Yet, in much of Europe, women still face structural, cultural, and financial barriers to political participation. 

CEMR stresses that achieving gender equality requires more than political rhetoric. Quotas and legal measures have proven effective in boosting women’s representation, but they must be accompanied by mentoring, training, and dedicated funding to empower women candidates and dismantle persistent stereotypes. 

As the level of government closest to citizens, municipalities and regions are pivotal in fostering inclusive leadership. Local office often serves as the first step towards regional, national, or even European roles. Supporting women at this level is therefore essential for building stronger, more representative democracies. 

CEMR, through its European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life and the Equality Observatory, continues to mobilise local and regional governments, promote good practices, and push for equality to remain at the heart of the EU’s political agenda. 

The study’s message is clear: while progress has been made, gender parity in politics is far from achieved. Europe must act now, through quotas, support structures, and political will, to ensure that women and men share power equally at every level of governance. 

Read the study here 

Check the infographics

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