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BALLESTA ORTA Rocío
In Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Latest, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, 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, Latest, Migration and inclusion, Migration and inclusion, 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 

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

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:

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