Building Local Resilience: FOSTER Training on Foresight Strategy, Governance, and Gender
Yesterday, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) hosted a training session for the FOSTER – Future Oriented Solutions Toward Environmental Resilience project.
Funded by the European Union’s CERV – Citizens, Equality, Rights, and Values programme, FOSTER aims to strengthen local governance frameworks to address environmental challenges through strategic foresight and inclusive management practices.
This interactive training brought together local stakeholders, representatives from national associations of local governments, and municipal leaders. Its goal was to equip participants with practical tools to address key issues, such as climate resilience, participatory democracy, gender equality, and inclusive communication strategies.
Key Highlights
The event featured a series of workshops and discussions led by CEMR experts:
- Inclusive Communications for Local Governments
Presented by Léa Hetz and Meritxell Parramon Vilè, this session explored ways to communicate effectively while embracing diversity and inclusion.
- Participatory Democracy and Local Governance
Carol Thomas led this module, focusing on how participatory approaches can empower citizens and strengthen governance at the local level.
- Interactive Foresight Game
The training concluded with a collaborative game, where participants applied foresight techniques to urban development scenarios, fostering innovative thinking and practical solutions for future challenges.
Building Capacity for a Sustainable Future
The FOSTER training provided participants with a unique opportunity to gain practical knowledge, share insights, and network with peers across Europe. The hands-on approach ensured that attendees were left with actionable strategies to implement within their communities, particularly in advancing climate resilience, gender equality, and participatory governance.
This initiative is part of CEMR’s ongoing efforts to empower local and regional governments, enabling them to address global challenges while fostering inclusive and sustainable transitions at the local level.
For more information on the FOSTER project, contact our Project Officer below:
Project Officer – Climate & Energy
