Publications
Housing policy paper
A local housing plan to strengthen the role of cities, towns and regions in addressing Europe’s housing challenges Europe’s housing crisis has reached unprecedented levels,...
2026-03-10
Global Europe 2028–2034
Local and regional governments at the heart of “Global Europe 2028–2034”: our Policy position As the European Union prepares its next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)...
2026-02-16
Climate adaptation position paper
CEMR calls for a territorial approach to Europe’s climate resilience Europe is the fastest-warming continent in the world. Heatwaves, floods, droughts and extreme weather events are already...
2026-02-04
Amendements to the EU budget
Shaping the future of EU Cohesion Policy: CEMR’s amendments to the proposed National and Regional Partnership Plans The EU’s place-based approach to policymaking — which recognises territorial diversity...
2026-01-16
MFF 2028-2034 position paper
A stronger Europe is built locally: CEMR publishes its position paper on the EU Budget 2028–2034 As the EU prepares its next long-term budget, the...
2025-12-15
Digital local and regional governments
How Europe’s municipalities and regions can drive an inclusive, secure and people-centred digital transformation Local and regional governments are at the heart of Europe’s digital...
2025-11-25
EU budget: Local Alliance action plan
Making the next EU budget work for cities and regions: the Local Alliance’s 10-point action plan The Local Alliance – a coalition of Europe’s leading...
2025-11-18
Better regulation position paper
CEMR calls for stronger governance, placing local and regional governments at the heart of Europe’s competitiveness Europe cannot deliver competitiveness with legislation alone. It will...
2025-06-12
CEMR inputs for EU agenda for cities
Towards an inclusive EU Agenda for cities of all sizes As the European Union prepares to shape its next urban strategy, CEMR has published a...
2025-06-04
Renewables with communities first
A European consensus sets guiding principles to accelerate renewable energy and grid deployment while ensuring fairness, transparency, biodiversity protection, and local benefits Europe is at...
2025-03-14
Final call for the EU budget
Local and regional governments’ final call to EU institutions for a real involvement in the design of the EU budget The future of the EU...
2025-03-04
Public procurement to local realities
CEMR Releases New Position Paper on Public Procurement: A Call for More Flexibility and Less Bureaucracy CEMR has officially released its position paper on public...
2025-02-07
EU water resilience strategy
Recommendations for the EU water resilience strategy As Europe faces increasing water challenges—ranging from severe droughts to devastating floods—CEMR is calling for action. In its...
2025-01-31
Future of EU cohesion policy
Rethinking EU budget design to empower local and regional governments post-2027 The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) highlights the critical role of local...
2024-07-05
EU elections call to action
CEMR advocates for local and regional priorities in call to action ahead of 2024 EU elections The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is...
2024-02-15
Sustainable textile waste management
Strengthening EU Waste Legislation Through Local Collaboration and Producer Responsibility As the EU prepares to implement key provisions of the revised Waste Framework Directive, including...
2023-10-26
Insights on cohesion policy funds
CEMR released in-depth study unveiling insights into European cohesion policy funds The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is pleased to announce the release...
2023-09-01
Electricity market design reforms
Reforming the European Electricity Market: Priorities and Challenges In March, the European Commission proposed a regulation to improve the EU’s electricity market. The reform is important...
2023-06-23
Inclusion starts locally
Key lessons from IncluCities to improve migrant integration through multilevel cooperation The IncluCities project, led by CEMR and funded by the EU’s AMIF programme, has...
2023-05-27
Safeguarding local investments
Why EU economic governance reform must protect municipalities’ ability to invest The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has warned that the upcoming reform...
2023-02-02
Smarter building rules in Europe
EPBD revision: Local flexibility and long-term planning key to success, say CEMR and Housing Europe EPBD revision: Local flexibility and long-term planning key to success,...
2022-12-14
Territorial leaders in action at the COP 27
10 key points to prevent the inexorable march toward utter climate disaster It’s now or never. We must gear up for climate action and advance...
2022-10-04
EU directive on gender and domestic violence
CEMR urges multi-level coordination, victim support, and recognition of women politicians’ safety Violence against women and domestic violence remain among the most widespread violations of...
2022-06-28
Empowering local Europe
CEMR unveils its vision for stronger, inclusive and sustainable territories across Europe The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has launched its political manifesto...
2022-02-08
Principles for a digital transition for all
Is the EU’s new approach in tune with local and residents’ needs? Digital services, online platforms and electronic devices have become part of our everyday...
2022-02-07
Modernising working time rules
Balancing worker protection with flexibility and legal clarity in local public service delivery under the Working Time Directive The Council of European Municipalities and Regions...
2021-12-23
Boosting public investment capacities
Rethinking EU economic governance to empower local investment and drive sustainable recovery The COVID-19 crisis has reshaped Europe’s economic landscape and highlighted the essential role...
2021-11-17
Paris agreement at the local level
Glasgow Climate Pact calls for “multilevel and cooperative action” “Disappointment” was a word on the lips of many at the closing on the COP26 UN...
2021-11-16
Fit for 55 – local climate transitions
The Fit for 55 package must empower municipalities and regions to drive Europe’s energy transition The European Union has committed to reaching climate neutrality by...
2021-11-12
EU values in the digital space
CEMR calls for a digital transition that works for all levels of government Local and regional governments must be fully equipped and supported in Europe’s...
2021-09-02
Energy performance in buildings directive
CEMR calls for flexible, well-resourced revisions to the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) The European Green Deal aims to make Europe the first...
2021-03-19
People first in Europe’s mobility shift
Sustainable and smart mobility must be built with, not just for, cities and regions That’s the core message from the Council of European Municipalities and...
2021-03-01
Local waste water policy
CEMR urges a proportionate, flexible and locally tailored approach to EU waste water reforms As the European Commission advances its revision of the Urban Waste...
2021-02-12
Empowering local climate action
CEMR’s Joint Response to the EU Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Directive Reviews The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) submitted a joint response...
2021-02-08
Empowering Europe’s rural future
CEMR urges inclusive, place-based vision for rural territories As the European Union shapes its long-term vision for rural areas, the Council of European Municipalities and...
2020-11-25
Local action for climate at COP26
Municipalities and regions are essential to implementing the Paris Agreement and achieving the SDGs As the world prepares for COP26, the urgency of implementing the...
2020-11-07
Social rights, local action
What are the priorities for implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights with a strong local and regional involvement? The Council of European Municipalities and...
2020-11-05
New EU strategy to climate change
CEMR’s Response to the EU Adaptation Strategy Review The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) strongly supports the development of a revised EU Strategy...
2020-08-19
Local action driving the green deal
CEMR outlines the crucial role of municipalities and regions in making Europe climate neutral by 2050 The European Green Deal, launched in December 2019, sets...
2020-06-01
Gender equality: A local matter
Exploring the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020–2025 and what it means for Europe’s local and regional governments In a significant move for gender equality in...
2020-04-07
Just transition mechanism analysis
The Just Transition Mechanism urges stronger local partnerships and clearer funding priorities The EU’s ambition to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 is taking...
2020-01-14
The future of EU cohesion policy
CEMR opens dialogue on reforming EU Cohesion Policy post-2020 to better support local and regional development The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), representing...
2019-08-23
Europe’s democratic future
The 2019 European elections highlight progress in participation, diversity, and gender balance, but also the need for stronger local involvement in shaping EU policies The...
2019-06-12
Achieve “active subsidiarity”
Improving EU policymaking through stronger dialogue with Europe’s local and regional governments With the European Union facing increasingly complex challenges, from demographic shifts to digitalisation...
2019-03-11
Water framework and floods directive
Balancing high environmental goals with realistic implementation, funding, and stronger local involvement The Water Framework Directive (WFD), in force since 2000, is one of the...
2019-03-02
The future of public services
Simpler EU rules needed to empower local service delivery Local and regional governments are central to ensuring quality public services across Europe, from transport to...
2018-12-12
European elections manifesto of 2019
Stronger EU policies require the full involvement of local and regional governments to ensure democracy, sustainability, and citizen engagement The 2019 European Parliament elections took...
2018-12-11
Cohesion policy at risk
CEMR outlines 10 key messages on the future of cohesion policy and calls for stronger territorial and partnership approaches The Council of European Municipalities and...
2018-08-28
Review of clean vehicles directive
Rethinking EU Clean Vehicles Rules: Why CEMR Calls for Flexibility, Funding, and Local Autonomy With road transport accounting for nearly a quarter of Europe’s greenhouse...
2018-05-12
Funding migration integration
How EU funds can better support local and regional governments in managing migration and long-term inclusion Migration continues to shape Europe’s future, bringing both challenges...
2018-04-02
