Publications

Empowering cities against mis/disinformation: building capacity, coordination, and trust According to CEMR’s latest study, nearly half of LRGs report moderate to significant impacts from misinformation,...

2025-10-23

Decentralised Development Cooperation Report #1: a European overview The first Decentralised Development Cooperation (DDC) Report provides a unique snapshot of how local and regional governments...

2025-09-23

Country Profile on decentralised development cooperation: the case of Germany The country profiles offer a short overview of national models of (decentralised) development cooperation frameworks...

2025-09-18

Country Profile on decentralised development cooperation: the case of Poland  The country profiles offer a short overview of national models of (decentralised) development cooperation frameworks...

2025-06-26

Top level decision – Local consequencesThe European Semester explained Just as the EU Commissioners were officially starting their new mandate – which includes the responsibility...

2024-12-18

EU and Member State programmes supporting municipalities in Ukraine’s recovery and cooperation with European partners  In the face of Russia’s invasion and its devastating social...

2024-12-03

Launch of the women in politics study – Breaking the silence, ending the violence  The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is proud to...

2024-11-15

CEMR launches groundbreaking report on the local green transition CEMR is excited to announce the launch of its new report, “Local Green Transition: Prospects for...

2024-10-07

A joint CEMR–EPSU project explores how digitalisation is transforming local and regional governments across Europe and its impact on workers, services and governance  Digital transformation...

2024-10-04

Municipalities and regions explore new approaches to budgeting, from participatory and priority-based models to green and SDG-oriented practices Municipalities, cities and regions across Europe are...

2024-09-03

Post-COVID Recovery Fund: centralisation and unfair distribution of resources risk harming cohesion in Europe A new CoR-CEMR consultation shows that the territorial allocation of funds...

2024-04-16

CEMR survey highlights evolving practices, challenges and opportunities for town twinning in Europe  Town twinning has long been recognised as a bridge between communities, fostering...

2023-12-13

From toddlers to adults: municipalities embrace intersectionality at all ages Intersectionality and diversity are at the heart of gender equality. As identities and lived experiences...

2023-03-03

Cities and municipalities in the driving seat for EU Cohesion Policy funds? What is the common feature between the trolleybuses in Otsravian metropolitan area (Czech...

2023-02-02

How CEMR strengthened its voice and outreach in 2022  In 2022, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) made important strides in communication and...

2022-12-18

How ITI and CLLD strengthen local democracy, multi-level governance, and place-based development in EU cohesion policy  The European Union’s Cohesion Policy is one of its...

2022-12-11

Building a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment at all CEMR events and activities  The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is committed to ensuring...

2022-11-11

CEMR releases landmark study on local finances in European countries People depend on quality local public services and infrastructure every day. Reliable buses, insulated public...

2022-11-10

CEMR’s externally funded projects foster cooperation, innovation, and sustainability across Europe  Through its externally funded activities, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) brings...

2022-11-02

A guide to help local and regional governments navigate 2021–2027 funding opportunities and prepare successful proposals  Accessing European Union funding can be complex, especially for...

2022-10-30

Report on the publications, knowledge-sharing, advocacy and communications in 2021  The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is pleased to present its 2021 Activity...

2022-06-27

Local and regional governments warn of weak involvement, risks of fund misallocation, and limited ownership of recovery plans  The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is...

2022-04-27

Discover “TERRI”: a new online tool mapping territorial reforms and powers in Europe How is Europe’s complex patchwork of local and regional governments evolving? How...

2022-01-24

Democracy, diversity, and sustainability at the heart of CEMR  Since its founding in 1951, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has worked to...

2021-12-01

CEMR’s 15-year reflection process sets the stage for a renewed push to advance gender equality in Europe’s local and regional life  2021 marked the 15th...

2021-11-18

Discover our infographic and key messages for COP26 After much delay and uncertainty to due to COVID crisis, it’s finally happening: the 26th UN summit...

2021-10-26

CEMR report reveals rising costs and falling revenues for local and regional governments during the pandemic, threatening public services and investments As the COVID-19 pandemic...

2021-10-25

Key factors for successful and sustainable partnerships between Ukrainian and EU local governments  Ukrainian municipalities have a long tradition of international cooperation, especially with their...

2021-10-15

CEMR–EPSU handbook helps local government social partners strengthen their role in EU economic governance  The European Semester, launched in 2010 to coordinate EU Member States’...

2021-05-06

How European territories are driving sustainable change amid the Covid-19 crisis  The Covid-19 pandemic has been a profound shock for municipalities and regions across Europe....

2021-04-07

Empowering local and regional governments to uphold the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD)   In 2021, amid the launch of...

2021-03-29

CEMR-EPSU project shows local governments and social partners remain under-involved in shaping EU economic governance The European Semester, introduced in 2010 to coordinate national economic,...

2021-02-19

Exploring how EU Delegations engage with local and regional governments in global development  As the global landscape of development cooperation evolves, the role of local...

2021-01-20

Lessons from the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa on strengthening local capacity for energy access and resilience The Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa...

2021-01-09

How local and regional governments raise awareness for sustainable development through Development Education In the face of global challenges like climate change, migration, and rising...

2020-12-07

How local and regional governments and their associations are driving sustainable development  The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all UN Member States in...

2020-07-16

Evaluating the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa: added value, progress, and lessons for the future  Since its launch in 2015, the Covenant of Mayors...

2020-06-24

A Europe-wide snapshot of the pandemic’s fiscal impact on municipalities and regions, and what support is still missing   The COVID-19 pandemic placed local and regional...

2020-05-31

Local and regional leaders call for a renewed European model, rooted in unity, democracy, and empowered territories Europe has always been a bold political project....

2020-03-28

How African cities are assessing climate risks and building resilient futures  As climate change accelerates, African cities face mounting threats to their infrastructure, economies, and...

2020-01-17

Innovative approaches to funding sustainable urban transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa Cities across Sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly vulnerable to climate change, with two-thirds considered at “extreme...

2019-12-13

Helping Sub-Saharan African cities access funding to deliver local climate and energy action plans Sub-Saharan African cities are on the frontlines of the climate crisis....

2019-10-02

How local and regional government associations turn global goals into local action  The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Goals are often seen...

2019-09-19

Lessons from the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa on energy, adaptation and resilience  The Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) is a...

2019-09-13

CEMR study reveals persistent underrepresentation of women in politics and calls for stronger action at local and European levels  Gender equality is a cornerstone of...

2019-07-01

Discover how national associations unite and represent Europe’s 100,000 towns and regions  Europe is home to approximately 100,000 municipalities, provinces and regions, each embedded in...

2019-01-11

New guide helps African cities unlock funding to implement their sustainable energy and climate plans  As cities across Sub-Saharan Africa face mounting climate threats, they...

2018-11-23

Inclusive dialogues in Africa driving cooperation to strengthen and raise ambition of national climate commitments  Urban areas contribute up to 70% of global greenhouse gas...

2018-10-08

How Europe’s towns and regions are turning global sustainability goals into everyday reality  Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, it has...

2018-08-20