Position papers

The European elections of May 2019 marked a turning point for democracy in the European Union. With more than 400 million citizens called to vote, turnout reached 51%, the highest since 1979, signalling renewed interest in EU politics. Yet, the debate within the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) underlined that more must be done to sustain citizen engagement and strengthen local governments’ role in shaping European policies.

The new European Parliament is more diverse than ever, reflecting a broader range of political views. This diversity will influence the Union’s legislative agenda and policy outcomes. Progress has also been made on gender equality, with women now making up 40% of Members of the European Parliament, up from 36% in the previous mandate.

Still, challenges remain. Increasing citizens’ interest in Europe requires targeted outreach, particularly towards young people, through communication channels they use and trust. Local and regional governments are key to bridging the gap between European institutions and citizens’ daily lives. Strengthening their role in the EU’s decision-making process is essential for the effective preparation, financing, and implementation of policies.

Looking ahead, the new Parliament is expected to continue work on the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) and embed the Sustainable Development Goals into EU legislation. A gender-balanced approach in filling top positions within both the Parliament and the European Commission is also vital to ensuring fair and inclusive representation.

The 2019 elections opened a new chapter for the European Union. Higher participation, improved gender balance, and a more diverse Parliament are encouraging signs, but further efforts are needed to build trust, foster inclusion, and give local governments a stronger voice. By working together, the EU and its citizens can ensure that Europe’s democratic future is both representative and resilient.

For more information, contact:

BORDELOT Federica

Director – Policy & Impact

THOMAS Carol In Governance, Governance, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Latest, Local democracy, Local democracy, Publications

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 and climate resilience, ensuring that policies are designed and delivered as close to citizens as possible is more relevant than ever. In this context, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has released a position paper advocating for a more structured, inclusive, and effective approach to subsidiarity and proportionality in EU decision-making.

The paper responds to the European Commission’s 2018 Communication on subsidiarity and proportionality, which calls for a stronger application of these core principles in the legislative process. CEMR welcomes this shift and provides five concrete proposals to embed local and regional governments more deeply into the EU policy cycle.

Towards active subsidiarity: five key proposals

CEMR argues that local and regional governments (LRGs) are not merely stakeholders but essential partners in the design, implementation and evaluation of EU legislation. To improve policy outcomes, the position paper puts forward five central proposals:

Structured Dialogue: Introduce formal mechanisms to ensure that local and regional governments and their associations are regularly consulted at all stages of policy development, mirroring the success of the Social Dialogue model.

Effective Engagement: Tailor consultation tools to better capture the input of LRGs and provide feedback on how their responses are considered, moving beyond one-size-fits-all approaches.

Weighted Input: Recognise the democratic legitimacy of local authorities by assigning greater weight to their input in EU consultations and encourage deliberative dialogue through local stakeholder meetings.

Use of Local Data: Draw on the unique evidence and experience of LRGs earlier in the legislative cycle, especially through inception impact assessments and a reformed REFIT platform.

Access to Policymaking: Develop systems allowing LRGs to help shape legislation from the ground up and promote models of multilevel governance like those trialled through the Urban Agenda for the EU.

A call for genuine partnership

CEMR highlights that better regulation and stronger subsidiarity are not only technical improvements but democratic imperatives. By embedding multilevel governance and recognising the expertise of towns, cities and regions, the EU can build policies that are more effective, more efficient, and more trusted by citizens.

This paper adds to CEMR’s broader push for a European governance model based on real partnership with local and regional governments. With the next European Commission mandate on the horizon, the time is ripe to make “active subsidiarity” a reality.

For more information, contact:

THOMAS Carol

Senior Adviser, Governance, Gender Equality, Local Democracy

GRIFFON Axelle In Climate, Climate, Environment, Environment, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Latest, Publications, Water, Water

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 EU’s most ambitious environmental laws, aiming for good status of all EU waters by 2027. While progress has been made, challenges such as climate change, pollution, and increasing pressure on water resources demand a renewed and practical approach. In its response to the EU’s fitness check, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) underline the importance of keeping high ambition while ensuring realistic implementation for local and regional governments (LRGs).

Key Messages

Maintain ambition, improve delivery
The WFD has led to clear improvements in Europe’s waters and should be continued. While full achievement by 2027 may not be possible everywhere, the Directive remains a vital tool. Environmental goals must be preserved, supported by realistic intermediate targets and achievable management cycles.

Adjust without lowering ambition
LRGs stress the need to adapt the WFD to 21st-century challenges such as land-use changes, climate impacts, and new pollutants. The Directive should move towards a more realistic framework, reflecting natural and historical influences on water quality.

Better harmonisation with other EU policies
Water protection cannot be addressed in isolation. The WFD must align with related legislation, including the Drinking Water Directive, Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, and rules on water reuse. Agriculture, industry, and transport have major impacts on water quality, requiring stronger links with the Common Agricultural Policy, REACH, and strategies to reduce nitrates, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals in water.

Stronger local involvement and governance
Municipalities, as the level of government closest to citizens and water bodies, must be more involved in water governance. LRGs are best placed to enforce measures, raise awareness, and apply flexible, site-specific solutions. This aligns with SDG 6.5 on integrated water resources management.

Simplification and funding
Implementation of the WFD is often too complex and administratively burdensome for municipalities and water operators. Reporting requirements should be simplified, and EU or national funding must accompany new obligations to ensure effective delivery.

Polluter Pays Principle
A stronger source-control approach is needed. Responsibility for water quality should not fall solely on municipal treatment plants but be shared across all polluters. Applying the “polluter pays” principle will create transparency, fairness, and stronger engagement from all stakeholders.

More flexible derogations
The current rules on exemptions are too rigid, often blocking socially important projects like new wastewater treatment plants. CEMR calls for clearer and more balanced derogation rules, allowing essential societal developments while safeguarding water protection.

CEMR’s position is clear: the WFD has proven its value and must remain ambitious, but reforms are needed to reflect new challenges, reduce administrative burdens, and empower local governments. By ensuring flexibility, proper funding, and shared responsibility, Europe can better safeguard its waters while supporting sustainable development at local and regional levels.

For more information, contact:

Advisor – Environment and mobility

BENNIS Hamza In Employment, Employment, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Latest, Public services, Public services, Publications

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 childcare and broadband. Yet complex EU rules on competition and procurement are increasingly challenging their ability to deliver these services effectively.

That’s the core message of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR)’s position paper, Strong Public Services through Local Governments.

As Europe reflects on its future, CEMR urges policymakers to recognise local governments not as a problem, but as part of the solution. From climate action to social cohesion, local services are key to implementing EU goals on the ground. However, this contribution risks being undermined by overregulation and limited local autonomy.

“European rules should enable, not obstruct, local governments in meeting community needs,” the paper argues.

CEMR highlights the need to:

Respect subsidiarity and local self-government;

Simplify procurement and state aid procedures;

Allow local authorities to support their economies through ‘buy local’ criteria;

Improve legal clarity for public-public cooperation;

Reform litigation-heavy procurement processes.

Despite burdensome procedures, cross-border procurement remains rare, pointing to a mismatch between regulatory effort and actual impact. A more flexible, proportionate system would support innovation and help local governments better serve their communities.

For more information, contact:

BENNIS Hamza

Officer – Employment, Digitalisation and Public Services

BORDELOT Federica In Governance, Governance, Latest, Local democracy, Local democracy, Publications

European elections manifesto of 2019

Stronger EU policies require the full involvement of local and regional governments to ensure democracy, sustainability, and citizen engagement

Read full manifesto

The 2019 European Parliament elections took place at a decisive moment for the Union, marked by global challenges, climate imperatives, and demands for greater transparency. Local and regional leaders stressed that Europe’s future depends on building closer ties between EU institutions and citizens, while ensuring that local governments are recognised as central actors in European governance.

Local Governments at the Heart of Europe
Europe’s 130,000 municipalities and regions are indispensable to democracy and public life. They provide services, drive innovation, and implement EU policies on the ground. To meet citizens’ expectations, the EU must adopt governance models that fully recognise the role of local authorities in decision-making, as outlined in Article 4 of the Treaty on the European Union.

Key Priorities for the Future
The challenges Europe faces, climate change, sustainable growth, social inclusion, and democratic participation, require a strong partnership across all levels of government. Local and regional leaders have called for:

Strengthened cohesion policy as a central EU priority to reduce inequalities and foster sustainable development.
Citizen-centred democracy, including local dialogues between communities and EU institutions and greater transparency in decision-making.
Education for Europe, such as promoting the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in schools and ensuring every pupil has the chance to visit EU institutions.
Climate and global commitments, with local governments mobilising to achieve the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Inclusive governance, with clearer recognition of the representative role of local associations and easier cooperation across borders, including with UK local governments post-Brexit.

A stronger European Union can only be built in partnership with its cities, municipalities, and regions. By embedding local governments into EU governance, supporting their projects, and fostering open dialogue with citizens, Europe can remain democratic, resilient, and united in the face of today’s challenges.

For more information, contact:

BORDELOT Federica

Director – Policy & Impact

GAUDRON Marine In Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Latest, Publications, Territorial development

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 Regions (CEMR) has set out ten key messages on the European Commission’s proposals for the future of cohesion policy. While welcoming steps towards simplification, CEMR warns against funding cuts, weakened territorial approaches and the exclusion of rural development from cohesion policy.

Protecting territorial and partnership principles

CEMR stresses that the Partnership Principle must be enforced across all regulations, ensuring that local and regional governments have a meaningful role in designing and implementing programmes. Equally, the territorial approach should not be sidelined but mainstreamed across all policy objectives of cohesion policy, including ESF+ and CAP rural development.

Ensuring flexibility and capacity

The proposals must safeguard the possibility of multi-fund approaches such as Community Led Local Development (CLLD) and Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI). Local and regional governments also need more flexibility to set investment priorities according to local needs, backed by sufficient resources for capacity building and technical assistance.

Avoiding harmful reductions

CEMR warns that cohesion policy risks losing its integrated character if funding is fragmented or reduced. Particular concern is raised over cuts to European Territorial Cooperation (INTERREG), which plays a vital role in fostering cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation.

Conclusion

CEMR calls on EU institutions to ensure that the next Multiannual Financial Framework preserves cohesion policy as a strong, place-based instrument, rooted in partnership and territorial development, capable of addressing Europe’s diverse challenges.

For more information, contact:

GAUDRON Marine

Advisor – Territorial Cohesion & Local Finances

GRIFFON Axelle In Climate, Climate, Environment, Environment, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Latest, Publications, Sustainable mobility, Sustainable mobility

Review of clean vehicles directive

Rethinking EU Clean Vehicles Rules: Why CEMR Calls for Flexibility, Funding, and Local Autonomy

Read our key messages

With road transport accounting for nearly a quarter of Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions, the EU is pushing for cleaner mobility solutions across all sectors. But in its current form, the proposed revision of the Clean Vehicles Directive could undermine the very public transport systems it aims to green. The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) raises serious concerns about the directive’s scope, rigid procurement quotas, and potential to impose disproportionate costs on local and regional governments.

Rather than empowering local authorities, the directive risks creating new financial burdens, administrative complexity, and counterproductive outcomes, such as reduced services or higher fares that could drive citizens away from public transport.

Key messages include:

Public authorities are not the problem. Local public transport is already among the cleanest transport modes. Efforts must focus more on vehicle manufacturers and private transport operators, not just municipalities.

Procurement must remain flexible. While green public procurement should be encouraged, mandatory environmental or social criteria for public contracts would conflict with the subsidiarity principle and public procurement law. Local governments must retain the freedom to balance cost, service needs, and environmental goals.

Technology neutrality is essential. The directive should avoid favouring specific technologies. Instead, a life-cycle emissions approach should guide definitions of “clean vehicles,” including real-driving emissions and biofuels. Special-purpose vehicles such as snow ploughs and waste trucks should be excluded.

Quotas may backfire. Mandatory targets for clean vehicle procurement risk creating a vicious cycle: higher costs for local authorities may lead to service cuts, higher fares, and reduced public transport use, ultimately undermining climate goals.

Funding must follow ambition. The transition to cleaner fleets requires substantial investment. CEMR calls for EU support, including a “golden rule” exempting public transport investment from Maastricht deficit rules, and more targeted funding.

Reporting must be simplified. New national-level monitoring and reporting rules must not overload the over 100,000 local authorities across the EU. CEMR urges a streamlined, risk-based approach to limit bureaucracy.

Ultimately, CEMR opposes the directive in its current form and urges amendments that respect local autonomy, enable cost-effective transition, and support sustainable transport without penalising the public sector already leading the way.

Read position paper here

For more information, contact:

Advisor – Environment and mobility

BORDELOT Federica In EU budget, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Latest, Migration and inclusion, Publications

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 and opportunities. While national governments define migration policies, it is local and regional governments that carry the responsibility of welcoming newcomers, providing housing, schools, healthcare, and jobs. Yet, access to EU funds that support integration remains complex and often out of reach for municipalities that need it most.

Towards Smarter EU Funding

The post-2020 EU budget framework is an opportunity to rethink how migration funds are designed and accessed. Local governments call for:

More resources for integration: A larger share of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) should be earmarked for integration, rising from 20% to at least 30%.
Direct access to funding: Cities and regions should be able to apply directly to the EU for integration projects, especially when dealing with urgent pressures.
Simpler, fairer rules: Current procedures are often overly bureaucratic, leaving small and medium-sized municipalities excluded. Simplification and flexibility would allow more actors to take part.
Block grants and blending facilities: Innovative funding tools combining multiple EU resources (AMIF, ESF, ERDF) with loans or microfinance could deliver integrated, long-term solutions tailored to local realities.
Better coordination: Strengthening the partnership principle would ensure that municipalities are involved in programming, avoiding duplication and ensuring EU resources meet real needs on the ground.

From Emergency to Long-Term Strategy

Too often, EU migration funds are designed for short-term emergencies rather than sustainable integration. But integration is not a one-off response; it is a long-term process requiring education, job creation, social cohesion, and community investment. Aligning EU funds with local priorities and recognising integration as a shared responsibility will ensure better outcomes for both migrants and host communities.

Migration is a European challenge, but its solutions are local. By improving access to EU funds, simplifying procedures, and investing in long-term integration strategies, Europe can empower municipalities and regions to turn migration into a driver of social cohesion and sustainable development. The future EU budget must make this shift a reality.

For more information, contact:

BORDELOT Federica

Director – Policy & Impact

GRIFFON Axelle In Climate, Climate, Energy, Energy, Environment, Environment, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Latest, Publications

EU strategy on climate change

Why Local Governments Must Be Central to the EU’s Climate Resilience Strategy

As the EU evaluates its 2013 Adaptation Strategy, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) highlights a critical gap: climate resilience cannot succeed without fully involving local and regional governments. In its response to the Commission’s consultation, CEMR stresses that municipalities are already adapting to the effects of climate change, but current EU and national frameworks fail to empower them with the resources, recognition, and flexibility they need.

From floods and droughts to infrastructure strain, local authorities are on the frontlines of climate impacts. Yet too often, policies are shaped top-down, with insufficient consultation and support for those who must implement solutions on the ground. CEMR calls for a strengthened multi-level governance model, dedicated funding streams, and enhanced city-to-city cooperation to ensure the EU’s adaptation ambitions translate into effective, community-driven action.

For more information, contact:

Advisor – Environment and mobility

GRIFFON Axelle In Climate, Climate, Energy, Energy, Environment, Environment, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Latest, Publications

Permanent platforms for energy dialogue

Integrating local governments into national climate and energy planning through multilevel dialogue

The transition towards a sustainable, decentralised and decarbonised energy system is a collective endeavour. Local and regional governments across Europe are already demonstrating leadership, delivering a significant share of the EU’s climate objectives. Yet, despite their strong track record and growing involvement, their role in shaping national climate and energy strategies remains fragmented. Ongoing negotiations on Energy Union Governance open the door to correcting this imbalance by establishing permanent Multilevel Climate and Energy Dialogue Platforms.

Building on local experience
Cities and regions have proven to be persistent drivers of Europe’s energy transition, with research showing they contribute to more than a third of the EU’s 2020 climate target. Initiatives like the Covenant of Mayors have showcased how local ambition can exceed European targets, but without a formal structure, their contributions risk being underutilised. The European Parliament’s proposal for dialogue platforms would ensure local authorities, alongside civil society and business stakeholders, are systematically involved in drafting, monitoring, and reviewing National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) and Long-Term Strategies.

Such platforms would offer multiple benefits: continuous political support, feedback loops between delivery agents and policymakers, shared responsibility across sectors, stronger policy implementation, and the spread of best practices across Member States.

National examples to inspire Europe

Several countries already provide valuable models. In the Netherlands, municipalities and provinces negotiate national energy strategies with the government and social partners, resulting in formal agreements and regional climate plans. France has institutionalised citizen and stakeholder involvement through its Public Debate Commission, engaging the public directly in shaping energy programmes. Sweden demonstrates the value of capacity-building, with national agencies supporting local governments in setting and implementing climate objectives aligned with national goals.

These examples show that permanent platforms for dialogue are both feasible and effective. Institutionalising multilevel dialogue under the Energy Union Governance would not only ensure that the EU benefits from the proven ambition of local authorities but also strengthen the democratic legitimacy and efficiency of Europe’s energy transition. Local governments are ready to contribute, what is needed now is a framework that guarantees their voice is heard at every stage.

For more information, contact: