Studies

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) and PLATFORMA are releasing today (12 July) their annual study on the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at a United Nations special event in New York. The study is presented by CEMR President Gunn Marit Helgesen at the 6th Local and Regional Governments Forum on the 2030 Agenda, organised in the framework of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), the United Nations annual event on the SDGs.

The report collects data from 41 associations of local and regional governments from greater Europe and makes seven recommendations. As estimates show, 65% of the 169 targets underpinning the 17 SDGs cannot be achieved without the involvement of local and regional governments.

One more time, this report resonates as a strong call to national and European institutions to further recognise and include in their reports progress made by municipalities and regions in achieving the SDGs. More than ever, decentralised cooperation and partnerships are crucial instruments to achieve the 2030 Agenda at the local and regional levels.

“We are fast approaching the halfway point on the road to the 2030 Agenda and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), meaning there are only six summers left!” warns Gunn Marit Helgesen, CEMR President, in the foreword of the study.

The 6th Local and Regional Governments Forum on the 2030 Agenda is organised by UN DESA, the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments (GTF), UN-Habitat, UNDP and Local 2030.

Mayors have a say

This year, the European delegation of local and regional governments is composed of several mayors and councillors:

Gunn Marit Helgesen, CEMR President and Councillor of Vestfold and Telemark, President of the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS)
Magda Kostava, Member of Kutaisi Municipal Council, Georgia (NALAG), member of the CEMR Young elected officials committee
Wim Dries, VVSG President and Mayor of the City of Genk
Luisa Salgueiro, President of the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities (ANMP) and Mayor of Matosinhos, Portugal
Manueal Alvares, Councillor in the Municipality of Matosinhos, Portugal
Stephan Neher, Mayor, City of Rottenburg am Neckar, Germany
Anne-Marie Jean, Vice-President of Eurométropole de Strasbourg (CUF)
André Viola, Councillor, Department of Aude (AFCCRE)

Fabrizio Rossi, CEMR Secretary General, Emilia Saiz, UCLG Secretary General, Lucy Slack, CLGF Secretary General, Unai Tellería, Delegate of the Basque Government (Spain) in the United States, Leen Verbeek and Mathieu Mori, respectively President and Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Congress of Europe are also attending HLPF and parallel dedicated to local and regional governments.

More information:

Discover the study online local-sdgs.eu
Read the study (pdf)
Follow the conversation online with #HLPF2023 & #LocalizingSDGs

For more information, contact:

TONHAUSER Boris

Director – PLATFORMA

BORDELOT Federica In Gender equality, Gender equality, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Local Insights, Publications

Guide on intersectionality

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 of people are not merely additive but intersecting and complex, it is necessary to include these dimensions in public policies to build a more equal society. In France and Italy, two municipalities are already working on it. From a multi-format help desk to representative toys, they show us that intersectionality is a concrete and transversal matter.

Creating an anti-discrimination help desk in Bologna

The municipality of Bologna is committed and active in its pursuit of equality and justice for all, both within its own administration as well as in service of its residents.

The city created a multi-annual positive action plan to implement its equal opportunities objectives and to address inequalities linked to gender, disability, age and sexual orientation. The plan includes measures to ensure accessible documents and websites, to provide training courses, and to organise exchanges of experience.
Since 2021, Bologna has been part of a campaign promoted by Period Think Tank – Data to Count — to allow open and public access to data measuring the impact of public policies on gender dimensions.

Bologna, in cooperation with the Regional network against discrimination in the Emilia Romagna Region, offers residents an anti-discrimination help desk service. Its purpose is to welcome, listen, guide and support victims, direct and indirect witnesses of discrimination on a racial, ethnic, or religious basis.

The help desk offers three formats to make reports and obtain advice: a permanent office is open in the Intercultural Centre Zonarelli; a telephone number is serviced during weekdays and a WhatsApp number is available to leave vocal messages at any time; finally, an online form can be filled out to make reports.

Promoting understanding and acceptance through play in Saint-Médard-en-Jalles

As part of their commitment to the European Charter for Equality, the French municipality of Saint-Médard-en-Jalles has drafted a 2022-2024 Equality action plan. The plan includes an objective to raise awareness among staff working with children, youth, and adults about non-stereotyped education.

In addition to providing trainings to staff and encouraging them to reflect on inequalities within the municipal structure itself, they take action to present models of girls, boys, women, and men that go outside the stereotyped roles children are so frequently presented with.

For example, in the structures welcoming young children, the municipality is rethinking the types of toys that are purchased to include dolls with varying skin tones, characters with disabilities, and games representing people from all walks of life.

Additional resources

2023 International Women’s Rights Day series: “Five new Charter articles illustrated through local actions”

This article is part of a series published by CEMR to celebrate 2023 International Women’s Rights Day. This series informs on impactful initiatives carried out by local and regional governments to promote gender justice.

These projects embody the updated European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life as they show how five of its nine new articles can be put into practice. Together, they represent an inspiring step towards a more gender-equal Europe.

The updated Charter is currently available in English, French and easy-to-read English versions.
Any questions regarding the update or the actions highlighted in this series can be directed to contact@ccre-cemr.org or the relevant national coordinator for the Charter in your country.

For more information, contact:

BORDELOT Federica

Director – Policy & Impact

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

Cohesion policy funds 2021-2027

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 Republic), the local food businesses in Ljubljana Urban Region (Slovenia) and the traditional dance festival in Saint-Gervais-d’Auvergne (France)? They all benefited from the European Cohesion Policy through integrated territorial investments (ITI) or community-led-local development (CLLD).

Behind the term “EU Cohesion Policy” we can find a variety of programmes and fundings such as the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF) or the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) although the latter is now directly attached to the Common Agricultural Policy.

In practice, these funds reach thousands of towns, cities and regions, as well as other beneficiaries through the intermediation of “Managing Authorities” which can be national Ministries or Regions. But there are two lesser-known dimensions of these funds which are directly implemented on the ground: the so-called ‘ITI’ and ‘CLLD’

ITI and CLLD

Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI) and Community Led Local Development (CLLD) are the main mechanisms used to implement European Cohesion Policy funding in an integrated and place-based manner. Using these tools to implement Cohesion Policy funds is a guarantee that local governments and local stakeholders will be closely associated in the design, implementation and monitoring of the EU funds they receive.

They can allow the use of different funds in an integrated way. For instance, a rural municipality interested in a social inclusion project could combine ESF and EAFRD in a single, comprehensive project.

On paper ITI and CLLD are great tools for local and regional governments… But how do they translate in practice?

In 2015, we delved into the analysis of the use of the ITI in different Member States. A few years later, with the start of the new programming period 2021-2027, we reiterated the experiment to understand how these tools were used in practice in the previous period and what the lessons learned and changes in their implementations. Click here to read the full study.

To do so, CEMR reached out to some of its member associations to gather feedback on the implementation and planning of ITI and CLLD tools from the perspective of cities and municipalities.

Highly appreciated tools, but some difficulties in implementation remain

Overall, the many feedbacks we received were quite positive. ITI and CLLD are considered great instruments thanks to their adaptability to local needs and specificities. They empower local authorities, and by doing so help raise their capacities in managing EU funds. But they also strengthen multi-level dialogue between the local authorities and the Managing authorities (either the Ministry or the Region). Hence reinforcing the trust between the different governance levels.

All is not yet rosy either: some challenges remain for fully tapping into the potential of these tools such as the administrative burden still inherent to Cohesion policy funds in general. In CEMR’s new analysis, we also identified some recommendations to improve the uptake of ITI and CLLD in the current and future programming period.

For more information, contact:

Advisor – Territorial Cohesion & Local Finances

GAUDRON Marine In EU budget, EU budget, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Society, Latest, Local democracy, Publications, Territorial development, Territorial development

Bringing Europe closer to its citizens

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 most important instruments for promoting economic, social, and territorial cohesion across its member states. With nearly €392 billion allocated for 2021–2027, it tackles inequalities between regions while supporting a greener, more competitive, and more inclusive Europe. Central to this effort are Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI) and Community-Led Local Development (CLLD), two tools designed to put territorial needs and local actors at the heart of EU funding.

Why integrated tools matter

The foundations for a place-based approach were laid in the 2009 Barca Report, which argued that EU policy should focus on unlocking the potential of specific territories while addressing persistent exclusion. ITI and CLLD, introduced in 2014, operationalise this vision by giving local and regional governments a stronger role in programming, governance, and project implementation.

These tools provide flexibility, enable cooperation across levels of government, and ensure that EU funds target the real needs of communities. For municipalities, regions, and their associations, they are among the most valued features of cohesion policy.

ITI: Integrating strategies across territories

ITI allows funding from several EU programmes to be combined in support of integrated strategies. It has been especially used for urban development, where at least 8% of ERDF funding is earmarked for sustainable urban projects. While designed to cover any functional area, urban, rural, or mixed, ITI is most common in metropolitan settings, where challenges like mobility, housing, and regeneration demand integrated solutions.

CLLD: Communities leading the way

CLLD builds on the LEADER approach to rural development, empowering local action groups of citizens, NGOs, and businesses to design and implement strategies. While most common in rural areas, it has the potential to strengthen participation and ownership in cities, too. CLLD fosters trust, encourages bottom-up innovation, and helps address the needs of vulnerable groups such as youth, migrants, or elderly people.

What worked well

CEMR’s analysis highlights several clear benefits:

Flexibility and relevance – ITI and CLLD adapt EU funding to local needs.
Capacity-building – local authorities gain expertise in managing EU programmes.
Stronger governance – fostering trust and cooperation between local, regional, and national levels.
Visibility of EU action – projects close to citizens showcase the value of EU funds.
Community cohesion – encouraging cooperation among local actors and building metropolitan or regional identity.

Persistent challenges

Despite their value, integrated tools face obstacles:

Administrative burden remains high, with complex procedures and slow fund absorption.
Limited flexibility – strategies must still align with national operational programmes, sometimes restricting genuine local priorities.
Time pressures – integrated projects require trust and participation, often at odds with the EU’s strict N+3 spending rule.
Uneven use of PO5 (“Europe closer to citizens”) – some member states underfund this priority despite its direct link to ITI and CLLD.
Urban uptake of CLLD – adapting the rural-focused model to cities remains difficult.

CEMR recommendations

Looking ahead, municipalities and regions urge the EU to:

Maintain and strengthen integrated tools in cohesion policy.
Simplify procedures at both EU and national levels, avoiding “gold-plating.”
Clarify guidance on multi-funding, project selection, and the use of PO5.
Exempt ITI/CLLD projects from the N+3 rule to allow more time for participatory approaches.
Reintegrate the EAFRD into the Common Provision Regulation to ease multi-fund projects.
Ensure meaningful local involvement in programming, implementation, and evaluation.

Conclusion

ITI and CLLD have proven their worth as vehicles for place-based development, democratic participation, and closer cooperation between Europe and its citizens. While challenges remain, strengthening these tools is essential for making the EU’s cohesion policy more visible, more inclusive, and more responsive to local realities.

For more information, contact:

Read the code of conduct here

Advisor – Territorial Cohesion & Local Finances

OKKALI AKTAS Ayben In About CEMR, About CEMR, Latest, Publications

CEMR Statutes

The legal framework guiding CEMR’s mission and governance

Read statutes

The Statutes of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) set out the legal foundation, mission, and governance structure of the organisation. They define how CEMR operates as an international non-profit association based in Brussels and outline its role in representing local and regional governments across Europe.

At the heart of the Statutes is CEMR’s core mission: to protect and strengthen the autonomy of local and regional governments, promote democratic governance, and support their participation in European and international decision-making. Through advocacy, cooperation, and knowledge exchange, CEMR works to ensure that the voice of cities and regions is heard at the European level.

The document also explains how the organisation is structured and governed. The Policy Committee acts as the main decision-making body, setting strategic priorities and approving budgets, while the Executive Bureau oversees the implementation of decisions and the day-to-day direction of the organisation. The President provides political leadership and representation, and the Secretary General manages the daily operations of the Secretariat.

Membership is open primarily to national associations of local and regional governments that share CEMR’s objectives and democratic values, with additional categories for observers and honorary members.

Overall, the Statutes provide the legal and organisational framework that enables CEMR to work collectively with its members to strengthen local democracy and cooperation across Europe.

For more information, contact:

OKKALI AKTAS Ayben

Officer – Statutory Affairs & Event

OKKALI AKTAS Ayben In About CEMR, About CEMR, Latest, Publications

CEMR code of conduct

Building a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment at all CEMR events and activities

Read Code of Conduct

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is committed to ensuring that all of its activities, from high-level conferences to informal meetings, take place in an environment that is professional, respectful, and free from harassment, violence, or discrimination.

The CEMR Code of Conduct establishes a clear, zero-tolerance approach to inappropriate behaviour. It applies to CEMR staff, members of national associations, elected representatives, and third parties who participate in CEMR events, whether in person or online.

Harassment and discrimination can take many forms, verbal, psychological, physical, or sexual. They may be isolated incidents or systematic behaviours. Regardless of form or setting, such conduct undermines personal dignity and professional integrity and will not be tolerated.

To ensure effective protection, the Code of Conduct outlines:

Reporting procedures: Incidents can be reported verbally or in writing at any time, without fear of reprisal. Immediate steps will be taken to stop misconduct.
Investigation mechanisms: An independent investigative committee, balanced in gender and composition, will review allegations within 30 days and recommend remedies or sanctions.
Confidentiality guarantees: All parties’ rights and privacy will be respected, with strict confidentiality during proceedings.
Remedies and sanctions: Depending on severity, actions may range from mediation and warnings to exclusion from events or referral to public authorities when criminal offences are suspected.

CEMR has also introduced trustworthy persons, specially trained staff who act as first points of contact for colleagues facing stress, conflict, or abusive behaviour. They provide guidance, mediate issues, and ensure that concerns are raised constructively and confidentially.

This Code is a public document, intended not only as an internal standard for CEMR but also as a model that can be adapted by other organisations. By adopting it, CEMR reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding dignity, equality, and inclusivity in every sphere of its work.

For more information, contact:

OKKALI AKTAS Ayben

Officer – Statutory Affairs & Event

GAUDRON Marine In Energy, Latest, Local finances, Local finances, Publications

Sustainable local finances in Europe

CEMR releases landmark study on local finances in European countries

Discover the online tool

People depend on quality local public services and infrastructure every day. Reliable buses, insulated public housing, good schools or clean energy: all of these and more depend on healthy and sustainable local public finances to be developed and maintained.

That’s why the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is releasing a fully-fledged online report and tool entitled Local Finances and the Green Transition in Europe. This one-of-a-kind study provides data and analysis on the trends in local and regional finances in 40 European countries over the past 10 years. The study offers a bird’s eye view of both changes in subnational finances and the remarkable diversity of national situations.

“This report is essential reading for policymakers, politicians and academics. Only by understanding local public finances and unlocking futher investments can we achieve the sustainable and resilient societies our people and planet need”, said CEMR Secretary General, Fabrizio Rossi, who added: “If this report shows one thing, it is that well-funded municipalities, counties and regions are essential to taking care of our people and realising the environmental transition“.

Revealing figures and trends as observed over the last decade

The study reveals for instance that despite making up 25% of all public spending, local and regional governments finance 54% of all public investment. This reflects the leading role of municipalities and regions in investing in areas such as energy efficient housing, smarter public transport and local environmental protection. The climate and energy transition will only happen by working with local and regional governments.

Also noteworthy is that subnational government debt is at a manageable level in the 36 countries where comparative data was available. In fact, local debt is low and stable, a mere 4.8% of GDP on average. By way of comparison, general government debt increased by the middle of the decade to 67% of GDP (and to 81% in 2020).

While browsing through the online study, you will also come across a special section on the impact of the EU’s €720-billion post-COVID recovery plan on local and regional governments. This chapter looks in particular at the implications for the green transition and territorial cohesion.

The data shows clearly that the share of green transition among the main RRF spending areas is higher in the decentralised countries. Stronger local and regional governments can support more recovery and resilience programmes and actions.

A dynamic and interactive online tool

“Local Finances and the Green Transition in Europe” is available as an interactive online tool as well as in PDF format. The online tool contains:

an easy to navigate structure, allowing you to zoom in on any part of the report that interests you, from macroeconomic analysis to the take-away political recommendations
an interactive map with selectable local financial data
the ability to view any of the study’s 36 charts, 12 statistical tables and 25 national case studies
an introductory video

The study is currently only available in English. The French version is under development.

The study was launched on 10 November 2022 at the occasion of a seminar bringing together representatives of many of CEMR’s member associations, the OECD, KDZ and the study’s co-author Gábor Péteri.

For more information:

Advisor – Territorial Cohesion & Local Finances

CEMR projects overview

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 local and regional leaders together to exchange ideas, test solutions, and build stronger communities. These projects are more than initiatives: they are platforms where municipalities and regions collaborate on Europe’s most pressing challenges, from climate action to equality, from digitalisation to democratic participation.

Overview of Projects
CEMR’s portfolio of externally funded projects reflects its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and inclusion:

Reference Framework for Sustainable Cities (RFSC) – Supporting sustainable cities with a practical tool to plan and assess policies.
IncluCities – Advancing migrant integration through peer learning among municipalities.
Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) – Driving circular economy solutions for cities and regions.
Green City Accord – Helping European cities commit to ambitious environmental goals.
Covenant of Mayors – Uniting local leaders in climate and energy action.
PLATFORMA – Strengthening international partnerships and decentralised cooperation.
Bridges of Trust – Building ties between Ukrainian and European municipalities.
EPSU (Local Digital) – Supporting local administrations in navigating digital transitions.
EPSU (Third-Party Violence) – Tackling violence against public service workers.
Go.Li.EU – Promoting youth engagement and European citizenship.

Together, these projects illustrate how CEMR channels external resources into meaningful action. By bridging local realities with European priorities, they not only empower municipalities and regions but also shape a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future for all.

For more information, contact:

GURI Durmish

Director – Projects & Programmes

GAUDRON Marine In EU budget, Impact community Society, Latest, Projects and programmes, Publications

How to unlock EU funds

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 municipalities and regions unfamiliar with project management procedures. To address this challenge, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has developed a guide within its new External Funded Activities (EFA) Platform. The guide provides practical support for members, including information on funding opportunities, thematic priorities, and tips for writing strong proposals.

The current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021–2027, boosted by Next Generation EU, represents the EU’s largest-ever budget, totalling €2 trillion. More than half is dedicated to research, innovation, digitalisation, and climate action, while one-third supports cohesion policy. For local and regional governments (LRGs), this translates into significant opportunities to finance projects across diverse fields.

The guide outlines how to navigate the Funding and Tenders Portal, the central entry point for EU calls. It explains how applicants can:

Search funding opportunities and partners;
Check eligibility;
Submit proposals online;
Manage reporting and compliance requirements.

It also provides advice on preparing successful project proposals. Key recommendations include aligning projects with EU policy goals, ensuring sustainability and impact, and selecting experienced, committed partners. Strong project teams, clear narratives, and realistic budgets are critical for success.

Finally, the guide emphasises capacity-building. CEMR encourages municipalities to build internal expertise, engage with partners early, and take advantage of available training and support services.

By simplifying complex procedures, the CEMR guide aims to empower local and regional authorities to fully tap into EU funds and deliver projects that advance Europe’s priorities, from green transition to digital innovation.

For more information, contact:

Advisor – Territorial Cohesion & Local Finances

TONHAUSER Boris In Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Latest, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Publications

Annual report on SDGs goes digital

Our annual report on the SDGs goes digital at the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF)