Studies

As the global landscape of development cooperation evolves, the role of local and regional governments (LRGs) has moved from the margins to the mainstream. No longer seen merely as beneficiaries of aid, LRGs are now recognised as key actors in the design, implementation and ownership of sustainable development policies.

With over 139 EU Delegations around the world, the European Union plays a pivotal role in supporting governance and development at all levels. This new PLATFORMA study explores how these Delegations are engaging with LRGs, the value of their cooperation, and the road ahead.

This study highlights the growing political relevance of decentralised cooperation, mayor-to-mayor partnerships, city-to-city exchanges, and collaboration between national associations in achieving sustainable development. EU Delegations, representing the EU in partner countries, manage funding and support development policies aligned with local needs. In this context, their relationship with LRGs is crucial.

Key insights from the study include:

Local knowledge matters: LRGs are closest to citizens and understand their needs. Their involvement improves governance, ensures better delivery of services, and strengthens citizen engagement.
TALD – Territorial Approach to Local Development: Promoted by PLATFORMA, TALD ensures local development strategies are not only nationally supported, but locally owned and shaped.
From consultation to partnership: The new 2021–2027 EU Multiannual Financial Framework emphasises a permanent policy dialogue with LRGs, beginning with programme design and continuing through implementation and monitoring.

Yet, the study also reveals a mixed picture. While some Delegations engage actively with local authority associations and decentralised actors, others have limited or no contact, missing opportunities for peer learning and stronger governance.

The study calls for a deeper and more consistent relationship between EU Delegations and local governments in partner countries. It identifies four key areas where progress can be made:

Training: EU Delegation staff would benefit from greater awareness of local governance realities, decentralisation processes, and participatory mechanisms. LRGs can offer training and insights rooted in real experience.

Political closeness: LRGs understand the language of local politics. Stronger ties between EU Delegations and elected representatives could boost trust and effectiveness.

Networks and awareness: LRGs bring with them local networks and credibility. Their role in development education and public awareness can link global goals with local realities.

Support to associations: Many national associations of LRGs remain underused. Targeted EU support could enhance their capacity, sustainability and leadership in local development.

By investing in these relationships, the EU can reinforce its commitment to local ownership, sustainable development and effective international cooperation. Ultimately, localising global agendas such as the 2030 SDGs will only be possible if local voices are not only heard, but also empowered.

For more information, contact:

TONHAUSER Boris

Director – PLATFORMA

BIZARRO Pedro In Climate, Climate, Covenant of Mayors for Sub-Saharan Africa [closed project], Covenant of Mayors for Sub-Saharan Africa [closed project], Environment, Environment, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Press, Projects and Programmes, Projects and programmes, Publications

Building climate-ready cities in Africa

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 (CoM SSA) has, over its first four years, shown that local leadership is essential in tackling climate change and improving energy access. Supported by the European Union and global partners, the initiative empowers municipalities to design and implement Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plans (SEACAPs), tailored to their contexts.

Developing Local Capacity

One of the clearest lessons is the importance of involving African partners early and consistently. Contextualising European approaches to local realities in Sub-Saharan Africa has proven key to success. Peer-to-peer learning, including informal exchanges like WhatsApp groups, has strengthened communities of practice and allowed cities to share knowledge beyond language and geographic barriers.

At the same time, challenges remain. Sparse data, limited technical expertise, and difficulties in political continuity have slowed progress. Travel barriers, connectivity issues, and shifting national dynamics have highlighted the need for more flexible and innovative support structures. The presence of local intermediary organisations, universities, NGOs, or research centres has emerged as critical in anchoring capacity and ensuring sustainability beyond donor cycles.

Successes and Lessons
Despite obstacles, CoM SSA has enabled cities such as Bouaké, Dakar, and Tsévié to make tangible progress on emissions inventories and resilience planning. The development of SEACAP guidelines, adapted through extensive consultation, provided a framework that cities could build upon. Simplified tools and hands-on training helped municipalities overcome initial hurdles, while regional workshops fostered solidarity and collective ambition.

The first phase of CoM SSA demonstrates that building climate resilience in African cities requires time, trust, and resources. Moving forward, stronger capacity-building, continuous peer exchanges, and deeper involvement of local support organisations will be vital. With growing international momentum on climate action, this initiative has laid the groundwork for a long-term transformation: cities that are not only more resilient but also better equipped to deliver sustainable energy for all.

For more information, contact:

Project Lead – Climate, Energy & Urban Development

BALLESTA ORTA Rocío In Impact community Society, Impact community Society, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Press, Projects and Programmes, Projects and programmes, Publications

Educating for global citizenship

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 inequalities, citizen engagement is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. Local and regional governments (LRGs), being the level of governance closest to the people, are uniquely positioned to connect global issues with daily realities. Through Development Education and Awareness Raising (DEAR), LRGs play a transformative role in fostering active, informed and responsible citizenship.

DEAR is not just about delivering information, it’s about sparking engagement, critical thinking, and collective action. This article presents the key findings and recommendations from PLATFORMA’s Success Stories Collection, showcasing how LRGs and their associations help citizens understand global interdependencies and become agents of change.

PLATFORMA, a pan-European coalition of LRGs active in development cooperation, advocates for the strategic role of LRGs in informing, mobilising, and engaging communities for global sustainable development. The collection highlights real-life examples of how LRGs across Europe use DEAR to bring the 2030 Agenda closer to citizens.

Why LRGs Matter for DEAR
LRGs are trusted institutions with a public mandate. By collaborating with schools, civil society organisations (CSOs), and cultural actors, they can:

Simplify complex global agendas like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) without diluting their message,
Restore trust in public institutions,
Build social cohesion,
Reach under-resourced municipalities through national associations of LRGs (LRGAs).

What is DEAR?
Development Education and Awareness Raising (DEAR) strategies seek to transform community behaviour and attitudes toward global challenges. Rooted in concepts like Global Citizenship Education (GCE), DEAR blends learning with action. Its two main approaches are:

Global-Learning: Focused on knowledge-building and participatory education.
Campaigning-Advocacy: Aimed at policy and behaviour change through public mobilisation.

Showcasing DEAR in Action
The publication features 19 case studies, divided into two parts:

Part 1: Ten Campaigning-Advocacy projects targeting policy or institutional changes.
Part 2: Nine Global-Learning projects focused on pedagogical empowerment and community knowledge-building.
A third section delves into the financial tools and methodologies that support DEAR implementation.

The DEAR experience proves that raising citizens’ awareness is not a one-off campaign, it’s a continuous process of reflection, transformation, and action. PLATFORMA outlines seven clear recommendations for local and regional governments to enhance their DEAR impact:

Promote whole-of-society partnerships: Create inclusive spaces and initiatives like the European Days of Local Solidarity to unite communities around shared challenges.

Commit to long-term planning: Change takes time; DEAR strategies must evolve and stay relevant.

Foster mutual learning and participation: Engage citizens in workshops, forums, and school programmes, learning is most effective when it is shared.

Defend the unique role of LRGs: Encourage inclusion of LRGs in EU DEAR calls and empower their associations to support smaller municipalities.

Prioritise youth engagement: Let young people lead and amplify messages through social media and peer-to-peer initiatives.

Use public and digital spaces creatively: Awareness campaigns in urban areas and online tools ensure a wide reach and participation.

Evaluate meaningfully: Include both qualitative and quantitative indicators, participatory feedback, and mid-term evaluations to track behaviour change.

As we face increasingly complex global challenges, LRGs and their associations are vital in shaping how communities think, act, and respond. By embedding DEAR into their governance and outreach strategies, local institutions become not only service providers but educators and catalysts of global change.

For more information, contact:

BALLESTA ORTA Rocío

Officer – Education & Development

BANOS DE GUISASOLA Eva In Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Press, Publications

Localising the 2030 Agenda

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 2015, laid out an ambitious global roadmap for peace, prosperity, people, and the planet. Its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are universal in nature but require deeply localised responses to be effectively achieved.

Local and regional governments (LRGs), and the associations that represent them are at the frontline of this challenge. They have the democratic mandate, institutional legitimacy, and daily proximity to citizens to implement sustainable solutions tailored to local realities. This article explores the critical role these governments and their national associations play in bringing the 2030 Agenda to life across Europe and beyond.

The Role of LRGs and Their Associations
Local and regional governments are uniquely positioned to translate global goals into tangible public policies and services. Whether it’s improving access to education, ensuring clean water, fostering inclusive economies, or promoting environmental protection, the SDGs intersect directly with their mandates.

However, the successful localisation of the SDGs requires not only local action but also strong national coordination and multilevel governance. That’s where national associations of LRGs come in. They serve as intermediaries between municipal and national levels, raising awareness, building capacity, and advocating for policy coherence and the resources necessary for implementation.

A Framework for Transformation
For LRGs, the 2030 Agenda is more than a checklist, it’s a strategic and transformative framework that enables long-term thinking, breaks down silos across departments, and connects various stakeholders. When well-integrated, the SDGs improve how public services are delivered and empower communities to engage meaningfully in decision-making processes.

A New Decade of Action and Challenge
Despite early progress, the world is not yet on track to meet the SDGs by 2030. The COVID-19 pandemic has added new complexity, strained local budgets and exacerbated inequalities. Yet the pandemic also highlighted the vital role of LRGs in crisis response, ensuring healthcare access, food security, education continuity, and social protection.

The recovery period offers a chance to “build back better” by placing the SDGs at the core of reconstruction efforts. The UN Secretary General has emphasised the 2030 Agenda as a guiding principle for a resilient, inclusive, and green recovery. In this context, national associations of LRGs become even more essential to facilitate dialogue, share knowledge, and advocate for the tools local governments need to succeed.

The decade ahead will be decisive. The COVID-19 crisis may have disrupted momentum, but it has not undermined the fundamental relevance of the 2030 Agenda. On the contrary, it has reaffirmed the importance of public services, local resilience, and inclusive governance, values that are deeply embedded in the SDGs.

Local and regional governments, supported by their associations, are essential actors in this journey. They are adapting, experimenting, and collaborating to deliver sustainable results, even amid uncertainty. Their work shows that global agendas only become real when rooted in local action.

Going forward, stronger partnerships across sectors and governance levels are needed to ensure no place and no person is left behind. Multi-level and multi-sector cooperation will be vital to address the growing challenges ahead and to seize the opportunities that lie in sustainable, equitable recovery.

In short, if the SDGs are to be met, they must be localised and that starts with empowering the actors who are closest to the people.

For more information, contact:

BANOS DE GUISASOLA Eva

Senior Advisor – Global Agendas, SDGs & Climate

TONHAUSER Boris In Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Press, Publications

Agenda 2030 study for local and regional governments

Just out: New study reveals how municipalities, regions and their associations are embracing the SDGs

Caught in the COVID-19 storm, Europe’s local and regional governments and their associations are at risk of losing the progress made in the last few years to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Although they are increasingly familiar with the Global Goals, they need further support to bring international ambitions to territorial realities.

This is what emerges from a new study led by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) and PLATFORMA entitled “The 2030 Agenda through the eyes of local and regional governments’ associations”.

In times of COVID-19: the SDGs at a make-or-break moment

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe and around the world has brought about unprecedented challenges for local and regional governments. In several countries, the pandemic has markedly deepened inequalities and has slowed down efforts to raise awareness and promote the work of the 2030 Agenda at local and regional level.

“The current crisis and the uncertain future are a call for action. Every player around the globe has to act now,” said Tine Soens, Member of the City Council of Kortrijk (Belgium), CEMR and PLATFORMA Spokesperson on 2030 Agenda. “Local and regional leaders should not be afraid to take the leap! Our generation of politicians, civil servants and citizens is the generation that has to turn the tide.”

The study at a glance

Based on a survey of 34 associations from 28 European countries, the study shows that one third use the SDGs as an important reference in their own development strategies, compared to only one fifth last year. What’s more, four out of five associations are aware of the SDGs. The trend is clear: year after year, local and regional governments and their associations are increasingly making the efforts necessary to materialise the global agenda at local level.

But have the SDGs also gained traction among central governments? Our study shows that close to 80% of associations indicated that there is an official national strategy to implement the SDGs. For those who indicated that a national strategy has been set up, 59% specified that there is a clear mention of the need to support local and regional action in SDG implementation.

Nevertheless, there is still considerable room for improvement to bring about closer ties between all levels of government and to achieve global progress on sustainable development. To step up our efforts, the study offers a checklist for associations “Know where your members stand in the localisation of the SDGs”, a set of simple steps to contribute to Voluntary National Reporting and several key recommendations.

What’s more, this 40-page publication is packed full of illustrative examples from the ground. Finally, it identifies persisting challenges and new opportunities that municipalities, regions and their associations have been encountering when working with the SDGs. These come at a timely moment as the pandemic continues to spread around the world.

Background information

This new study is based on a joint survey conducted by CEMR and PLATFORMA, designed in collaboration with United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG). It is a follow up to the 2019 study “How local & regional government associations bring the SDGs to life” and the 2018 study “Sustainable Development Goals – How Europe’s towns and regions are taking the lead”.

The study was launched on 15 July 2020 at the occasion of the workshop Localising the Sustainable Development Goals (watch the recording) organised by PLATFORMA during the United Nations’ 2020 High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF).

PLATFORMA and CEMR are actively taking part in many of this virtual event’s sessions and webinars together with their partners and members.

Please click on this link if you want to get printed copies of our study (Europe only).

For more information, contact:

TONHAUSER Boris

Director – PLATFORMA

Evaluation of Covenant of Mayors in Africa

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 in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) has become a major initiative supporting African cities in their response to climate change and in improving access to clean energy. Funded by the European Union and co-financed by Germany and Spain, CoM SSA is part of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. Today, more than 200 cities across 36 Sub-Saharan countries have signed up, committing to long-term climate and energy action through Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plans (SEACAPs).

Programme Achievements
The final evaluation highlights both the relevance and scale of the initiative. With Africa’s rapid urbanisation, CoM SSA’s focus on local governments is crucial. The programme has successfully engaged hundreds of municipalities, surpassing its target of 200 signatories, and has provided significant capacity building through technical assistance and workshops. Cities especially valued peer exchanges, which created strong networks for sharing experiences and best practices.

Pilot projects showed mixed results: while some cities advanced quickly with draft SEACAPs, others faced delays due to political instability, lack of technical expertise, or limited direct involvement of city administrations. Still, the overall added value of the initiative is clear: it created political ownership, improved local technical skills, and promoted sustainable energy and climate planning at the local level.

Key Lessons and Recommendations
The evaluation also draws important lessons for the future. Greater alignment between local SEACAPs and national climate strategies is needed to ensure impact. Capacity building remains a priority, requiring more technical staff on the ground and support from local organisations to guarantee continuity. Better coordination with other international programmes is recommended to avoid duplication of efforts. Finally, fostering multilingual platforms for experience-sharing among cities will strengthen the CoM SSA community and enhance learning across regions.

The Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa has proven its relevance and value by mobilising hundreds of cities and building local capacity for climate action. While challenges remain, the initiative has laid a strong foundation for Phase III, where scaling up, deepening vertical integration with national governments, and securing sustainable financing will be key. CoM SSA is now well-positioned to continue empowering African municipalities as central actors in the global fight against climate change.

For more information, contact:

Project Lead – Climate, Energy & Urban Development

GAUDRON Marine In EU budget, EU budget, Governance, Governance, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Local finances, Local finances, Press, Publications, Territorial development

COVID impact on local finances

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 governments at the frontline of public health response in Europe. While ensuring safety, maintaining essential services, and supporting vulnerable populations, these governments were simultaneously burdened with spiralling costs and plummeting revenues. A survey conducted by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) in May 2020 offers critical insight into the financial distress faced by cities and municipalities across 17 European countries.

The survey reveals a dual pressure on local and regional finances: soaring expenditures, primarily for personal protective equipment, sanitation, and social support and sharp declines in revenue due to reduced economic activity. Tax revenues, municipal service fees, and income from the cultural and tourism sectors were severely impacted. For example, Bulgaria saw a 41% decrease in municipal income from its own sources, and Austria faced estimated municipal revenue losses between €900 million and €2 billion.

While local authorities acted swiftly, organising food deliveries, providing accommodation for healthcare workers, and ensuring online education, support from national governments was slow and often insufficient. Although a few countries, like Estonia and Germany, implemented meaningful aid measures, most national support was delayed, limited, or only promised in future budget cycles.

Many governments, like in France and Sweden, pledged support, but uncertainty remains about the long-term sustainability of subnational budgets. Furthermore, the varied structure of local financing systems across Europe means that the financial impact differs widely between countries and even among municipalities within the same country.

The CEMR report makes it clear: without timely and adequate support from national and European levels, local and regional governments risk losing the capacity to invest in recovery and sustainable development. To prevent a prolonged post-pandemic investment slump, EU funds, especially from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, must be made directly accessible to local authorities.

Only by empowering municipalities can Europe hope to achieve its long-term goals for resilience, cohesion, and sustainability. Now is the time for stronger multilevel cooperation and for the EU to acknowledge the central role of local and regional governments in shaping recovery.

For more information, contact:

GAUDRON Marine

Advisor – Territorial Cohesion & Local Finances

ROSSI Fabrizio In Governance, Governance, Impact community Society, Local democracy, Local democracy, Press, Publications, Twinning

Europe 2030 – local leaders speak out

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. Born from the ashes of two World Wars, it was built on the conviction that lasting peace and prosperity can only be achieved together. From the beginning, local and regional leaders played a decisive role: mayors and municipalities spearheaded cooperation across borders and called for stronger local democracy through the European Charter for Local Liberties.

Today, facing crises from climate change to migration, from social tensions to war at its borders, Europe once again needs its local pioneers. In 2016, CEMR launched a visionary initiative inviting leaders, citizens, and young people to share their vision of Europe in 2030. The results were clear: citizens want a more cohesive, democratic, and responsive Europe, one that listens and acts closer to their daily lives.

The vision for 2030 is ambitious: empower local and regional governments with greater resources, strengthen cooperation between all levels of governance, and ensure that policies remain people-centered. Local governments already provide over 60% of public investment in the EU, showing that they are key drivers of innovation, social support, and sustainable development.

Contributors stress that decentralisation is essential to building trust in democracy. Nation-states should act as regulators and guarantors of equality, regions should drive economic growth, and towns should remain the heart of community life. At the same time, Europe must stay united in diversity, serving as the guardian of territorial cohesion, welfare, and collective security.

By 2030, Europe will be more global and more urban. Local and regional governments must therefore take a stronger role in international cooperation, through city diplomacy, twinning, knowledge-sharing, and decentralised cooperation, to tackle challenges like climate change and sustainable development.

The message is simple but powerful: to change the world, we must think and act locally while standing united as Europeans. A renewed European model, decentralised, democratic, and open to the world, is the key to regaining citizens’ trust and securing a brighter future.

For more information, contact:

ROSSI Fabrizio

Secretary General

Adapting to climate in Africa

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 public health. Rising sea levels, water scarcity, disease outbreaks, and food insecurity are just some of the growing challenges. In response, many local governments across the continent are taking voluntary steps to adapt and strengthen territorial resilience.

Adaptation is more than reacting to extreme weather, it means preparing for long-term climate impacts and turning risks into development opportunities. This involves adjusting policies, infrastructure, and urban practices to reduce vulnerability and protect communities.

A recent methodological review explores how African cities are assessing the local effects of climate change and using that knowledge to shape their adaptation strategies. Actions range from bioclimatic architecture to reduce indoor heat, to shifting agricultural practices, protecting water resources, and diversifying tourism away from climate-vulnerable coastlines.

Importantly, cities must ensure that adaptation and mitigation plans are aligned. Involving the same stakeholders in both processes supports integrated planning and more coherent climate action.

This work reflects a growing commitment among African cities to lead the way in climate adaptation by studying local risks, acting early, and building more sustainable urban futures.

For more information, contact:

Project Lead – Climate, Energy & Urban Development

Financing climate action in African cities

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 risk”. Yet, these same cities, particularly smaller and secondary urban areas, also hold significant potential to drive sustainable development. Through the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA), local governments are acting by developing Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plans (SEACAPs) and seeking ways to finance their implementation.

Building on years of support, the CoM SSA initiative is now focused on helping cities move from planning to implementation, particularly by unlocking access to climate finance. This includes support in understanding the finance landscape, preparing robust projects, and building partnerships with funders and investors.

A recent publication highlights solutions adopted by cities to finance SEACAPs, from reducing planning costs through inter-municipal cooperation to using public-private partnerships, risk-sharing mechanisms, and community-based funding models.

Key lessons include:

Diversifying financial sources improves resilience and reduces dependency. This includes crowdfunding, climate funds, local capital markets, and private investment.

Empowering communities through pooled resources, microfinance, and participatory planning ensures sustainability and buy-in.

Using digital technologies helps cities manage climate action more efficiently and affordably.

These examples illustrate that while challenges remain, Sub-Saharan African cities are making progress in creating bankable, inclusive, and resilient climate solutions, paving the way for sustainable urban futures.

For more information, contact: