CEMR work covers a broad spectrum of themes vital to local and regional governments and their associations. Everything we do serves one purpose: to empower Europe’s towns, cities, and regions to shape a more sustainable, inclusive, and democratic future for their communities.
We organise our activities around four main themes:
This structure allows us to respond effectively to the complex and interconnected challenges facing local and regional governments.
For each thematic, we:
Local leaders are at the heart of the fight against climate change. They are the ones who turn ideas into action: making renewable energy projects possible, encouraging greener buildings, protecting nature, and helping communities adapt to a changing climate.
To make this transformation successful, local and regional governments need the right tools, resources, and support. They can only build cleaner, healthier, and more resilient communities if they are properly empowered and funded. That’s why CEMR works to ensure they have a strong voice and an active role in shaping Europe’s climate and environmental policies.
CEMR connects cities, towns, and regions across Europe and beyond. We create spaces where local leaders can share knowledge, learn from each other, and find solutions that really work. Through advocacy, partnerships, and joint projects, we help develop the skills and tools needed for local governments to lead the green transition effectively.
Together, we can move towards a climate-neutral Europe, protect our natural environment, and make sure that every community has the opportunity to thrive in a sustainable future.
Our ‘climate and energy expert groups’ bring together specialists from our members to shape our positions and exchange practices on these themes.
1. Waste and circular economy expert group
Works on accelerating the transition to a circular, net-zero territory. The group supports the implementation of EU waste legislation, shares solutions for reducing waste and resource use, and contributes to EU policy discussions on circular economy.
2. Environment Expert Group
Covers a broad range of environmental policies, including the EU and international biodiversity strategies, the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the Nature Restoration Law, and water-related directives. It also follows other Green Deal issues and supports local engagement in initiatives such as the Green City Accord.
3. Mobility Expert Group
Follows key EU transport policies affecting local and regional governments, including the Mobility Packages and the revision of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), with a focus on urban nodes and sustainable mobility planning.
4. Climate & Energy Expert Group
Brings together specialists from our member associations to shape CEMR’s policy positions on climate and energy and exchange good practices. The group focuses on Green Deal files related to climate neutrality, the 2050 long-term decarbonisation strategy, international climate negotiations (including COP30), and the Covenant of Mayors in Europe.
CEMR works to make sure that every part of Europe, whether it be cities, towns, or rural areas, can grow and thrive together. To do this, we want to strengthen the links between different territories and encourage cooperation instead of competition. Whether it’s about transport, housing, digital access, climate action, or public services, policies should be designed together so that no area is left behind.
City councils, municipalities, and regional authorities play a central role in making this happen. They know their communities best and are closest to people’s daily lives. With the right support and coordination, they can turn European and national goals into real improvements for citizens: better services, good jobs, and sustainable local economies.
CEMR promotes collaboration between local leaders, regional governments, and communities to build strong, fair, and connected territories. By working together and sharing ideas between urban and rural areas, we can create more balanced growth, reduce inequalities, and ensure that everyone, no matter where they live, has access to opportunities and a good quality of life.
1. Cohesion and territorial development expert group
Monitors EU cohesion policy and the implementation of European Structural and Investment Funds. The group promotes dialogue between local/regional governments and EU institutions, and shares expertise on territorial development, sustainable urban development (including the EU and global Urban Agendas), rural development, and demographic transitions.
Local and regional governments play a key role in helping people access jobs, skills, and opportunities. As Europe faces rapid technological and social changes, they are on the front line of supporting workers, guiding training systems, and ensuring that digitalisation benefits everyone.
CEMR helps municipalities and regions manage these transitions by strengthening their capacity to plan for future skills, modernise public services, and promote digital inclusion. We encourage cooperation between local authorities, education providers, and employers to build fair and resilient labour markets.
By sharing knowledge and bringing local leaders together, CEMR ensures that digital and labour market transformations become opportunities — creating better jobs, stronger public services, and communities where everyone can participate and thrive.
The social dialogue and employment expert groups ensure that the voices of local and regional leaders are heard in EU labour, social, and digital policy debates.
1. Expert group on local and regional government as employers
Focuses on European Social Dialogue, employment policy, EU labour legislation, and working conditions within local and regional administrations.
2. Expert group on digitalisation
Follows the EU Digital Agenda and supports local governments in advancing e-government, digital public services, and data protection.
CEMR believes that strong societies start with strong local democracy. When people can take part in the decisions that shape their daily lives, trust grows, communities become fairer, and no one is left behind.
Local and regional governments are the foundation of democracy in Europe. They work every day to make democracy visible. By listening, engaging, and ensuring everyone has a voice. Promoting gender equality, fighting discrimination, and encouraging equal participation in public life are essential to making local democracy inclusive and representative.
Yet, local democracy faces growing challenges. Increasing hostility and violence against local representatives threaten both individual safety and public trust in institutions. Supporting and protecting local leaders is therefore crucial to safeguarding democratic values and participation.
CEMR works to strengthen local democracy and inclusion through advocacy, dialogue, training, and cooperation. Together with our member associations and European institutions, we promote equality, transparency, and citizen engagement. By empowering local and regional governments and ensuring gender equality and respect for all, we can build inclusive, democratic, and trustworthy societies where every person feels safe, represented, and able to shape their community’s future.
We convene expert groups on equality, migration, governance, and public services, and we coordinate the European Charter for Equality Observatory to support implementation and monitoring across Europe.
1. Governance & local democracy expert group
Focuses on strengthening local democracy and improving the governance of territories. The group works on territorial reforms, citizen participation, open government, better regulation of EU policies, subsidiarity, proportionality, and the EU’s institutional architecture.
2. Standing Committee for equality of women and men in local life
Provides political framework for members on gender equality; supports implementation and monitoring of the European Charter for Equality.
3. Gender equality expert group
Provides the political framework for advancing gender equality at the local and regional levels. It guides members in implementing the European Charter for Equality and supports its monitoring and strategic development.
4. Migration and inclusion expert group
Brings together experts on migration, integration, and asylum. The group monitors EU policies affecting migrant and refugee inclusion, and contributes to CEMR’s activities, advocacy work, and knowledge-sharing initiatives from a local and regional perspective.
5. Public services expert group
Covers key areas affecting local and regional service delivery, including public services regulation, public procurement, state aid, and international trade negotiations.
Our work also covers essential cross-cutting issues that affect all levels of governance and all impact goals.
Our work also covers essential cross-cutting issues that affect all levels of governance and all impact goals.
1. Local finances expert group
Monitors the impact of European regulations on local and regional finances. The group works on European Accounting Standards, VAT regime changes, local taxation, and the broader financial environment for municipalities and regions. It also contributes to developing comparative knowledge on local finances across Europe.
2. Housing task force
Brings together housing specialists from CEMR member countries to exchange on national and local solutions to the housing crisis. The task force contributes to debates on affordable housing and supports CEMR’s input to the upcoming EU Affordable Housing Plan.
3. Twinning expert group
Supports members in the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme, manages guidance for town twinning and partnerships, and contributes to the development of decentralised cooperation, including through the platform.
Each thematic of work at CEMR is represented by a dedicated spokesperson who voices the positions of the organisation.
Get to know them! If you would like to get in touch with any of CEMR’s spokespersons, feel free to contact us at communications@ccre-cemr.org
