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Integration - 03.07.2019

Call to towns and regions for the integration of migrants
“Take part in the ‘Towns and regions for integration' initiative", stated the President of the Committee of the Regions during a seminar organised with CEMR on this topic. To date, the initiative counts more than 100 local and regional governments. It constitutes a political forum to develop and promote EU policies and funding to help with migrant integration, as well as to exchange best practices on the topic.
Sustainable Development Goals - 01.07.2019

What Commissioner Katainen says on towns and regions…
“The European Commission reconsidered the way it cooperates with towns and regions”, revealed European Commissioner Jyrki Katainen, upon the occasion of a debate on the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals. He added: “Indeed, they contribute to up to 65% of the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.” Click here to view the debate.
Local finances - 26.06.2019

Local finances have a new pair of eyes
What drives sustainable growth at local level? What’s the link between decentralisation and financial capacities? The brand new World Observatory on Subnational Government Finance and Investment will significantly help answer these questions. It was launched by the OECD and UCLG on 17 June in Paris. Speaking at the event, CEMR spokesperson on local finances, Cheltenham councillor, Flo Clucas, stressed that “What we are talking about is people, places and productivity. Get people and places right, productivity will follow.”
Multi-level governance - 17.06.2019

Towns and regions call on ministers to take action for multi-level governance
“We, the ministers responsible for urban matters, acknowledge the role and growing importance of urban areas of all sizes in the EU and of local and regional authorities, as the level of governance closest to citizens.” That’s what the Bucharest declaration says, adopted on 14 June, during a meeting of the EU ministers on urban matters. Upon this occasion, the Presidents of CEMR, the Committee of the Regions and EUROCITIES signed a joint letter to call on ministers to give substance to their words and implement the principles of the Pact of Amsterdam: multilevel governance, better knowledge, better funding and better regulation. CEMR spokesperson on Urban policies, Malmö councillor, Ilmar Reepalu voiced the concerns of Europe’s towns and regions at this event.
Age-friendly society - 06.06.2019

Norwegian inspiration: Universal design in an age-friendly society
The Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities, KS, has published a very useful booklet compiling best practices in universal design and age-friendly societies from Norwegian municipalities and counties.
Good practices - 20.05.2019

When cities lead the fight against poverty
In the US, cities lead in fighting poverty. Read the article by Tony Favro on this issue for CityMayors.
Citizen participation - 16.05.2019

Your work on citizen participation should get the recognition it deserves
Don’t you want your ground-breaking project to be properly honoured? The “Best Practice in Citizen Participation” distinction is an award given annually by the International Observatory on Participatory Democracy (IOPD). It recognises the best public policies on citizen participation implemented by local governments.

Get the recognition you deserve: submit your proposal online by 8 June 2019.
Research and studies - 15.05.2019

Share your views on Eurostat
Do you use Eurostat’s information? Give your feedback on the quality of their data.
Smart cities - 08.05.2019

Last chance to become European Capital of Smart Tourism
Will your city be the next European Capital of Smart Tourism? This initiative rewards European cities that give importance to sustainability, digitalisation, cultural heritage, creativity and accessibility in their tourism practices. It also gives you the opportunity to share your exemplary practices as a smart tourism destination.

Apply online by 10 May 2019 at 18:00 CET.