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Have your say - 20.08.2020

How can the EU's energy rules contribute to a low-carbon future?
The European Commission is reviewing the EU’s rules on energy efficiency and renewable energies. The goal: to see what reforms to this legislation could contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 to 55% by 2030. From refurbishing buildings to the transformation of local power supplies, these rules naturally have a significant impact on towns and regions.

Municipalities, regions and their associations have until 21 September 2020 to share their views. You can answer the consultations on energy efficiency and/or renewable energies via the Commission’s website.
Competition - 19.08.2020

ARLEM Award 2021: calling all young local entrepreneurs in the Mediterranean!
Does your company work with local government? Does your municipality or region support entrepreneurs driving social change? If so, you can compete for the Committee of the Regions’ ARLEM Award, which rewards young entrepreneurs serving their communities in cooperation with local or regional governments.

Enterprises will be judged according to their positive social impact, job creation, innovation, percentage of women in the workforce and respect for workers’ rights. The Award is open to applicants from the South Mediterranean partner countries.

To find more information and apply, please consult the ARLEM Award's web page. Enterprises and local or regional governments have up to 31 August 2020 to apply.
PAYT - 12.08.2020

Pay-As-You-Throw Toolkit for European cities
For too long, polluters have not paid the full price for the damage they cause to our shared environment. The Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) principle seeks to address this by pricing in the cost of throwing things away. PAYT systems reward people and business who responsibly separate rubbish and penalises those who do not.

The PAYT Toolkit enables European cities to create systems that price in the cost of throwing away waste. It provides municipal administrations with a comprehensive process to institute PAYT: assessment of their current waste management situation, creation of appropriate IT systems, involvement of citizens and much more.

The Toolkit was created by the Italian municipality of Prato as part of EU Urban Agenda's partnership on circular economy. The urban Agenda directly connects European, national and city policymakers in order to improve regulation, knowledge and access to funding. CEMR represents European municipalities and its national associations within the Urban Agenda and actively contributes to most of the thematic partnerships.

Checkout the Urban Agenda website to discover some of the other actions being taken, from air quality to urban mobility. What’s more, you can also attend the next online meeting on 8 September of the platform for cooperation on the environment, dedicated to the circular economy as an enabler for a sustainable recovery. The outcome of the partnership's work will be presented at this event organised by the European Commission (DG Environment) and the Committee of the Regions.
Consultation - 30.07.2020

How can we decarbonise European transport?
As part of the Green Deal, the European Union wants to reduce transport-related greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2050. But how should Europe go about achieving this?

Local and regional governments and their associations are encouraged to send in their suggestions to the European Commission. Indeed, the EU’s executive intends to adopt a strategy to meet this target and ensure that the European transport sector is fit for a clean, digital and modern economy.

Objectives include: increasing the uptake of zero-emission vehicles, making sustainable alternative solutions available to the public and businesses, supporting digitalisation and automation, and improving connectivity and access.

Please click here for more information and to submit your suggestions. You have until 10 August to respond.
Public health - 29.07.2020

The WHO's tips for cities fighting COVID-19
Cities are central to modern life, hosting a majority of the world's population today as well as crucial economic sectors. As densely populated areas and transport hubs, cities face particular challenges in containing epidemics. They also have assets, often holding considerable medical infrastructure and resources.

With this in mind, the World Health Organization has issued a short publication providing practical information to city governments fighting against the coronavirus, entitled Strengthening Preparedness for COVID-19 in Cities and Urban Settings Interim Guidance for Local Authorities.

The WHO provides a checklist of measures for cities to take to be well prepared for COVID and other epidemics. These include identifying potentially vulnerable populations, adopting a holistic and evidence-based approach and organising effective communication channels with residents. The WHO also stresses the importance of “coordination and coherence in measures across all governance levels”.
Have your say - 27.07.2020

How can the EU better integrate migrants?
The European Commission is seeking advice on how to better promote the integration and social inclusion of migrants and their children.

Towns, regions and associations with experience in this area have until 21 September to send in their ideas and suggestions as part of the Commission’s consultation on the future of EU migrant integration policies. CEMR will be answering this consultation, but you may also send an individual response.

What’s more, the Commission is setting up a new expert group of migrant advisors. Migrants, or people with a migrant background, with experience in migrant integration issues are encouraged to apply, as are organisations representing migrants’ interests. Be sure to share this opportunity with qualified individuals and organisations you know of. They have until 21 October to apply.
PLATFORMA webinar - 12.06.2020

The future of the Eastern Partnership
The PLATFORMA webinar on the Future of the Eastern Partnership will be organised on Tuesday 16 June from 9.00 to 10.30 CEST. PLATFORMA will discuss the future Eastern Partnership with EU representatives, Partnership countries and players active in the initiative.

Please register via the following registration link. Access codes will be sent at an earlier stage upon registration.

Contact Bella Tskhelishvili for more information.
Virtual workshops - 08.06.2020

The City Science Initiative invites you to a wide range of policy workshops
How can public policies and services take advantage of the results of scientific research and studies? The European Union’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) is organising a number of virtual workshops to answer this question as part of the City Science Initiative. These events bring together city representatives, researchers and policymakers to exchange on the latest science and practices.

The workshops cover a wide variety of topics from the circular economy and sustainable mobility, to information technology and mental health. Checkout the JRC’s website to find out more about the workshops and their dates.
Call for proposals - 08.06.2020

Research on equality and well-being across generations
Equality and Well Being Across Generations (EWG) is a joint call for proposals for research on demographic change and inequalities.

Take a look at EWG's website for more information. You have until 14 September 2020 to apply.