Governance and citizenship

Whether it’s Brexit, the climate strikes or the ‘gilets jaunes’: Europeans no longer want ‘politics as usual’. This sentiment, which is being expressed by the European population, should send a shockwave through EU Member States.

With the European elections just around the corner, local and regional leaders are suggesting one way forward: the EU needs a local shift. This is in substance what they lay down in their Manifesto for a local and regional Europe, channelled by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR).

The Manifesto outlines solutions to make Europe more citizen-inclusive, locally driven and anchored in its communities. The proposals include creating an Erasmus programme for towns and regions, or a yearly local citizens’ debate on EU issues, as well as a focus on women’s political empowerment.

The Manifesto for a local & regional Europe is available in a dozen languages. Watch our collection of messages from mayors, local and regional leaders gathered in this two-minute video. Get comfortable in your chair and hit the PLAY button.