How can #GlobalGateway deliver lasting impact without local governments? Yesterday at @EU_CoR CEMR SG Fabrizio Rossi stressed that investing in cities and regions is essential for resilient, visible results on the ground. New PLATFORMA note ➡️ https://t.co/44tJoNev0O

We are at @EU_CoR @EU_Partnerships Forum of Cities and Regions for International Partnerships on Localising Global Gateway with several of our partners Director of @eLankidetza Javier Cortés chairing the 1st Plenary session on best practices Follow live https://t.co/SmieLswXba

Last week, CEMR joined the “Saxony & Lower Silesia in Development Cooperation” conference in Dresden, sharing tools like the #MatchmakingPlatform, #BridgesofTrustCommunity & #Mindcraft to strengthen municipal partnerships & support recovery.

🌈 The European Capitals of Inclusion & Diversity Award 2026 is OPEN! Local governments can showcase actions that fight discrimination and build inclusive communities. 🗓 Apply by 30 Jan 2026 🏆 Awards: 21 April 2026 🔗 Apply: https://t.co/ihYHOACmWK #DiversityCapitals

🇩🇪 Christoph Schnaudigel, CEMR Co-President, reminded delegates that: 👉 #CohesionPolicy is part of the EU Treaties and essential to the Single Market 👉 #RRF showed the risks of excluding local governments. “LRGs are not the periphery but the centre" #CEMRLeadersSummit

🇲🇹 John Mallia - Malta Cooperative Federation, warned that many citizens feel disconnected from the EU. He called for stronger local decision-making, support for cooperatives, and an #EUBudget that puts people first. #CEMRLeadersSummit

🇮🇹 @CarloBorghetti , Lombardy Regional Councillor, stressed that LRGs must be truly involved in shaping the #EUBudget. He warned that cutting cohesion #Cohesion would weaken competitive regions like #Lombardy, reducing innovation capacity. #CEMRLeadersSummit

🇳🇱 Sigrid Sengers, Mayor of Druten, warned that EU solidarity is at risk if the #MFF becomes “27 national plans..” #Cohesion must stay at the heart of the #EUBudget, with ring-fenced funding and real—not symbolic—LRG involvement. #CEMRLeadersSummit

📊Former MEP and #MFF rapporteur Jan Olbrycht warned that the next #EUBudget debate is “not business as usual”. 🔑 His message: local & regional voices must be clearly embedded in EU plans. #CEMRLeadersSummit

📉 At the #CEMRLeadersSummit, @ZsoltDarvas highlighted a key challenge: the #EUBudget is just 1% of GDP, while national spending is 47%. With such scarce resources, funding must focus on EU-scale public goods — where #Cohesion still plays a vital role.

📈 Day 2 of the #CEMRLeadersSummit from Malta! We open with a political dialogue on the #EUBudget: How can regions and cities shape the 2028–2034 cycle? Insights from @ZsoltDarvas , @JanOlbrycht, Sigrid Sengers @CarloBorghetti, John Mallia & Keith Demicoli

Thanks to all colleagues for the support to continue as part of the @CCRECEMR Presidency alongside colleagues from Norway, France & Germany. It is important for European local & regional government to continue to have a strong voice on many critical matters. @LGAcomms #CEMRMeets

Fabrizio Rossi, CEMR Secretary General: “The demographic crisis is already reshaping our communities. We must bring this urgency into the political arena and communicate it in a way that sustains trust and enables long-term solutions.” #CEMRLeadersSummit

🇪🇪 @juhanijaeger, Municipal Councillor of Elva: “The demographic crisis is a multilevel challenge that requires consistent action. Policy fragmentation has real consequences — when measures were consistent, births rose by 25%. We must regain that impact.” #CEMRLeadersSummit

🇬🇷 Mayor of Agrinio: “The demographic crisis needs coordinated action. @KEDE proposes a national demographic body, reliable data, tax incentives for young people, stronger healthcare and support for large families — with local governments at the centre.” #CEMRLeadersSummit

🟣@KadriUustal from @EUinmyRegion: “The EU population will start declining next year. Demographic change is not a future issue — cities are shrinking today. #Cohesionpolicy can help regions break the vicious cycle by using good data, targeted investment” #CEMRLeadersSummit

👉@ClydeCaruana reminded to the #CEMRLeadersSummit that #Malta is at the frontline of Europe’s demographic transition: “Mobility is transforming our island — over 130 nationalities live and work here. Diversity fuels our economy but stretches education, care and integration”

Alison Zerafa Civelli, Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government (Malta): “To face today’s realities, every council needs a demographic plan with proper financing. Together we can turn demographic pressure into opportunities for smarter governance.” #CEMRLeadersSummit

🚀  We proudly introduce our new CEMR spokespersons — who will represent Europe’s local governments on the key debates shaping our future, from the #EUBudget to #Cohesion or #InternationalCooperation.  #CEMRLeadersSummit