News - UDiTE
CALL FOR SIDE EVENTS TO EUROPEAN WEEK OF REGIONS AND CITIES PUBLISHED
On the 28th June the CoR published a call for proposals for side events to the European Week of Regions and Cities 2021.
UDITE CONGRESS TAKING SHAPE!
Arrangements for next UDITE congress are progressing now that the French syndicate, SNDGCT has confirmed the rescheduled date in Metz at the Robert Schuman Congress Centre from 14th to 16th October 2021.
EUROPEAN WEEK OF REGIONS AND CITIES 2021 LAUNCHED
The 19th edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities will take place from 11th to 14th October 2021. Call for side events open!
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - JUNE 2021
Whatever the subject, theme or issue at hand, our professionalism comes into play when selecting the method we apply to execute our work. The office we all hold, whatever the title, has the sole purpose of being of service to the public in the Cities, Towns, and Villages we serve
ECOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION TAKES CENTRE STAGE IN BRUSSELS
Another EU Green Week is over attracting a record online audience from citizens and stakeholders around the EU. Dedicated to the EU ambition of a zero pollution, the event zoomed in on efforts to tackle pollution of air, soil and water, creating a world where pollution is no longer harmful for people’s health and ecosystems.
BRUSSELS MUNICIPALITIES AT THE HEART OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THE HEALTH CRISIS
In this edition we have been speaking to Philippe Rossignol, Communal secretary in Berchem-Sainte-Agathe and President of the Federation of Brussels Municipal Secretaries
PARALYMPIC LEGEND ELECTED CHAIR OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION IN ENGLAND & WALES
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, has successfully elected as the Local Government Association president, which is a cross-party role, at the LGA’s virtual general assembly in July. She is better known to the public as one of the UK’s most decorated Paralympic athletes, winning eleven gold medals as well as four silvers and a bronze, over 16 years for GB.
NATIONAL PLANS FOR 860 BILLION RECOVERY FUNDS SUBMITTED TO BRUSSELS
In Brussels the wheels have started to turn in the EU machinery to get the €800bn recovery package deployed to mitigate the economic fallout from the pandemic.
MARSEILLE TO HOST MAJOR 2022 SUMMIT OF REGIONS AND CITIES ON THE FUTURE OF EUROPE?
Speaking on Europe Day on 9th May in Strasbourg, for the European Union’s launch event of the Conference on the Future of Europe - President of the EU Committee of the Regions Apostolos Tzitzikostas set why the EU institutions must reach out to local and regional authorities if it is to be a success.
COUNCIL OF EUROPE DISCUSSES THE ‘15-MINUTE CITY’ – A LOCKDOWN DAYDREAM OR A MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN LIVING?
The World Forum for Democracy has given itself 12 months to answer one question: Can democracy save the environment? In a recent webinar hosted between the Council of Europe and the World Forum for Democracy participants explored the role that the local level can play in environmental action.
EUROCITIES SOCIAL SUMMIT - 6TH MAY
Alarmed by the unprecedented crisis that is deepening social inequalities City Mayors from across Europe met to make a clear case for action in our cities where homelessness, unemployment and deprivation are shooting up threatening new groups of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion.
GET READY FOR 2021-27 – STRUCTURAL FUNDS, RECOVERY FUNDS GRANTS AND LOANS?
As preparations for new 2021-27 EU programmes continues, a new video has been put together to help you navigate the new names and acronyms that are now emerging.
LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES FOR CEO DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
PRIMO EUROPE conducted a wide-ranging survey into the needs and risks of cities in times of crisis, such as COVID-19. From the survey, about ten topics emerged that were perceived as short-term risks. Topics that came to the fore were possible shortages in food supply and social aid, postponed maintenance of infrastructure, increased unemployment, worsening of the economic climate, and the need for food security.
UDITE AND PRIMO LAUNCH NEW INITIATIVE: EUROPEAN ROUND TABLES ON THE RISKS AND NEEDS OF LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVES DURING COVID-19
PRIMO EUROPE and UDITE have a longstanding cooperation in the field of good governance. The results of the survey and the responses of the local chief executives have prompted the launch of a new initiative.
UDITE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ON TRACK FOR 2021
UDITE kicked off 2021 with its first virtual meeting of the year - the Executive Committee on 28th January online.
HAPPY 70th BIRTHDAY CEMR!
Paul Gatt, Ronny Frederickx and Simon Pascoe joined the online event to mark the 70th anniversary of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions on 28 January 2021. The event attracted over 500 participants from across Europe to reflect on the future of Europe in a century of transformation. Local and regional leaders from 50 countries were united in sending their best wishes to CEMR at the online celebration of our 70th anniversary. The event looked at what Europe might look like in 2050. What pitfalls and threats are lurking? What can local government do to make that future a bright, healthy and sustainable one?
MICHAEL BLOOMBERG LAYS DOWN GLOBAL CITIES CHALLENGE 2021 IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19
COVID-19 has changed daily life for people around the world and required that cities do more with fewer resources than ever before. Yet, even in the face of a public health crisis, social unrest, massive budget shortfalls, and mounting climate disasters, local leaders are innovating and taking bold steps to tackle their cities’ most pressing challenges?
INNOVATION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN IRELAND DURING COVID-19
Tim Lucie, Chief Executive of Cork County Council and CCMA representative for Ireland on UDITE talks about how fostering innovation across the public service is a primary policy focus within Our Public Service 2020
Watch GREEN WEEK launch from Lisbon Portugal
Internationally renowned scientists and policy makers will join in a full-day conference to discuss ongoing and future biodiversity trajectories and to highlight its contribution to society and the economy. They will also look at the role this can play in supporting and stimulating recovery in a post-pandemic world, bringing jobs and sustainable growth. The conference will also examine how EU policies such as the European Green Deal can help protect and restore nature. The opening of this year’s EU Green Week will also act as a milestone on the path to the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) on the Convention on Biological Diversity, now planned for 2021, where world leaders will adopt a 10-year action plan for biodiversity – a new global deal for people and nature.
DIGITAL MASTERCLASSES: ENGAGING CITIZENS ONLINE
Communication with citizens is no longer solely one-way and top-down. The opportunities given by online communication enable interactive exchanges and direct dissemination of information that overcomes geographical distances. But how can this tool be best utilised by municipal or regional communities? This workshop explores the best practices of employing digital communication to not only inform, but also engage citizens online
ACTING FOR A BETTER LOCAL DEMOCRACY
Local Intermediate Authorities (NUTS III) are the political and administrative embodiment of the principle of subsidiarity. Acutely aware of the growing divide between EU citizens and their governments, they have been at the forefront of the implementation of concrete initiatives aimed at empowering citizens in order to bridge this gap and can therefore serve as an inspiration for higher levels of governments and the EU.
UDITE AND COUNCIL OF EUROPE LAUNCH EUROPEAN LABEL OF GOVERNANCE EXCELLENCE WITH PORTUGUESE MUNICIPALITIES
UDITE – the European Federation of Chief Executives in Local Government was delighted to have hosted today (06/10/20) an important workshop in the Algarve town of Loulé to launch the European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE) in Portugal. In this special workshop, part physical, part online, Portuguese municipalities were introduced to the steps they would need to go through if they are to secure this prestigious European Award.
IMPROVING CO-CREATION IN PUBLIC SERVICES
"How can users, stakeholders, owners and providers work together to improve the impact of co-creation in public services?" The Horizon 2020 project CoVAL has - among other topics - studied 10 cases in five European countries to gain insights into the conditions and potential for user-centered innovation in public services
EMPOWERING SERVICES
Access to good quality services is key for economic and social inclusion as well as for maintaining and developing cohesive societies. Social services often provide an entry point into the social protection system as well as an outreach and support mechanism to other enabling services.
HOW SUB-NATIONAL AUTHORITIES ACT TO TRANSFORM AND GALVANISE THEIR SOCIETIES AND PRACTICES LOCALISING AND RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT SDGS
This session focused on the key role of the local and regional governments (LRG) in reaching 2030 Agenda promoting public policies focused on city-wide transformation guided by the SDGs and encouraging community’s attitudes towards Global Agendas commitment applied to the local level through DEAR. Our partnership aims to show different experiences and knowledge about innovative practices in the integration and localisation of the SDGs in local public policies.
IUC PUBLISHES BRAND NEW REPORT ON CITY-TO-CITY AND REGION-TO-REGION COOPERATION FOSTERING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ON A GLOBAL SCALE
The IUC uses knowledge-exchange to accelerate sustainable urban development worldwide and to bolster cities’ and regions’ efforts towards achieving international goals (e.g. SDGs and the Paris Agreement), as well as goals set at the local, regional, and national levels. This is done in a manner that is consistent with – and explicitly aligned to support – the EU’s commitment to achieve bi- and multi-lateral policy objectives and major international agreements.
DIFFICULT QUESTIONS LIE AHEAD FOR GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN THE UK
In just a few short weeks the COVID-19 crisis has taken a hammer to an already fragile economy. Very necessary public health measures have placed many parts of our once normal working lives on ice, and we are all uncertain what the economy might look like when lockdown measures are (possibly slowly) removed.
COMMISSION PROPOSES GRADUAL LIFTING OF BORDERS, IN BID TO SAVE EUROPE’S SUMMER
The European Commission on Wednesday (13 May) set out plans for a phased restart of travel this summer, proposing a gradual lifting of borders in an attempt to kick start a tourism sector hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN GREEN DEAL?
Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. To overcome these challenges, Europe needs a new growth strategy that transforms the Union into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy where
UN INVITES LOCAL LEADERS TO RECORD THEMSELVES ON THEIR WORK ON SDGS AND THE COVID-19
Local2030, the initiative of the UN Secretary General on Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals, has recently launched the Local2030 Spotlight Series Cities and regions aro
MIND THE DIGITAL GAP: MAKING E-SOLUTIONS ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE
In the context of COVID-19 crisis, the YFACTOR project “MIND THE DIGITAL GAP" will highlight the commitment of regional and local actors in their effort to facilitate the digital transition and to ensure continuity of services across the EU regions.
WE STAND TOGETHER - REGIONS & CITIES RESPONDING TO COVID-19 EMERGENCY
Thousands local and regional leaders are on the front line in the battle to limit the spread of the virus and manage its impact on the ground. Their professionalism and dedication is testified to by their actions from all corners of Europe.
SAFELY COLLECTING HOUSEHOLD WASTE IN THE AGE OF COVID-19
CEMR is helping its members to share their experiences and practices on how local governments are handling the situation in relation to the impact and lessons learned from the COVID-19 crisis in the field of waste management.
UDITE LEADS SUCCESSFUL STUDY VISIT TO EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE
UDITE in collaboration with ASC (Association des Secrétaires Communaux de l'Luxembourg), organised a study visit to Luxembourg on 5th March 2020.
CORONAVIRUS AND ITS LOCAL IMPACT: WHAT TO DO?
For a short time now we have been living in a different world. A world where the Coronavirus has created a health crisis with a major social and economic impact. In this special issue, we would like to provide you with information from the European level that has taken measures to limit the consequences.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION REACHES OUT TO CHIEF EXECUTIVES IN ENGLAND AND WALES
Mark Lloyd the Chief Executive of the Local Government Association reaches out to local authority chief executives during this challenging time of COVID-19. He underlines the vital role that local government is playing and thanks local authority chief executives for everything their teams are doing.
PERSPECTIVES FROM LOCAL AUTHORITIES ACROSS THE GLOBE ON COVID-19
As part of an international online round table that UDITE linked up with several ICMA city managers from around the world to record their own perspectives on the challenges they face and how they are coping via a series of “selfie” videos on ICMA’s You Tube channel. Speakers included:-