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EU-CELAC Summit: a multi-stake - 10.07.2023

EU-CELAC Summit: a multi-stakeholder follow-up mechanism to ensure long-term engagement of local governments, civil society and trade unions

In a joint letter sent yesterday (6 July), PLATFORMA and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), together with three associations of local and regional governments from Latin America and the Caribbean, about forty Civil Society Organisations and the European Trade Union Confederation, call on EU leaders and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to “establish an official space for multi-stakeholder dialogue”. This call for engagement was sent to Council President Michel, HR/VP Borell, Commissioner Urpilainen, Spanish President Sánchez and Belgian PM De Croo, ahead of the third EU-CELAC Summit of Heads of State and Government which will be held in Brussels on 17-18 July 2023.

At the initiative of the EU-LAC Civil Society Working Group, the signatories ask for an official multi-stakeholder follow-up mechanism. “It is therefore our expectation that the joint declaration that will be adopted at the summit will include a paragraph acknowledging civil society, trade unions, local governments and their associations key issues of concern and policy recommendations,” the letter says.

CLGF, FLACMA and Mercociudades are the 3 co-signatories on local and governments’ side, together with PLATFORMA and CEMR.

Ahead of the 3^rd EU-CELAC Summit of Heads of State and Government, the European Commission is organising next week (13-14 July) in Brussels the EU – Latin America & the Caribbean (LAC) Forum. This forum’s main goal is to agree on recommendations from the different stakeholders ahead of the EU-CELAC Summit.

During thematic sessions, the discussions will tackle key priority areas for the LAC region and the renewal of the bi-regional partnership: the right to civic space, the respect of human rights and the feminist and youth lens in cooperation, the protection of democracy and local governance, the programming of adapted climate change policies, or the modalities of future agendas for cooperation between both regions, including recommendations in view of the EU’s investment agenda for the region, the so-called Global Gateway.

The EU-CELAC Summit of Heads of State and Government of 17-18 July is a historic occasion to bring together European, Latin American and Caribbean leaders to renew and strengthen relations between the two regions after almost a decade of absence of bi-regional dialogue at the highest political level. The summit will be held under the theme “Renewing the bi-regional partnership to strengthen peace and sustainable development”.

Read the full letter
Internship - 21.06.2023
CEMR is offering 3 internships
Are you currently enrolled in a university programme?
Are you interested in EU policy issues?
Are you ready to learn a lot about European regions and municipalities?

Then an internship at CEMR might be what you are looking for!

CEMR is currently looking to recruit interns as follows:
- 2 interns for policy work for a minimum of 4 months during the period September to December 2023 (exact dates to be agreed)
While policy interns will work across various topics, candidates are invited to indicate their areas of interest among the thematic areas described below.
- 1 intern for the PLATFORMA project for a minimum of 4 months during the period September to December 2023 (exact dates to be agreed)
Find more information on the internships and how to apply here. Deadline for applications is 30 June 2023.
COP 27 - 04.10.2022

10 key points to prevent the inexorable march toward utter climate disaster
It’s now or never. We must gear up for climate action and advance the Sustainable Development Goals on the ground. This is the core message that PLAFTORMA and CEMR will bring to the COP27 taking place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

In a joint position, PLATFORMA and CEMR put forward 10 key points for delegates and representatives from the UN, the EU and national governments who will sit round the COP27 negotiation table. Among the important points raised in the position are the need for a supportive regulatory and governance framework to implement subnational climate action, and the need for sustainable subnational financing.

Read the full position.
Climate - 24.06.2022

Elected representatives receive trainings on climate adaptation and mitigation
CEMR, PLATFORMA together with United Cities and Local Government (UCLG), and Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative, organised two training sessions for politicians dedicated to climate adaptation and mitigation.

The aim of the training academy was to inspire politicians to develop their strategies, plans and actions through the discussion about climate change adaptation, mitigation and resilience in the global and Europe and Central Asia specific context. We counted on over 120 participants worldwide.
Culture - 28.04.2022

Training capacity-building for European Capitals of Culture
On 12 & 13 May 2022, the final Academy Camp of the project "Capacity-building for European Capitals of Culture (ECoC)" will take place online, under the moderation of the the UCLG Committee on Culture. The project started in October 2019 with the aim at supporting capacity building and peer-learning activities for ECoC.
This final session of the project will provide the opportunity to review lessons learnt in the previous workshops as well as discussing additional topics and way forward.
The programme and registration link are available here.
International partnerships - 12.02.2021

DG INTPA is looking for a seconded national expert for its local authorities unit
The European Commission Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) is looking for a seconded national expert for its G2 Unit “Local Authorities, Civil Society Organisations and Foundations” in Brussels*.

Seconded national experts (SNE) must come from a national, regional or local public administration or an International Government Organisation (IGO). The SNE will remain employed and remunerated by his/her employer during the secondment.

Candidates should send their application according to the Europass CV format in English, French or German only to the Permanent Representation / Diplomatic Mission to the EU of their country, which will forward it to the competent services of the Commission.

More information in the job description and vacance notice.
Development - 08.12.2020

Development of Municipalities: Trust, Institutions, Finance, and People (10-11 December)

'U-LEAD with Europe' is organising the International Expert Exchange 2020 – Development of Municipalities: Trust, Institutions, Finance, and People on 10-11 December online.

Two intensive days of discussion, knowledge exchange, and sharing bold, innovative ideas on key regional and local development challenges, relevant for both the Ukrainian and the international audience.

The event will bring more than 30 speakers: high-level officials, experts, diplomats, scholars, from 12 countries.

Get more information and register!
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.
Recruitment - 26.11.2019

Job opening: PLATFORMA is looking for a Project Officer for the Eastern Partnership
Do you want to strengthen the role of towns, regions and their associations in decentralised cooperation and EU external policies? Are you interested in the Eastern Partnership and in particular Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine? Do you want to be part of a collaborative team where your competencies will be highly valued?

Then try your luck and apply to become PLATFORMA's Project Officer for the Eastern Partnership! Check out the application pack and tell us about yourself (deadline: 8 December 2019).