Congress of European Municipalities and Regions

Imagine: governments, business, associations and citizens, all striving to achieve 17 global goals to transform society by 2030: “the Sustainable Development Goals”. Is that a dream, utopia, or reality?

Probably all three at once. One thing is certain: since 2016, when the SDGs were adopted, mayors and local stakeholders have shown day after day how towns and regions are essential for the success of these goals. They  translate the aspirations of this global agenda into a model for local progress. However, although the implementation of the SDGs is advancing at a good pace, the clock is ticking.

That’s why the Council of European Municipalities and Regions is inviting you to Innsbruck from 6 to 8 May 2020, for the European congress of municipalities, cities and regions: “Local action. Global shift. Living the Sustainable Development Goals.”

One of a kind, this event will be the opportunity to share experiences, good practices, methodologies and tools to implement the SDGs.

It will bring together the whole SDG family in one place. Mayors, local and regional leaders, national governments, scholars, representatives from EU institutions and civil society: over 1000 participants are expected in Innsbruck.

These three days of exchange will see round tables, workshop and training session on specific themes. For instance, climate action, sources for funding, citizen participation and evaluation tools.

Sharing his views on the subject, the mayor of Innsbruck Georg Willi stated: “Act local and think global is the motto of the next congress of Europe’s municipalities and regions. Living eco-responsibly and sustainably every day is the necessary challenge of our time. This congress will be an opportunity to set up new important measures for the realisation of the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Our ambition is to move this issue forwards.”

This Congress is organised by CEMR, with the support of the city of Innsbruck, and in partnership with the Austrian Association of Municipalities (Österreichischer Gemeindebund) and the Austrian Association of Cities and Towns (Österreichischer Städtebund).