Publications & tools

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Unlocking Cities and Regions’ Potential in the EU’s Competitiveness Agenda

To shape a competitiveness agenda that benefits all territories—from metropolitan hubs to rural regions — ICLEI has published a new position paper, calling for an EU competitiveness agenda that strengthens cities’ and regions’ roles in the EU’s industrial, digital, and sustainability strategies.
Position paper
Published: 2025

From talk to transformation: local governance innovation driving Europe’s green and competitive future

Local Green Deals and Climate City Contracts are governance innovations developed and tested through recent EU initiatives — namely the Intelligent Cities Challenge and the EU Cities Mission. They guide local public administrations in designing structures and processes to implement strategic EU priorities.
This paper positions Local Green Deals and Climate City Contracts not only forward-looking governance innovations but also as instruments to support Europe's transition priorities under...

Local Green Deals: A Blueprint for Action

This guide outlines the rationale behind Local Green Deals (LGDs), its key principles, levers and the steps for cities, stakeholders and local communities to take to implement a LGD.
Press release
Published: 2025

Over half a million tests power Europe’s largest dataset on sustainable living

More than half a million citizens across ten European countries have tested their carbon footprints and lifestyle choices through the Lifestyle Test. In total, they generated more than 500,000 Lifestyle Tests and over 50,000 personal action plans. This makes it the continent’s largest dataset on sustainable living and an invaluable resource for Europe’s green transition.

Statement from the Coalition for Higher Ambition urging to agree on an ambitious EU 2040 domestic emissions reduction target and NDC

Ahead of the September ENV Council (18th) and ENVI Committee vote (23rd), the Coalition for Higher Ambition, an alliance of European business, major city networks and regional governments and civil society organisations, has written to European leaders to voice support a 2040 net domestic emission reduction target of at least 90% and an ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

2025 Local Sustainability Award report

The 2025 Local Sustainability Award report gives a comprehensive overview of the inaugural edition of the Award.
This Award, organised by ICLEI Europe together partners Bertelsmann Stiftung, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the City of Aalborg, celebrates transformative projects that align with the Aalborg Conditions and set new standards in local sustainability leadership.

EU Budget: Reinforcing European industry’s competitiveness and strategic autonomy through a place-based approach

The Local Alliance – a coalition of Europe’s eight leading city and regional networks – share a vision for the next EU budget (2028–2034) to become a
strong, comprehensive tool for a democratic, just, climate-neutral, secure and competitive Europe. This position paper has been developed in the framework of the European Commission’s consultations on the next EU budget (EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) – implementing EU funding with Member States and regions) and represents the abo...

EU Budget: Shared governance of strategies, priorities and policies for an efficient use of EU Budget and implementation of EU priorities

Local Alliance Joint Position: The next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) will be negotiated in a context of broadened priorities but stretched resources. New imperatives such as energy security, competitiveness and strategic autonomy join long-standing goals like social cohesion and decarbonisation. As Europe navigates these imperatives, it is clear that no single level of government can succeed alone.

Towards a new era of genuine shared governance in Europe

In this shared letter, mayors and regional leaders from over 80 cities, towns and regions and 12 local and regional government networks across Europe are calling for a new era in EU governance that recognises local and regional governments as essential partners in shaping Europe's future.