CLGF has signed an historic partnership agreement with the European Union to support good governance and sustainable development at local level.

The agreement was signed  by CLGF Board member Mayor Lazaros Savvides and EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, in Brussels.

This is the first time that the European Commission has worked in this way with local authority organisations to make an impact on development. Four other international local authority associations are also signing similar agreements with the EU. Through the agreements, the EU will make some 20 million euros available to the five organisations over three years. The funds will be used to enhance the associations’ structures, capacity and relations with their members; to improve their capacity to contribute to national, regional and global policy-making. These partnerships will also look at ways to improve the coordination among the targeted associations operating at different levels (national, regional and global) as well as to promote policy dialogue among different development actors.

The five associations who signed agreements are: the Association International Maires Francophones (AIMF); Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF); Council  of  European Municipalities and Regions/PLATFORMA (CEMR/PLATFORMA); United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG-A); and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)

The Commission Communication “Empowering Local Authorities in partner countries for enhanced governance and more effective development outcomes”, adopted in 2013, provides a comprehensive policy to frame the participation of local authorities in countries' development processes and in broader political, social and economic dialogue. All local and regional authorities, including those in the EU, are on the frontline of the fight against poverty and local and global environmental challenges such as climate change. They play a key role in highlighting the voices and priorities of the poor and the marginalised. Responsible and accountable local authorities are also paramount for increasing democratic participation and for the respect of human rights.

Speaking at the signing event, CLGF Board member Mayor Lazaros Savvides who signed the agreement on behalf of CLGF said:
“This new partnership agreement represents an important step forward for local and regional government involvement in sustainable development policies and the new post-2015 development agenda. CLGF is delighted to sign the new partnership agreement with the EC. It represents an historic recognition by the EU of the key role of developmental local government – local government that has a strong commitment to economic and social development as well as the promotion of democracy and human rights.

“Local and regional governments help shape strong local communities and drive economic prosperity and social and cultural well-being.  We look forward to developing out programmes in cooperation with the EU to take this forward.”