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Ahmetbey Municipality

The history of Ahmetbey dates back to the Thracians, the years between 600-700 BC. Ahmetbey, which was the host of the Thracian, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine civilizations, was in a state of condition related to the granary of the Lüleburgaz Episcopal Center in the third century AC. From the early 1800s until 1930, the Greek, Bulgarian and Turkish people lived together in the town of Ahmetbey. Ahmetbey has an important position in the center of the Marmara Region, is neighbouring Istanbul and is 120 kilometres away from Bulgaria and Greece, where the borders of the European Union begin. Ahmetbey Municipality adopts common universal values such as democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, human rights and freedoms, equality between women and men, justice and respect for differences. We believe that the idea of “full solidarity” which is expressed by the founders of European idealism can be provided by “Pan-European” approach in all terms and spreading sense of unity in all dimensions of European continent. Democracy, freedom, human rights and respect for human dignity, solidarity, equal opportunities, gender equality and social justice are all our common values and we must protect these values.

Bağcılar Municipality

Bagcılar Municipality was established in 1992 and is a local government serving a population of 748,483. Bagcılar Municipality has developed and implemented its works on methods that facilitate human life since the day it was founded. It has built, realized and organized many service buildings, projects and events for women, children and young people in the district and it is continuing to perform such activities. Also, these groups have their own councils where they can represent themselves.

Besiktas Municipality

Besiktas is located in the European side of the city of Istanbul, and geographically composed of coastal and interior settlements. Despite its small surface area and population, it is ideally located at the junction of arterial roads of Istanbul, and has a convenient location to world-class amenities. It has the access roads to the Bridges of Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet interconnecting the European and Anatolian sides of Istanbul and even two continents. While the current population is approximately 190.000, it reaches approximately 2 million people in a day.

Büyükçekmece

"More Modern Büyükçekmece, Happier People from Büyükçekmece." Büyükçekmece is well-known on account of its agricultural and tourist potential. It developed rapidly in the 1980s and its population grew day by day. From 1994 onwards great efforts were made in terms of urban planning (sewage network, decontamination facilities, parks, monitoring of the environment, overhead energy and telecommunication networks placed underground, lighting systems etc.). Büyükçekmece has thus become a modern district. Büyükçekmece Municipality has organised dazzling cultural activities and projects in co-operation with the European Union and other institutions.

Câmara Municipal da Amadora

The city of Amadora is one of the 18 municipalities of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, bordering Lisbon, Odivelas, Sintra and Oeiras. Made up of six parishes (Águas Livres, Alfragide, Encosta do Sol, Falagueira-Venda Nova, Mina de Água and Venteira), 171,719 inhabitants live in the Municipality of Amadora, in an area of around 24Km2 (2021 Census). Amadora Town Council has developed a number of strategies to promote the well-being of all its citizens, boosting civic participation in the municipal planning process and promoting citizen satisfaction and a sense of commitment to the decisions taken, with a view to creating a healthy and safe environment for all.

Chemnitz

Chemnitz, the “European City of Culture 2025”, is a town with many faces. It is the third largest city in Saxony with approximately 245 000 inhabitants. Art and culture are integral parts of the city’s history. As an old industrial town, the city was named the „Saxon Manchester“ and in the 20th Century a key international player in mechanical and locomotive engineering. Chemnitz is often not perceived on a national and European level. However, this will change with the nomination as Capital of Culture. It is now all the more important that the people of Chemnitz also participate in shaping the future of their city. This can be done by participating in online citizens' offices, citizens' consultation hours with the mayor or surveys often simply from home.

City of Banja Luka

Banja Luka, situated in a valley, is a significant city in the Republic of Srpska, known for its greenery. It has a population of 180,053 and serves as a hub for education, economics, politics, and administration. The city's charm comes from its blend of cultures, showcased through historical monuments like the Kastel fort and religious landmarks. The Vrbas River provides water sport opportunities. Gastronomy reflects local customs, while the nightlife is vibrant with nightclubs and music festivals. Surrounding Banja Luka are natural treasures like the Vrbas River canyon and Manjača Mountain, offering adventure sports such as rafting, canyoning, paragliding, and more. Banja Luka's heritage, vibrant culture, and outdoor offerings make it a unique and exciting destination.

City of Esch-sur-Alzette

With more than 36,000 inhabitants, Esch-sur-Alzette is the second largest city in the Grand Duchy. As a university town located in the heart of the greater region, Esch is home to over 120 different nationalities. It is precisely this mix that is part of the DNA of our city. Seriously affected by the decline of the steel industry, Esch has redefined itself to become a city where life is good. Public and private investments bear witness to this dynamism and national institutions such as the University or the Maison de la Grande Région further underline Esch's future role.

City of Loznica

Positioned in the western part of Serbia, right below Gučevo mountain, on the right bank of the Drina river, near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Loznica is a natural, economic, traffic, cultural, and tourist center of this part of Podrinje. Loznica has an administrative area of 612 km2 and an estimated population of 80,000 people spread across 54 settlements. The city is at an altitude of 142 m above sea level in a mild continental climate. Loznica’s tap water is safe to drink and of high quality. There is an abundance of streams and wellheads, making two spas with thermal springs of mineral and sulfurous water possible. A city isn't just a settlement, but above all its citizens, creative people, and culture. Loznica is the birthplace of renowned personalities such as Vuk Stefanović Karadžić, Jovan Cvijić, and Miodrag Mića Popović. Loznica‘s inhabitants are welcoming, attached to their hometown, and proud of their history. They preserve the local tradition and culture, speak the purest literary Serbian, and write in Cyrillic script.

City of Mostar

Mostar is the cultural, economic and political centre of Herzegovina, as well as the biggest city of Herzegovina. It is situated on the coastline of the Neretva river and it's the administrative centre of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton. The Old Bridge, situated on the Neretva River alongside the Old Town is inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. According to the last population census from 2013, Mostar is the home of 105 797 residents. The urban area of Mostar can be geographically described as an intersection of northern, southern and eastern Herzegovina. Due to various cultural influences which this city was subjected to, Mostar is an incredible combination of the Mediterranean and the Oriental culture and tradition. Mostar has a moderate Mediterranean climate with mild, yet cold winters and during the summertime the temperatures can even rise up to 45°C in the shade. The highest recorded temperature, the highest average number of precipitation and the highest number of sunny hours recorded in Bosnia and Herzegovina were all recorded in Mostar. Mostar is an important traffic junction. The Main road M17 which passes through Mostar (international name E73) is the most important road in Bosnia and Herzegovina which connects the harbour of Ploče and Metkovic (Republic of Croatia) with Mostar and Sarajevo. In the city itself, there are 2 bus stations and one train station. In the southern part of town, there is the Mostar Airport.

City of Sarajevo

City of Sarajevo (Sarajevo) is the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, its largest urban, cultural, economic and traffic center, the capital of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the headquarters of the Sarajevo Canton. The City of Sarajevo is a local self-government unit consisting of four municipalities. It is located in the heart of Southeast Europe and the Balkans. Sarajevo is the leading political, social and cultural center in Bosnia and Herzegovina and a prominent cultural center in the Balkans. The city is renowned for its traditional cultural and religious diversity where followers of Islam, Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Judaism exist for centuries. Because of its long and rich history, religious and cultural diversity, Sarajevo is well known as the Jerusalem of Europe.

Commune of Berchem-Sainte-Agathe

Berchem-Sainte-Agathe is one of the smallest municipalities in the north-west of the Brussels region. It covers an area of 295 hectares and has just over 25,000 inhabitants. The rural character that the municipality has been able to preserve over the centuries makes it a real "village in the city", a village in which conviviality is an essential part of everyday life. The commune is renowned for having an enormous amount of green space in relation to its surface area. Today, despite being an integral part of the European capital, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe is a reflection of the quiet green village where everyone shares the Berchem space in an eternal climate of savoir vivre.

Commune of Forest

Forest is one of 19 municipalities in the Brussels-Capital Region. With a rich diversity of neighbourhoods bringing together some 57,000 residents, a Forest Citizens' Council (CCF - in French) was set up in 2021.

Commune of Jette

Jette is one of the 19 communes of the bilingual (French, Dutch) Brussels-Capital Region. Located 5 km from the centre of Brussels, Jette is a former village that has been overtaken by the city. It now has almost 52,000 inhabitants, spread over 3 km2. Jette is home to many families and citizens from a variety of cultures. It boasts cultural infrastructures (cultural centres, libraries) and Natura 2000 natural areas, renowned for their rich biodiversity.

Edremit

The municipality of Edremit, in Türkiye, is located on the Aegean Coast. With its 34 kms of coastline covered with beaches and crystalline waters overlooking the stunning Gulf of Edremit, this precious center is included in the metropolitan city district of Balikesir. This area is a popular tourist destination for its natural beauties (Mount Ida), archaeological sites (Antandros settlement, necropolis) and Mediterranean typical gastronomy enriched with the renowned Edremit’s olive oil, the main ingredient of the exquisite regional cuisine. The several luxury thermal spas close to Mount Ida make this resort an excellent destination for tourist.

Fastiv city territorial community

Fastiv City Territorial Community is a territorial community in Ukraine, in the Fastiv district of Kyiv region. The administrative center is the city of Fastiv. It was formed on June 12, 2020 by merging Fastiv City Council of regional significance and village councils of Fastiv district. The community includes 1 town (Fastiv), 1 township (Borova) and 16 villages: Bortnyky, Velyka Motovylivka, Velyka Ofirna, Velyka Snitynka, Vepryk, Vyshnyaki, Gvardiyske, Klekhivka, Mala Ofirna, Mala Snitynka, Mlynok, Motovylivka, Motovylivska Slobid , Olenivka, Tarasenky and Fastivets. The population of the community is 63,449 people. The community is located southwest of the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv. The area of ??the community is 336.7 km2. The distance to Kyiv from the administrative center is 57 km by rail, 75 km by road, 75 km to the nearest airport "Kyiv", to the airport "Boryspil" - 100 km. The main sectors of the economy of Fastiv city territorial community are: industry, railway, construction, agriculture and trade.

Kadiköy Municipality

Kadiköy is very attractive for local and foreign population with its central location, long coastline and cosmopolitan structure. In addition to social, cultural and sports activities, Kadiköy offers a wide variety of urban activities such as entertainment, recreation and shopping. It is one of the basic principles of Kadiköy Municipality that these activities should be inclusive without excluding any different groups such as age, gender, nationality, disability, class, social status, etc. Special efforts are made for the more active participation of women, children and the elderly from all social strata in social life. The participation of these groups is encouraged in workshops, concerts, sports activities, festivals and excursions. It provides convenience for those who have difficulty in accessing services. Beyond producing inclusive policies, it is another principle of Kadıköy Municipality to develop participatory approaches in the decision-making processes of these policies. During the 5-year Strategic Plan preparation process, neighborhood-based discussions were carried out and planning was made by taking into account the ideas of every segment living, working or socializing in Kadıköy. In this process, the website called Tell Kadıköy was activated and the monitoring/evaluation process of the planned activities became possible. Apart from this, periodic meetings in Talking Kadıköy are held to bring together the municipality administration and the residents of the neighborhood.

Kharkiv City Council

From a Cossack settlement to a major industrial, cultural and scientific centre, the city of Kharkiv is the administrative center of the historical and geographical region of Ukraine, which is named "Slobozhanshchina". The area of modern Kharkiv exceeds 300 square kilometers, and the population is 1 million 450 thousand people. The territory of the city is a hilly plain with valleys, ravines.

KIRKLARELI MUNICIPALITY

Kirklareli enjoys a strategic position between the Balkans and Anatolia. The city is the shining star of Turkiye with its rich culture and history. Its motto is "the city of happy people". Kirklareli was founded in 1870 and named on 20 December 1924. If you follow the street that runs upwards from Hizirbey Mosque, which can be considered as the city center in Kirklareli, road will take you to Yayla Square and Ali Riza Efendi Culture House will be opened on 20 December 2017. For several years, the city was home to Greek, Bulgarian, Turkish, and Jewish populations. As a result, Greece, Bulgaria, and Montenegro decided to build a room with their names to represent their cultures in a culture house which calls  Ali Riza Efendi Culture House, that has a name in Greek in a room, a Bulgarian and a Montenegrin. The house has been visited by 275.000 people since its establishment in order to represent the common culture.  Kirklareli Atatürk House, also in the city, opened to the public on January 17, 2018. Kirklareli Atatürk House was founded in the municipality with the help of Krklareli's charitable people whose hearts beat for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Kirklareli Atatürk House and Kirklareli people will be delighted and proud to welcome their visitors in the future, just as they have done in the past. There have been activities organized by the Women's Solidarity and Education Center (KADAM). Concerning the theme "Every Color is Free in Krklareli," NGOs and women entrepreneurs assist students there. In the scope of Bulgaria - Turkiye IPA Cross Boarder Cooperation Program, a cultural center was built. A project of ours was selected as “Best Practices” at the meeting held on 13 October 2015 in Sofia / Bulgaria.

Kirklees

We’re committed to growing a stronger local democracy in Kirklees, from the ground up. We’ve worked with citizens from local places across Kirklees to create a shared goal for active citizenship, called “Shaped by People: We make our places what they are”. This is a shared strategic priority for Kirklees Council and our partners. Our aim is to enable more people to directly shape their local place, as active citizens, and for everyone to be involved in the decisions which affect their everyday lives. We have involved over 10,000 citizens in activities to shape their local neighbourhoods, through our How Good Is Our Place? programme, which focuses on meaningful conversations and actions in our local places. We have also worked with young citizens to create a pioneering Democracy Friendly Schools programme, to help children and young people learn about - and be an active part of - local democracy. Our work is based on the learning and recommendations of the Kirklees Democracy Commission. We explored what a vibrant local democracy should look like - for the next generation and beyond - by listening to and learning from our citizens. Our report 'Growing a Stronger Local Democracy' is based on a year of evidence-based research and debate, involving over 1,000 people.

Konak Municipality

Izmir is the third biggest province of Turkey, with a population of 4.367.251. Located at the geographical centre of Izmir, Konak is also the economic, cultural and historical centre of the city. The district has an area of 24 square kilometres. According to the latest official data, 351.572 people live in the 112 neighbourhoods of Konak. However, due to its status as the transportation, business and entertainment hub, it is estimated that Konak hosts 1.5 million people every day. Konak Municipality was established as the “Central District Municipality” with “Metropolitan Municipalities Law” numbered 3030, published in Resmi Gazete (Official Gazette) on 9 July 1984. The name of Izmir Central District Municipality was changed to “Konak Municipality” on 4 July 1987. On 22 July 1988, Konak Municipality completed its organisation and became operational. Konak Municipality serves its citizens with its 31 directorates and over 2000 personnel working in various fields such as public works, women, children, sports and culture. Currently, Konak Municipality has 15 community centres: 1 centre for senior citizens, 10 sports centres and 4 culture centres.

Kristiansand Kommune

In cooperation with the Council of Europe and our partner organisations, Kristiansand municipality will convene the fifth European Conference on Democracy and Human Rights on 6 May, 2024 in Kristiansand. The conference is the main event of Kristiansand’s Democracy Week. For seven days, various venues and cultural institutions all over Kristiansand host panel discussions, presentations and exhibitions. Additionally, there are bilateral and multilateral meetings between leaders from across Europe.

Kyiv

Kyiv is the capital and largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnipro River. Kyiv is Europe's 6th largest city with a young, highly-skilled population and over 1 million visitors every year. The city of Kyiv is an important industrial, scientific, educational, and cultural centre of Eastern Europe. It is the home of many high-tech industries, higher education institutions and world-famous historical landmarks. The city has an extensive infrastructure and highly developed system of public transport, including the Kyiv Metro. Two international airports connect the city with major cities across all continents

Lüleburgaz

The total population of Lüleburgaz is based on the exact population determination results of 2018 (147,325). This (115.000) is in the district center and (31.660) is in the towns and villages. This population (51%) is females (49%). The population growth rate is well above the country average and the increase is mainly due to intensive migration from other regions and from the villages.

Lviv City Council

Lviv is located in Western Ukraine, about 70 km from the EU border and 160 km from the eastern Carpathian Mountains. The population of Lviv is 750 000 people. The first mention of Lviv dates back to 1256. In Middle Age, the city became an important European trade center. Throughout all history, Lviv has been ruled by many European states: Poland, Austria-Hungary. Influenced by European development, the city presents the architecture of different culture and style. Lviv has the largest number of historical and architectural monuments in Ukraine. The center of the city is listed as World Heritage Site of UNESCO. Lviv received statuses of Culture capital of Ukraine, IT-center of Ukraine and title of Youth Capital. In 2020, it was created in Lviv City Territorial Community. The community includes 2 town (Dubliany and Vynnyky) and 17 villages: Briukhovychi urban-type settlement, Velyki Hrybovychi, Volya Hamuletska, Hryada, Zavadiv, Zashkiv, Zbyranka, Lysynytchi, Malehiv, Mali Hrybovychi, Mali Pidlisky, Pidpirtsi, Pidryasne, Riasna-Ruska, Rudne urban-type settlement, Sytyhiv. The population of the Lviv City Territorial Community is about 800 000 people. Lviv is focused on democratic values and on the formation of civil society. Through the tools of public participation, in particular through the organization of the Public Budget project, Lviv strongly encourages citizens to choose and implement priority projects for the city, to create the city together!

Municipality of Aerodrom

Aerodrom is a municipality in the north part of Republic of Macedonia. Aerodrom is the name of the settlement where the municipal seat is found. Aerodrom municipality is part of Skopje statistical/administrative region of Macedonia. Aerodrom municipality is part of City of Skopje wider administrative area in the Skopje region. The population of the Aerodrom municipality is 77,735 citizens.

Municipality of Agii Anargiri - Kamatero

Municipality of Agii Anargiri-Kamatero (AAK) consists of two former municipalities-cities, namely Agii Anargiri and Kamatero, which were merged into one Municipality-City in 2011. The differences between the two residential units in terms of their characteristics and benefits to the citizens are significant, so various actions to enable convergence have been adopted. The city is part of the area of greater Athens, it covers an area of 9,11 km² and is located in the northwest part of Attica Region at a distance of 6 km from the Athens city center. The Municipality of AAK is mainly a residential area, but includes the 301st Military Technical Base covering 0,22 km². According to the 2021 Census data, the population of AAK, currently, amounts to a total of 61.427 people. It mainly consists of lower middle class and working-class employees and workers. The city shares the characteristics of the municipalities located at the western part of Athens, namely, they are among the poorest areas surrounding the City of Athens. However, the City of AAK has adopted an ambitious development strategy which addresses carbon neutrality, climate change adaptation, innovation, health, mobility, biodiversity, circular economy, sustainable energy. The City’s Business Plan is very ambitious and is expected to bring a major shift in the city’s profile in the years to come, designating environmental considerations as one of the key drivers for sustainable growth and development.

Municipality of Alimos

Municipality of Alimos is a modern seaside Athenian suburb, demarcated north by Hymettus mountain range and to the south by the Saronic sea. Alimos was named after the ancient settlement Alimous. In the classical antiquity era (5th – 4th century BC), in the area that is occupied today by the administrative region of Alimos there was the municipality of Alimos and part of the municipality of Euonymos. Alimos and Euonymos were Attica municipalities that participated with their representatives in the Athenian Parliament of the Five Hundred. Alimos was also the homeland of the great historian Thucydides, and the place where the famous feast of “Thesmoforia” were being held. According to the latest census, the population exceeds 41,000 inhabitants. However, it is estimated that more than 55,000 people live in Alimos. Municipality of Alimos, rich in history (5.000 year history) and culture, provides citizens with good services and has been awarded for its digital services. At the Best City Awards 2023, the unique awards that reward Innovation and Quality of Life in Greek cities, Municipality of Alimos was awarded in Unit 1 Livable City, Smart Mobility, the Silver Award for Smart Crossings / Smart Pedestrian Crossing in Schools & PWD Friendly, for pet facilities, the bronze metal, Innovative Actions for the Care of Stray Animals. For Technologies that improve vehicular, transport and pedestrian traffic, Alimos has been awarded the Gold metal -Manufacture of innovative, original and innovative flashing hazard lights (FLASHING LIGHTS).In Unit2, Green City, Waste Control For Solid Waste Management, Waste collection technologies, Alimos has been awarded the Gold award for Electronic program (software) for analytical recording and processing of waste data of the Municipality of Alimos. In the section of Actions to encourage and inform citizens about recycling, Alimos has been awarded with the bronze award- Circular Economy and Management of Recyclable Materials - The Way to the Future. The Municipality of Alimos won two awards for its actions in the campaign for the European Mobility Week 2021 and 2022. The Municipality of Alimos, according to the EU, impressed the judges for its integrated program of actions, where it highlighted the interaction of citizens and local clubs during the European Mobility Week, including an interactive theatrical interpretation of the "bicycle story" and the transformation of the stations public transport to entertainment venues. Municipality of Alimos creates opportunities for young people to express themselves, voice their ideas, and provide input for projects or programs. It is critical for youth to actually be heard. In the context of environmental protection and under the background of raising awareness and informing citizens on issues related to the Circular Economy and Sustainable Urban Mobility, the Municipality of Alimos organized information events for school students. A lot of events that tackle inequality and discrimination, giving all individuals the opportunity to participate fully in society especially people with disabilities have been organized.

Municipality of Anogeia

Anogeia is a rural mountainous community situated at an altitude of 750 meters, nestled in the shadow of the everlasting Mount Ida/Psiloritis, within the UNESCO Global Geopark. The name "Ano-gia" originates from its elevated mountain location, where "Ano" means up and "Gi" means land, signifying a settlement perched high in the mountains. According to one edition of the myth, the god Zeus was born and raised in the Ideon Andron cave. Following in the footsteps of Xenios Zeus, the god of hospitality raised on Idaean soil, Anogeia is a place with a wild appearance, akin to the majestic slopes of Psiloritis, and a purity reminiscent of the snow at its peak. It is open and welcoming to all those eager to explore it, revealing not only what meets the eye but, above all, something waiting to be discovered. The local population is predominantly composed of shepherds and farmers, while a notable segment of the community pursues higher education with the aim of creating job opportunities in their hometown. Simultaneously, Anogeia serves as a robust cultural hub for Crete and Greece, actively preserving elements of its cultural heritage through influential associations. With a distinct local dialect, a rich history, and a tradition that extends far into the past, Anogeia is more than just a "museum piece"; it is a way of life. It's a place you may or may not resonate with, but one that you will never forget. All that's required is the openness to embrace its logic and become a part of it.

Municipality of Argelaguer

The municipality of Argelaguer has an extension of 12.5 km2. It is located to the left of the Fluvià river and is part of the Garrotxa region, in the Gironine Regions. The village, with 423 inhabitants, is located at an altitude of 183 m. It is surrounded by forests and its main agriculture consists of cereals and olive trees, although most of the inhabitants work in industry and services. The municipality also has a hydroelectric industry and a growing population of independent professionals. The limits of the municipal term are to the north with Tortellà and Sales de Llierca, to the east and south with Sant Ferriol and to the west with Sant Jaume de Llierca.

Municipality of Bitola

Municipality of Bitola is a grand old town, nicknamed “City of Consuls”, with a territory that covers the city of Bitola and 65 villages around it. It has a population of 85164 citizen and surface area of 794,53 square km. Municipality of Bitola is located in the far southwestern part of the country and is a part of Pelagonia Statistical Region. Administratively, the city of Bitola is the seat of the Municipality of Bitola, but also the main regional center for the southwest region of the country and the largest city center in the Pelagonia valley. The municipality is a unit of local self-government where the citizens realize their rights of local self-government directly and through the representatives in its organs.

Municipality of Buca

Buca district, where Izmir's history is most intense, has a unique identity as it witnesses the civilization dating back to 130 BC. Buca, the most populous district of Izmir, has a population of 517.963 compared to 2021. The society, which consists of Greek, English, French, Dutch, Italian and other Levantine families who came and settled in Izmir in the past, contributed significantly to the development and enrichment of Buca. Thus, Buca, which has hosted countless cultures and civilizations, has a universal mosaic structure. For this reason, it is very important to protect the existing identity and values of Buca, and to ensure the integration of individuals from different cultures into the city life and culture of the city. It determines local government strategies with the ideology of creating and implementing projects with the participation of all stakeholders in the design of creative and innovative services that add value to Buca in the district of Buca, and strengthening the participatory management approach by increasing the satisfaction of our people.

Municipality of Cascais

A little over 20 minutes from the capital Lisbon, facing the sea, with its mild climate and three thousand hours of sunshine per year, surrounded by a coastline that opens doors to the infinite Atlantic Ocean, Cascais has much to show and a participative population, to whom the words: volunteering and spirit of mission say a lot. With a territory of 97.4 km2 and 214,158 residents, in 2021 we registered the presence of 44,559 foreign citizens, 85% of whom are from countries outside the European Union. We welcome and promote quality of life for all. We offer heritage, history, culture, gastronomy, sport and nature, which are so appreciated by those who visit us or those who live here.

Municipality of Cigli

Located at the north of Izmir, Çigli is one of the biggest ditricts of Izmir with a 133,55 kilometer square area. Surrounded by Menemen from the north, the Gulf of Izmir from the south and the west and Karsiyaka from the east, Çigli is 27 kilometers from the Izmir city center, 18 kilometers from Menemen and 7 kilometers from Karsiyaka. The most important locations of the district are Izmir Bird Paradise, Izmir Wildlife Park and Atatürk Organized Industrial Zone, Çamalti Salt Marsh and Çigli Air Base.

Municipality of Moschato

The municipality of Moschato-Tavros with a population of 50.000 inhabitants is situated at the South Sector of the Region of Attica. It is part of the Athens-Piraeus territorial unit, which represents the main area of concentration of population and activity. The Municipality of Moschato - Tavros is inscribed in the above framework and chooses to invest primarily in energy actions; namely, energy saving, promoting greater energy efficiency and saving technologies, use of energy from RES. The “productive landscape” of Moschato -Tavros includes manufacturing and brownfields and at the same time the principal land use is residence (mainly in the area of Moschato) sustaining imbalances in terms of spatial socio-economic cohesion and environmental quality internally. Mr Efthimiou , the Mayor, is a signatory official of the Covenant of Mayors and within this framework an energy community is created and is committed to work at a long term towards the implementation of tis Municipal Energy Plan and consequent Energy poverty contingency actions both for the area of Moschato and Tavros.

Municipality of Trnovo

Trnovo is a municipality located about 30 kilometers southeast of the city of Sarajevo, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in an inter mountain area of Treskavica, Visočica, Bjelašnica, Igman and Jahorina. The current Municipality of Trnovo administratively belongs to the Sarajevo Canton and it represents the largest municipality of Canton (338.4 square kilometers). Sarajevo International Airport is located about 27 km from Trnovo. Center of Trnovo lies at an altitude of 844 meters, while the villages on the slopes of the surrounding mountains lie at an average altitude of 1,000 meters. Mountains of unique beauty reach height over 2000 meters: Treskavica (2067 m), Bjelašnica (2088 m), Igman, Jahorina and Visočica. This area is characterized as an ecologically clean area, which is reflected in the purity of water and air, and the preservation of natural characteristics of the land. Trnovo is also characterized by a rich natural heritage which is located mostly in the mountains: Bjelašnica, Treskavica and Visočica and in Canyon of Rakitnica. Also other areas are enriched with beautiful nature, lush vegetation and natural monuments. There are many natural springs and mountain streams of unique beauty that enrich many areas of the municipality. This area is also interesting because of caves, mostly locally known and completely unexplored. Nature parks of mountains are at the foot overgrown by forests and ground flora that requires full protection of certain plant and animal species and ecosystems. Trnovo is exceptionally abundant with the clean, fresh water springs, and rivers, such as Crna Rijeka, Bijela Rijeka, Rakitnica River, Canyon of Rakitnica, as well as five mountain glacial lakes. The watershed of the Adriatic and the Black Sea basin is on the territory of Trnovo. Canyon of Rakitnica River, long 20 km with untouched nature represents unique tourist attraction for rare visitors. Its waterfalls crash down to the cliffs where they disperse into millions of tiny particles floating in the air and contributing to the creation of high ozone concentrations, and it represents rich air spa near to Sarajevo. Forests are one of the most important natural resources of the Trnovo. It is estimated that 2/3 of flora of Bosnia and Herzegovina (about 3,000 taxa) exist on the Trnovo area. The municipality of Trnovo has been making great results in recent years. There are a lot of successfully completed projects that contribute to the well-being of the local community, and at the same time create space for new domestic and foreign investments. The point of the Municipality's business is the effort to speed up the development of the Municipality with ready development projects. The Municipality operates in a managerial manner, as shown by the Municipal Budget. The approach to development is different , our vision is implemented through the joint teamwork of the Municipal authorities and the Municipal Council, as well as with the help of the Sarajevo Canton Government, but also thanks to the investors who invested in the municipality of Trnovo. The municipality of Trnovo recorded a large increase in tax revenues, as a result of which there was a significant shift of the municipality in the ranking list of the development of municipalities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Trnovo is a natural environment for a modern, healthy life, where urban and rural amenities intertwine. The increase in funds in the budget is used by the Municipality of Trnovo for investments in projects that encourage the development of tourism in the Canton of Sarajevo. The implementation of projects is underway in all local communities, especially in the area of Bjelašnica, which is being urbanized through detailed plans. Several more new investment projects are being announced, and the key ones for Trnovo in the coming period concern the construction of a business and sports center and investment in renewable sources of electricity.

Pokrovsk Territorial Community

Pokrovsk territorial community is located in the Western part of Donetsk region. It consists of 41 inhabited localities: 2 cities, 8 big villages and 31 little villages. The total area of the community is 515,5 square km. The population was 82.388 people before the war. Currently, it is reduced to 49.139 local residents and 6195 refugees. Pokrovsk territorial community is in the Western part of Donetsk region it is a part of the largest agro-industrial communities in the region (approximately 88% of all grounds are agricultural). The community is rich in coal. However, the potential of the region is far beyond. The territory of the community consists of the most valuable fertile black soils. The local economy is represented by a powerful industrial complex. The main industries are coal mining, machine-building, steel production, food processing and other industries.

Ramnicu Valcea

The municipality of Ramnicu Valcea (“Ramnic”), the capital town of Valcea County, Romania is located 176 km far from Bucharest, the capital of Romania. The municipality of Ramnicu Valcea spreads in the hilly area of the Meridional Carpathians, at an average altitude of 250 m, on the right bank of River Olt, at its confluence with River Olanesti. The population of the municipality amounts to 118.398 inhabitants. On July 29, 1848, the people of Ramnic, gathered on the site of the present Zavoi Park, played for the first time the song “Awaken thee, Romanian!”, the current national anthem of Romania.

Teslic Municipality

In a geostrategic position, Teslic is placed in the middle part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is only 100 km away from the EU with which is connected by regional road. International railway terminal is only 30 km away while the nearest international seaport is 330 km distant. In circle of 160 km there are three airports responsible for communication between the passengers and the rest of the world. Placed in valley between two rivers, surrounded by mountain ranges, the town developed parallelly with the chemical and wood processing industry. 50% of municipality is covered with the highest quality woods. Teslic is reputable as well as tourist destination. Thanks to thermal and mineral springs, the most developed branch of tourism represents health tourism with emphasis on rehabilitation and cardio-vascular disease treatment. Then, there are congress tourism, religious tourism and mountaineering. Teslic is a municipality with industrial tradition, untouched natural wealth, cultural, sport and touristic center.

Uccle municipality

Uccle is one of the 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium. Located in the southern part of the region, it is bordered by the City of Brussels, Forest, Ixelles, and Watermael-Boitsfort, as well as the Flemish municipalities of Drogenbos, Linkebeek and Sint-Genesius-Rode. In common with all of Brussels' municipalities, it is legally bilingual (French–Dutch). As of 1 January 2022, the municipality had a population of 85,099 inhabitants. The total area is 22.87 km2 (8.83 sq mi), which gives a population density of 3,720/km2 (9,600/sq mi), half the average of Brussels. It is generally considered an affluent area of the region, and is particularly noted for its community of French immigrants.

Valongo Municipality

The Municipality of Valongo was born 185 years ago, in 1836, and the history of this 75 square kilometer territory has been broad in its examples of growth and entrepreneurship. Since then, Valongo has been developing a set of very rich and diverse identity brands with a unique profile, which affirm and distinguish the municipality in the Porto Metropolitan Area, highlighting a centuries-old tradition of Biscoito and Regueifa, the art of the Traditional Portuguese Toy , a spectacular tradition of the Festa das Bugiadas and Mouriscadas, the Slate, the Religious Monuments and the beauty of the Santa Justa and Pias Mountains, the main entrance to the Parque das Serras do Porto The Municipality of Valongo's mission is to improve people's quality of life, the performance conditions of all local partners, and the strategic affirmation of all the values ??of the municipal territory and the purpose of building a municipality centered on people and prepared for overcome the challenges of innovation and modernity, within the framework of sustainable development. To pursue this vision, the City Council of Valongo bases its action on the following values: • Valuing people; • Territorial competitiveness; • Environmental sustainability; • Quality; • Efficiency; • Transparency; • Citizen participation.

Vicovaro

Vicovaro is a small municipality near Rome (45 km), in a hilly area of the Aniene River Valley, surrounded by three naturalistic parks. With its 4.076 inhabitants, is one of the most populous community in the area, and its schools are attended by students from neighboring municipalities. Local economy is based on services and commerce, but most of the citizens work in the industrial areas around Rome. Vicovaro is fostering its local identity, rich in history, traditions and culture, involving other municipalities on wide area's development projects, providing citizens with good services and attracting tourism by an integrated offer. Avoiding social disruption and disaffection of young generations with thier own territory is crucial to face the decline of rural communities. An extensive plan of cultural initiatives involving citizens of all ages and groups is essential to mantaining social cohesion and boosting the community resiliance.

Zeytinburnu Municipality, Istanbul

Zeytinburnu district of Istanbul became a district in 1957. As of today, it is home to approximately 300,000 citizens. Our district, which aims at a structure in which every citizen is considered and their ideas can be implemented, sees civic participation as a reflection of local democracy. Our vision People are happy to live, feel safe, develop their abilities, and prepare their children for the world of the future; Zeytinburnu, the city of wisdom, art and commerce. Our Mission To families living in Zeytinburnu: To provide a peaceful city life that integrates with the history, culture and economy of Istanbul and shares its wealth and values.

Partner associations

ALDA - European Association for Local Democracy

ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy, is a French-registered association dedicated to the promotion of good governance, citizen participation and democracy at the local level in the European Union, its Neighbourhood and beyond.

BRULOCALIS - Association of the City and the Municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region

Brulocalis (former Association of the City and the Municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region) is a non-profit organisation established and managed by the local authorities within the Region and aimed at providing them with services. The City and the Municipalities are part of the Association as active members, together with the Public Centres for Social Welfare (CPAS/OCMW) and inter-municipal associations as supporting members. The aim of the Association is to help the local authorities in fulfilling their mission in the service of the citizen by ensuring their protection and their promotion. Its goal: to ensure the autonomy of the local authorities for the benefit of local democracy.This action is enacted at all levels: regional, community, federal and international, within the framework of the above mentioned structures. This action passes via the close contacts that the Association maintains with the Governments, the Parliaments and the Administrations. The Association also represents the local authorities in numerous official consultative organs. This service also oversees the secretariat of various commissions and work groups, made up of local officials and representatives, who examine the concrete problems encountered by the municipalities and the Public Centres for Social Welfare. It also represents the Association in the commissions and the work groups put together by external authorities, particularly in the ministerial cabinets and the administrations, each time the technicality of the discussion requires it. The Association also assists its members in preparing projects and applying for fundings, particularly those concerning the European Union. At the request of its members, the Association can undertake research on local matters, documentary or not. This service also includes European matters.

City of Skopje

Тhe City of Skopje is a public organization and an administrative unit which enjoys a particular status granted by law. The City of Skopje is divided into 10 municipalities in its jurisdiction. The City of Skopje is a separate kind of local self-government led by the Mayor, Ms. DanelaArsovska, settled with a separate Law for City of Skopje. The city has its own administration that is responsible for organizing and performing the necessary tasks to comply with the competences and responsibilities of the city. Pursuant to Article 3 of the Decision on the internal organization, The City of Skopje is presently comprised of 703 employees engaged in 20 different departments (Financial Affairs Department, Legal Affairs Department, Local Economic Development Department, Spatial Planning and Organization Department, Communal Affairs Department, Traffic Department, Public Activities Department, Education Department, Environmental Protection Department, Department for International Cooperation and Cooperation with NGO’s and Foundations International cooperation unit, Information Technology and Modernization Department, Department for Support of the Mayor, Sector for Support of the Council of the City of Skopje, General Affairs Department, Department of the Inspectorate of the City of Skopje, Internal Audit Department, Unit for Protection and Rescue). The City of Skopje has also 8 public enterprises and 8 public institutions under its authority as an extension of the executive branch that are important for the implementation of the annually planned programmes and activities.

Local Councils' Association

Malta is an archipelago formed by three main islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino situated at the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, with a total area of 316 square kilometres. The population of the two main islands (Malta and Gozo) is estimated to be around 500,000 but the country receives around 2 million tourists a year, mainly originating from Europe. In the early 1990s a process to devolve some of the powers held by the central Government led to the creation of Local Councils. The duties and responsibilities of the 68 Local Councils were established through the Local Councils Act, which over the intervening decades has been variously amended. As Malta’s economy began to undergo rapid economic growth in the mid to late 2010s, localities across Malta began to face new challenges, particularly associated with traffic management and construction. This has resulted in Local Councils acquiring a new role as the voice of the citizen in various planning and policy making fora associated with these issues. In this new role, Local Councils have so far played a largely reactive role, responding to planned developments mostly with objections on behalf of those residents likely to be negatively impacted. While it remains important for Local Councils to defend the rights of residents from excessive development, traffic and noise pollution, the Assocjazzjoni Kunsilli Lokali has taken the initiative to develop a strategic framework to enable Local Councils to proactively enhance the quality of life of residents. The result of this was the publication of ‘Resident First – 2020 to 2024’ which focused on a number of key pillars on which Local Councils could focus and make the desired positive impact on their localities. These pillars are: sustainable mobility, urban green, open urban spaces and smart cities.

RBWM Youth Council

The Royal Borough Windsor Maidenhead Council with Achieving for Children established the RBWM Youth Council in 2021 to represent all young people from across the borough. Our aims are to: - Be the voice of young people, - Contribute to local council policies, - Produce campaigns and projects about issues that are important to young people, - Make sure every young person can have a say in decisions that affect them.

Resilience.Earth

We are a non-profit cooperative of 14 rural community-based workers, researchers and educators. We work primarily with community groups and local governments, accompanying them in participatory processes to regenerate local governance systems, making them more equitable, adaptive and descentralised. We specialise in complexity management, regenerative governance and "edge work" - working at and with the "margins", be they vulnerable communities, rural regions or issues that are too often ignored as they are considered too complex. Since 2016, we have worked with over 50 local governments and public administration departments as well as over 80 community organisations, delivering nearly 400 projects.

Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities, Serbia

The Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities – National Association of Towns and Municipalities of Serbia (SCTM), founded in 1953, gathers towns, municipalities and town municipalities. Our mission is to represent members' interests and support their development through joint activities, providing high-quality services in line with EU standards, in order to create the conditions for developed and effective local self-government. In particular, we represent the interests of local authorities in the EU integration process and international cooperation.

Union of Communities of Armenia

The Union of Communities of Armenia was established in 1997, uniting all 502 rural and urban self-governance bodies of Armenia. The main statutory goals of the Union are to promote the development of local self-governance, protect the interests of member communities, strengthen the capacity of local self-governance bodies, and promote co-operation among member communities. The Union defines its mission as being a unified and representative voice of its members guided by the principles of its members' autonomy, rights protection, collegiality and non-discrimination in Armenia and in the outside world, with strong institutional solidarity and structures. The Union strives to ensure that the local self-government bodies of the RA have a vocal and trustworthy voice in the country's political system, with an aim of influencing the political agenda in collaboration with national authorities for the sake of the Armenian citizens, communities and local democracy. The Union aims at development of local self-government, strengthening local democracy and promoting citizens' participation at the local and regional level. The Union initiates activities for the achievement of these goals both by its own projects and with the cooperation of local and international partners.