Eurocities works to strengthen local democracy in Europe by helping cities and mayors defend democratic values, support citizen participation and respond to growing democratic pressure. Cities are the closest level of government to people, which makes them essential for building trust and protecting democracy in daily life.
What we do:
- Defend local democracy: We bring mayors together to stand up for the rule of law, human rights and local autonomy.
- Support citizen participation: We help cities involve residents through citizen panels, participatory budgets, youth councils, citizens’ assemblies and digital tools, including through the Nets4Dem initiative and Democracy Labs.
- Share solutions and solidarity: We create space for mayors and city leaders to exchange experience, learn from one another and respond together to harassment, intimidation and other threats to local democracy.
At a time when democracy is under pressure across Europe, cities are a first line of defence, making democracy more inclusive, practical and closer to people’s everyday lives.
