“Associations of local and regional authorities play a strategic role in promoting multilevel governance. They are crucial actors at national and international levels in strengthening elations between central and local authorities, which is of utmost importance for the health of our democracies,” underlined Ekrem Imamoglu, President of the Union of Turkish Municipalities and Mayor of Istanbul, addressing the Conference of associations in Strasbourg on 12 September 2024.

Speaking in the debate on the role of associations in strengthening territorial democracy, he pointed out to their importance for defending the right of local and regional authorities and raising their demands vis-à-vis national governments and on the international stage, adding that sharing experiences of local and regional authorities in different European countries can be a source of great inspiration.

Another speaker in the debate, Gunn Marit Helgesen, President of the Norwegian association of local and regional authorities (KS) and President of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), highlighted the increasing pace of transformation face by territorial communities. “Local and regional governments face major challenges that require significant change; these include demographic, staffing, digitalisation, and climate issues,” she said, adding that national association have a key role in helping their members to respond to these challenges, and must be able to speak strongly to national authorities and in public debates.

Participants in the debate stressed the need to start discussing a new, innovative and more “horizontal” way of co-operation between national associations and central authorities, to strengthen international co-operation among national associations through their integration into international networks, and to improve conditions for representation and inclusion of women and youth at all levels, including through the use of digital tools and effective mechanisms for citizen involvement.