ICLEI Europe

ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network consisting of over 2500 local and regional governments in more than 125 countries. The goal of ICLEI is to promote sustainable urban development and bring about systemic change in urban areas.

ICLEI believes that local actions can drive global change. The organization advocates for sustainable, low-emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient, and circular development. ICLEI works closely with its members to ensure that sustainable development is integrated into the daily operations and policies of local and regional governments[1][4].

• Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer: ICLEI invests in the capacities and knowledge of local and regional governments to develop innovative solutions and make data-driven, science-based decisions[1][3].
• Projects and Initiatives: The organization coordinates and oversees projects to develop innovative solutions and supports cities in achieving sustainability goals. Examples include the Sun4All project in Barcelona, which addresses energy poverty through the use of solar energy on rooftops, and supporting cities in reaching ambitious climate goals under the EU missions[2][4].
• Networking and Partnerships: ICLEI promotes exchange between local, regional, national, and global levels of government as well as with international organizations, national governments, academic institutions, financial institutions, civil society, and the private sector. This also includes collaboration with the European Commission and the Committee of the Regions[1][4].

• European Green Deal: ICLEI Europe supports local governments in implementing the European Green Deal, which aims for climate neutrality. This includes promoting resilient and equitable communities[2].
• SDGs and Local Sustainability: ICLEI helps cities implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level. An example is the work of the city of Freiburg, which integrates sustainability management and governance across all areas of city administration[3][4].
• Gender Equality and Social Justice: ICLEI also advocates for gender equality and social justice by conducting workshops and initiatives to identify existing challenges and develop standardized methodological approaches to address these challenges[4].

ICLEI has a strong global governance structure based on nine Regional Executive Committees (REXComs) elected by the members of each region. These REXComs form the ICLEI Council, which represents the global membership. The Global Executive Committee (GEXCom) oversees the implementation of the strategic plan and ensures that the interests of local and regional governments are represented in global and European policy processes[5].

With its headquarters in Freiburg and additional offices in Berlin and Brussels, ICLEI works closely with over 160 sustainability and communication professionals to support and promote sustainable transformation. Through joint actions, peer learning, and strong partnerships with various stakeholders, ICLEI contributes to accelerating local sustainable development and bringing about real change on the ground[4].

• 1 - https://iclei.org/about_iclei_2/
• 2 - https://iclei-europe.org
• 3 - https://www.freiburg.de/pb/1457052.html
• 4 - https://iclei-europe.org/who-we-are/
• 5 - https://iclei-europe.org/governance/