Any local and regional elected representative (from village, city, metropolitan area, region or any other level of local government) who is currently serving in this role may participate in the network. The membership is based on an application process – see details below.
While there is no limit to how many locally elected representatives per local authority may participate in the network, the first approved member is considered as main correspondent with the EU institutions, unless the authority nominates in writing someone else.
To join the network, any locally elected representative has to:
- Fill in the application form (available in all EU languages)
- Upload a signed declaration form (co-signed by the candidate member and the legal representative of the local/regional authority).
The application form can be filled in and sent directly by the local /regional authority on behalf of the candidate.
Once the membership is confirmed, the councillor is invited to reply to an individual survey that will help the EU institutions design the most relevant communication products and services.
The applying local authority has the role of partner of the project, receives visibility materials that they can use to show that the authority has become partner of the EU Institutions in communicating and engaging citizens on EU issues.
The local authority can apply on behalf of a local/regional elected representative or can encourage a new member to apply as soon as the electoral mandate of the previous member expires or ceases for any reason. The locally /regionally elected person will become an active member of the network, receiving access to targeted information, to a dedicated digital platform and to a privileged relation with EU institutions.
It is possible for a mayor to become member of the network and interact with peers in similar roles.
Any background and profiles are welcome. There is no specific requirement of political affiliation or role covered in the local council. The members need to be elected representatives in the current electoral mandate.
Members need to be willing to communicate proactively with citizens in their local area about issues related to the EU.
The Commission (EC) and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) encourage women and minorities to apply (individuals part of underrepresented groups).
While there is no limit to how many locally/regionally elected representatives per authority may participate in the network, the first approved member is considered to be the main "correspondent" for the EU. The correspondent will be the main contact person for ad hoc activities and initiatives unless the authority nominates in writing a different person for this role.
The Legal Representative could be the mayor of the Municipality or any other person (elected or non-elected) who has the official authority to sign the declaration form legally representing the local/regional entity.
Ideally, the contact person of the partner local/regional authority is designated among civil servants of the authority, as to ensure continuity after local/regional elections.
The call is open on a rolling basis, which means that there is no deadline. The call will stay open as long as the project continues.
Yes, members are expected to represent the EU objectively based on accurate and trustworthy information. They are also expected to engage in discussion and debate with members of their constituency or local media about the general political initiatives and measures carried out by the EU.
Members commit to following this line of conduct when signing the declaration, at the moment of application. A charter of EU Local Councillors clarify what is expected by EU Councillors.
Read the Charter of the EU Local Councillors
Being part of the network helps the local/regional authority, through its local councillor to better communicate about the EU with its constituents. Members of the network will benefit in many ways, as presented below:
- Privileged access to official EU communication sources in national languages, communication material, online and offline seminars and other forms of information, that allow engaging with citizens on EU issues.
- Opportunity to be invited to physical or digital visits to EU institutions organised, when possible, in their language.
- Opportunity to receive targeted information on topics of interest and of relevance for their constituency, based on the preferences indicated in the individual specific survey.
- Visibility at EU level of the member's activities undertaken in the context of the network.
- Access to a lively network of peers through a dedicated online platform with other network participants.
- Privileged access to a multitude of EU outreach networks at local level, including more than 400 EUROPE DIRECT centres operating in almost all EU regions.
- Opportunity to get in contact and create synergies with members of CoR.
- Initiate communication activities and events on the ground to engage with citizens.
There is no limit in the number of applications per country.
There is no direct cost associated with being part of the network. The EC or the CoR will not ask you for any contributions at any point in time. Any travel expenses for participation to project events that are not online will either be covered by the EC, the CoR or be optional. The activities of the network members (communication with citizens on EU matters, taking part in the life of the network) do not necessarily imply a cost for the member.
No. The network is open only to locally/regionally elected representatives in EU countries.
Once your application is validated by theEC and the CoR, you will receive a welcome kit and communication materials about the network.
You will also receive an invitation to select the EU topics of relevance for your constituency and to register on the online platform Futurium. Once registered, you will have the opportunity to continue receiving updated information on a regular basis on EU topics of your interest and of relevance for your region, as well as network with other members. You will also be invited to attend ad hoc webinars, visits to Brussels and other events.
All local/regional councillors who are members of the network are expected to perform the actions they commit to by signing the project declaration at the moment of application, in line with the "Charter of EU Local Councillors". These actions include the following.
- Communicate regularly about the EU. This means to regularly engage in discussion and debate with members of their constituency or local media about the general political initiatives and measures carried out by the EU and encourage their constituents to get involved in debates on the future of the EU.
- Organise local events and dialogues addressed to citizens.
- Stick to the facts and represent the EU objectively. Present EU policies, actions and initiatives objectively, based on accurate and trustworthy information.
- Take part in the life of the network by participating in the online platform, attending seminars and visits offered by the EU Institutions (depending on availability). It also requires to respond to surveys and provide feedback on activities undertaken in the context of the network.
- Liaise with the closest EUROPE DIRECT centres, the EC Representations and CoR members to create synergies and communication activities on the ground
Read the “Charter of the EU local Councillors“ to know more about it.
The role of the local/regional authority is to ensure continuity. For instance, they are asked to notify the EU institutions when the period in office of councillors comes to an end. A new candidate member can then apply, without delay.
At the same time, they have to accept the termination of the councillors membership (if requested by the EU institutions – once they give an opportunity to be heard on the matter), if their actions undermine the aim of the network or are manifestly incompatible with EU values.
They are encouraged to follow a political and gender balance in case of multiple candidatures.
They appoint a civil servant as contact person for the network.
The network website (open to the public) includes general information and communication materials as information on Councillors activity on the ground. The network’s online platform (restricted access only for members of the network) includes relevant information sorted by EU topic, invitation to events, discussion forums, members’ presentation, best practices and general news related to the project. Content available on the online platform is accessible in all EU official languages through automated translation.
Yes.
No. Members will only receive non-financial forms of support (privileged access to EU information, materials, visits, invitations to events, peer networking, etc.).
Members of the network are welcome to take part in EU events ( i.e. EURegionsWeek, Summits of regions and cities) at their own expenses. Under certain conditions, limited funds can be available for ad hoc events to provide support for travel to Brussels for a limited number of councillors (conditioned to availability) also in the form of study visits.
Members remain part of the network until the end of their mandate as elected councillor of the local/regional entity. If a councillor wish to cancel the membership, she/he needs to contact the local/regional authority and follow up with the EC and CoR to inform them about it.
As a general rule, once an electoral mandate expires the membership also ends. However, if the councilor's mandate is renewed than the membership will continue and the councilor needs to inform the EC and CoR about the new mandate.
You are welcome to disseminate the communication materials related to the network and invite other local councillors to participate. However, please be reminded that any application is subjected to a double signature (from the local authority’s legal representative and the candidate member).
The member should inform their local/regional authority and the EC and CoR .
The partnership between the EC and CoR and the local authority remains valid only if a new member applies introducing a new application form or the local/regional authority introduces an application on behalf of a new candidate . If the local authority wishes to withdraw entirely from the network, it needs to notify the EC and CoR.
The project is multilingual so there is no language requirement for the members of the network. Local councillors are not required to communicate in English. All material, including a detailed manual to access the online platform, will be provided in their respective language. The interactive online platform provides automatic translation in all official EU languages. However the knowledge of other languages as English is considered as an added value.
There is no quantitative target for the time an individual councillor devotes to the project activities. The network aims to provide information to locally/regionally elected representatives enabling them to learn more about EU initiatives and measures so that they can use this knowledge to engage with citizens in their constituency. However councillors are called to be active on the ground, following the indication of the " Charter of EU Local Councillors", organizing communication activity during the year. There will be ways for them to report and for the EC and CoR to acknowledge their proactivity.
The network “Building Europe with Local Councillors” was proposed by the European Parliament in 2021 and focuses on improving the capacity of local councillors to communicate at the local level on EU matters.
The CoR European Network of Regional and Local Councillors launched in 2021 aims to connect the work of the Committee of the Regions and its members to the wider audience of local councillors present in the EU.
Given the fact that both networks have similar objectives and target the same population of EU local councillors, they have merged into one single network since 2025, they now uses the same website, same platforms, providing joint services and products to councillors.
The European Commission, represented by the Directorate-General for Communications (DG COMM) and the European Committee of the Regions, manage the network jointly.
If you do not find the answer to your question in the FAQs and in the project materials, please contact us: info
eu-councillors [dot] eu (info[at]eu-councillors[dot]eu) . We will get back to you as soon as possible.
If you are a member yourself, you can do that through the online discussion forum once you create your account on Futurium, our social media platforms (Facebook) or at online or physical events organised by the project team.
The EC and CoR can organise a tailored meeting, visit or webinarif there is interest from a sufficient number of members. Please contact infoeu-councillors [dot] eu (info[at]eu-councillors[dot]eu.)
We will strive to organise visits by language groups, around the topics higlighted in the members’ answers to the specific survey, depending on resources and calendar constraints. When this is the case, members will receive invitations in due time and their travel costs will be covered to the extent possible.
The project team can provide, upon request, project visual materials in all official EU languages in digital format (and occasionally in physical format, depending on availability). Editable versions can also be provided in case a local authority or a local councillor wishes to produce additional materials in other languages, which are not EU official languages.