Twelve mayors and local leaders from 7 countries discussed common challenges and shared best practice on sustainability, EU funding, city to city cooperation, citizen participation, refugee crisis and democracy.
On 14 October, during the Congress of the European Democratic Party in Rome, François Decoster, Renew Europe CoR President held the first Democratic Mayors Summit.
The role of city mayors is becoming increasingly important in the development of the European Union and in helping the EU to successfully manage the challenges of the 21st century. Therefore, the focus of the summit was to share best practice and identify ways in which democrat mayors can work more closely together Europe-wide.
During the summit which was co-hosted by Sandro GOZI MEP, the Secretary-General of the European Democratic Party, mayors shared their perspective in sustainability, EU funding, city to city cooperation, citizen participation, refugee crisis and democracy. In addition, the mayors called for greater cooperation in advancing local and regional agenda and support for smart conditionality when it comes to EU funds.
The mayors also agreed to establish a Democratic Mayors Network and start preparations for Europe Day 2023 and the next European elections.
The first Democratic Mayors Summit on 14 October 2022 consisted of 12 mayors and local leaders from 7 countries: François Decoster (Saint-Omer), Jean-Marie Beaupuy (Former Deputy Mayor of Reims), Istvan Serto Radics (Former Mayor of Uszka), Birgit Kreß (Mayor of Markt Erlbach), Helmut Kinkel (Mayor of Groß-Gerau), Juan María Aburto (Mayor of Bilbao), Ander Añibarro (Mayor of Llodio), Maria Ubarrechena (Mayor of Mondragon), Monika Shaw Salajová (Councillor Prague 5), Giuseppe Varacallli (Former Mayor of Gerace), Sergio Ravier Rodriges Fernnades (Mayor of El Paso), Filipe Sousa (Mayor of Santa Cruz).
