The Campaign

The EDLS is an annual 2-week campaign run by European cities and regions committed to inform and mobilise their citizens on global solidarity and sustainable development issues. Grounded on the European values of democracy, diversity and solidarity, the EDLS promotes decentralised cooperation and city-to-city cooperation as a successful instrument for global sustainable development.

Cities and regions from all over Europe act to reduce poverty, address inequalities, fight against climate change and achieve global sustainable development all over the world. International cooperation between cities and regions creates a unique political, cultural and societal bond that stands as an example of solidarity and respect. It connects us with other communities in the world.

In 2020, more than 70 European cities, regions and provinces from 9 European countries organised 60 events and activities over 2 weeks under the EDLS !

Key messages

  • European cities and regions strengthen citizens’ knowledge on global sustainable development issues.

  • European cities and regions support and promote development education and active citizenship initiatives with great local impact.

  • European cities and regions promote political engagement at the national, European and global scale in favour of sustainable development.

Join us!

  1. Plan your EDLS activity between 15 and 30 November 2021

    An EDLS activity is:

    • (Co-)organised by a European town or region, or by an association of local and regional governments
    • An opportunity for citizens, local or regional elected or officials, CSOs and other local players to learn, exchange, discuss and celebrate
    • Focused on European cities and regions’ contribution to global sustainable development, with particular attention to their international cooperation and city-to-city partnerships
  2. Use the EDLS campaign toolkit!

    Download the EDLS flyer and poster! Or add the EDLS logo to your own material to boost your initiative and strengthen its key messages. It will also be added to the official EDLS agenda and promoted via Twitter (#LocalSolidarityDays), reaching a wider European audience!

  3. Read and sign the EDLS Charter

    Ask your local or regional elected representatives to support the campaign by committing to the EDLS values and principles. Read and sign the EDLS Charter.

Guidelines

Download the guidelines and discover how to join the EDLS 2021!

Partners

The European Days of Local Solidarity were launched in 2016 and are coordinated by PLATFORMA, with the financial support of the European Union. PLATFORMA is the European coalition of local and regional governments and their associations active in town-to-town and region-to-region development cooperation, known as “decentralised cooperation”. Since its creation in 2008, PLATFORMA represents more than 100,000 local and regional governments. All are key players of international cooperation for sustainable development. To know more about the network’s mission and membership, take a look at platforma-dev.eu.

The EDLS are driven by the commitment of European cities, regions and associations of local and regional governments. Beyond promoting initiatives across Europe, the campaign has been an opportunity for learning and exchanging for cities and region’s officials and elected representatives in the fields of awareness raising, development education and international action of local and regional governments.