2025 Covenant of Mayors Ceremony: Local Action Driving Europe’s Climate Ambition

Last Thursday, 16 October 2025, hundreds of local and regional leaders from across Europe gathered in the iconic Hemicycle of the European Parliament for the 10th Covenant of Mayors Ceremony. As a long-standing partner of the Covenant, FEDARENE was proud to contribute to the organisation of this landmark event, both as leader of the organising committee and through active participation from our President, Julije Domac, and Secretary General, Seamus Hoyne, who presided as Master of Ceremonies. The Ceremony was a powerful demonstration of how cities and regions are shaping Europe’s clean and resilient future.

A united opening from Europe’s top institutions

The Ceremony opened with inspiring speeches by Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament; Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission; and Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions. Together, they emphasised that Europe’s transition to climate neutrality relies on the ambition and action of its local communities.

Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the importance of everyday action: “Sustainability is not only about cutting emissions and adapting to change — it’s also about building places that are pleasant to live in. You are working on that every single day, and Europe is here with you to make it happen.”

Roberta Metsola highlighted the necessity to have local and regional actors correctly involved in the funding programmes of the next Multiannual Financial Framework: “We need to make sure that both the design and implementation of these programmes stay as close as possible to local and regional realities, and actually deliver on their aims. Because policies only work when they reflect the people and places they’re meant to serve. That means listening more, involving you more, and building together from the ground up.“

Kata Tüttő, reflecting on her experience as a local leader, added: “Resilience means more than just surviving crises — it’s about transforming them into opportunities for lasting change.”

Local leadership driving Europe’s energy transition

The 2025 Ceremony marked a symbolic year for the Covenant of Mayors, celebrating over 10,000 cities and towns that have joined since its launch. More than 700 participants gathered to discuss how local governments are delivering the EU’s climate objectives — from energy security and adaptation to social inclusion.

High-level interventions included Dan Jørgensen, EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing, who highlighted how: “Local actions can make big impacts — together, we can build a cleaner, stronger, and more secure Europe.” Ditte Juul Jørgensen, Director-General for Energy, presented the 2025 Covenant of Mayors Awards to Domokos (Greece), Lappeenranta (Finland), and Mechelen (Belgium), highlighting the achievements of local communities: “Awards like these are testaments to the power and importance of local communities in tackling the greatest challenges of the contemporary world. Each of the awarded municipalities represent leaders who inspire, innovators who discover new paths, and changemakers who leave lasting impacts.”

Wopke Hoekstra, EU Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, stressed the importance of local resilience: “Cities like Getafe, Reggio Emilia, Stockholm and Mannheim are leading by example. They’re showing how urban design, nature-based solutions, and strong governance protect communities and revive local economies.”

FEDARENE’s voice in the Hemicycle

As a long-standing partner of the Covenant, FEDARENE was proud to be part of the organising committee. Seamus Hoyne, FEDARENE Secretary General and Covenant Board Member, acted as Master of Ceremonies: “The strong presence of mayors and local and regional representatives in this Hemicycle, and their commitments within the Covenant of Mayors, prove the strategic role of towns, cities, and regions in driving Europe’s clean energy transition. Energy is the lifeblood of our communities — it powers our homes and mobility, and fuels our economies. Yet, as we stand at the crossroads of climate change and energy security, it is crucial to adapt how we consume, produce, and distribute energy.”

During the second panel, Julije Domac, FEDARENE President and Covenant Board Member, who also leads Croatia’s energy agency REGEA, called for the EU Integrated Framework for Climate Resilience and Risk Management to include permanent multilevel governance mechanisms: “Climate risks are highly localised. The new framework should institutionalise mechanisms that guarantee the role of regional and local authorities as co-designers — ensuring alignment between commitments and the budgets needed for implementation on the ground.”

Building partnerships for Europe’s future

In closing, Raffaele Fitto, European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, reinforced the EU’s commitment to support cities: “Simpler, more accessible, and more impactful — for cities of every size.”

As the Ceremony concluded, local and regional leaders sent a clear message: Europe’s climate-neutral and resilient future will be built locally — through vibrant, liveable, and sustainable communities that embody the spirit of cooperation and innovation. They emphasised that by joining forces across cities, regions, and European institutions, Europe can not only tackle the pressing challenges of climate change but also strengthen trust in collective action and reinforce democratic governance.

Supporting this shared ambition, FEDARENE, through its network of Regional and Local Energy Agencies and Regions, bridging European ambition with local and regional initiatives, and enabling cities and regions to implement innovative clean energy solutions while strengthening resilience against climate risks.