EPP-CoR members have called for stronger local democracy, reliable information, evidence-based policymaking and closer cooperation between all levels of government as essential ingredients for building resilient societies and advancing the European integration of Eastern Partnership countries.
Speaking at the 15th Annual Meeting of the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP), held in Chișinău, Moldova, on 14 September, EPP-CoR members highlighted the central role of cities and regions in countering disinformation, strengthening public trust and ensuring that policymaking responds to the real needs of citizens.
During the discussion on countering foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), Csaba Borboly (RO/EPP), Vice-President of Harghita County Council, stressed that democratic resilience starts in local communities and called for stronger cooperation between local authorities and independent media.
“We cannot combat disinformation only through central institutions and regulations. People need credible, relevant information in a language they understand. Independent local media, including multilingual media, is therefore part of democratic security,” said Borboly.
Borboly proposed that CORLEAP develop a pilot project bringing together regions and localities from the EU, Moldova and Ukraine, providing training for local administrations, tools to identify AI-generated manipulation, media literacy and a local fact-checking network. He also stressed that cooperation between public authorities and the media must fully respect editorial independence.
In the session on strengthening policymaking at local and regional level, Aleksandra Dulkiewicz (PL/EPP), Mayor of Gdańsk, underlined the importance of using evidence and reliable data to understand local needs, while combining this with meaningful consultation and strong democratic leadership. “Data and evidence-based policy making are indispensable to allowing projects to become a success, helping to gain broad public support. But data alone is no substitute for quality democratic leadership,” said Dulkiewicz.
Drawing on Gdańsk's experience with a major transport project, Dulkiewicz stressed the importance of communicating clearly with citizens from the beginning, particularly when residents experience disruption long before the benefits of a project become visible. Clear facts, consultation and transparent communication help build public trust while leaving less space for disinformation to dominate public debate.
Radim Sršeň (CZ/EPP), Mayor of Dolní Studénky, highlighted the role of the LEADER programme in Ukraine in bringing different stakeholders and associations together, supporting rural development and strengthening participation in the country's European integration process.
“We have launched the LEADER programme in Ukraine, bringing together different stakeholders and associations. This aims more broadly to speed up the process of rural development in the country. It also brings about a common front to increase support for the EU accession process and to ensure participation of all stakeholders, therefore lowering the chances of disinformation to spread in society,” said Sršeň.
Arnoldas Abramavičius (LT/EPP), Councillor of the Zarasai District Municipality Council, emphasised that successful reforms also depend on cooperation between national, regional and local authorities. “Consensus between different levels of government is of key importance. We must find ways to efficiently settle disputes between local and central government and to promote cooperation between them, based on the principles of multi-level government,” said Abramavičius.
Abramavičius stressed that Moldova needs effective cooperation and coherence between different levels of authority in order to tackle future challenges through a common approach.
The voice of the younger generation was brought to the discussion by Oxana Bordian, member of Chișinău City Council and participant in the CoR Young Elected Politicians (YEP) programme. She stressed that young people should be involved from the beginning of policymaking rather than simply being asked for their views at the end of the process.
“Let’s not build a political system for them, but let’s build it together with them. Because if young people want to be part of the future and they want to live in Moldova, they need to have real possibilities, not to be stuck in the same decision-making process, but to be part of that future,” said Bordian.
The CORLEAP Annual Meeting also saw the launch of the pilot project for the Eastern Partnership Academy for Public Administration at local and regional level (EPAPA), aimed at strengthening administrative capacity, evidence-based policymaking and cooperation between local and regional authorities in the EU and Eastern Partnership countries.
The discussions in Chișinău reinforced a common message from EPP-CoR representatives: European integration and democratic resilience cannot be achieved through national institutions alone. They depend on capable local administrations, cooperation between all levels of government, trustworthy information and the meaningful involvement of citizens in decisions shaping their communities.