Europe must remain close to its citizens and businesses, and local leaders are key to communicating the opportunities offered by the European Union. This was the central message from EPP-affiliated local councillors during an online conference marking the first anniversary of the EU Local Councillors Network.
Todor Yosifov: Strengthening the Link Between Europe and Local Economies
Dr Todor Yosifov, Municipal Councillor of Burgas (Bulgaria), emphasized the importance of building strong bridges between local authorities, citizens, and the business community. As Chair of the Standing Committee on Economy and Investment Policies at the Municipal Council of Burgas, he has led initiatives to ensure that businesses are well informed about EU opportunities. A flagship initiative brought together the Municipal Council, the Europe Direct Centre, and the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
This cooperation enabled local authorities to better understand business needs while also gaining direct insight into EU instruments supporting entrepreneurs. Dr Yosifov highlighted that maintaining continuous dialogue with European institutions and stakeholders is essential to strengthening local economies. He noted that Burgas has developed into a strong European city on the Black Sea coast thanks to the combined efforts of local authorities, national government, and the support of the European Union.
José Miguel Pérez Blecua: Revitalising Rural Areas Through Women’s Entrepreneurship
José Miguel Pérez Blecua, Mayor of San Xoán de Río (Spain), addressed one of Europe’s most pressing challenges: rural depopulation. He underlined that only 20% of the population lives across 80% of the territory, with many women leaving rural areas for cities. To tackle this, he organised the 6th Congress of Rural Women in San Juan del Río, focusing on entrepreneurship as a driver of economic development. The initiative brought together rural female mayors and local leaders to promote participation, share ideas, and strengthen networks. As a result, many local representatives have committed to joining the EU Local Councillors Network in the coming months. Representing a town of just 1,500 inhabitants, Pérez Blecua demonstrated how local leadership can contribute to addressing Europe’s broader demographic and territorial challenges.
Mojca Erjavec: Engaging Youth and Bringing Europe Closer to Citizens
Mojca Erjavec from the Municipality of Ravne na Koroškem (Slovenia) highlighted the importance of connecting young people with European issues. Following President Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the European Union (SOTEU) address in September 2023, she organised a local event with high-school students to discuss the speech and its priorities in relation to their everyday lives.
The initiative encouraged active participation and open discussion among students, leading to high levels of engagement and increased interest in European topics. It also helped strengthen the connection between the local and European levels, while fostering cooperation within EU networks. Her initiative reflects a simple but powerful approach: bringing Europe closer to citizens—one local event at a time.
About the EU Local Councillors Network
The EU Local Councillors Network brings together locally elected politicians from across Europe to exchange best practices, engage with EU institutions, and communicate EU policies at the local level. By empowering councillors as ambassadors of the European project, the network helps bring Europe closer to its citizens and ensures that EU opportunities reach every region.
Join the network: https://building-europe-with-local-councillors.europa.eu/