Registrations are now open for the annual Covenant of Mayors Ceremony, taking place at the Charlemagne Building in Brussels on 15 October 2026.
The event will bring together hundreds of local and regional leaders from across Europe alongside high-level representatives of the European Commission and other key stakeholders to discuss how local action is central to achieving European objectives.
What it’s about
As Europe faces growing geopolitical tensions, volatile energy prices and increasing climate risks, cities and regions are playing a critical role in protecting citizens and businesses. By accelerating homegrown renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, addressing energy poverty and investing in climate resilience, local governments are helping reduce external dependencies and keeping energy affordable across Europe.
Covenant signatories, through their climate commitments and local action plans, are key to strengthening Europe’s long-term security, competitiveness and preparedness.
Building on last year’s successful edition, this year’s Ceremony, under the theme “Local Leaders for Affordable Energy and Climate Resilience”, will bring together the Covenant community in Brussels to showcase how municipalities are turning Europe’s priorities into concrete realities on the ground.
This means translating recent EU energy legislation and strategies, including AccelerateEU and the Citizens Energy Package, into real projects: on rooftops, in district heating systems, across mobility networks and within local industries. Through citizen engagement, energy communities and participatory governance, local authorities are also building trust and ensuring that the transition remains fair and inclusive.
At the same time, local and regional governments will play a crucial role in the implementation of the upcoming integrated framework for European climate resilience and risk management. As first responders to climate-related risks and leaders in territorial adaptation, they are essential to strengthening Europe’s resilience. Direct dialogue and alignment across all levels of government will be key to achieving these objectives.
What to expect
To explore these topics, the programme will feature exchanges with European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen and European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth Wopke Hoekstra, alongside mayors, regional leaders and other high-level speakers.
Beyond the political discussions, the 2026 Ceremony will place a strong focus on practical knowledge and peer learning. Participants will have the opportunity to join focused workshop sessions addressing key challenges facing local authorities today, including a workshop on addressing climate disinformation and a hands-on training session on transforming Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) into investment plans.
A dedicated discussion for Covenant supporters and coordinators will also explore how the Covenant of Mayors can be further integrated into regional and national climate and energy planning, drawing inspiration from successful examples across the Covenant community.
Throughout the day, dedicated networking spaces will enable participants to connect directly with EU representatives, fellow local leaders, supporting initiatives and experts. Attendees will be able to exchange experiences, discover practical solutions, build partnerships and network around specific themes, from climate adaptation and affordable energy to financing the transition. In these network areas, participants will also have the opportunity to pitch inspiring local stories and projects from their city.
Combining high-level political dialogue with hands-on workshops and networking opportunities, the 2026 Covenant of Mayors Ceremony aims to equip cities and regions with the knowledge, connections and support they need to act effectively in today’s rapidly changing environment.
The full programme will be published soon. See the provisional agenda here.
Registrations are now open. Secure your place today.
