25^th General Assembly of European municipalities and regions (CERM) “Decentralization, democracy, development and innovations in 3D” took place in Cadiz (Spain) on 26 - 29 September 2012.

During the event, the Ukrainian delegation met with CERM President and Mayor of Stuttgart Mr. Wolfgang Schuster, Secretary General of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions, as well as the President and members of the Network of Associations of South-Eastern Europe Local authorities (NALAS). Friendly relations were established with Polish Association of Cities, British Association of Local Authorities as well as with corresponding associations from France, Romania and Moldova.

The Assembly adopted the Declaration “Decentralization, Democracy and Development. Innovations for Europe in 3D”. It offers a new approach to more sustainable growth and development of European territories. The approach is based on cooperation between political, economic and social players.  

Ukrainian delegation included following persons: Anatoliy Tkachuk, Research and Development Director, Civil Society Institute; Serhiy Chernov, President, Ukrainian Association of Rayon and Oblast Councils; Yuriy Andriychuk, Head of Secretariat, Ukrainian Association of Rayon and Oblast Councils; Valentyna Poltavets, Executive Director, Association of Small Towns; Victor Kravchenko, Deputy Vice-president, Association of Cities of Ukraine; Mykola Fursenko, Head of Ukrainian Association of Villages; Vadym Savchenko, First Deputy Head, Ukrainian Association of Villages; Oksana Garnets, Senior Coordinator in Ukraine, Swwiss-Ukrainiann Project “Decentralization Support in Ukraine” (DESPRO); Maryna Bryl, DESPRO expert; Olena Lytvynenko, Head of Council of Europe programme “Strengthening the Local Democracy and Local Self-governance Support” and Olga Shevchuk, Program Assistant.