From 23 to 27 February, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) held its Annual Retreat in Barcelona under the theme “Local Multilateralism as Hope and Objective: A Local and Territorial Vision for the World.”

The Retreat is a week-long gathering that brings together key nodes of the organization and its partners to strengthen synergies and advance joint actions in line with the priorities set by the UCLG Governing Bodies. It offers an important opportunity for political leaders and technical teams across the network to reflect collectively on shared priorities and the strategic direction of the municipalist movement. This year’s discussions particularly focused on the link between local action and global agendas ahead of the UCLG Congress in Tangier, highlighting the role of cities and regions in shaping a renewed and more inclusive multilateralism.

Democracy and Plurilateralism: Trust and Leadership at the Heart of the Municipalist Movement

On Wednesday, the International Observatory on Participatory Democracy (OIDP) led a full day of discussions under the theme “Democracy and Plurilateralism”, exploring how cities and regions can engage in multi-actor coalitions without compromising democratic values or fragmenting the movement.

Adria Duarte, Coordinator of the OIDP, moderated the session “Trust and Leadership in the DNA of the Movement.” In a world marked by democratic erosion, social fragmentation, and global uncertainty, trust has emerged as both a foundational value and a defining challenge for local governments and political leadership.

As emphasized by Carola Gunnarsson — Councillor of Sala, UCLG Special Envoy for Freedom, Solidarity and Fighting Violence against Local Political Leaders, and Vice-President of UCLG for Europe — “our fundamental values are not only being questioned but challenged. Democracy as a model is being questioned.”

The session highlighted how local authorities are increasingly called upon to respond to complex crises while maintaining legitimacy, social cohesion, and a sense of shared purpose. Drawing on the experiences of UCLG members and on 25 years of innovation fostered by the OIDP, participants reflected on how trust and leadership are deeply embedded in the DNA of the municipal movement. As noted by Anders Herinksson, President of SALAR, “Ahead of the next congress we can make this message clear: trust is not a soft value, its the foundation of democracy, its the political capital and its the heart of our movement”.

Discussions also explored the intersections between participatory democracy and other key agendas of the movement, including municipal feminism, human rights-based approaches to local public action, local peacebuilding, and the recognition of new governance essentials such as care, proximity, and co-responsibility. Participants stressed the importance of recognizing the role of local and regional governments in rebuilding trust in times of fragmentation and polarization.

The session underscored that, even amid global uncertainty, strong local leadership grounded in trust and participatory democracy remains essential to building resilient, inclusive, and rights-based cities. Jan Van Zanen, Mayor of the Hague, highlighted that “when differences turn into divisions, trust begins to erode locally. The greatest risk to trust is not disagreement, it is disengagement.”

OIDP Conference 2026 in Kraków and the 25th Anniversary of the OIDP

During the session, Mateusz Płoskonka — Deputy Director of the Department of Dialogue, Consultation and Citizen Contact of the City of Kraków — highlighted the importance of networks such as the OIDP and invited UCLG members to join the 25th OIDP Conference, which will take place in Kraków from 21 to 23 September 2026.

Under the theme “Hope and Renewal in the Face of a Global Crisis of Democracy: The Future of Participatory Democracy from Local to International Governance,” the conference will offer an opportunity to reflect on the role of participatory democracy in addressing contemporary democratic challenges.

As he noted: “This conference is more than an anniversary. It is a strategic moment for our movement — a space to reflect on how trust is built through participatory democracy, municipal feminism, human rights, care, and peace at the local level.”

For UCLG and the broader municipalist movement, rebuilding trust is not a new concern but a long-standing political commitment that has shaped collective agendas and narratives over the past decades. As a strategic step in the preparations for the UCLG World Congress 2026 in Tangier, the Retreat connected past achievements with emerging priorities, emphasizing trust, democracy, and human rights as mutually reinforcing pillars of political leadership and renewed multilateralism.

Announcement of the Host of the 2027 OIDP Conference

The Retreat also marked an exciting milestone for the OIDP network. The vibrant city of Niterói, in Brazil, was announced as the host of the OIDP Conference in 2027.

Rodrigo Neves, Mayor of Niterói, presented the city’s official candidacy during the UCLG Presidency meeting held as part of the Retreat.

With its long-standing commitment to democratic innovation, active citizen engagement, and forward-looking public policies, Niterói embodies the spirit of renewal and transformation that defines the OIDP network. Hosting the conference in 2027 will bring participatory democracy to the heart of Latin America, creating new bridges between local experiences and global challenges.

The OIDP community now looks forward to gathering in Niterói to continue shaping the future of democracy together — building hope, strengthening communities, and advancing participatory governance worldwide.

Find more information about the OIDP Conference 2026

Find here the three editions of the UCLG Municipal Times linked to this year’s Retreat

Have a look at the different sessions of the Retreat on UCLG’s Flickr account