In partnership with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe, the EU Delegation to the Council of Europe is launching a public campaign, “Together in the Distance: Building New Solidarities in a Changing World”, to celebrate the resilience of societies across Europe and beyond and pay tribute to those who have shown solidarity with their fellow human beings in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.

The aim of the campaign is to gather together photos and stories about people who have helped tackle the pandemic and its devastating consequences over the past 12 months and made a contribution to the common good.  The photos and testimonials selected by the jury will be featured in a virtual or hybrid exhibition and will be compiled in a dedicated photobook and postcard collection.

APPLICATION DOCUMENT: Participation form

Anyone interested should refer to the call for photos, which includes a full description of the arrangements for taking part, on the website of the EU’s European External Action Service (EEAS).

Any queries should be sent to [email protected].

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Congress has launched several initiatives to support local and regional authorities, whose particular responsibilities and closeness to citizens place them in the front line in tackling the crisis.  As a political assembly composed of local and regional elected representatives from 47 Council of Europe member states, the Congress is able to pool the experiences of towns, cities and regions to find solutions that can be implemented on the ground in all local and regional authorities throughout Europe.

Find out more here:

• COVID-19: Activities of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
• Projects to bring young people in Europe together and make their voices heard during the COVID-19 crisis