Creating inclusive, safe, and sustainable cities requires good local governance and democratic institutions supporting it. Citizen participation mechanisms must be created, involving all groups of local residents: dialogue is a crucial tool to avoid social fragmentation, promote a culture of living together and build harmonious relationships within the city and the society overall. 

The sustainability of cities and human settlements lies at the core of the Congress's existence, working with local and regional authorities to improve the livelihoods of their citizens in a sustainable manner. In relation to the SDG, the Congress has adopted the following texts: 

• REC473 (2022) and RES481 (2022) - The future of youth in rural areas: responsibilities of local and regional authorities
• RES 478 (2022) - Children and sustainable cities: guidelines and booklet for local and regional authorities
• REC463 (2021) - Home-sharing platforms: challenges and opportunities for municipalities
• REC455 (2021) and RES467 (2021) - Recurring issues based on assessments resulting from Congress monitoring of the European Charter of Local Self-Government and election observation missions (reference period 2017-2020)
• REC453 (2021) and RES466 (2021) - Ensuring respect of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in major crisis situations
• REC452 (2021) - The status of capital cities
• REC444 (2020) and RES455 (2020) - Local and regional elections in major crisis situations
• Report CG-FORUM(2020)02-07 and RES461 (2020) - Human Rights Handbook for local and regional authorities: Volume II – Social Rights
• RES460 (2020) - A contemporary commentary by the Congress on the explanatory report to the European Charter of Local Self-Government
• RES452 (2019) - Revised Code of Good Practice for Civil Participation in the Decision-making Process
• REC406 (2017) - A better future for Europe’s rural areas
• REC392 (2016) and RES407 (2016) - Good governance in metropolitan areas 
• RES385 (2015) - Fostering active citizenship by building partnerships with civil society
• RES384 (2015) - Guidelines for local and regional authorities on preventing radicalisation and manifestations of hate at the grassroots level  
• RES339 (2012) - Making cities resilient
• REC253 (2008) and RES271 (2008) - The social reintegration of children living and working on the streets
• REC251 (2008) and RES269 (2008) - European Urban Charter II - Manifesto for a new urbanity 
• REC241 (2008) and RES258 (2008) - Child in the city
• REC232 (2008) and RES249 (2008) - Biodiversity policies for urban areas  

To support local public administrations in leading in a more informed manner, addressing the needs of their communities, and developing demand-driven and responsive policies, the Congress has developed the “Management of Change: Tool Guide for Local and Regional Authorities”.

• Preventing radicalisation and building inclusive societies
• Organising intercultural and interreligious activities
• Migration and integration
• Cooperation programmes

• Toolkit for organising intercultural and interreligious activities
• Urban Charter II - Manifesto for a new urbanity
• Promoting human rights at local and regional level
• Human rights handbook for Local and Regional Authorities
• Management of Change: Tool Guide for Local and Regional Authorities