AFCCRE

What AFCCRE does

AFCCRE is a French non-profit membership association, established circa 1955, that operates as the French branch of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CCRE) and a member of the global United Cities and Local Governments (CGLU) network. It serves French territorial authorities — municipalities, departments, regions, intermunicipalities, and other local government bodies — by facilitating their integration into European integration and cooperation processes. The organization is headquartered in Orléans (20 rue Alsace Lorraine) and operates with a small staff of approximately 11 employees.

The association's service portfolio is structured around coordination, advisory, training, and convening rather than proprietary technology. Core offerings include: (i) thematic working groups coordinating Franco-Romanian, Franco-Polish, Franco-Balkan, and Franco-British partnerships between French local authorities and their European counterparts; (ii) an annual European University conference bringing together elected officials and administrators; (iii) Ministry of the Interior-approved training programs for elected officials (agrément Formation des élus); (iv) publications and informational monitoring on EU community policies; and (v) advisory support for member authorities pursuing European funds, twinning projects, and lobbying initiatives. AFCCRE also serves as a partner in the Franco-German Citizens Fund (Fonds citoyen franco-allemand), a bilateral program established under the 2019 Treaty of Aachen and administered by OFAJ.

AFCCRE's revenue model is not publicly disclosed but operates as a membership-based association funded primarily through member fees and project/program financing (including support from DAECT and OFAJ). As an associative structure governed by French law, it is owned and controlled by its member local and regional authorities rather than external investors, with governance exercised through a Bureau led by President Philippe Laurent, Mayor of Sceaux. The organization has no venture, private equity, or public ownership structure and does not dilute equity. Distribution is direct-to-member through organizational outreach, events, and digital channels (website, LinkedIn, YouTube).

Name

AFCCRE

Legal name

Association Française du Conseil des Communes et Régions d'Europe

Website

https://afccre.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AFCCRE is a French non-profit association, founded circa 1955, serving as the French branch of CCRE. It supports French territorial authorities with training, advisory services, and thematic working groups on European integration, twinning, and cross-border cooperation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Orléans

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

AFCCRE is a French non-profit membership association that supports French territorial authorities (municipalities, departments, regions, intermunicipalities) in their European integration efforts. It provides advisory services on European policies and funds, Ministry of the Interior-approved training for elected officials, thematic working groups and bilateral forums on Franco-German, Franco-Romanian, Franco-Polish, Franco-Balkan and Franco-British cooperation, an annual European University conference, and publications/resources on European affairs.

Product overview

AFCCRE (Association Française du Conseil des Communes et Régions d'Europe) is a pluralist membership organization that works for the integration of territorial authorities into the European construction process. Rather than a unified software product, AFCCRE offers a portfolio of services including the Franco-German Citizens Fund (Fonds citoyen franco-allemand) managed in partnership with OFAJ, thematic working groups on European cooperation (France-Roumanie, France-Pologne, France-Balkans, France-Royaume-Uni), the annual European University conference, approved training programs for elected officials, publications and resources, and advisory support for territorial authorities' European projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fonds citoyen franco-allemand: A bilateral citizen fund supporting Franco-German initiatives, established under the Treaty of Aachen (January 22, 2019), administered by the Franco-German Youth Office (OFAJ).

Products and services

• AFCCRE Membership (Adhésion) Membership programme for French territorial authorities (municipalities, departments, regions, intermunicipalities) that provides access to advisory support, training, European cooperation working groups, events, and the broader CCRE and CGLU networks.
• Formation des élus (Elected Officials Training) Training programmes for local elected officials and administrative staff, officially approved by the French Ministry of the Interior (agrément Formation des élus), covering European affairs and international cooperation.
• European University of AFCCRE (Université européenne de l'AFCCRE) Annual European university conference bringing together local and regional elected officials, administrators, and European stakeholders to discuss European affairs and promote European integration among territorial authorities.
• Thematic Working Groups (France-Roumanie, France-Pologne, France-Balkans, France-Royaume-Uni) Thematic working groups and bilateral forums coordinated by AFCCRE that bring together French local authorities engaged in twinning, partnerships, and cooperation with counterparts in Romania, Poland, the Balkans, and the United Kingdom, facilitating exchange of experiences and good practices on local policies.
• Fonds citoyen franco-allemand (Franco-German Citizens Fund) A bilateral Franco-German citizens' fund established under the Treaty of Aachen, managed by the Franco-German Youth Office (OFAJ), supporting citizen initiatives, twinning associations, and intergenerational exchanges between France and Germany. AFCCRE supports the Fund as a partner organisation.
• European Cooperation Support and Accompaniment (Accompagnement des collectivités) Advisory and support services for member local authorities in their European projects, including European Funds implementation, lobbying, territorial facilitation, and access to the CCRE and UCLG networks.
• Ressources et publications (Resources and Publications) Publications, reports, and resources on European cooperation, local public services, territorial cohesion, and other themes relevant to French territorial authorities engaged in European affairs.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 250 Franco-Romanian twinnings and partnerships listed, making Romania the second country in Franco-Central and Eastern European relations
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• CCRE (Council of Communes and Regions of Europe)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFCCRE is the French branch of CCRE, which federates more than 100,000 local authorities across Europe. This is a foundational membership relationship providing access to the largest European network of territorial communities.
• CGLU (United Cities and Local Governments)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFCCRE is a member of CGLU, the global network of territorial authorities, providing access to worldwide municipal cooperation and exchange.
• OFAJ (Office Franco-Allemand pour la Jeunesse)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOFAJ manages the implementation of the Franco-German Citizens Fund (Fonds citoyen franco-allemand) established under the Treaty of Aachen (January 22, 2019). The Fund is financed equally by both governments and supports citizen initiatives and town twinnings between France and Germany.
• DAECT (Délégation pour l'Action Extérieure des Collectivités Territoriales)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe French Ministry's delegation for external action of territorial authorities supports AFCCRE's international cooperation initiatives and provides funding for various programs and working groups.
• ZMP (Association des Villes Polonaises)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Association of Polish Cities, a member of CCRE, to animate the France-Poland working group, coordinate dialogue and exchange experiences related to local policies.
• Association des Municipalités de Roumanie (AMR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRomanian national association of municipalities collaborating in the France-Romania working group, which includes AMR, ACoR, AOR, and UNCJR.
• Association des Communes de Roumanie (ACoR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRomanian national association of communes participating in the France-Romania permanent committee and working group activities.
• Association des villes de Roumanie (AOR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRomanian national association of cities collaborating in France-Romania cooperation and the permanent committee of local elected officials.
• UNCJR (Union nationale des Conseils de Judet de Roumanie)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRomanian national union of county councils participating in the France-Romania permanent committee and cooperation activities.
• AUC (Association des villes ukrainiennes)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under a trilateral cooperation convention between AFCCRE, ZMP (Poland), and AUC (Ukraine) since 2016, focused on supporting Ukraine's European integration path.
• SKGO (Conférence Permanente des Municipalités et Villes Serbes)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Serbian Conference of Municipalities and Towns for France-Serbia exchanges and Serbia's EU accession process. Supported by French and Serbian embassies.
• DAF (Fonds citoyen franco-allemand)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFCCRE is a partner of the Franco-German Citizens Fund since its creation, supporting citizen initiatives, associations, and town twinnings between France and Germany with equal financing from both governments.
• Ambassade de France en RoumaniecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFCCRE has developed privileged working relations with the cooperation and cultural action services of the French Embassy in Bucharest for France-Romania cooperation.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• PLATFORMA: PLATFORMA is the pan-European coalition of local and regional governments for development cooperation. AFCCRE shares member organizations and overlapping themes around decentralization, European cooperation, and territorial development aid.
• Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR/CCRE): AFCCRE is the French national section of CCRE, which federates 100,000+ European local authorities. Both share the same mission of advocating for local governments in European integration, making CCRE the most direct peer and structural counterpart.
• Eurocities: Eurocities is a network of major European cities focused on urban policy and EU engagement. While Eurocities focuses on larger cities and AFCCRE on all French territorial authorities, both serve as conduits for European policy and project participation.
• Association des Maires de France (AMF): AMF is the principal French association representing municipal elected officials. While AMF focuses on domestic municipal policy, AFCCRE complements it on European integration and international cooperation for the same member base.
• United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG/CGLU): AFCCRE is a member of UCLG, the global network of local and regional governments. Both organizations serve as coordination platforms for territorial authorities engaging in international cooperation and policy advocacy.
• Office Franco-Allemand pour la Jeunesse (OFAJ): OFAJ is the Franco-German Youth Office, a key strategic partner of AFCCRE that administers the Franco-German Citizens Fund. Both are bilateral Franco-German cooperation bodies with governmental financing, sharing program management for citizen initiatives and twinning.
• Cités Unies France (CUF): CUF is a French association of local governments focused on international solidarity and decentralized cooperation, particularly with the Global South. AFCCRE overlaps with CUF in supporting French territorial cooperation, though AFCCRE focuses more on European integration.
• Association des Régions de France (ARF/Régions de France): ARF represents French regions in domestic and European policy. AFCCRE complements ARF's European engagement by providing the dedicated European cooperation infrastructure and CCRE/UCLG network access for French territorial authorities.

Regional players

• Association of Polish Cities (ZMP): ZMP is the Polish national association of cities and a core partner of AFCCRE in the France-Poland working group. It is a structural counterpart in Central European territorial cooperation, comparable in mandate though geographically distinct.
• Deutschen Städtetag (German Association of Cities): As AFCCRE's German counterpart under the bilateral Franco-German cooperation framework, the German Städtetag serves as the principal German municipal association. It is the natural structural peer across the Rhine for Franco-German cooperation programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCGDkgghPManJB9q4I_tIb-g
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/afccre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about AFCCRE