National associations
The Congress will organise, in the framework of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, a Conference of national associations of local and regional authorities, on 12 and 13 September in Strasbourg, under the theme “building together a stronger local and regional democracy.”
The Conference will bring together around 110 national associations from all over Europe to share their ideas about the role and the future of local and regional authorities and local democracy in Europe, against the background of the many challenges faced by our continent today. Moreover, the war of aggression against Ukraine being at the centre of the Council of Europe priorities, the Conference will highlight the initiatives of Ukrainian local and regional authorities as well as the Congress cooperation activities in Ukraine.
In May 2023, the 4th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe in Reykjavik reaffirmed the role of local and regional authorities as in delivering democracy, human rights and the rule of law at the grassroot level. In the light of the Summit, the Congress will pursue its work to promote youth participation in public life, and Congress Youth Delegates will actively contribute to the Conference.
At the end of the event, national associations will sign a joint declaration to reaffirm their commitment to the standards and values of the Council of Europe and to give their co-operation a renewed momentum, for the benefit of their citizens and communities.
National associations get the Congress' message across to their own countries.
National (and European) associations of local and regional authorities play a role in promoting local democracy which is vital to the work of the Congress of the Council of Europe.
They relay information about Congress activities across to their countries, particularly by lobbying their governments. They also, in some cases, play a part in the procedure whereby their country's national delegation to the Congress is designated.
As well as serving as a peaceful counterweight, they contribute know-how, experience and expertise which enhances the value of the Congress’ work.
Congress instruments, useful tools for associations
National associations regularly rely on the standards set by the Congress in their discussions with national governments. The European Charter of Local Self-Government, which is legally enforceable against the states which have ratified it, is a particular weapon for use in their discussions with their governments on local democracy issues.
Associations, a warning system at the local and regional levels
National associations play an active part in implementation of the provisions of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, complaining about abuses and possible violations and thus acting as an "early warning system", showing where monitoring and legal intervention by the Congress are needed.
The "Assises" of the national associations
The "Assises" of the national associations of local and regional authorities" were first held by the Congress in 2006. At this annual meeting common priorities emerge, and further discussions take place between the associations and the Congress of the Council of Europe.