The 4th Summit of the Council of Europe held in Reykjavik in May 2023 recognised the essential role of multilevel governance in delivering the Organisation’s vision.

The Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance (Centre of Expertise or CEMG) at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities helps strengthen democracy and good governance at all levels in Europe. It develops and implements projects and targeted activities aimed at promoting Council of Europe standards and ensuring implementation of recommendations adopted by the Congress. 

The co-operation projects are demand-driven in response to political dialogue on the ground, and the monitoring of the provisions of the European Charter of Local Self Government in the Council of Europe member states. 

The Centre of Expertise has access to, and experience in, mobilising local and regional authorities and their national associations, members of parliamentary committees, senior officials from central governments, and leading experts from across Europe.  They share their expertise and experience in strengthening local self-government and in supporting decentralisation and public administration reforms to help ensure a clear distribution of competences across levels of government for well-functioning multilevel governance and better policy responses to citizens’ needs in the Council of Europe member states.  

CEMG projects contribute to developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels. They promote responsive, inclusive, representative, and human rights-based decision-making.  The Centre assists in the preparation of policies and legislation, develops the capacities of local and regional elected representatives as well as public officials at all levels, and delivers policy and legal advice while supporting effective participation in democratic processes.