News
National associations of local and regional authorities prepare for ELoGE Accreditation
Representatives of national associations of local and regional authorities from 12 Council of Europe member states met in Strasbourg on 25 April 2025 to begin preparing for accreditation to implement the European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE). During a workshop organised by the Centre of...
Congress and NALAS spark innovative democracy in South-East Europe
The Community of Practice on deliberative democracy in South-East Europe met with Congress support in Skopje, North Macedonia, on 24 April 2025 to share examples of innovative forms of citizen engagement and renew its commitment to organising citizens’ assemblies as part of a deliberative...
Congress assisted with reforms and capacity building in 21 countries in 2024
The Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance at the Congress has released its 2024 annual report presenting its co-operation and assistance activities in countries across Europe. In 2024, the Centre implemented 18 projects in 21 member states, for a combined value of €13 million. In...
Congress assists Ukraine in updating its long-term vision for multilevel governance system
Congress Secretary General Mathieu Mori outlined the unwavering support the Congress offers to Ukraine and priorities of co-operation for advancing Ukraine’s reform agenda at the International Cohesion Forum “Creating the Future”. One of the main such priorities of co-operation is the revision of...
Republic of Moldova: Launch of Regional Academies to increase civil participation in decision making
As part of its project on promoting civil participation in political decision making, the Congress has launched Regional Academies in the Republic of Moldova for local authority leaders and civil society. In the first Regional Academy organised by the Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance...
Congress kicks off new project on open government and participatory democracy in Kosovo*
On 14 April in Pristina, the Congress launched its new project on “Strengthening multilevel governance and participatory democracy", during the first Forum of Exchange which brought together representatives of the Ministry of Local Government Administration, the Association of Kosovo...
Ukraine: Council of Europe Congress assesses local capacities to protect human rights during the war
The impact of the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine on human rights delivery in Ukrainian communities was the focus of an assessment report prepared by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. The report assessed the role and capacities of...
Four Croatian municipalities receive European Label of Governance Excellence
On 19 March in Sibenik, four Croatian cities (Crikvenica, Ludbreg, Pazin and Vrgorac) were awarded the European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE) at an event to mark the opening of the Local Government Week conference organised by the Association of Cities of the Republic of Croatia. Opening...
58 local authorities in Italy awarded European Label of Governance Excellence
On 7 March 2025 in Gorizia (Italy), Congress Vice-President Konstantinos Koukas (Greece, EPP/CCE) presented the European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE) Award to 58 Italian municipalities, at a ceremony attended by nearly 200 local and regional authorities from Italy and Slovenia....
Peer Review in Cyprus contributes to ongoing debate on local government reform
Senior experts and policymakers from the Czechia, Germany, Ireland, Poland and the United Kingdom gathered in Nicosia 5-7 March 2025 to offer advice on internal governance procedures for local authorities in Cyprus. Known as a “Peer Review”, this activity of the Congress focused on the role and...
A new boost for greater co-operation between Armenian municipalities
How can inter-municipal cooperation, regional partnerships, and local economic empowerment drive Armenia’s development? In February 2025, the Congress mobilised European experts and Armenian municipalities to offer concrete solutions for strengthening governance and unlocking new growth...
Implementing open government principles in support of Ukraine’s recovery
“The Platform for National – Local Dialogue on Open Government in Ukraine embodies what the Council of Europe and its Congress promote: the importance of multilevel governance and consultations between central and local authorities. Such dialogue helps to build resilient democratic systems based...
Ukraine: Congress supports local action plans on transparency and citizen participation
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe continues to support capacity development and advocacy work of Ukrainian local authorities participating in the global Open Government Partnership (OGP) initiative. In 2024, the municipalities of Kyiv, Orzhytsia and Zviahel...
Congress promotes resilience and innovation of Ukrainian communities
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe remains fully committed to supporting Ukraine on its path toward a European future, strengthened multilevel governance, and lasting peace. In the midst of the war, Ukrainian communities are proving their strength and...
Congress supports training strategy for local government in Malta
On 29-30 January 2025, Malta launched its National Training Strategy for Local Government, developed with the Congress support. Addressing the launching conference, Congress Director Claudia Luciani reiterated Congress support for implementing the new Strategy, designed to develop the capacities...
International call for tenders: Provision of national consultancy services to promote democracy and human rights at local level in the Republic of Moldova
The Council of Europe is looking for providers of local consultancy services with expertise in one or more of the following fields: Civil participation and democratic innovation Open government, transparency, and ethical governance Multilevel governance and dialogue between central and local...
Congress welcomes a new law on local democracy in Ukraine
A new Ukrainian law on local democracy (law No. 3703), prepared with the support of the Council of Europe and its Congress, came into force on 8 January 2025. The law broadens opportunities for citizens’ meaningful and direct engagement in policy and decision-making processes in their communities...
Albania advances digital governance in public and local administration
Albania's public administration is advancing its digital transformation through two key initiatives, the Training Need Assessment (TNA) and the Human Resources Management Platforms (HRMIS and Colab). On 17 December 2024, the Albanian School of Public Administration (ASPA) in Tirana presented the...
First training of trainers on open government for local authorities in Ukraine
Over three days, the Centre of Expertise at the Council of Europe Congress and the Open Government Partnership (OGP) trained staff of the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC) to provide training on open government to the country’s local authorities. Concluded on 9 December 2024, this training of...
Congress launches new project to strengthen civil participation in Moldova
On 3 December 2024, the Congress launched a two-year project aimed at enhancing civil participation in political decision making in the Republic of Moldova. The project seeks to offer comprehensive support, tailored tools and learning programmes to citizens, civil society organisations and local...
