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 democratic process in the region.
Co-ordinated by the Network of the Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe (NALAS), the Community of Practice brings together representatives of 18 municipalities and seven national associations of local authorities from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia for peer exchanges and learning about democratic innovations.
In her opening remarks, Danela Arsovska, Mayor of Skopje and Congress member, highlighted how deliberative processes can help foster integrity and transparency of local government. She also presented the work around the Citizens’ assembly on climate change held in Skopje in 2023.
“The cooperation with citizens in the framework of citizens’ assemblies in Ireland showed that when their voices are being heard the trust between the citizens and the administration is rising,” underlined Jimmy Moloney, Head of the Irish Delegation to the Congress, presenting best practices from his country. He pointed out that the work within the Community of Practice will contribute to the process for a New Democratic Pact for Europe launched by the Council of Europe’s Secretary General Alain Berset. “The Congress is committed to devising ways to fight democracy backsliding, and fostering dialogue and learning on deliberative democracy is one of the tools in this endeavour,” concluded Jimmy Moloney.
The event was organised in the framework of the project “Promoting deliberative democracy and innovative approaches to citizen participation in South-East Europe is implemented by the Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, with the financial support of Germany.
*All references to Kosovo, whether the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nation's Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.
