Good Governance – the responsible conduct of public affairs and management of public resources – is encapsulated in the Council of Europe 12 Principles of Good Governance.

Adopted in 2008 as part of the Strategy on Innovation and Good Governance at Local Level, these principles promote accountability, transparency, the rule of law, and sound financial management. They serve as a foundation for delivering better services and fostering trust in public institutions.

The European Label of Governance’ Excellence (ELoGE) recognises local authorities that achieve high standards of governance, measured against a benchmark reflecting these principles.

Toolkits from the Centre of Expertise support authorities in applying the principles, driving continuous improvement in governance practices.

See also our publications on Good Governance

Principle 1: Democratic Participation

  • Democratic participation ensures regular, free, and fair elections conducted without fraud, adhering to national laws and European standards, such as the Venice Commission's Code of Good Practice in Electoral Matters.
  • Citizens are at the centre of governance, actively engaged in decision-making processes either directly or through legitimate representatives. Participation is inclusive, ensuring balanced representation of all genders and fostering the involvement of vulnerable and less privileged groups.
  • All voices are heard, and decisions are made in a way that reflects the will of the majority while safeguarding the rights and legitimate interests of the minority.
  • Public life is built on the freedoms of expression, assembly, and association, creating an environment where consensus can be reached to serve the best interests of the entire community.

Principle 2: Human Rights

  • Human rights, rooted in fairness, dignity, equality, and respect, are upheld in accordance with European and international standards, including the Council of Europe's Statute and the European Convention on Human Rights.
  • Legislation, institutions, and practices ensure the promotion, protection, and enjoyment of human rights, including environmental rights. Equality and inclusion are actively fostered, combating discrimination and hate while respecting diversity in all forms.
  • Strategies and plans with clear objectives and monitoring mechanisms support the participation of all genders, as well as less privileged and vulnerable groups, in building inclusive and fair societies.

Principle 3: Rule of Law

  • The rule of law ensures legal certainty and fairness, guaranteeing that all individuals are treated with dignity, equality, and proportionality. Laws are enacted through transparent, accountable, and democratic processes, with the separation of powers and judicial independence upheld nationwide.
  • Measures are in place to ensure equality before the law, prevent discrimination, and safeguard against arbitrariness or abuse of power by public authorities.
  • Administrative decisions are justified and transparent, contributing to a legal framework that fosters accountability and protects the rights of all individuals.

Principle 4: Public Ethics

  • The highest standards of public ethics are upheld, fostering trust in government, public institutions, and officials by ensuring they serve the public good above individual interests.
  • A comprehensive ethics framework is established, including strategies, laws, regulations, codes of conduct, and guidance that prioritize ethical practices in policy and decision-making processes, with attention to environmental considerations.
  • Clear procedures address complaints and grievances related to ethical breaches and conflicts of interest, both during and after public service. Measures are implemented to prevent and combat corruption, promote public awareness, and protect whistle-blowers from retaliation, ensuring accountability and integrity in public institutions.

Principle 5: Accountability

  • Accountability mechanisms ensure that governments, public institutions, and officials take responsibility for their actions and decisions, accepting appropriate consequences for any misconduct or omissions.
  • A clear accountability framework defines the responsibilities of local authorities and public officials, including their legal and financial obligations. Decisions are transparently reported, explained, and open to scrutiny, with the possibility of questioning or sanctions where necessary.
  • Proportionate remedies are in place to address inappropriate decisions or omissions, ensuring corrective actions are taken to uphold integrity and public trust.

Principle 6: Openness and Transparency

  • Openness and transparency are ensured by making government decision-making processes, public institutions, and officials' actions publicly accessible, in line with legal limitations necessary for a democratic society.
  • Information is communicated clearly, accurately, and inclusively, ensuring it is secure and tailored to the needs of users. Public access to decisions, policies, and outcomes allows citizens to effectively follow and contribute to the work of local authorities, either directly or through representative bodies.
  • E-governance services leverage ICT tools to prioritize ease of use, quality, and data security while addressing e-literacy and privacy concerns in a cost-effective manner.

Principle 7: Efficient, Effective, and Sound Administration

  • Efficient, effective, and sound administration is essential across all government and public institutions, ensuring the well-being of all citizens, without discrimination, and optimizing the use of public resources.
  • Strategic and operational plans define clear objectives and targets within specific timeframes, promoting resource optimization, effective coordination across governmental levels, and adherence to local democracy and sustainability goals. This guarantees the delivery of high-quality services at all levels.
  • Performance management systems are implemented to align with these objectives, with regular audits conducted at both internal and external levels. Quality legislation, compliant processes, and accessible offices ensure good administration and the protection of enforceable rights.

Principle 8: Leadership, Capability, and Capacity

  • Efforts to strengthen the leadership, capabilities, and capacities of government and public institutions are essential for effective democratic governance.
  • The local authority operates with a clear vision, inspired by the Principles of Good Democratic Governance, and fosters a proactive, innovative, and inclusive approach that reflects societal diversity.
  • Human resource policies are designed to align competencies with goals, promoting merit-based development. Regular assessments identify skills gaps, supported by training plans to enhance capabilities.
  • The necessary structures and processes for planning, funding, and evaluating capacity-building programs are in place. Performance management systems assess and reward individual performance while supporting both professional and personal development.

Principle 9: Responsiveness

  • Government, public institutions, and public officials must respond to the legitimate expectations and needs of the people they serve.
  • People’s expectations and needs are consistently recognized and incorporated into public service planning and delivery through transparent processes.
  • Effective procedures are in place to oversee public services, including mechanisms for citizen complaints and engagement with Ombuds institutions.
  • Timely handling of monitoring outcomes and complaints is integrated throughout all stages of policy and decision-making.

Principle 10: Sound Financial and Economic Management

  • Sound financial and economic management is crucial across government and public institutions to ensure the optimal use of public resources and policies that promote the well-being and prosperity of all citizens.
  • Economic and financial policies are aligned with other strategies, setting clear objectives to support long-term growth while safeguarding societal and environmental well-being, including intergenerational equity.
  • Internal and external audits are essential to ensure the soundness and coherence of financial management, assess risks, and provide assurance.
  • Cooperation and partnerships are actively pursued to identify economies of scale, ensure fair sharing of burdens and benefits, and reduce risks.

Principle 11: Sustainability and Long-Term Orientation

  • Efforts should prioritize the sustainability of decisions made by government, public institutions, and officials, considering their impact on future generations and their ability to meet their own needs.
  • Current policy and decision-making processes incorporate principles of resilience, sustainability, and intergenerational equity, acknowledging their impacts on administration, communities, and the environment, both now and in the future.
  • These processes also aim to preserve the historical, cultural, and societal aspects of the contexts they address.
  • Strategic planning includes key stakeholders and extends beyond electoral cycles to meet the future needs of people and communities.

Principle 12: Openness to Change and Innovation

  • Government, public institutions, and public officials should proactively embrace change and innovation to improve public service resilience and quality, considering evolving expectations and realities, and engaging widely to enhance knowledge.
  • A climate of flexibility, self-evaluation, and continuous learning is fostered within public institutions, allowing them to adapt to changing contexts, external environments, and people’s needs, in pursuit of better results.
  • The local authority actively engages in knowledge-sharing with public, private, and civil society actors, both domestically and internationally.
  • The local authority identifies, adapts, and implements successful practices, innovating in areas such as knowledge, institutional structures, management, tools, and methodologies when necessary.