Over 50 years at the heart of European democracy

The voice of civil society is heard at the Council of Europe thanks to the Conference of International Non-governmental Organisations (INGOs).

Since the introduction of consultative status for INGOs in 1952, the Council of Europe has developed even closer and fruitful relations with NGOs as representatives of civil society. The introduction of participatory status in 2003 has enabled INGOs to increase active participation in the policies and work programme of the Council of Europe, and to reinforce co-operation between the Council of Europe and the various associations in member States.
 

The Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe

More than 300 INGOs enjoy participatory status and make up, since 2005, the Conference of INGOs which constitutes civil society’s pillar in the Council of Europe “quadrilogue” with the Committee of Ministers, the Parliamentary Assembly and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. Through this status, the Council of Europe includes INGOs in intergovernmental activities and encourages dialogue of members of parliament and local and regional authorities with associations on challenges facing society. The Conference of INGOs is now recognised as an institution of the Council of Europe and is governed in accordance with its Rules of Procedure and operates under the rules and mission of the Council of Europe according to Resolution (2016)3 of the Commitee of Ministers.  

Mandate of the Conference of INGOs

The Conference of INGOs is the chief body representing the INGOs enjoying participatory status with the Council of Europe and as such identifies the general action needed to organise its participation in the Council of Europe “quadrilogue” alongside the Committee of Ministers, the Parliamentary Assembly and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, to ensure that participatory status functions correctly, and so help to affirm the political role of civil society at the Council of Europe. It decides on policy lines and defines and adopts action programmes.

The Conference of INGOs meets in Strasbourg twice a year normally during the ordinary sessions of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

The Conference of INGOs is chaired by its President in office, whom it elects every three years. The current President is Gerhard Ermischer, who is in his first mandate which will end in April 2024.
 

Current priorities and objectives of the Conference of INGOs

The Conference of INGOs adopted a three year a Three-Year Strategic Plan (2021-2024) on 5 October 2021.

Please see the different sections under "functioning" and "major themes" for further information on the working methods and actions of the Conference of INGOs.