29 May 2024, during the Open Gov Week, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities organised an online discussion to share experiences, strategies, and challenges in promoting inclusivity and a human rights perspective within Open Government initiatives in the local authorities of Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine.

Mélanie Lepoultier, Deputy Standing Rapporteur on Human Rights of the Congress, opened the event, stating that “the Congress promotes open government practices to enhance transparency, foster citizen participation, and build trust in public institutions. This not only improves governance but also strengthens the protection and promotion of human rights, and both are fundamental steps on the path towards joining the European Union”.

The event included the presentation of findings from a study in six Georgian members of the OGP Local Programme (Akhaltsikhe, Khoni, Kutaisi, Ozurgeti, Rustavi, and Tbilisi). The study involved local authorities and civil society to examine human rights, citizen participation, and inclusivity in local governance. Among the highlights discussed was the need to further institutionalise participatory practices and to support the capacities of underrepresented citizens to actively participate in local decision making.

Representatives from Causeni and Leova (Republic of Moldova) as well as Kyiv and Orzhytsia (Ukraine) and Ozurgeti (Georgia) also exchanged on common challenges in involving underrepresented groups in civic life and the effective and inclusive delivery of services.

The Congress will continue supporting local authorities in fostering inclusive and participatory governance within their OGP Local plans.

Open Gov Week

bE-Open: Open Local Government | A tool for action