Additional Protocol on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority
Citizen participation is crucial for sustaining the legitimacy of decisions, making public authorities more accountable and helping them to learn from constituents and design better policies and services. Participation also fosters a sense of belonging and common mission among citizens, making local communities desirable places to live and work also for future generations.
Recognising the importance of citizen involvement at local level, the Council of Europe introduced on 16 November 2009 a significant addition to the European Charter of Local Self-Government — the Additional Protocol on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority. This protocol champions the right of every citizen to engage in decision making to shape their local community. It aims to strengthen democracy by enhancing public participation, transparency, accountability and inclusivity in local governance.
To this day, 22 Member States of the Council of Europe have signed and ratified this protocol, showing their commitment to empowering citizens at the local level.
Public Participation
Protocole facilitates greater public involvement in local decision-making through voting and petitioning
Article 2 – Implementing measures for the right to participate
Transparency
Enhances the openness of local authorities
Article 2 – Implementing measures for the right to participate
Inclusiveness
Ensures all citizens, including marginalized groups, can participate in local governance
Article 1 – Right to participate in the affairs of a local authority
Protocol implementation
Additional Protocol 
Youth Delegates 
Contact
Monitoring Committee and Observation of local and regional elections
Stéphanie Poirel
Assistant: Ekaterina Kotnova
+ 33 3 90 21 52 44