News of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
Innovations in local government: Ukraine shows the way
On 10 and 11 December 2024, 10 local authorities in Ukraine (Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Bilshivtsi, Dunaivtsi, Fastiv, Kamianets-Podilskyi, Kyiv, Poltava, Shpola, Ternopil and Zviahel), meeting in Lysnyky (Kyiv Region), shared experiences about their transformative local initiatives on democracy,...
Cyclone in Mayotte: Statement by the Congress President
The President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Marc Cools, has made the following statement: “On behalf of the Congress, I express my solidarity with the people and authorities of the département of Mayotte, France, hit by a devastating cyclone, worst in...
The Council of Europe Congress examines the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in Slovenia
A delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, composed of rapporteurs Ulla Santti (Finland, SOC/G/PD) and Konstantinos Koukas (Greece, EPP/CCE), will conduct a monitoring visit to Slovenia from 17 to 19 December 2024 to assess the application of the European Charter of Local...
Proposed amendments to the Electoral Code in Georgia: Statement by the Council of Europe Congress
The Spokesperson on Local and Regional Elections of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Stewart Dickson (United Kingdom, ILDG), has made the following statement: “I am concerned about the proposed amendments to the Electoral Code on the electoral system which...
Congress contributes to the Council of Europe strategy on the environment
“Governments shall put local and regional authorities in capacity to take the right decisions and to accompany them to tackle the triple planetary crisis of pollution, climate change and loss of biodiversity. […] We are part of the same chain, if a link breaks, then environmental protection...
Congress supports innovations in training in Ukraine
Eight winners of the Best Practice in Local Government Programme in Ukraine – training and re-training institutions and universities – were honoured for their best practices implemented in 2024 in an Award Ceremony held on 2 December 2024 in Kyiv. Organised by the Centre of Expertise for...
First training of trainers on open government for local authorities in Ukraine
Over three days, the Centre of Expertise at the Council of Europe Congress and the Open Government Partnership (OGP) trained staff of the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC) to provide training on open government to the country’s local authorities. Concluded on 9 December 2024, this training of...
Congress assists Ukraine in revamping its Decentralisation Reform Concept
On 6 December 2024, the Council of Europe Congress presented the Council of Europe’s Policy Advice on Ukraine’s 2014 Decentralisation Reform Concept at the annual Decentralisation Forum in Ukraine on “Reforms. Decentralization. European Integration” in Bucha (Kyiv region). Organised by the...
Local authorities can now apply to become the European Youth Capital in 2028
The European Youth Capital (EYC) is a title awarded by the European Youth Forum designed to empower young people, boost youth participation and strengthen European identity. Each year, one European city is given the opportunity to showcase its innovative ideas and projects done by, and for young...
In the face of multiple crises, human rights are our certainty, says Congress Human Rights Rapporteur
On the occasion of Human Rights Day (10 December), Gudrun Mosler-Törnström, Standing Rapporteur on Human Rights of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, has made the following statement: “Human rights were the answer we found together 75 years ago to bring...
Congress brings answers to migration challenges
On 3 and 4 December 2024, Wroclaw (Poland) became the centre of dialogue on migration management as it hosted more than 80 representatives of municipalities of Romania, Poland and the Republic of Moldova which have welcomed Ukrainian refugees. The participants reflected on the experiences in...
Congress fosters national-local dialogue on Ukraine’s reconstruction
The Conference on “The State of Local Self-Government: Challenges and Prospects”, organised by the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC) with the Congress’ support on 2–3 December 2024 in Kyiv, served as a platform for exchange between more than 300 mayors and representatives of Ukraine’s...
International Anti-Corruption Day 2024: Local authorities uniting with youth against corruption
On the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day (9 December), Congress Spokesperson on Ethics and Prevention of Corruption Danela Arsovska (North Macedonia, EPP/CCE) has made the following statement: “Corruption undermines governance at all levels, but it is at the local level that its...
Congress launches new project to strengthen civil participation in Moldova
On 3 December 2024, the Congress launched a two-year project aimed at enhancing civil participation in political decision making in the Republic of Moldova. The project seeks to offer comprehensive support, tailored tools and learning programmes to citizens, civil society organisations and local...
Deliberative democracy: a guide for local authorities
The Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities has released a new guide for local authorities, "How to Organise a Deliberative Process at the Local Level?", available in English and Bosnian. The Reykjavík Principles for Democracy affirm the need to foster “democratic...
Congress Bureau Declaration on the situation in Georgia
The Bureau of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe has adopted the following Declaration: “The Bureau of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, meeting in Strasbourg on 5 December 2024, expresses its concern about the situation...
Death of Ukrainian Mayor in Russian prison: Statement by the Congress President
The President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Marc Cools, has made the following statement: “I am saddened and dismayed to learn about the death of Yevhen Matvieiev, mayor of the temporarily occupied town of Dniprorudne in Ukraine, in Russian captivity....
Congress calls for multilevel governance response to homelessness
“Local governments face major constraints in addressing the increasing problem of homelessness, such as those related to financial resources or administrative capacity. Solid action frameworks are therefore needed to respond effectively, based on multilevel governance approaches involving local,...
SDGs and children: New language versions of the Congress booklet for local authorities
The Congress has published two new language versions, Romanian and Spanish, of the booklet “How to make your town a better place”. This learning tool is aimed at raising children’s awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, and encourage their...
Congress support for Belarusian democratic forces
On 28 November 2024, the Congress concluded a series of thematic online workshops for Belarusian democratic forces, focused on the development of a local self-government system in a future democratic Belarus and its alignment with the European Charter of Local Self-Government and other European...
