Newsroom
Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance publishes its 2025 Activity Report
The Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance at the Congress has released its 2025 Activity Report, presenting its co-operation and assistance activities supporting democratic governance, decentralisation and citizen participation across Europe. In 2025, the Centre implemented 14...
Congress to examine the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in Georgia
A delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, composed of rapporteurs Anders Knape (Sweden, EPP/CCE) and Urs Janett (Switzerland, ILDG) will carry out a monitoring visit to Georgia from 23 to 25 June 2026 to assess the application of the European...
Congress in Monaco: Gender equality in political life in the centre of discussions
On the occasion of the Congress Bureau meeting in Monaco, the Congress and the Monegasque authorities have organised, on 19 June 2026, a conference under the theme “Gender equality in political life and institutions”, including a round table on “The place of women in political and institutional...
From our towns to the world: we must keep alive the promise of safety for refugees
“On this International World Refugee Day, we commend the crucial role of local and regional authorities in receiving and integrating refugees in their communities. They stand as the first point of support for those seeking safety for themselves and their families. By providing inclusive services...
Local and regional authorities have key responsibilities for citizenship education, Congress says
“Citizenship education is crucial for rebuilding trust in democracy, and local and regional authorities have an important role in educating citizens in democratic values,” stressed Paolo Beltraminelli (Switzerland, EPP/CCE), Vice-Chair of the Congress Governance Committee, opening the webinar on...
Call for applications - challenge your use of AI in local and regional government
The Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is launching a call for expressions of interest to participate in the HUDERIA Local Academy, with the deadline of 15 July 2026. Are you prepared for the Artificial...
Ten finalists shortlisted for the first edition of the Citizen Participation Award
The Local Citizen Engagement – ELDA (European Local Democracy Action) Award, whose finalists were announced on 18 June 2026, was established by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe in cooperation with the European Capital of Democracy (ECoD), an organisation...
Congress urges partnerships with civil society to counter hate speech
“Hate speech does not occur in a vacuum. It is generally a symptom of underlying causes such as social exclusion, feelings of injustice or discrimination,” stressed Kristoffer Tamsons (Sweden, EPP/CCE), Chair of the Congress Monitoring Committee and co-rapporteur of the reports “Hate speech and...
Future of district councils in Ukraine
On 17 June 2026, the Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance (CEMG) at the Council of Europe Congress facilitated a “Strasbourg format” meeting on the role of district (rayon) councils in Ukraine, in the context of the ongoing reform of the division of competences between the state and...
Ukraine’s first metropolitan citizens’ assembly launched in Lviv
Ukraine continues strengthening its democratic foundations at local and regional level even under the strain of war. On 13–14 June 2026, residents of the Lviv Agglomeration gathered in Lviv for the first session of a citizens’ assembly focused on a shared challenge for this metropolitan area’s 13...
Council of Europe Congress expresses serious concern over proposed amendments to the Local Election Act in Slovenia ahead of local elections
The President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Gunn Marit Helgesen, expressed serious concern regarding proposed amendments to the Local Election Act and urged the Slovenian Parliament to take full account of the principle of electoral stability before...
Congress Governance Committee adopts reports on preventing corruption and school absenteeism
A key highlight was the adoption of the “Checklist on Preventing Corruption and Promoting Integrity at Local and Regional Levels” as a contribution to the New Democratic Pact for Europe. Developed alongside the monitoring focusing on subnational authorities by the Council of Europe’s Group of...
Call for applications to participate in the Leaders for Change workshop
As part of its support to Belarusian democratic forces, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is launching the third edition of the workshop “Leaders for Change: promoting democracy and human rights at local level” on 7-9 July 2026 in Strasbourg, France,...
Congress Committee tackles exodus from rural communities and social challenges
On 9 June 2026, the City of Kouvola in Finland hosted a meeting of the Congress Committee on Social Inclusion and Human Dignity, organised in partnership with the Association of Finnish Cities and Municipalities. A highlight of the agenda was the unanimous approval of a report on “Regional exodus...
Congress Secretary General at the G7 engagement group for cities
Ten days ahead of the G7 Summit in Evian (France), the engagement group for cities (U7), met in Nancy from 2 to 4 June 2026. The U7 brought together mayors and local leaders from G7 countries and welcomed the participation of international organisations working on local democracy and multilevel...
World Environment Day 2026 - Council of Europe Congress Spokesperson: Local and national authorities must work together on innovative solutions - now
“Following record-breaking May temperatures, it is very clear that we need a step-change in climate action, with local, regional and national governments working together on innovative new solutions to the climate crisis,” stated Meropi Ydraiou (Greece, EPP/CCE), Spokesperson on the Environment...
Democratic culture is the answer to authoritarianism in Belarus, says Congress Rapporteur
On 2 June 2026, the Congress Rapporteur for a Democratic Belarus, Belinda Gottardi (Italy, SOC/G/PD), participated in the second Kościuszko Forum in Gdansk, co-organised by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland and the European Solidarity Centre. Speaking on a panel alongside Sviatlana...
Congress President meets Council of Europe Secretary General
Congress President Gunn Marit Helgesen and Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset held a bilateral meeting in Strasbourg on 28 May. President Helgesen welcomed the Secretary General’s leadership on the New Democratic Pact for Europe and outlined the Congress’ contribution to the Pact,...
Türkiye: Council of Europe Congress calls to uphold opposition rights and respect the will of voters
Marc Cools (Belgium, ILDG) and Bryony Rudkin (United Kingdom, SOC/G/PD), Rapporteurs on the situation of local democracy in Türkiye of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, have made the following statement: “We deplore the recent developments affecting...
Congress delegation visits Kyiv to back Ukraine’s democratic resilience
A delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, led by Cecilia Dalman-Eek, President of the Chamber of Regions (Sweden, SOC/G/PD), visited Kyiv on 25-26 May 2026. The mission aimed to strengthen political dialogue with Ukrainian authorities at all levels,...
