The European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE)

The European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE) is awarded to municipalities which have achieved a high level of good governance measured against a Council of Europe benchmark. The award is a crystal dodecahedron engraved with the 12 Principles of Good Democratic Governance.

how it works ?

The procedure for ELoGE is set out in its Regulations. It consists of the following stages:

Accreditation

ELoGE relies on a partnership between the Council of Europe and an existing reputable regional, national or transnational entity or an ad hoc platform with a substantive know-how, expertise or experience in the field of good governance, especially at the local level.

Such entities or platforms can request accreditation to implement ELoGE. If the Council of Europe agrees that they meet accreditation criteria, the entities concerned are given the responsibility to implement ELoGE with municipalities of a given region or country.

The ELoGE Accreditation Platform of the Strategy for Innovation and Governance at Local Level is the Council of Europe body in charge of examining accreditation requests.

Composition: It is composed of the Bureau of the European Committee on Democracy and Governance (CDDG) and 2 representatives of the Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations (CINGO). Representatives of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe can also participate in its work.

Rules of procedure

Meeting reports

4th meeting, meeting by videoconference, 24 March 2020
Report

5th meeting, meeting by videoconference, 29 March 2021

Report

6th meeting, hybrid meeting, 15 October 2021
Report

7th meeting, hybrid meeting, 25 March 2022
Report

8th meeting, Strasbourg, 24 March 2023

Report

9th meeting, Strasbourg, 20 October 2023

Report

Implementation

The accredited entity commits to implementing ELoGE in a meaningful number of municipalities by a given deadline. This means translating the benchmark, making necessary adaptations, identifying the municipalities who wish to implement ELoGE and helping them undertake the different steps of ELoGE. These steps include: a self-evaluation, a citizens’ survey and a questionnaire addressed to elected officials, all aimed at assessing where municipalities stand as regards compliance with the 12 Principles of Good Democratic Governance.

The Centre of Expertise for Good Governance can support the implementation of ELoGE by providing guidance, advice and training. In some circumstances, it can also provide financial support.

Award

The accredited entity awards ELoGE to deserving municipalities that have successfully completed ELoGE. This label, which is valid for one year, is a recognition that a municipality has achieved a high level of good governance according to Council of Europe standards. Far from being the end of a process, ELoGE is also an instrument for municipalities to understand their strengths and weaknesses and to initiate action with a view to addressing the latter.

The Centre of Expertise for Good Governance stands ready to follow up the results of ELoGE, making available its tools aimed at strengthening governance and proposing targeted cooperation activities.