How can citizens play a more meaningful role in shaping public decisions? And how can local authorities create spaces for genuine dialogue with their communities?
These questions are central to good democratic governance. Meaningful participation gives people opportunities to contribute their knowledge and perspectives, while helping public authorities better understand local needs and make more informed decisions.
Practical tools for inclusive decision-making
The project “Promoting multilevel dialogue, open government and human rights at local level in the Republic of Moldova”, implemented by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, supports local authorities, civil society organisations and communities in applying participatory and deliberative approaches in practice.
The tools presented below build on work carried out through the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe project “Promoting Civil Participation in Political Decision-Making in the Republic of Moldova”.
A set of tools for different needs
Civil Participation Toolkit
The Civil Participation Toolkit provides a step-by-step framework for planning, organising and evaluating a participatory process. It is useful when an authority or organisation wants to involve the public in a decision and needs to determine how best to do so.
The toolkit guides users through key questions: What issue or decision is open to public input? Who should be involved? Which participation method is appropriate? How can the process be organised accessibly and inclusively? And how will contributions be considered and communicated?
For local authorities, it offers a practical way to move from an intention to involve residents to a structured process. Civil society organisations and community groups can also use it to plan participation initiatives and assess how effectively they engage people.
Download the toolkit:
- Civil Participation in Decision-Making Toolkit (CPT) Short Guide (RO)
- Civil Participation in Decision-Making Toolkit (CPT) Full Guide (EN, RO)
- Civil Participation in Decision-Making (CPT) Assessment Tool (EN, RO)
CivicLab methodology
CivicLab is a facilitated method for bringing citizens, public authorities and other stakeholders together to discuss local challenges and develop possible solutions. It is particularly suitable for consultations with up to 100 participants.
Participants work through a structured process: they identify and analyse an issue, consider different perspectives, explore potential solutions and develop proposals or actions. CivicLab can be used when a municipality wants to consult residents on a local priority and create a shared basis for further action.
A distinctive feature of the methodology is its digital documentation. The record of the consultation is available to participants and local authorities immediately, helping capture the discussion and support follow-up.
In the Republic of Moldova, CivicLabs have been used to engage young people in local decision-making, define local development priorities, improve local waste collection and co-create a municipal transparency strategy.
Download the guide:
- CivicLab Short Guide (RO)
UChange serious game
UChange is an interactive serious game that introduces participants to civil participation and public decision-making. Through simulated, realistic situations, players explore how public decisions are made and how citizens can influence them.
The game can be used with participants of different ages and backgrounds. It provides a practical way to introduce discussion about participation, while encouraging critical thinking, teamwork and active citizenship. Facilitators can also use it as a starting point for exploring local challenges and developing ideas for projects that could be put into practice.
Download the materials:
Guide on Deliberative Democracy for Local Authorities
This guide supports municipalities in planning deliberative processes, such as citizens’ assemblies. It is useful when an authority is considering bringing together a group of residents to learn about an issue, discuss different perspectives and develop recommendations.
The guide explains how to assess whether a deliberative process is appropriate and how to plan it in a way that promotes representativeness, transparency and inclusion. It also highlights the importance of explaining how citizens’ recommendations will be considered and connected to policy decisions.
Drawing on experience and learning from local citizens’ assemblies, the guide offers practical advice for authorities seeking to organise deliberative processes at local level.
Download the guide:
European standards for civil participation and deliberative democracy
The practical tools can be used alongside Council of Europe standards that provide guidance on citizen participation and deliberative democracy.
- Recommendation CM/Rec(2023)6 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on deliberative democracy (EN, RO)
- Recommendation CM/Rec(2018)4 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on the participation of citizens in local public life (EN, RO)
- CM(2017)83-final — Guidelines for civil participation in political decision making (EN, RO, RU)
- CM/Rec(2026)3 — Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers to member States on the European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life (EN)
Continuing the work
By using these tools, local authorities, civil society organisations and communities can create more structured opportunities for people to contribute to decisions that affect their lives. Through its work at local level, the Council of Europe continues to support the practical application of participatory and deliberative approaches in the Republic of Moldova.
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