Newsroom
Council of Europe advances equality agenda with Belarusian democratic forces and civil society: new tools and strengthened commitments
Representatives of the Belarusian democratic forces and international partners have presented key results of their work to promote equality and non-discrimination principles over the past two years in Belarus, at a conference held in Warsaw as part of a joint European Union-Council of Europe...
Presidents of CINGO and its Expert Council reiterate concerns about Greece’s NGO registration and Ministerial Decision No. 82876 of 8 May 2026
In a letter sent today to the Permanent Representative of Greece to the Council of Europe, the presidents of the Conference of INGOs and of its Expert Council on NGO Law address Greece’s Ministerial Decision (MD) No. 82876 on the Establishment of the “Register of Greek and Foreign...
Call to contribute to a new study on “Restrictions on NGOs Representing or Providing Support to National Minorities”
The Expert Council on NGO Law of the Conference of INGOs is launching a new study on “Restrictions on NGOs Representing or Providing Support to National Minorities” and is therefore inviting Civil Society Groups, National Human Rights Institutions and Others Working on National Minority Issues to...
New civil society newsletter: showcasing opportunities to engage with the Council of Europe
Stay informed on key developments The Council of Europe recognises the vital contributions of civil society in strengthening democracy, promoting human rights, and advancing the rule of law. The objective of the newsletter is to inform civil society about Council of Europe work, including new...
Romania: legislative initiative prompts concerns from the President of CINGO and its Expert Council on NGO Law
In a letter dated 28 May sent to the Permanent Representative of Romania to the Council of Europe, the President of the Conference of International NGO and the President of its Expert Council on NGO Law are sharing concerns regarding the recent legislative proposal (L233/2026) to amend Government...
Register before 8 June 2026. - The event will take place online on 10 June 2026 from 14:30 to 17:30 .
Join the Public Hearing on The Reykjavik Parameters for Democracy - From Diagnosis to Action: Towards Democratic Security
Are you interested in safeguarding Europe’s democratic security? Do you wish to hear from experts what safeguards are needed to uphold democracy, the rule of law and human rights as protection against democratic backsliding? Join the Steering Committee on Democracy (CDDEM) on this public online...
Report provides a state of play of the New Democratic Pact for Europe
Europe’s security starts with democracy: Council of Europe Secretary General’s 2026 annual report
Europe does not have to choose between security and democracy. It never did and cannot afford to start now. In his 2026 annual report, entitled “The New Democratic Pact for Europe in times of rupture”, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset calls for a legal and democratic framework...
The second edition of the Hackathon of the Council of Europe will harness practical, technology-driven solutions to combat online hate speech for a New Democratic Pact in Europe.
Registrations open: Hack the Hate, Renew Democracy!
Registrations are now open for Hack the Hate, Renew Democracy!, the second edition of the Hackathon of the Council of Europe taking place in Strasbourg from 17 to 19 June 2026. Interdisciplinary teams will be selected to co-create practical, technology-driven solutions to combat hate speech in...
Intercultural Cities
Have Your Say: Help Shape the 10 Principles for Inclusive Societies and Stronger Democracies
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts on Intercultural Inclusion (ADI‑INT) intends to contribute to the New Democratic Pact for Europe through the development of the 10 Principles for inclusive societies and stronger democracies. The Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and...
Conference of INGOs
Civil participation in Serbia and Greece: CINGO publishes two country reports calling for improvements
On the occasion of its Spring 2026 session, the Conference of INGOs has released two reports on civil participation that followed the country visits in Serbia (8-11 September 2025) and in Greece (11-15 novembre 2025). As regards Serbia, the report points in its conclusions to “a concerning...
Conference of INGOs
Climate Justice, Rights of the Child, participatory democracy in Serbia and Greece, 50th Anniversary, and other outcomes of CINGO’s Spring session
The Conference of International NGOs (CINGO) held its Spring 2026 session on 15-17 April 2026. Highlights of the session included: presentation of CINGO’s annual activity report for 2025 and preparation of activities in 2026, especially in relation to the Conference’s 50th Anniversary. It was...
Deadline for applications: 30 April 2026, 23:59 CET
Call for applications: Webinar on Deliberative Democracy and Citizens' Assemblies
The Council of Europe, in partnership with DemNet Hungary, is organising a Webinar on Deliberative Democracy and Citizens' Assemblies on 12 May 2026, between 10:00-12:30 (CET), online. The webinar is the next event of the capacity-building and awareness-raising programme “Strengthening Democratic...
Lanzarote Committee launches a new monitoring round on screening persons in contact with children for sexual offences
During its 47th plenary meeting (24-26 March 2026), the Lanzarote Committee (Committee of the Parties to the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse) launched a new monitoring round on the screening of professionals, volunteers and...
Report of the international conference now available: “Shaping Democratic Renewal: civic space and the path to a New Democratic Pact for Europe”
The Council of Europe has published the report of the international conference “Shaping democratic renewal: civic space and the path to a New Democratic Pact for Europe”, which took place in Strasbourg on 2-3 February 2026. The document summarises the discussions, exchanges, and key conclusions...
Call to contribute to a new study on “Restrictions on NGOs Representing or Providing Support to National Minorities”
The Expert Council on NGO Law of the Conference of INGOs is launching a new study on “Restrictions on NGOs Representing or Providing Support to National Minorities” and is therefore inviting Civil Society Groups, National Human Rights Institutions and Others Working on National Minority Issues to...
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