Several texts are mentioned in the developments related to the various Council of Europe bodies and their work. The most important ones are gathered here for the sake of convenience.

The first set concerns the legal instruments and other policy-related texts (the standards) aimed at shaping legislation and policies in the member States regarding a safe and enabling civic space as well as promoting the participatory dimension of democracy: these provide a picture of what civil societies across Europe can expect in terms of legal frameworks, policies and practices from the authorities at central, regional and local level in the countries where they conduct activities.

The second set refers to the modalities of cooperation with the Council of Europe.

Legal instruments and other policy texts on civil society

• Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ETS No. 5
• European Social Charter (revised) (ETS No. 163)
• European Charter of Local Self-Government (ETS No. 122) and Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority (CETS No. 207)
• European Convention on the Recognition of the Legal Personality of International Non-Governmental Organisations (ETS No. 124)

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• Recommendation CM/Rec(2023)6 on deliberative democracy
• Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)6 on protecting youth civil society and young people, and supporting their participation in democratic processes
• Recommendation CM/Rec(2018)11 on the need to strengthen the protection and promotion of civil society space in Europe
• Recommendation CM/Rec(2018)4 on the participation of citizens in local public life
• Recommendation CM/Rec(2007)14 on the legal status of non-governmental organisations in Europe

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• Revised Code of good practice for civil participation in the decision-making process (2019)
• Guidelines for civil participation in political decision making (CM(2017)83-final)
• Venice Commission and OSCE-ODIHR Joint Guidelines on Freedom of Association (CDL-AD(2014)046)
• Congress Revised European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life (2003)
• CINGO: Expert Council on NGO Law: periodic general reports, country studies/opinions and special thematic reports on developments in national standards, developments and case law

Cooperation with the Council of Europe

• Secretary General’s Roadmap on the Council of Europe’s engagement with civil society 2024-2027 (SG/Inf(2023)28)
• Report of the Secretary General’s First Regular Exchange of Views with Civil Society (15 September 2023)
• Resolution CM/Res(2021)3 on intergovernmental committees and subordinate bodies, their terms of reference and working methods
• Resolution CM/Res(2016)3 on participatory status for international non-governmental organisations with the Council of Europe