The Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities has launched a Call for Expression of Interest from Moldovan local authorities. The call invites local authorities to express their interest before 30 May 2025 to work with civil society on enhancing civil participation in public decision making. The Centre will then offer technical support to up to 12 local authorities in the North, Centre and South of the country to improve existing practices and pilot innovative approaches for civil participation. These activities represent an important contribution of the Congress to the New Democratic Pact for Europe.

As part of its engagement with local authorities and civil society, the Centre organised Regional Academies on Civil Participation in Bălți (7-8 April), Chișinău (5-6 May) and Cahul (7-8 May). The participants discussed European standards and good practices on civil participation, Council of Europe tools and methods, organisation of Citizens Assemblies, and engaging young people. In addition, the Centre is holding a series of online seminars in May and June 2025, providing a further opportunity for peer learning on effective consultations, deliberative approaches and methods such as school participatory budgeting. More than 160 mayors, senior municipal staff and civil society representatives have so far participated in these events.

The Call for Expressions of Interest and related activities are organised as part of the project ‘Promoting Civil Participation in Political Decision-Making in the Republic of Moldova – Phase I’, implemented by the Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, in the framework of the 2025-2028 Council of Europe Action Plan for Moldova.