What is the goal and objective of the action?

To strengthen democratic processes across South-East Europe and foster innovative citizen engagement, the regional project “Promoting Deliberative Democracy and Innovative Citizen Participation in South-East Europe” was launched in 2024. This initiative aligns with the Reykjavik Principles for Democracy, the Council of Europe recommendation on deliberative democracy and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities’ recommendation on the use of deliberative methods in European municipalities, and it is led by the Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance at the Congress.

Focused on Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, the project seeks to:

• Advance deliberative democracy as an innovative approach to citizen participation in local decision-making, complementing representative democracy;
• Develop the skills and capacities of local authorities and their associations in organising effective deliberative processes.

Building on the successes of recent citizens' assemblies in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2021, 2023), this initiative aspires to expand citizen involvement and empower selected local authorities to integrate deliberative practices within their decision-making frameworks.

 Funding: The project is implemented with the financial support of Germany
  Duration of the project: 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2025

Project page

Who benefits from the action?

• Selected local authorities across South-East Europe
• Network of Associations of Local Authorities in South-East Europe (NALAS)
• Associations of local authorities in South-East Europe
• Civil society, academic community, media

How does the action work?

A major focus of the project is to enhance the skills and capacities of selected local authorities and their associations across South-East Europe. A Community of Practice on Deliberative Democracy will be established as a platform for peer learning and exchange among 18 local authorities and 7 associations on organising deliberative processes in their communities. This Community of Practice will be co-ordinated by the Network of Associations of Local Authorities in Southeast Europe (NALAS). Additionally, a pool of 30 trainers in Deliberative Democracy will be created to support local authorities in implementing and promoting deliberative practices. Capacity-building efforts will be further strengthened through the development of an e-learning course on organising local-level deliberative processes.

What do we expect to achieve?

• Local authorities and their associations have enhanced capacities to implement and integrate deliberative approaches in local decision-making.
• Local authorities and their associations in South-East Europe have strengthened, promote, and advocate for innovative, inclusive, and collaborative local governance.

Reference documents

• Committee of Ministers recommendation on Deliberative Democracy (2023)
• Congress report “Beyond elections: the use of deliberative methods in European municipalities and regions” (2022)

Useful resources

• How to implement deliberative processes at local level? – A guide for local authorities (ENG, BHS)

*All reference to Kosovo, whether the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.