Participatory practices, including deliberative methods and processes, are increasingly used in member States and complement representative democracy. Experience shows that in certain cases, deliberative initiatives have the potential to improve policy outcomes and ultimately to further enhance citizens’ trust in public decision making and public action.

The European Committee on Democracy and Governance (CDDG) currently is tasked to prepare a Report as well as a Recommendation on deliberative democracy, exploring do’s and don’ts, factors for success and setting standards.

The Working Group on Deliberative and Participatory Democracy (GT-DD) held its third meeting on 26-27 September in Strasbourg. It held an exchange of views with Congress, PACE and CINGO and finalised a draft CDDG Report on new forms of deliberative and participatory democracy, which will be submitted to the CDDG plenary for adoption. The working group also discussed the draft Recommendation on deliberative democracy. Once adopted, this Recommendation would be the first international standard on deliberative democracy, thus providing guidance and orientation for member States wishing to use deliberative methods and processes. The working group will hold a public consultation on the draft prior to finalising it.