Avenue de l'Europe
The Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe visits Member States to meet local NGOs and public authorities to introduce them to the Conference of INGOs, better understand the cooperation between NGOs and decision-makers and to discuss NGO participation in the public decision-making process. Certain legal frameworks are in place in countries in order to consult NGOs and to associate them in decision-making.
The Conference hears the point of view of both NGOs and authorities to find out what use is made of these participatory tools. Each visit is followed by a report which highlights the important issues for the NGOs at that specific moment and socio-political context. Recommendations are formulated to improve the effectiveness of cooperation between NGOs and the public authorities. The findings of the visits also contribute to advancing the Council of Europe’s work in this field.
The participation of civil society in decision-making is one of the priorities of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and guidelines on civil society’s effective and meaningful participation in the political decision-making process are being developed for possible adoption by the Committee of Ministers.
2022
Bosnia and Herzegovina2022
Finland 2019
Armenia 
Italy
2018
North MacedoniaInformation Report (EN)Report (Macedonian)Comments by the Government of North Macedonia
RomaniaInformation Report (EN)Report (Romanian)
United Kingdom2017
SerbiaInformation ReportComments by the Serbian Government
EstoniaInformation ReportComments by the Estonian Government
Ireland2016
HungaryInformationReportComments by the Hungarian Government
Germany Romania
PolandInformation Report (EN)Report (PL)Comments by the Polish Government
2015
BulgariaInformation ReportComments by the Bulgarian Government
MoldovaInformation ReportComments by the Parliament of the Republic of MoldovaStatement by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Moldova to the Council of Europe
The Conference of INGOs is publishing a report on its fact-finding visit to Italy, which was organised on May 2019.
The report covers the legal Framework for NGOs in Italy, the reform of the Third Sector and participation in the Decision-making Process, including interactions between public authorities and NGOs in the context of migration policy as well as equal opportunities and the fight against discrimination.
More information on the visit can be found here.
