Marcin Gołaszewski (EPP/CCE, Poland), the Congress Spokesperson for the European Local Democracy Action (ELDA) initiative and councillor of Łódź, and Dariusz Joński, a member of the European Parliament met in Łódź to launch a joint call for Polish cities to show their commitment to local democracy on the European stage.  Dariusz Joński highlighted the city’s “remarkable history of transformation, diversity and strong civic spirit” while Marcin Gołaszewski emphasised that “democracy does not end with parliaments and governments. Democracy begins locally”.

Polish cities are exceptionally active in developing direct and participatory democracy such as participatory budgeting, citizens’ assemblies, public consultations and other forms of citizen engagement. Gołaszewski and Joński encouraged them to showcase these activities as examples of good local democratic governance. They invited the governments of Polish cities to apply for the title of European Capital of Democracy and to participate in the Innovation in Politics Awards, particularly the ELDA Award for Citizen Local Involvement.

The European Capital of Democracy, the Congress of the Council of Europe and the Polish cities share a common goal: strengthening local democracy by placing citizens at the heart of decision-making. Polish local authorities are therefore invited to bring local democracy to the European stage. “Let us show Europe that local democracy in Poland is thriving. That local government is not merely an administrative body carrying out tasks delegated by the state. That residents of Polish cities are not only recipients of decisions, but co-creators of them”, said Gołaszewski. “Local government is a school of democracy”, he concluded.