“When people start believing that their needs are not addressed, that democracy does not bring an added value for them and their communities, they step away. This is a risk none of us local politicians can afford,” stated Congress Vice-President and Rapporteur on the New Democratic Pact for Europe Konstantinos Koukas (Greece, EPP/CCE) opening the conference “Resilient Europe through deliberative democracy: Cities and regions in action!”, in Strasbourg on 26 November 2025. “The resilience of our democratic institutions, freedoms and values is essential if we are to withstand the threats before us. Today, we will reflect together on how deliberative democracy can complement representative democracy and civic participation in our local communities,” he said.
The conference, which brought together some 130 representatives of local, regional and central authorities, academia and civil society organisations, is organised by the Congress as a contribution towards the Council of Europe’s New Democratic Pact for Europe.
Citizens’ deliberations have gained prominence in European cities and regions and are becoming an increasingly widespread governance practice. Citizens’ assemblies and their recommendations serve to better address today’s multiple crises and build citizens’ trust in democratic institutions. Looking forward, what are the future developments in public deliberation, the potential benefits for local and regional authorities and the challenges ahead? How can the Council of Europe strengthen deliberative democracy for greater democratic resilience in Europe?
From citizens’ assemblies held during the war in Ukraine to deliberations on mental health in Spain and urban planning in Lithuania, mayors and local leaders will share their experiences on engaging residents in local policy making. The conference will conclude with a collective discussion and exchange of ideas on how the Council of Europe can boost innovation and defend democratic values.
The conference is livestreamed. The agenda and additional information on the conference is available here.
