Since 2026, the European Local Democracy Week (ELDW) has evolved into the European Local Democracy Action (ELDA). As part of this new framework, and in partnership with the European Capital of Democracy, the Congress is launching the first edition of the Local Citizens Engagement ELDA Award. This Award will recognise one outstanding citizen engagement project or initiative implemented by a municipality, region, or association of local and regional authorities partner of ELDW/ELDA.

For the first edition of the Award, partners of the European Local Democracy Week 2024 and 2025 are invited to apply before 17 April 2026, with one specific project carried out in the framework of the ELDW 2024/2025 to strengthen citizen participation at the local or regional level.

The award will be part of the Innovation in Politics Awards organised by the European Capital of Democracy and the winner will be chosen by a jury of citizens.  Ten shortlisted projects from the ELDA Award will be invited to The Innovation in Politics Awards Ceremony which will be held in October in Cascais, Portugal – Cascais being the European Capital of Democracy for 2026. The winner of the ELDA Award will be announced at this ceremony.

This Award is open to applications from partners of the 2024 and 2025 editions of the European Local Democracy Week (ELDW). If you believe your municipality, region or national association of local and regional authorities  has carried out a particularly innovative project on civic participation, but was not a partner of the ELDW, please contact the ELDW/ELDA Secretariat at [email protected].