The Committee on Governance, Civic Engagement and the Environment (Governance Committee) is responsible for issues related to governance and the functioning of local and regional authorities, including civic participation, the environment, education, culture and cultural heritage. A human rights perspective underpins the work of the committee.

In terms of working methods, the Committee prepares reports for Congress Plenary or Chamber sessions, contributes to the development of normative instruments and organises conferences, hearings and study visits linked to its work programme.

Activities by the Committee are organised in accordance with the Congress priorities, as revised in the light of the Council of Europe Reykjavík Declaration “United around our values” and are based on the relevant Council of Europe standards. The Committee supports the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

Related to its focus topics, the Committee follows and maintains working relations with other Council of Europe bodies, including subsidiary bodies of the Committee of Ministers, the relevant Parliamentary Assembly Committees, the Commissioner for Human Rights and the Conference of International NGO, as well as with other European and international organisations, thus contributing to the impact and visibility of Congress work.