HUDERIA Local Academy - Congress of Local and Regional Authorities

17-19 November 2026

Council of Europe office in Paris

Call for applications - register by 15 July 2026

Artificial Intelligence increasingly shapes how public authorities design policies, manage services and interact with citizens. Local and regional authorities are becoming key actors in the practical deployment of AI systems.

European governance frameworks are evolving rapidly. The Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence establishes the first international legally binding framework addressing AI use in the public sector. The Framework Convention places emphasis on risk and impact assessments in respect of actual and potential impacts on human rights, democracy and the rule of law, and the establishment of prevention and mitigation measures.

Local and regional authorities therefore play a crucial role in translating these frameworks into practice, yet in particular many smaller municipalities currently face capacity gaps in understanding and governing AI technologies.

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Why a New Democratic Pact for Europe?

Democratic backsliding, disinformation, impunity, and authoritarianism are undermining democracy in Europe. People are increasingly afraid and frustrated. It comes at a time when democratic security – the resilience of our democratic institutions, freedoms, and values – is our first line of defence against the threats we face. A collective response is needed. There is no quick fix and no single solution. With the New Democratic Pact, the Council of Europe unites with its partners to boost solutions that work and create new responses. To identify them, consultations are needed. The Pact will serve as a collective and inclusive process – not to reinvent democracy, but to reinforce its foundations, amplify its benefits, and innovate its form to make it tangible for everyone, especially younger generations. The directions set during the consultation phase running through 2026 will shape the work that follows.