Kosovo*
Article 123 of the Kosovo* Constitution, which establishes the fundamental principles on local self-government, refers to the European Charter of Local Self Government in its paragraph 3, according to which local self-government bodies shall respect the Charter as well as observe and implement it to the same extent as that required of a signatory State.
A previous Congress project developed the capacities of the Association of Kosovo Municipalities (AKM) and promoted multilevel dialogue. In 2022, the Centre of Expertise, in co-operation with the European Association for Local Democracy, launched the European Label of Governance Excellence programme in Kosovo*.
Ongoing projects in Kosovo*
Strengthening multilevel governance and participatory democracy
Building upon previous projects, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the project seeks to strengthen the co-operation and consultation between central and local authorities in in local self-government reform and in the advancement of good democratic governance.
Strengthening innovative democracy in South-East Europe
The project aims at enhancing local democracy and promoting more transparent and inclusive local public institutions in South-East Europe, building on increased awareness and evident demand in the region for more deliberative and participative democracy. It focuses on strengthening capacities of local authorities, piloting Citizens’ Assemblies, and improving legal frameworks to embed participatory and deliberative processes as complement to representative democracy in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
*All reference to Kosovo, whether the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.
Kosovo* and the Council of Europe
Contact Marité MORAS
Head of the Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance
Congress supports Kosovo* in co-creating new Open Government Action Plan 2026-2028
Congress debates local elections in Estonia, North Macedonia, San Marino and Kosovo*
Completed projects in Kosovo*
Promoting deliberative democracy and innovative approaches to citizen participation in South-East Europe (2024-2025)
Kosovo* is involved in this regional project with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. It seeks to advance deliberative democracy as an innovative approach to citizen participation in local decision-making (complementing representative democracy) and develop the skills and capacities of local authorities and their associations in organising effective deliberative processes.
*All reference to Kosovo, whether the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.
Promoting local democracy in Kosovo* (2020-2021)
The project "Promoting local democracy in Kosovo*" (2020-2021) aimed to improve local self-government and the quality of local democracy in Kosovo* by fostering multilevel dialogue and strengthening the capacities of local authorities and elected representatives as drivers of change. It addressed key elements of good governance, including ways to prevent and combat corruption, to advance public ethics and to foster citizen participation as a means of reinforcing the accountability of local public administrations.
*All reference to Kosovo, whether the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.