Monitoring local and regional democracy is the most emblematic activity of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. The voice of municipalities and regions, the Congress is a unique assembly in Europe responsible for ensuring the proper application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government. This international convention lays down standards for protecting the rights of local authorities and requires the 46 member states of the Council of Europe - which have all ratified it - to comply with a number of principles.

Through its core principles to which no reservation is possible, the European Charter of Local Self-Government (ECLSG) seeks to ensure the compatibility of the diverse structures of local communities in the Council of Europe member states. However, the final aim remains the respect of all of the Charter’s provisions.

 The Charter, how it works

An Additional Protocol on the right to participate at public life was adopted in 2009 to supplement the text of the European Charter of Local Self-Government. Its purpose is to bring within the scope of the Charter the right of any person to participate in the affairs of a local authority, a principle enshrined in the Preamble to the Charter.

 Additional Protocol on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority

CARTA-MONITOR
Database of the Monitoring reports by country

 CARTA-MONITOR

 Leaflet

Opened for signature on 15 October 1985 and entered into force on 1 September 1988, the Charter is ratified by all 46 Council of Europe member states.

 European Charter of Local Self- Government

The Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by member states of the European Charter of Local Self-Government (Monitoring Committee) is responsible for assessing the application of the Charter.

 Monitoring Committee

The organisation of the monitoring procedures is detailed in Chapter XVIII of the Congress' Rules and Procedures.

Stéphanie Poirel
Committee Secretary
Tel. + 33 3 90 21 51 84