The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe has launched the website of the European Local Democracy Action (ELDA), a new digital platform dedicated to promoting citizen participation and innovation in local democracy across Europe.
ELDA was established by the Congress as the successor to the European Local Democracy Week (ELDW), marking a transition from an annual campaign to a year-round, action-oriented initiative. It provides a framework for municipalities, regions and associations of local and regional authorities to showcase initiatives that strengthen local democracy through citizen engagement, to exchange experiences and practices, and to cooperate within a network of European peers.
The launch of this website marks an important milestone in the development of ELDA and in the Congress’ commitment to encouraging active citizenship and meaningful participation in local public life across Europe.
Through the platform, local and regional authorities and their national associations can register and share their activities, thus gaining visibility for them and connecting with other partners committed to strengthening local democracy.
Local and regional authorities and national associations are invited to join the ELDA community through the ELDA website and can now register projects and activities implemented in 2026. Partners having registered and reported their projects on the website for 2026 will be invited to submit them to the Local Citizens Engagement – ELDA Award 2027 as from December 2026.
This new Award, established in 2026 by the Congress in cooperation with the European Capital of Democracy (ECoD), recognises outstanding local and regional initiatives that promote citizen participation and democratic engagement and forms part of the Innovation in Politics Awards.
The finalists for the 2026 Award have just been announced and the winner be decided on 30 October, in Cascais, Portugal, the European Capital of Democracy for 2026.
