The Local Citizen Engagement – ELDA (European Local Democracy Action) Award, whose finalists were announced on 18 June 2026, was established by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe in cooperation with the European Capital of Democracy (ECoD), an organisation based in Vienna, and officially launched on 12 May 2026 in Cascais, Portugal, which holds this year the label of European Capital of Democracy.
Following a rigorous evaluation process of outstanding local and regional initiatives from across Europe, the citizen jury has selected ten projects that demonstrate a profound commitment to strengthening local democracy and fostering citizen participation. These finalists represent the best examples of good practices as well as innovative, community-driven governance.
The ten finalists are:
- Municipality of Büyükçekmece (Türkiye), A Community of Solidarity for Ukraine
- Municipality of Konak (Türkiye), CLocalization: Localization for Climate Change Adaptation
- Municipality of Nilüfer (Türkiye), Co-Create, Co-Manage
- Municipality of Nilüfer (Türkiye), Join the Future!
- Commune de Koekelberg (Belgium), Koekelberg Connects: Citizens in Action!
- Municipality of Nilüfer (Türkiye), Our Compass is Digital Participation!
- Municipality of Kadıköy (Türkiye), Rasimpaşa Age-Friendly Neighbourhood
- Local Councils` Association of Malta, Rillu Merillu: Empowering Malta's Next Generation of Citizens
- Municipality of Üsküdar (Türkiye), Üsküdar 2050 Spatial Vision
- Municipality of Valongo (Portugal), Valongo's Senior Participatory Budget
The ELDA Award is part of ECoD’s Innovation in Politics Awards (IPA) under a newly introduced category of Local Citizen Engagement. The other seven categories include Challenging Authoritarianism, Climate Protection, Democracy, Digital Innovation and Governance, Education, Public Health and Ageing Societies, and Strengthening Europe.
The ten finalists in each category of the Awards will be invited to attend the Award Ceremony on 30 October 2026 in Cascais. The winner of the ELDA Award 2026 will be revealed during the ceremony and will receive the trophy from Congress Spokesperson on ELDA Marcin Golaszewski (Poland, EPP/CCE). The other nine finalists will be awarded the ELDA Local Democracy Partner Certificate.
Contact: Congress Communication Unit, tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 38 90
