Work in intergovernmental committees lies at the heart of the Council of Europe and allows the direct participation of governmental and independent experts in its work. It significantly contributes to the Organisation’s core mission, which is “to achieve a greater unity between its members for the purpose of safeguarding and realising the ideals and principles which are their common heritage and facilitating their economic and social progress,” as stated in Article 1 of its Statute.

The intergovernmental committees represent the main tool to develop common policy instruments and legal standards, such as treaties and recommendations, thus supporting member states in building a common pan-European legal space, anticipating and addressing challenges in the fields of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. They enhance cooperation between member States through the exchange of knowledge, experience and good practices, as well as the analysis of common and emerging challenges. 
The intergovernmental committees are directly answerable to the Committee of Ministers and are composed of member States’ representatives of the highest possible rank in the relevant field.

For 2024-2027, the Council of Europe intergovernmental structure is composed of 21 steering or ad hoc committees, of which 9 fall under the responsibility of the Directorate General of Democracy and Human Dignity.

 Gender Equality Commission (GEC)

The Gender Equality Commission (GEC) shapes and advances the Council of Europe’s work on gender equality and women’s rights at the intergovernmental level. It is responsible for developing standards, policies, and guidance to promote gender equality across member States, and ensuring that gender equality is integrated across all Council of Europe activities, standards and strategies (gender mainstreaming). The GEC also supervises the implementation of the Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy 2024-2029. Its work is informed by an intersectional approach, taking into account not just the barriers faced by women and girls, but also considering how factors like age, (dis)ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, migration status etc. intersect with gender, leading to more inclusive policy development. It also facilitates exchanges of good practices between member states and fosters cooperation with other international bodies, civil society, and relevant stakeholders. Through its work, the GEC aims to drive progress towards substantive gender equality and to bridge the gap between the commitments made at national and international levels and the reality of women in Europe.


 Steering Committee on Anti-discrimination, Diversity and Inclusion (CDADI)

CDADI steers the Council of Europe’s intergovernmental work to promote equality for all and build more inclusive societies that offer effective protection from discrimination and hate, ensure equal participation in political and public life for all without discrimination on any ground, and where diversity is respected. It covers the discrimination grounds of “race”, colour, language, religion, national/ethnic origin, nationality, sexual orientation and gender identity. CDADI has responsibility for four subordinate structures: (1) the Committee of Experts on Roma and Traveller Issues (ADI-ROM); (2) the Committee of Experts on Intercultural Inclusion (ADI-INT); (3) the Committee of Experts on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression and Sex Characteristics (ADI-SOGIESC); and (4) the Committee of Experts on Artificial Intelligence, Equality and Discrimination (GEC/ADI-AI).

 

 Steering Committee on Media and Information Society (CDMSI)

The Steering Committee on Media and Information Society (CDMSI) advises the Committee of Ministers and coordinates the standard-setting activities on access to information, media freedom, independence, pluralism, and the safety of journalists— core pillars of any democratic society. Faced with old and new challenges, such as those arising from digital technologies, the CDMSI’s commits its efforts to uphold Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Developing standards and guidance on online safety, Generative AI, disinformation, media literacy, hate speech and abusive lawsuits against public participation, and coordinating the Council of Europe “Journalists Matter” Campaign, the CDMSI shapes an environment where freedom of expression can flourish both online and offline while safeguarding the values of a democratic society, such as pluralism, tolerance and public participation.

 

 Steering Committee for Education (CDEDU)

The Steering Committee for Education (CDEDU) develops education policies, standards, and guidelines and supports and monitors implementation across member States. The CDEDU also advises the Committee of Ministers on educational issues. The mission of the CDEDU is to promote democratic, quality, inclusive and corruption-free education systems. Under its 2024-2027 mandate, the CDEDU is committed to the implementation of the 2030 "Learners First” Education Strategy adopted by the 26th session of the Standing Conference of Ministers of Education in September 2023. Initiatives are based on the three pillars of the Strategy, namely (1) Renewing the democratic and civic mission of education; (2) Enhancing the social responsibility and responsiveness of education; and (3) Advancing education through a human rights-based digital transformation.

 

 Steering Committee on Democracy (CDDEM)                    

The Steering Committee on Democracy (CDDEM) was established in response to the commitment to secure and strengthen democracy made at the Council of Europe’s 4th Summit in Reykjavik in 2023. With its broad mandate, the CDDEM supports member states in building democratic resilience against threats to democratic institutions and processes, practising democratic governance amid disruptive changes, and fostering meaningful participation in democratic life of all members of society, notably young people and civil society. A key task of the Committee for the biennium 2024-2025 is to develop a set to Parameters to facilitate the application of the Reykjavik Principles for Democracy. These Parameters aim to help member states identify and address gaps in democratic policies and practices, and safeguard against democratic backsliding.

 

 The European Steering Committee for Youth (CDEJ)

The European Steering Committee for Youth (CDEJ) brings together representatives of ministries or bodies responsible for youth matters from the 46 Council of Europe member States, Holy See and Kazakhstan. The CDEJ fosters intergovernmental cooperation in the youth sector by facilitating knowledge-sharing and peer advice on national youth policies and exchanging expertise and good practice.

 

 The Advisory Council on Youth (CCJ)                

The Advisory Council on Youth (CCJ) is the non-governmental partner in the Council of Europe’s co-management system, composed of 30 representatives from international youth NGOs, national youth councils and youth networks across Europe. It advises the Committee of Ministers on youth-related matters, ensures that youth perspectives are included into the work of the Council of Europe and promotes the Organisation’s youth-related policies within the Organisation and beyond.

 

 The Joint Council on Youth (CMJ)

These two bodies come together in the Joint Council on Youth (CMJ), which is a unique example of shared decision-making between representatives of governments and youth civil society organisations, with power shared in full parity. The CMJ prepares youth policy standards and co-designs, co-manages and co-implements the Council of Europe’s programme of activities in the field of youth.

 

 Steering Committee for Culture and Cultural Heritage (CDCULT)

The Steering Committee for Culture and Cultural Heritage (CDCULT) oversees the Council of Europe’s intergovernmental work in the field of culture and cultural heritage, advises the Committee of Ministers on all questions within its area of competence and supports member States in the implementation of sector-specific acquis. It provides standards, policies, strategies, guidelines and good practices for the sustainable management of culture and heritage as a basis for democratic and inclusive societies impacted by challenges to democracy. The CDCULT also oversees a number of heritage and culture conventions. In the wake of the Reykjavik Summit, the CDCULT has been focusing its work on freedom of artistic expression; the impact of the latest technological developments (AI) on culture and heritage; prevention of offences relating to cultural property - promotion of the Nicosia Convention; sustainable heritage through the implementation of the Faro Convention Action Plan; contribution to democratic participation, non-discrimination and youth involvement and the European Heritage Days.