The Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is launching a call for expressions of interest to participate in the HUDERIA Local Academy, with the deadline of 15 July 2026.
Are you prepared for the Artificial Intelligence era in local democracy? Is your local or regional authority already using AI in its interactions with residents? Do you know how AI impacts transparency and public trust in your authority? What happens if an algorithm gets it wrong—or leaves residents without answers?
Join the HUDERIA Local Academy to challenge your current practice, learn from leading experts and peers, and help set a European benchmark for trustworthy, human-centred, and transparent public sector AI. The Academy is built on the HUDERIA methodology, developed by the Council of Europe to support public administrations in implementing the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and emerging regulatory requirements, such as those arising from the EU AI Act.
Why attend?
Artificial intelligence is already transforming local governance—speeding up decisions, enabling innovation, and raising new questions of rights, participation, and trust. The HUDERIA Local Academy will give you a safe place to test, challenge, and strengthen your approach while offering a unique opportunity to work with peers and leading experts from across Europe to analyse risks in use of AI in the public sector.
Participants will:
- Improve their understanding of AI risks and safeguards
- Apply the HUDERIA step-by-step risk assessment and mitigation methodology to an emblematic AI use case
- Strengthen skills in legal, ethical, and participatory AI governance
- Develop a pan-European peer network of innovative local practitioners
- Inform future work on AI by the Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.
Who?
- Local and regional authorities at any stage of AI adoption—whether already piloting new tools or just starting out—are encouraged to join.
- The workshop will be most relevant for local and regional authorities serving populations of at least 25,000 inhabitants.
- 40 participants representing 20 Local / Regional authorities in Council of Europe member states, with one 1 elected official and 1 staff member from each participating authority
- The workshop will be held in English
In selecting participating authorities, the Centre of Expertise will aim to ensure gender and geographical balance.
Where? / When?
- Council of Europe Office in Paris, France
- 17-19 November 2026
How?
- Complete the Expression of Interest form by 15 July 2026 at 23:59 (CEST).
What will it cost?
Participation costs are covered by the Council of Europe.
Travel and subsistence costs for up to two officials from selected local authorities will also be covered in line with Council of Europe rules.
Lead your community safely into the AI era—express your interest today!
