Working groups
Working Group on the Reykjavik Parameters of Democracy -framework and methodology for their application (GT-P2)
Terms of Reference of the GT-P2 Working Group
Task
The Working Group is tasked to deliver a tool to help Council of Europe member states apply the Reykjavik Parameters of Democracy adopted by the Steering Committee on Democracy (CDDEM) in 2025 and to promote inclusive electoral participation. The Parameters and the framework and methodology for their use are an integral part of the New Democratic Pact for Europe a collective and inclusive strategic process launched by the Council of Europe in 2024 to develop concrete structural solutions and innovative practices aimed at strengthening the foundations of democracy and making it more inclusive.
- Framework and methodology for the application and use of the Reykjavik Parameters of Democracy
>> Deadline: 31/12/2026 - Guidelines on enhancing participation in elections of women, girls and young persons, vulnerable groups
>> Deadline: 31/12/2026
Timeline
- First draft of the guidelines on enhancing participation in elections of women, girls and young persons, vulnerable groups
>> Deadline: April 2026 - Outline of the framework and methodology for the application and use of the Reykjavik Parameters of Democracy.
>> Deadline: June 2026 - Practical testing of the draft framework
>> Deadline: July/August 2026 - Revised draft of the guidelines
>> Deadline: October 2026 - Revised draft of the framework for the application and use of the Reykjavik Parameters of Democracy.
>> Deadline: October 2026 - Final draft of the guidelines on enhancing participation in elections of women, girls and young persons, vulnerable groups (for review and adoption at the 6th meeting of the CDDEM)
>> Deadline: December 2026 - Final draft of the framework for the application and use of the Reykjavik Parameters of Democracy (for review at the 6th meeting of the CDDEM)
>> Deadline: December 2026 - Piloting phase of the framework for the application and use of the Reykjavik Parameters for Democracy
>> Deadline: December 2027
Meeting reports
1st meeting, 26-27 March 2026: Meeting report
Working group on multi-level governance (GT-GPN)
Terms of Reference of the GT-GPN Working Group
Task
The Working Group on multi-level governance (GT-GPN) is instructed to prepare a new Recommendation to member states on the topic of multi-level governance as a form of governance that ensures efficient, effective, and sound administration, which is one of the principles of good democratic governance, as described in the Recommendation CM/Rec(2023)5. It is also tasked to oversee the preparation of an implementation review of the Recommendation CM/Rec(2023)5.
- Recommendation on multi-level governance.
>> Deadline: 31/12/2027 - Implementation review report on Recommendation CM/Rec(2023)5 on the Principles of Good Democratic Governance
>> Deadline: 31/12/2027
Timeline
- First draft of the Recommendation on multi-level governance following CDDEM discussion and orientations (provided at the 5th meeting of the Steering Committee)
>> Deadline: July 2026 - Outline of the implementation review report of Recommendation CM/Rec(2023)5 following CDDEM discussion and orientations (provided at the 5th meeting of the Steering Committee)
>> Deadline: September 2026 - Revised draft of the Recommendation on multi-level governance (following discussions at the 6th meeting of the Steering Committee)
>> Deadline: March 2027 - First draft of the implementation review report on Recommendation CM/Rec(2023)5 following CDDEM discussion and orientations (provided at the 6th meeting of the Steering Committee)
>> Deadline: March 2027 - Public consultation on the Recommendation on multi-level governance
>> Deadline: July 2027 - Final draft of the Recommendation on multi-level governance for CDDEM review and adoption at its 7th meeting of the Steering Committee.
>> Deadline: December 2027 - Final draft of the implementation review report on Recommendation CM/Rec(2023)5 for CDDEM review and adoption at its 7th meeting of the Steering Committee.
>> Deadline: December 2027
Meeting reports
1st meeting, 16-17 February 2026: Meeting report
Working Group on Parameters for the application and implementation of the Reykjavík Principles of Democracy (GT-P)
Download Terms of Reference of the GT-P Working Group
Task
The Working Group GT-P was instructed to deliver a set of Parameters to facilitate the application and implementation of the Reykjavik Principles and other relevant Council of Europe standards to promote, protect and strengthen democracy. The Reykjavik Parameters are an integral part of the New Democratic Pact for Europe, a collective and inclusive strategic process launched by the Council of Europe in 2024 to develop concrete structural solutions and innovative practices aimed at strengthening the foundations of democracy.
- Parameters to facilitate the application and implementation of the Reykjavík Principles and other relevant Council of Europe standards to promote, protect and strengthen democracy throughout the member States.
>> Deadline: 31/12/2025
Timeline
- Outline of the Parameters (submitted for review and discussion at the 2nd meeting of the CDDEM)
>> Deadline: October 2024 - First consolidated draft of the Parameters (for review and discussion at the 3rd meeting of the CDDEM)
>> Deadline: May 2025 - Public consultation on the draft Parameters
>> Deadline: September 2025 - Final draft of the Parameters (for review and adoption at the 4th meeting of the CDDEM)
>> Deadline: December 2025
GT-P working group meetings
- 1st meeting, 23-24 September 2024: Meeting report
- 2nd meeting, 9-10 December 2024: Meeting report
- 3rd meeting, 6-7 March 2025: Meeting report
- 4th meeting, 13-14 October 2025: Meeting report
Working Group on civil society participation (GT-CS)
Download Terms of Reference of the GT-CS Working Group
Task
The Working Group on civil society participation (GT-CS) was tasked with delivering guidance tools to promote and support an enabling environment for civil society organisations (CSOs) in Europe.
- Guidance to enhance civil society participation in Council of Europe work, including as regards a Council of Europe Code of Conduct on civil society engagement (2024)
>> Deadline: 31/12/2024 - Contribution to the implementation review report on Recommendation CM/Rec(2018)11 on the need to strengthen the protection and promotion of civil society space in Europe to be prepared by the Steering Committee for Human Rights (CDDH)
>> Deadline: 31/12/2024 - Updated Recommendation CM/Rec(2007)14 on the legal status of non-governmental organisations in Europe
>> Deadline: 31/12/2025
Timeline
- Final Draft guidance note to enhance civil society participation in Council of Europe work (to be submitted for approval at the 2nd meeting of the CDDEM)
>>Deadline: October 2024 - Contribution to the implementation review report of Recommendation CM/Rec(2018)11
>> Deadline: October 2024 - First draft of the updated Recommendation CM/Rec(2007)14, following CDDEM discussion and orientations (provided at the 2nd meeting of the Steering Committee)
>> Deadline: February/March 2025 - Revised draft of the updated Recommendation CM/Rec(2007)14 (following discussions at the 3rd meeting of the Steering Committee)
>> Deadline: June 2025 - Public consultation on the updated Recommendation CM/Rec(2007)14
>> Deadline: September 2025 - Final draft of the updated Recommendation CM/Rec(2007)14 for CDDEM approval
>> Deadline: October 2025
GT-CS working group meetings
- 1st meeting, 8-9 July 2024: Meeting report
- 2nd meeting, 2 October 2024: Meeting report
- 3rd meeting, 17-18 February 2025: Meeting report
- 4th meeting, 22-23 September 2025: Meeting report
