On 22 May, ASSEDEL had the pleasure of being hosted at the Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg for a special training session focused on the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, one of the six key institutions of the Council of Europe.
The session began by revisiting the historical roots of the Congress. In the aftermath of World War II, during Europe’s democratic reconstruction, the then French Prime Minister emphasized the importance of giving local authorities a voice in shaping the future. He warned that excessive centralization of power could lead to authoritarianism and stressed the need for local governments to be included in key decisions, particularly in the allocation of financial and public resources.
This thinking led to the emergence of the “movement of mayors” (mouvement des maires), guided by Jacques Chaban-Delmas, which was aimed at decentralization as a pillar of democratic resilience. As a result, in 1954, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) established the Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe, which later evolved into the current Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in 1994.
The Congress is structured as a bicameral assembly, comprising:
– The Chamber of Local Authorities, representing mayors and municipal councillors, which focuses on local governance, urban development, and public services.
– The Chamber of Regions, consisting of elected officials from regional entities, which addresses broader territorial governance, regional development, and interregional cooperation
Both chambers represent the 46 member states of the Council of Europe and work together in plenary sessions to adopt recommendations, resolutions, and reports that influence democratic practices at the local and regional levels.
A crucial point in the Congress’s work is the European Charter of Local Self-Government, adopted in 1985 and ratified by all member states. This legally binding treaty guarantees the autonomy and independence of local authorities, ensuring they have the right and ability to regulate and manage a part of public affairs under their own responsibility. The Charter establishes principles such as:
– Free and fair local elections,
– Adequate financial resources for municipalities and regions,
– Legal protection of local self-government,
– Clear division of powers between national and local levels.
The Congress is responsible for monitoring compliance with this Charter, issuing regular monitoring reports and recommendations to member states to improve standards of local democracy.
Question time
1) Given that Europe is made up of countries with vastly different traditions of decentralization—such as Germany’s federalism, Italy’s regionalism, and France’s historically centralized system—how is the Congress able to manage these constitutional differences?
The response highlighted a core value of the Council of Europe:
“Europe is founded on the principle that our diversity is our strength.”
The Congress does not aim to impose a uniform model of local governance. Instead, it respects each country’s constitutional and administrative traditions, so long as they uphold democratic values. The European Charter of Local Self-Government provides a flexible framework, allowing each country to adapt its principles to its own context. The key goal is to ensure effective local self-government, regardless of the structural model in place.
2) How can NGOs contribute to the work of the Congress, particularly when it comes to supporting the implementation process?
The Congress actively promotes collaboration between local authorities and civil society organizations, recognizing NGOs as vital actors in fostering democratic culture and accountability. While NGOs do not directly participate in the Congress’s institutional structure, they can engage and influence its work by partnering with municipalities, supporting local initiatives, and contributing to civic awareness. In terms of implementation, the Congress has not a condemning role but educational and preventive. Rather than condemning violations, the Congress seeks to raise awareness among local governments, helping them understand and fulfill their democratic responsibilities. It provides tools, reports, and good practices to empower municipalities in preventing human rights violations and strengthening local democracy.
3) How does the Congress address the financial disparities between municipalities, which could threaten the effectiveness of decentralization?
Financial inequality among municipalities is indeed a critical issue, as it can undermine the ability of local authorities to deliver services and exercise their responsibilities effectively. The Congress supports the principle of financial equalization, which refers to mechanisms—often supported by national governments—that redistribute financial resources to ensure all municipalities have a basic capacity to operate, regardless of their local wealth. In addition, the Congress encourages inter-municipal cooperation, where neighboring municipalities join forces to manage resources, deliver services, or implement infrastructure projects more efficiently. This cooperative approach allows smaller or less wealthy municipalities to benefit from economies of scale, share administrative capacities, and improve service delivery—thereby reinforcing the overall resilience of the local governance system.
We are especially grateful to Ms. Ivana D’Alessandro, Head of the Human Rights Department, and Mr. Dmitri Marchenkov, Head of the Communication Department, for facilitating this engaging and informative session. Their contributions highlighted the vital connection between civil society and democratic institutions, and the role of participatory governance in safeguarding human rights.
This training reinforced our commitment to strengthening citizen engagement, local self-government, and the broader principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law throughout Europe.