2024 -- Current Edition
2023 Edition
“Local communities: putting democratic resilience at the forefront"
In today's world, communities are facing global challenges at a very fast pace. The Covid-19 pandemic has left a strong imprint on our societies over the past few years and adversely affected people from almost every region. The crises faced by local and regional communities are aggravated by Russia's war against Ukraine, which has triggered a domino effect of humanitarian crisis, soaring energy prices, rising inflation and migration flows in the globalised world. Europe has rarely faced so many simultaneous crises as in recent years, and local authorities are always on the front line.
The need for action to build resilient cities against many crises has played a significant role in the selection of ELDW theme for 2023-2024, which is “Local communities: putting democratic resilience at the forefront”, in line with the UN 2030 agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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2022 Edition
“Protecting the environment: Local Communities take action"
The pandemic, as well as the increasing negative impact of climate change on communities and citizens, has led the Congress to commit in its priorities for 2021-2026 to further develop activities to provide local responses to environmental and climate challenges. The need for action to prevent environmental degradation and fight climate change has played a significant role in the selection of ELDW theme for 2021-2022, which is “Protecting the environment: local communities take action”, in line with the UN 2030 agenda and sustainable development goals.
The ongoing war in Ukraine, significant migration flows, as well as economic and social problems have added to the current challenges, against the background of polarisation of society, increased extremism and hate speech. Local and regional governments, which are closest to the citizens, are the first to be affected. For this reason, the concepts of sustainability and resilience are becoming increasingly important in order to encourage citizen participation and strengthen trust in local democracy.
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“Partners of the European Local Democracy Week 2022"
21 participant municipalities have received the status “Partner of the Euroepan Local Democracy Week 2022” for giving special prominence to the ELDW in their activity programmes and budgets: Municipality of Ahmetbey (Türkiye), Municipality of Bac (Serbia), Municipality of Besiktas (Türkiye), Municipality of Beykoz (Türkiye), Municipality of Buca (Türkiye), Municipality of Büyükçekmece (Türkiye), Municipality of Cascais (Portugal), Municipality of Centar-Skopje (North Macedonia), Municipality of Çigli (Türkiye), Municipality of Edremit (Türkiye), City of Fastiv (Ukraine), Municipality of Kirklareli (Turkiye), Municipality of Konak (Türkiye), Municipality of Kragujevac (Serbia), Municipality of Lüleburgaz (Türkiye), Local Councils’ Association (Malta), Municipality of Muratpasa (Türkiye), Municipality of Nilüfer (Türkiye), Municipality of Ramnicu Valcea (Romania), Municipality of Rize (Türkiye), Municipality of Valongo (Portugal).
2021 Edition
“Protecting the environment: Local Communities take action"
Climate change remains one of the most urgent threats to modern societies, as highlighted by Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 11 (build resilient communities) and 13 (climate action) of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The response to climate change calls for immediate joint action with citizens to build resilient communities in Europe and beyond and to strengthen the protection of the environment and people. Thus, the Congress has committed itself in its Priorities 2021-2026 to further develop activities aimed at providing local responses to environmental and climate challenges.
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“Partners of the European Local Democracy Week 2021"
21 participant municipalities have received the status “Partner of the Euroepan Local Democracy Week 2021” for giving special prominence to the ELDW in their activity programmes and budgets: Municipality of Ahmetbey (Turkey), Municipality of Be?ikta? (Turkey), Municipality of Beykoz (Turkey), Municipality of Buca (Turkey), Municipality of Büyükçekmece (Turkey), Municipality of Cascais (Portugal), Municipality of Çi?li (Turkey), Municipality of Edremit (Turkey), Municipality of Efeler (Turkey), City of Fastiv (Ukraine), City of Kharkiv (Ukraine), Municipality of Konak (Turkey), City of Kyiv (Ukraine), City of Lviv (Ukraine), Municipality of Lüleburgaz (Turkey), Municipality of Muratpa?a (Turkey), City of Nis (Serbia), Municipality of Ramnicu Valcea (Romania), Municipality of Rize (Turkey), Municipality of Tekirda? (Turkey), Municipality of Valongo (Portugal);
2020 Edition
“Local democracy: building trust. Co-designing local democracy together with citizens and practicing open government”
In 2020, the European Local Democracy Week took place in difficult circumstances. Despite the obstacles, local and regional authorities and their associations worked hard to ensure their active participation in the ELDW and to engage citizens. Their best practices to enhance citizen participation under the ELDW initiative, particularly in these challenging times, give us a great deal of hope for the future. Consequently, the biennial theme "Local democracy: building trust" proved to be the right choice in 2020, highlighting the key role of local democracy in strengthening citizens’ confidence and trust in our democratic system even during the pandemic.
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“Partners of the European Local Democracy Week 2020"
19 participant municipalities and one association have received the status “Partner of the Euroepan Local Democracy Week 2020” for giving special prominence to the ELDW in their activity programmes and budgets: Ahmetbey (Turkey), Be?ikta? (Turkey), Büyükçekmece (Turkey), Buca (Turkey), Cascais (Portugal), Çi?li (Turkey), Edremit (Turkey), Fastiv (Ukraine), K?rklareli (Turkey), Konak (Turkey), Kharkiv, (Ukraine), Lüleburgaz (Turkey), Lviv (Ukraine), Muratpa?a (Turkey), Niš (Serbia), Râmnicu Vâlcea (Romania), Rize (Turkey), Union of Central Anatolian Municipalities (Turkey), Valongo (Portugal) and Vranje (Serbia).
Les évènements de la SEDL 2020
2019 Edition
“Local democracy: building trust. Co-designing local democracy together with citizens and practicing open government”
For some years now, European societies have faced a democratic and institutional crisis, due mainly to citizens’ growing distrust of public administrations and politicians. Citizens no longer feel represented by the people they elect, and the authorities’ failure to consult them has only compounded the erosion of this relationship of trust, which is, nevertheless, crucial for a democracy to function properly.
The subnational level, being close to the population, can enable this trust to be strengthened through the critical role played by local authorities in responding to citizens’ concerns. This is why the theme of “Local democracy: building trust” was chosen for European Local Democracy Week (ELDW) 2019 and 2020, with the aim of emphasising the key role of local democracy in our European countries and enabling citizens’ trust in our democratic system to be restored.
In 2019, the ELDW took place all year long.
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2018 edition
“Citizen participation, consultation and commitment: for a thriving local democracy”
This theme was adopted for the 2017 and 2018 editions to reflect on the changing context of citizen participation and its link to the core mission of the initiative. A growing number of local authorities see the benefits of getting citizens involved in decision-making processes: increased legitimacy, improved accountability and more efficient delivery of public services. We are living in the world of internet and e-democracy, in which new technologies and emerging political actors are increasingly gaining space. Citizens are invited to express their opinion on public issues through more direct platforms such as interactive website and social media.
In 2018, the ELDW took place between 15 and 21 October.
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2017 edition
“Citizen participation, consultation and commitment: for a thriving local democracy”
In the light of the 10th anniversary of the European Local Democracy Week, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe decided to reflect on the changing context of citizen participation and its link to the core mission of the initiative. “Citizen participation, consultation and commitment: for a thriving local democracy” has therefore been chosen as the main theme of the ELDW in 2017. Citizen participation is the bedrock of democracy and good governance. Consultation of citizens on the issues that concern them is at the heart of citizen participation at all levels of governance. It is crucial to emphasise that making democracy thrive necessitates a two-sided commitment to participatory processes: local authorities need to offer citizens the right tools and ways for consultation and participation, whilst citizens need to take these opportunities and get actively involved in local affairs.
In 2017, the ELDW took place between 9 and 15 October.
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2016 edition
“Living together in culturally diverse societies: respect, dialogue, interaction”
“Living together in culturally diverse societies: respect, dialogue, interaction” was chosen as the main theme of the 2016 edition of the ELDW. The goal of this theme was to highlight the importance of intercultural dialogue and peaceful living together. As Andreas Kiefer, Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, explained the “objective was to reflect on the growing tendencies of radicalisation and violent extremism, and the threats these pose to our societies”. The 2016 theme was in line with the 2015 edition 2015 with a stronger emphasis on education for democratic citizenship and human rights.
In 2016, the ELDW took place between 10 and 16 October.
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2015 edition
“Living together in multicultural societies: respect, dialogue, interaction”
On 2 February 2015, the Bureau of the Congress decided to dedicate the 2015 European Local Democracy Week (ELDW) to the issue of intercultural dialogue, adopting a new slogan: “Living together in multicultural societies: respect, dialogue, interaction”. Given the current political and social context, coupled with the ubiquitous terrorist threats and the rise of populist movements grounded in xenophobia, hatred and social exclusion, this theme comes at a critical time in citizens’ lives.
The ELDW officially took place between 12 and 18 October 2015.
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95 participants from 29 countries took part in the 2015 ELDW. Over 249 events and activities were organised in this framework, thus contributing to the ELDW overall success. In his speech on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Europe Prize (2015), Jean-Claude Frécon, President of the Congress, hailed the ELDW initiative. A letter was then sent by him to all previous award winners, encouraging them to take part in the ELDW and stressing the natural link between the two initiatives. This action brought two previous Europe Prize winners, Czestochowa (PL) and Kharkiv (UA) and three cities awarded the Plaque of Honour, Izmit (TR), Mioveni (RO) and Ternopil (UA), into the ELDW family, hopefully enabling further synergies with the Assembly’s initiative.
As for the activities, these were numerous and creative: in Chemnitz (DE), the citizens were able to enjoy a public reading of the book “Meine 7000 Nachbarn” (My 7000 neighbours); in Chania (GR), the municipality organised a drawing competition on the theme “Myself and the others”, which ended with an exhibition of all the drawings at the town hall; in Ilon (GR), students visited a reception centre for refugees; in Le Mas (France), the citizens were able to attend a citizen film-debate following the screening of Yann Arthus-Bertrand's movie “Human”; in Neuchâtel (CH), an intercultural café on languages was organised, in Karsiyaka (Turquie), 200 took part in a cycling race ‘‘Bike For Unity and Solidarity’’. Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, please find further information on the organised activities here: Events of the 2015 ELDW.
“12-Star" partners in 2015: 24 cities were chosen to receive the “12-Star” status, thus providing special prominence to their participation in this pan-European initiative. There were: Amadora (Portugal), Association of the City and the Municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region (Belgium), Antalya (Turkey) Buyukcekmece (Turkey), Bydgoszcz (Poland), Chania (Greece), Falun (Sweeden), Huddinge (Sweeden), Iasi (Romania) Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukraine), Izmit (Turkey), Kadikoy (Turkey), Karsiyaka (Turkey), Katowice (Poland), Kharkiv, (Ukraine), Luleburgaz (Turkey), Medgidia (RO), Melitopol (Ukraine), Mioveni (Poland), Reggio Calabria (Italy), Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (United-Kingdom), Strasbourg (France), Sundbyberg (Sweeden) and Tbilisi (Georgia).
Population: The 2015 ELDW covered a population of 12 753 839 citizens.
2014 edition
“Participatory democracy: sharing, proposing, deciding”
On 24 March 2014, the Bureau of the Congress decided to dedicate the eighth edition of the European Local Democracy Week (ELDW) to participatory democracy and adopted a new slogan: ''Participatory democracy: sharing, proposing, deciding'', with a special focus on youth. In 2014, the ELDW officially took place between 13 and 18 October.
This theme is at the heart of the ELDW mission: create a relevant tool to stimulate and promote citizen participation at local level.
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2013 Edition
“Active citizenship : voting, sharing, participating”
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe has identified active citizenship as the main theme of the seventh edition of the European Local Democracy Week. In 2013, the ELDW officially took place between 14 and 20 October.
The choice of the theme “Active citizenship: voting, sharing, participating” was intended to encourage European cities and municipalities to promote awareness of the responsibilities that are incumbent on each individual in a democratic society, in particular within the local community, whether as an elected representative, local administrator, public servant or ordinary citizen.
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2012 Edition
“Human rights make for more inclusive communities”
“Human rights make for more inclusive communities” was chosen as the leading theme of the 2012 edition of the European Local Democracy Week (ELDW) during the coordination meeting, which was held in Paris on 19 January 2012.
Human rights are an integral part of democracy and many of those rights and freedoms are implemented at local level, as it is also the case with social and civil rights. They include protection and respect for elderly and disadvantaged people, children, minority groups as well as the access to public services and freedom of assembly.
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities has decided to engage local authorities to play their role in ensuring that this concept becomes the foundation of a modern and cohesive community.
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2011 Edition
"Human rights - What about your backyard?"
“Human rights at local level” was the leading theme of the 2011 edition of the European Local Democracy Week. It was received with great interest by European municipalities. The feedback received by the Congress shows that the reputation and popularity of the initiative is increasing year on year in terms of the number of municipalities taking part, the variety of activities taking place and the commitments undertaken by institutional partners.
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Photo gallery of the events 2011 FLICKR
2010 Edition
“The impact of sustainable communities in fighting climate change”
“The impact of sustainable communities in fighting climate change” was chosen as the main issue of the ELDW 2010 edition. The Congress’ idea was to highlight that local communities can play a major role in tackling crucial challenges related to climate change at local level, while world powers are still trying to broker a deal.
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