The Annual Coordination Meeting of the European Local Democracy Week (ELDW), held in Strasbourg on 26 February 2025, brought together mayors, municipal officials and ELDW national coordinators from across Europe to assess the initiative’s 2024 achievements and shape its future.

Participants shared examples of activities organised within their communities in 2024 and showcased best practices involving citizens, under the theme “Local communities putting democratic resilience at the forefront”. Some examples included the establishment of youth councils, development of participatory budgeting systems, and organisation of neighborhood meetings. Participants also exchanged perspectives on the future of the ELDW and discussed strategies to strengthen and expand the initiative`s impact across Europe.

Congress Spokesperson on the ELDW Konstantinos Koukas (Greece, EPP/CCE), moderating the meeting, highlighted the importance of active civic participation beyond electoral cycles, pointing out that “the strength of democracy lies in the engagement of people, and this starts at the local level”. This message was echoed by Congress Secretary General Mathieu Mori, who underscored the role played by local democracy in upholding citizens’ trust in democratic institutions. “It is necessary to engage with citizens in order to build trust and strengthen their participation at local level and their commitment to defend and promote democracy as a whole,” he stressed.

For her part, Congress Spokesperson on Youth Véronique Bertholle (France, SOC/G/PD) called for greater involvement of young people in ELDW’s future editions. She also provided information on the current revision of the European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life.

The event concluded with the “Partner of the European Local Democracy Week 2024” Award Ceremony, honouring 17 municipalities and 2 associations for their contributions to democratic engagement at the local level. 

The following municipalities and associations received the “Partner Status”:

 

1.         Municipality of Agii Anargiri – Kamatero (Greece) 

2.         Municipality of Ahmetbey (Türkiye)

3.         Municipality of Alimos (Greece) 

4.         Municipality of Altieylul (Türkiye)

5.         Municipality of Beykoz (Türkiye)

6.         Municipality of Besiktas (Türkiye)

7.         Municipality of Büyükçekmece (Türkiye)

8.         Municipality of Cascais (Portugal)

9.         Municipality of Edremit (Türkiye)

10.       Municipality of Kırklareli (Türkiye)

11.       Municipality of Kristiansand (Norway)

12.       Municipality of Konak (Türkiye)

13.       Kyiv City Council (Ukraine)  

14.       Local Councils’ Association (Malta)

15.       Municipality of Lüleburgaz (Türkiye)

16.       Marmara Municipalities Union (Türkiye)

17.       City of Minsk Mazowiecki (Poland)

18.       City of Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

19.       Municipality of Valongo (Portugal)