Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe

The Congress consists of two chambers: the House of Local Authorities and the House of Regions. Congress holds its plenary meetings twice a year in the main building (Palace) of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. It also has its permanent secretariat. The Political Assembly of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities has 648 members who are elected (regional or municipal councilors, mayors or representatives of regional authorities) and represent more than 200,000 local and regional authorities from 47 Council of Europe member states. The Congress conducts regular visits by all member states in order to monitor compliance with the European Charter of Local Self-Government, monitors the work of local and regional elections in the member states of the Council of Europe and creates international agreements that form the basis of common European standards for the protection of the rights of local authorities.

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe was established by Decision of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe No. 94 (3) of January 14, 1994. The adoption of the Charter and the consolidation of the powers of the Congress in it are the result of institutional evolution that began in 1953 when the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe held an international conference dedicated to local government issues, after which the European Charter of Local Government was signed. The idea of ​​holding conferences periodically was supported by the Committee of Ministers in 1956, and on January 12, 1957, the next meeting was held in Strasbourg, chaired by Jacques Chaban-Delmas , who headed the European Conference of Local Self-Government until January 1960.

In 1960, during the annual conference, the idea was first expressed to institutionalize the conference, giving it the appropriate legal status. By a decision of the Committee of Ministers on September 13, 1961, the Constitution (Charter) of the Conference was approved. In accordance with Article 17 of the Charter, "the Committee of Ministers may create, for the purposes that it considers necessary, various kinds of committees or commissions of an advisory or technical nature."

On February 19, 1975, the Committee of Ministers amended the Charter of the Conference in order to expand its competence, including as a consultative body in relation to regions. In addition, the name of the body that became the Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe was changed. The name of the authority subsequently changed repeatedly. So, in 1979, the Conference became the Permanent Conference of local and regional authorities in Europe. The most important achievement of the Permanent Conference is the development of a European Charter of Local Self-Government , open for signing by member countries of the Council of Europe on October 15, 1985. The Charter entered into force on September 9, 1988. The countries that signed the Charter commit themselves to recognize the principle of autonomy of local authorities and consolidating it in domestic law.

During the first Council of Europe summit in Vienna on October 9, 1993, the heads of state and government of the participating countries reaffirmed their intention to create a special advisory body representing the local and regional authorities of the Council of Europe member states. As a result of this statement, in 1994 a decision of the Committee of Ministers adopted a charter document establishing the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe and the separation of two chambers in it. In 2005, during the Warsaw Summit, the Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe again returned to the question of the importance of local and regional democracy in Europe and emphasized the leading role of the Congress in the implementation of this mission.

In October 2010, the Congress carried out a comprehensive reform of its structures and activities in order to increase its areas of influence, becoming more effective and relevant for European citizens and their elected representatives. In particular, structural changes included the creation of three new committees, replacing the four previous ones:

1. Committee for compliance with duties and obligations;

2. Management Committee;

3. Committee on current issues.

In addition, as a result of this reform, a Statutory Forum was created, the mandate of members of Congress was extended from two to four years, and the requirement of a minimum representation of 30% regarding unrepresented sex now also extended to alternate members in national delegations. The role of the Bureau as an executive body of Congress has been strengthened. Also, in the light of this reform, in January 2011, the Committee of Ministers adopted a new version of the Constitutional Resolution and the Constitution of the Congress. In March 2012, Congress established new rules of procedure.

The Congress represents more than 200 thousand European municipalities and regions, being a platform for discussing common problems, a platform for the exchange of experience and the development of interaction. The most important goals of the Congress are to ensure the participation of municipalities and regions in the process of European unification and the functioning of the Council of Europe , the promotion of democracy and cooperation between authorities at different levels and different states. The Congress deals with such specific issues as, for example, security in municipalities, intercultural and interreligious dialogue, migration, culture, education and many others. In this regard, the Congress encourages the effective organization of local and regional authorities in all Council of Europe member states, especially in the so-called “young democracies”. It examines the state of local and regional democracy, the degree of real participation of citizens in public life at the municipal and regional level, represents the interests of local and regional authorities in creating European policy, encourages cross-border cooperation in order to establish and maintain peace, tolerance and long-term development, as well as creating Euroregions. In addition, Congress carries out observation missions during municipal and regional elections, makes recommendations and submits them to the Committee of Ministers and (or) to the Parliamentary Assembly . Congress also adopts resolutions, brings them to the attention of local and regional authorities in Europe, and monitors their implementation through monitoring. The Congress works closely with various partners: national and international associations, observers or with the Committee of the Regions of the European Union.

Congress Priorities 2013–2016

• Improving the quality of local and regional democracy and human rights
• Assisting cities and regions in the fight against the economic and financial crisis, as well as in strengthening democracy
• Partnership and collaboration development

Dialogue with Governments

As part of the regional monitoring of democracy in Europe, Congress maintains a regular dialogue with Council of Europe member states. The main partners of the Congress in this mission are the Committee of Ministers (47 foreign ministers of the participating states), the Ministerial Conference, which is responsible for local and regional authorities, as well as the Coordination Committees. Several times a year, the President and Secretary General of the Congress exchange views with representatives of member states in the Committee of Ministers on the basis of a report on the work done. Congress also works directly with national governments, in particular on official visits to Member States, during plenary meetings or during post-monitoring visits in the country itself.

Bureau

The Congress Bureau, consisting of members of the House of Local Authorities and the House of Regions under the leadership of the President of the Congress (French Senator and Advisor Jean-Claude Frecon, in office since October 2013), is responsible for organizing plenary sessions, coordinating the work of the two chambers and committees. The bureau is also responsible for organizing monitoring and election observation missions, the budget and all issues arising between the two plenary meetings. According to the new Charter of the Congress, adopted on May 2, 2007 by the Committee of Ministers , the Congress is composed of representatives of municipalities and regions elected by direct vote . The assembly of both houses of Congress has 318 full members and 318 alternates. Members of the Congress are grouped by national delegations and in accordance with their political views: PPE-DC (Christian Democratic European Party), SOC ( Socialist Group), GILD (Independent Liberal Democratic Group), EC (European Conservatives), NI (members, not belonging to any of the listed political groups of the Congress). The participation of all delegations is subject to the principle of equitable geographical distribution, equal representation of various authorities and political forces, as well as equal representation of men and women. Each participating State has the right to a number of seats in Congress equal to the number of seats in the Parliamentary Assembly .

Congress meets three times a year (plenary in May, autumn in November and spring in March). The sessions are attended by delegations of member countries of the Council of Europe , as well as representatives of states that do not have membership in the Council of Europe , invited as observers . Sessions of each of the houses of Congress are held in Strasbourg and precede or follow the ordinary annual session of the Congress.

The Congress also has four commissions - the institutional, the commission for culture and education , the social interaction commission, and the long-term development commission.

Chairmanship

• Gudrun Mosler-Thornstrom, Austria, Chairman of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Socialist Group (SOC)
• Anders Knape , Sweden, President of the House of Local Authorities, Congress of the European People's Party
• Gan Marit Helgesen, Norway, President of the Chamber of Regions, Group of Socialists (SOC)

Full list of all members of the Bureau

Chambers

House of Local Authorities

The main task of the House of Local Authorities is to assess local democracy. The chamber also deals with social issues and supports the cooperation of European cities in areas such as intercultural dialogue, e-democracy , or multiculturalism . This contributes to the development of the principles of local democracy outside Europe, in particular through the Euro-Arab dialogue between cities and Euro-Mediterranean cooperation. During plenary meetings, which are held twice a year, the House of Local Authorities speaks on topics such as the fight against radicalism , cities against terrorism, migrants , and the protection of cultural heritage. The House of Local Authorities also makes recommendations and resolutions at the end of the sessions. List of members of the House of Local Authorities .

Chamber of Regions

The Chamber of Regions consists of representatives of the authorities acting between the local and central authorities. The region must have self-government authority. He should be able to take full responsibility for a significant portion of issues of public interest and take into account the principle of subsidiarity. The Chamber of Regions meets twice a year during plenary meetings of the Congress, holds discussions on issues such as regionalization in Europe, and adopts resolutions and recommendations. She is working on the role of regions in the member states of Congress, regional democracy, interregional cooperation, and regional economies. List of members of the Chamber of Regions .

Statutory Forum

Congress also has a Statutory Forum, consisting of the heads of all delegations and 17 members of the Bureau, in order to act on behalf of Congress between sessions. The statutory forum was established on January 19, 2011, immediately after the adoption of the new Charter . He replaced the Standing Committee. The statutory forum consists of the heads of all national delegations and members of the Bureau of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.

Committees

In October 2010, Congress established three committees:

• Compliance Committee
• Management Committee
• Committee on current issues.

The task of these Committees is to prepare keynote addresses for the Chambers or the Plenary.

Compliance and Responsibility Committee

The Committee for Compliance with the Duties and Obligations undertaken by the states that have signed the European Charter of Local Self-Government (or the Monitoring Committee) is entrusted, in particular, with monitoring the implementation of the Charter and the development of local and regional democracy in Europe, preparing reports on the situation of local and regional democracy and to study some specific issues related to local and regional democracy in member states. List of members of a compliance committee .

Management Committee

The Management Committee is entrusted with issues related to the statutory powers of Congress, such as governance, public finance, cross-border and interregional cooperation, citizen participation and e-democracy, and cooperation with intergovernmental bodies. List of members of the management committee .

Topical Committee

The Committee on Actual Issues is entrusted with the study of the role of local and regional authorities in those areas that pose major challenges for our societies and fit into the fundamental values ​​of the Council of Europe. This Committee addresses issues such as social cohesion, the fight against exclusion, education, intercultural dialogue, youth, the integration of migrants, and the protection of children. List of members of the committee on current issues.

Reports

Monitoring Reports

It is about studying the state of local and regional democracy in the member states of the Council of Europe, and such reports are prepared separately for each state. Monitoring activities are an important prerequisite for a constructive political dialogue with the authorities of the Council of Europe member states regarding municipal and regional democracy, and, in addition, it allows the Congress to develop effective legal instruments for interacting with executive, legislative (representative) public authorities, the media in various states. Legislation in many countries has changed as a result of Congress reports. At present, states are required to notify Congress in writing of measures they have taken to amend domestic law, which, of course, helps to enhance the role of Congress.

General Reports

This form of work involves a general analysis of compliance with the European Charter of Local Self-Government in the member states, as well as in the candidate states for accession to the Council of Europe.

Election Observation Reports

The Congress periodically carries out a monitoring mission for municipal and regional elections, which is an essential component of the competence of the Congress, since elections are an indicator of the actual state of municipal and regional democracy. Election observation includes not only observation of the voting process, but also analysis of the election campaign, as a result of which representatives of the Congress meet with political parties, with the country's leadership and the opposition, with election commissions, as well as with representatives of the media and human rights defenders. Based on the results of the observation, the Congress adopts recommendations and resolutions for public authorities of the respective states.

Group of Independent Experts on the European Charter

A group of independent experts on the European Charter of Local Self-Government helps the three charter committees fulfill their responsibilities in local and regional democracy, in accordance with the European Charter. Experts are recruited from universities and other research centers depending on their experience in law, economics, and political science. Their four-year mandate may be renewed. A group of independent experts assists Congress in the following areas:

1. Preparation of reports on the state of local and regional democracy in member states (monitoring reports)

2. Preparation of reports on specific aspects of the Charter within a Member State, or a group of Member States (specific monitoring reports)

3. Preparation of reports on certain points in the Charter that present problems regarding its compliance

4. Preparation of reports on issues of interest to local and regional authorities

5. Preparation of reports on the promotion of local and regional democracy

Secretariat

The Congress Secretariat is headed by the Secretary General, who is elected for a term of five years at a plenary meeting of Congress. The current Secretary General is Andreas Kiefer (re-elected in March 2015). Manuel Lezertois was elected President of the Congress. The Chamber of Local Authorities is currently headed by Executive Secretary Jean-Philippe Bozul (since 2005), and the Chamber of Regions by the Executive Secretary Denis Uber (since 2012).

Congress includes national delegations consisting of representatives of local and regional authorities from 47 Council of Europe member states. These representatives were either directly elected or responsible for the elected assembly. The composition of the delegation of each Member State is balanced in terms of the geographical distribution of territories, fair representation of various types of local and regional authorities and political forces, as well as fair distribution of the representation of women and men. Each member state is entitled to the same number of seats in Congress as in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. A list of national delegations and their members can be found on the Congress website .

Member Countries

According to its status, the Congress includes 324 representatives and 324 deputies from each participating country.

Political Groups

Each delegation should reflect the fair representation of political forces and the geographical structure of the country. Since 2008, the Congress Charter also requires a minimum representation of 30% for under-represented sexes within each delegation.

Congress includes four political groups:

• EPP / KSE: European People's Party Group in Congress
• SOC: Group of Socialists
• GNLD: Group of Independent and Liberal Democrats
• ECR: Group of European Conservatives and Reformists

Congress meets twice a year in plenary meetings in Strasbourg (May and October). Every two years, Congress appoints a chairman from among the representatives or full members. Since October 2016, the chairman of the Congress is Gudrun Mosler-Turnstrom , Austria. All information about political groups .

Monitoring Local and Regional Democracy

The main mission of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities is to effectively monitor local and regional democracy in member states by assessing compliance with the European Charter of Local Self-Government. Thanks to this monitoring, the Congress contributes, at the territorial level, to the realization of the main objectives of the Council of Europe - to ensure democracy and protect human rights on the European continent. Monitoring is also part of an ongoing political dialogue with various governance systems in a particular state.

Congress is committed to:

• conduct regular regular monitoring missions in each member state of the Council of Europe;

• conduct an examination of a specific aspect of the Charter;

• carry out fact-finding missions of doubt.

After such visits, the Monitoring Committee creates a report and sends recommendations to the participating countries with an emphasis on improving governance systems in municipalities and regions. These recommendations are discussed and adopted during Congress sessions. More information and examples of recently adopted texts in this area can be found here (in English).

Election Observation

Observing local and regional elections is an important Congressional task, complementing the monitoring activities. Observation missions are conducted at the official request of national authorities; Congress appoints a delegation consisting of members of Congress and the Committee of the Regions (10-15 people). At the end of the observation mission, a delegation of Congress presents a preliminary statement. This is followed by a report that includes an analysis of the election campaign and the whole day of voting, as well as recommendations that will be considered during the next session of Congress. It should be noted that the Congress cooperates with such institutions of the Council of Europe as the Parliamentary Assembly and the Venice Commission. Details of the procedure are set out in a resolution of Congress. More information on election observation can be found on the Congress website (in English).

Dialogue after election monitoring and observation

In March 2013, Congress adopted resolution 353 (2013) on dialogue after monitoring and election observation. The aim was to develop a political dialogue with Member States and stakeholders after monitoring or observation mission. As a consequence of its recommendations, Congress is discussing with the authorities of the Member State a plan to improve local and regional democracy in accordance with these recommendations. The first plan, prepared as part of this dialogue after monitoring, concerned the decentralization reform carried out by the Ukrainian authorities, and was signed in May 2015.

Collaboration Programs

One of the priorities of the Congress for 2013-2016 is the further development of cooperation and partnerships with the aim of consolidating and promoting democracy in the member states of the Council of Europe. These cooperation activities contribute to the further implementation of the European Charter of Local Self-Government and the implementation of Congress recommendations. Congress activities include:

• Assessment of the legal and institutional framework
• Preparation of new legislation and policies
• Best Practice Sharing - Equal Sharing and Interactive Workshops
• Leadership training for local and regional elected representatives

All projects are co-financed by voluntary contributions from Member States and international partners.

Projects

European Alliance of Cities and Regions to Support Roma Integration

Альянс европейских городов и регионов по интеграции рома был учрежден Конгрессом местных и региональных властей при поддержке Специального представителя генерального секретаря Совета Европы по вопросам интеграции рома. Более 120 городов и регионов из более чем 27 стран участвуют в этом Альянсе.

В сферу деятельности альянса входит:

• Содействовать обмену новых практик по интеграции рома среди участвующих городов и регионов.
• Дать право голоса участвующим городам и регионам, обеспечив их единой консультативной платформой по вопросам интеграции рома на местном и региональном уровне.
• Альянс организует национальные и международные семинары для участвующих городов и регионов с тем, чтобы облегчить процесс обмена передаваемого опыта.

Одним из ключевых приоритетов Альянса является продвижение культур рома и повышение уровня информированности и знаний о геноциде рома во время Второй мировой войны .

Еще одной важной инициативой Совета Европы, направленной на борьбу с антицыганскими настроениями , является социальная программа Dosta!, проводимая на национальном уровне в государствах-членах. По состоянию на 2013 год в ответственность Альянса входило управление программой Dosta!. Два раза в год Конгресс вручает премии трём муниципалитетам, отличившимся своими успешными и инновационными проектами в области интеграции рома.

В 2013—2014 г. Альянс реализовал свой первый этап проекта ROMACT. Около 30 городов и регионов были вовлечены в деятельность, состоящей из подготовительных работ, в том числе сбора и анализа данных, тематических семинаров, ознакомительных поездок, обмена информацией, развития партнерских связей, консультативной работы. Более подробная информация о деятельности альянса

Кампания ОДИН из ПЯТИ

Кампания Совета Европы ОДИН из ПЯТИ была запущена вследствие подписания и ратификации Конвенции Совета Европы о защите детей от сексуальной эксплуатации и сексуального насилия. Эта конвенция также известна как Конвенция Лансароте. Кампания направлена на то, чтобы информировать детей о различных типах сексуального насилия и жестокого обращения, и, конечно же, на их предотвращение. Конгрессом было заключено соглашение с городами и регионами с целью остановить сексуальное насилие в отношении детей. Соглашение предполагает четырех этапный подход: 1. предотвращения домогательств 2. защита жертвы 3. преследования виновных 4. обеспечение при этом полного участия детей в течение всего данного процесса. Конгресс призывает города и регионы к участию в данном соглашении. В поддержку кампании ОДИН из ПЯТИ был снят социальный видеоролик Озеро (The Lake) .

Комитет регионов Европейского Союза

В 1994 Конгресс установил институциональные партнерские отношения с Комитетом регионов Европейского Союза, созданном в том же году. В 1995 г. была создана контактная группа Конгресс / Комитет регионов. Встречи проходят два раза в год. Контактная группа координирует работу двух организаций и дает свою оценку их деятельности. С 2006 члены Комитета регионов имеют возможность участвовать в наблюдении за местными и региональными выборами. В настоящее время это происходит систематически, и члены Комитета регионов задействованы на протяжении всего процесса. Конгресс также активно сотрудничает с Комиссией по вопросам гражданства, управления, институциональных и внешних связей и с Конференцией региональных организаций и местных органов власти по Восточному партнёрству. Эта конференция была учреждена с целью укрепления отношений между Европейским Союзом и соседними странами в области местного и регионального самоуправления. Более подробную информацию о сотрудничестве между Конгрессом и Комитетом регионов можно найти как на сайте Конгресса , так и на сайте Комитета регионов (на английском языке).

Организации и объединения европейских муниципалитетов и регионов

Конгресс также принимает участие в нескольких организациях и объединениях европейских муниципалитетов и регионов, повышающих местную и региональную демократию путём разработки совместных мероприятий. Примерами таких организаций являются Ассамблея европейских регионов, Совет европейских муниципалитетов и регионов, Ассоциация европейских приграничных регионов и Конференция европейских региональных законодательных ассамблей.

Национальные ассоциации

Национальные (и европейские) ассоциации местных и региональных властей играют значительную роль в развитии местной демократии. Они обеспечивают информацию о деятельности Конгресса в их странах, в частности, путём лоббирования в своих правительствах. Национальные ассоциации играют активную роль в реализации положений Европейской хартии о местном самоуправлении, таким образом, выступая в качестве «системы раннего предупреждения». Сайт Конгресса содержит более подробную информацию о национальных ассоциациях (на английском языке).

Международные ассоциации местных и региональных властей, которые имеют консультативный статус при Совете Европы, также имеют статус наблюдателя при Конгрессе. Этот статус дает им право принимать участие в работе Конгресса, представлять меморандумы и замечания по вопросам, обсуждаемым на пленарных заседаниях, но не голосовать. Один или несколько представителей организаций, имеющих статус наблюдателя, могут быть приглашены для участия в заседаниях Уставного форума, Бюро комитетов или специальных рабочих групп.

Глава делегации

Александр Дрозденко, губернатор Ленинградской области, Российская Федерация

Заместитель главы делегации

Всеволод Беликов, г. Санкт-Петербург , Российская Федерация

Состав делегации утвержден распоряжением президента РФ от 21 июля 2016 года № 217-рп

• Документы Конгресса на русском языке
• Официальный сайт Конгресса: (англ.) , (фр.)
• Charte du Congrès des pouvoirs locaux et régionaux du Conseil de l'Europe (фр.)
• Résolution statutaire (94)03 relative à l'institution du Congrès des pouvoirs locaux et régionaux de l'Europe (фр.)
• Résolution statutaire (2000)1 relative au Congrès des pouvoirs locaux et régionaux de l'Europe (фр.)
• Европейская хартия местного самоуправления