The Community of Practice on deliberative democracy in South-East Europe convened on 24 April 2025 in Skopje to share examples of innovative forms of citizen engagement, and to renew its commitment to organising citizens’ assemblies as part of the deliberative democratic process in the region. The meeting was held with the support from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.
Co-ordinated by the Network of the Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe (NALAS), the Community of Practice brings together representatives of 18 municipalities and seven national associations of local authorities from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia for peer exchange and learning about democratic innovations.
In her opening remarks, Danela Arsovska, Mayor of Skopje and Congress member, highlighted how deliberative processes can help foster integrity and transparency of local government. She also presented the work around the citizens’ assembly on climate change held in Skopje in 2023.
“The cooperation with citizens in the framework of citizens’ assemblies in Ireland showed that, when their voices are being heard, the trust between the citizens and the administration is rising,” underlined Jimmy Moloney, Head of the Irish Delegation to the Congress, presenting best practices from his country. He pointed out that the work within the Community of Practice will contribute to the process for a New Democratic Pact for Europe launched by the Council of Europe’s Secretary General Alain Berset. “The Congress is committed to devising ways to fight democracy backsliding, and fostering dialogue and learning on deliberative democracy is one of the tools in this endeavour,” Moloney concluded.
Members of the Community of Practice from Bosnia and Herzegovina include elected and non-elected representatives of the cities of Sarajevo, Doboj, and the Brčko District, along with representatives from the Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Association of Municipalities and Cities of Republika Srpska.
