NALAS Community of Practice on Deliberative Democracy inspires future action and reflects on progress
On 26 June 2025, the Community of Practice on Deliberative Democracy convened its fourth meeting, bringing together representatives from 18 local governments and 7 local government associations across South-East Europe. Held online, the session served both as a platform for peer learning and as a reflective milestone in advancing democratic innovation.
The meeting focused on the follow-up and institutionalisation of citizens’ assemblies, with particular attention given to designing effective mechanisms that enhance the legitimacy, continuity, and long-term impact of deliberative processes.
Local governments have a vital role in fostering meaningful, sustained, and innovative citizen participation. “When we launched it in Tirana in 2024, NALAS envisioned a space for genuine exchange — one that brings together local authorities, associations, and practitioners in a shared commitment to democratic innovation,” noted Programme Director Jelena Janevska.
“Through our previous meetings, we’ve seen how powerful that vision can be. The continued engagement of the committed members of the Community of Practice has made the Community a living, evolving network,” concluded Jelena Janevska, stressing the dedication of those who make the Community a vibrant platform for dialogue, exchange, and learning experience.
Participants shared a variety of practical insights and innovations, including exemplary practices from the regions of Bruxelles and Ostbelgien (German-speaking community in eastern Belgium), and the City of Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The City of Sarajevo also presented its first citizens’ assembly, alongside targeted information and capacity-building sessions for local officials, all illustrating inspiring steps towards embedding democratic innovation in local governance.
The meeting reaffirmed the Community’s collective commitment to integrating deliberative principles into democratic institutions across the region. It underscored the value of peer exchange in promoting inclusive, transparent, and responsive governance.
The Community of Practice on Deliberative Democracy was established under the project “Promoting Deliberative Democracy and Innovative Approaches to Citizen Participation in South-East Europe”, led by the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in partnership with NALAS.