Professional Documents
Culture Documents
First: Declaration by the conference of European ministers responsible for local and
regional democracy (Budapest, 2005)
Deliver good governance to their citizens at both domestic and European level
(Budapest Agenda)
Endorsed by the Warsaw Summit of CoE Heads of State and Government
Second: the Strategy for Innovation and Good Governance at Local Level (Valencia,
2007)
Twelve Principles of Good Democratic Governance
Third: resolve by the Ministers to “lead and own” the Council of Europe Agenda in the
field of local and regional democracy
Enhanced political dialogue, “common agenda” with the Congres of Local and
Regional Authorities
The Strategy for Innovation and Good Governance at Local Level
Twelve principles
1. Fair conduct of elections, Representation and Participation
2. Responsiveness
3. Efficiency and Effectiveness
4. Openness and transparency
5.Rule of Law
6. Ethical conduct
7. Competence and Capacity
8. Innovation and openness to change sustainability and long term orientation
9.Human rights, cultural diversity and social cohesion
10. Sound financial management
11. Accountability
At central level: establish and maintain a fair and effective system of local self-government
At local level: go public, be accountable, commit to improvement
At community level: be open to challenge, be rewarded for excellence in governance at local
level
Why is good governance so important?
Governance is good for local political leaders
• strengthens authority and credibility
•enables effective delivery of services
•embodies leadership
Governance is good for the community
• respects diversity
•enhances cohesion and inclusion
•promotes a sense of belonging
•gives a common destiny
• Governance is good for the nation
• builds trust between tiers of government
• facilitates subsidiarity
• consolidates democracy across levels of
government
Governance is good for Europe
• enables effective implementation of
redistributive policies
•provides European and state institutions with
reliable partners at local level
Is Good Governance at Local Level taking roots?