What is the Charter for Multilevel Governance?

Adopted by the CoR on 3 April 214 and supported by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the Charter is a political manifesto from European cities and regions inviting all public authorities to make “multilevel governance” a reality in day-to-day policy-making and delivery. This primarily involves working in partnership between the different levels of government (local, regional, national and European) and applying a set of principles that should guide efficient policy-making, such asparticipation, cooperation, openness, transparency, inclusiveness and policy coherence, all of which are essential conditions to guarantee the success of public policies in the interest of the citizens.

Although not legally binding, the Charter will commit its signatories to use multilevel governance in the management of public policies, to launch projects in partnership with both the public and private sectors, to further develop territorial cooperation and to modernise their administration. This is all part of the CoRs’ commitment to ensuring a good application of “subsidiarity”, which places decisions at the most effective level and as close to citizens as possible.

Who can sign?

Signature of the Charter is open to all European Union local and regional authorities, i.e. city, county, district, metropolitan area, province, region, etc.

European and national associations of local and regional authorities, as well as local and regional authority networks, are also invited to give their formal support. Politicians at all levels of governance can give their support by signing the Charter.

Read the full resolution (edit this)