Ankara, Eskişehir, Bağcılar, Gebze, Sultanbeyli, and Şişli Municipalities have been acquired the right to use the European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE) for one year by the Council of Europe, aiming to strengthen a culture of good governance in municipalities.
İstanbul, 14 December 2023
The European Label of Governance Excellence aims to strengthen the culture of good governance in municipalities and seeks the adoption of the 12 principles of good governance at all levels and in all processes of municipalities. In 2023, a total of 9 municipalities, including three metropolitan municipalities, applied for the Label. The National Platform, authorized by the Council of Europe to grant the Label in Türkiye, was established by the coordinator Argüden Governance Academy, with the collaboration of Altınbaş University, and the European Association of Local Democracy.
In the 2022-2023 period, the municipalities that obtained the right to use the Label were Ankara, Eskişehir, Bağcılar, Gebze, Sultanbeyli, and Şişli. Based on their efforts and commitments, municipalities that obtain the right to use the Label continue to use it in subsequent periods if they apply and receive approval from an independent jury. Sultanbeyli and Şişli municipalities, as the first municipalities in Türkiye to obtain the right to use ELoGE in 2022, extended the usage period of the Label until the end of 2024. The ceremony, attended by the Mayor of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mansur Yavaş, the Mayor of Sultanbeyli Hüseyin Keskin, the Mayor of Şişli Muammer Keskin, and many local government representatives, took place at Altınbaş University, a member of the National Platform.
The applications for the 2023-2024 Label period were evaluated by an independent jury formed by Argüden Governance Academy, the European Association of Local Democracy, and Altınbaş University. The jury, consisting of competent and expert members in good governance and local governance, included retired governors and bureaucrats, political science professors, and experts in good governance.
On December 14, at the ceremony held at Altınbaş University Gayrettepe Campus, the 6 awarding municipalities were announced. Opening speeches at the ceremony were delivered by Niall Sheerin, Deputy Director of the Council of Europe Center of Expertise for Good Governance; Prof. Dr. Çağrı Erhan, Rector of Altınbaş University; Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of the European Association of Local Democracy (ALDA); and Dr. Yılmaz Argüden, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Argüden Governance Academy.
Expressing their happiness at the second meeting of the European Label of Governance Excellence with municipalities in Türkiye, Niall Sheerin, Deputy Director of the Council of Europe Center of Expertise for Good Governance, stated, “ELoGE serves as a mirror for local governments. Today, we not only recognize the municipalities that have earned the Label for one year but also invite other municipalities to apply next year with the aim of improving the quality of life and the development of democracy at the local level.”
Niall Sheerin, Vice-President of the Council of Europe Center of Expertise for Good Governance
Antonella Valmorbida, the Secretary General of the European Association of Local Democracy (ALDA), emphasized the increasing significance of the collaborations they have developed in Türkiye, stating, “We are very pleased to collaborate with Argüden Academy to recognize the efforts of municipalities in local good governance and to award ELoGE.”
Antonella Valmorbida, the Secretary General of the European Association of Local Democracy (ALDA)
Prof. Dr. Çağrı Erhan, the Rector of Altınbaş University, expressed his pleasure at being alongside solution-oriented municipalities in his speech. Erhan continued his words as follows: “It is possible to talk about good governance when the ideas and desires of the people who are a part of urban life are taken into consideration. I individually congratulate all the mayors who have earned the right to receive this label.”
Professor Dr. Çağrı Erhan, the Rector of Altınbaş University
Dr. Yılmaz Argüden, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Argüden Governance Academy, authorized by the Council of Europe to grant the European Label of Governance Excellence in Türkiye, stated, “A society in which institutions are trusted is crucial for the quality of life and a sustainable future. The adoption of a culture of good governance in local governments, the cradle of democracy, will be the cornerstone of inclusive and participatory democracy and social trust in the 2nd century of our Republic. This Label will also contribute to the strategic and budgetary planning processes.”
Dr. Yılmaz Argüden, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Argüden Governance Academy
Following the award ceremony, the winning municipalities shared their experiences and good practices in a panel. The panel, featuring speeches from Mansur Yavaş, the Mayor of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality; Hüseyin Keskin, the Mayor of Sultanbeyli Municipality; Muammer Keskin, the Mayor of Şişli Municipality; Retired Governor Enver Salihoğlu; and Good Governance Consultant Fikret Toksöz, was moderated by Dr. Erkin Erimez, a member of the Academic Board of Argüden Governance Academy.
Mansur Yavaş, the Mayor of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, stated, “My commitment was to work closely with every segment of society for transparency and accountability. Ankara Municipality earns the trust of the public by providing meaningful information. Receiving ELoGE will encourage other municipalities in our country to implement good governance practices.”
Mansur Yavaş, the Mayor of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality
Hüseyin Keskin, the Mayor of Sultanbeyli Municipality, expressed his happiness and pride in earning the label for the second time in collaboration with Şişli Municipality. Keskin stated, “Encouraging the participation of every segment of the public in decision-making and making efforts in this regard increase citizen trust and satisfaction. Applying for the Label every year is a beautiful indicator of our commitment to continuous improvement.”
Hüseyin Keskin, the Mayor of Sultanbeyli Municipality
Muammer Keskin, the Mayor of Şişli Municipality, stated, “There was always something we emphasized when we took office five years ago. We will be participatory, transparent, and accountable, and we will be inclusive. The European Label of Governance Excellence we received as one of the pioneering municipalities paved the way for many of our projects, such as Neighbor's Table and Participatory Budget.”
Muammer Keskin, the Mayor of Şişli Municipality
The European Label of Governance Excellence attracted significant attention from national and local media. The event received widespread coverage in print media and was featured on nearly 400 internet news sites.
Argüden Governance Academy, working towards enhancing the quality of governance for the quality of life, developed the Integrated Municipal Governance Model to contribute to the adoption of the European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE) by municipalities in Türkiye and the widespread promotion of citizen-centric governance. Municipalities can implement this model to holistically and effectively incorporate the good governance principles defined by the Council of Europe at every stage of democratic, administrative, and financial management processes. In doing so, they will seize the opportunity to contribute more to local sustainable and inclusive development and enhance the quality of life for citizens.
