The ELoGE, which is a symbol of good governance culture in local governments is given by the National Platform established in Türkiye under the coordination of Argüden Governance Academy.  In 2023, the National Platform was formed by Argüden Governance Academy, European Association for Local Democracy, and Altınbaş University. The municipalities that received the right to use the Label granted by the National Platform until the end of 2024 are Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality, as well as Bağcılar, Gebze, Sultanbeyli and Şişli Municipalities.

The European Label of Governance Excellence aims to develop a good governance culture in municipalities and to ensure the adoption of 12 good governance principles at all levels of local government. In 2023, 9 municipalities, including metropolitan cities, applied for the European Label of Governance Excellence which is attracting increasing attention from municipalities in Türkiye.

The Label applications for the 2023-2024 period were evaluated by an Independent Jury convened by Argüden Governance Academy, European Association for Local Democracy, and Altınbaş University. Good governance and local governments, in a jury composed of competent and expert members; Retired governors and bureaucrats, political science professors, and members of good governance were present. In 2023, 9 municipalities applied and the 6 municipalities who acquired the right to utilize the ELoGE until the end of 2024 are Ankara and Eskişehir metropolitan municipalities, and Bağcılar, Gebze, Sultanbeyli and Şişli district municipalities from Istanbul.

The 6 municipalities were announced at the ceremonies held at the Gayrettepe Campus of Altınbaş University on December 14. The opening speeches of the ceremony were made by Vice President of Council of Europe Good Governance Expertise Center Niall Sheerin, Secretary General of European Local Democracy Association (ALDA) Antonella Valmorbida, Rector of Altınbaş University Prof. Dr. Çağrı Erhan, and Chairman of Trustees of Argüden Governance Academy Dr. Yılmaz Argüden.

The Vice President of the European Council's Center of Expertise in Good Governance, Niall Sheerin, expressed delight at the second meeting of the European Label of Governance Excellence with municipalities in Türkiye. Sheerin stated, 'ELoGE serves as a mirror for local governments. Today, not only do we recognize the municipalities that have earned the Label for one year, but we also invite other municipalities to apply next year with the aim of enhancing the quality of life and promoting the development of democracy at the local level.”

Expressing the increasing significance of the partnerships they have developed in Türkiye for European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA), Antonella Valmorbida, the Secretary General of the ALDA, stated, 'We are very pleased to collaborate with Argüden Governance Academy to recognize the efforts of municipalities in promoting good governance at the local level and to award ELoGE.

Expressing joy in being together with solution-oriented municipalities, Prof. Dr. Çağrı Erhan, the Rector of Altınbaş University, stated in his speech, 'It is possible to talk about good governance when the ideas and desires of people who are a part of urban life are taken into account. I individually congratulate all the mayors who have earned the right to receive this Label.

Dr. Yılmaz Argüden, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Argüden Governance Academy, who is accredited by the Council of Europe to lead the process and coordinate the National Platform for the process of European Label of Governance Excellence in Türkiye, said “Trust for institutions is the key for quality of life and sustainable future. Deployment of a good governance culture in municipalities will not only improve inclusive and participative democracy, but also quality of life by improving citizens’ trust.”.

Following the award ceremonies, the awarding municipalities shared their experiences and good examples in the panels.

The Capital City of Türkiye, Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş stated, “My commitment was to work closely with every segment of society for transparency and accountability. Ankara Municipality gains the trust of the citizens with the meaningful information it provides. Acquiring ELoGE will encourage other municipalities in our country to implement good governance practices.”

Sultanbeyli Municipality Mayor Hüseyin Keskin expressed happiness and pride in earning the Label for the second time along with Şişli Municipality. Hüseyin Keskin said, “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 meaningful indicator of our commitment to continuous improvement.”

Şişli Municipality Mayor Muammer Keskin added, “When we won the elections 5 years ago, we always said that we will be participatory, transparent, accountable, and inclusive processes during our management. The European Label of Governance Excellence, we received as one of the pioneering municipalities paved the way for many projects such as Neighbor Desk (Komşu Masa) and Participatory Budget.”

Integrated Municipality Governance Model© (IMGM)

Argüden Governance Academy, which works to disseminate the management approach for quality of life, includes the Integrated Municipality Governance Model in order to contribute to the initiation of the European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE) by municipalities in Türkiye and the dissemination of the citizen-centered governance approach. Thanks to the IMGM, municipalities will be able to holistically and effectively implement the Council of Europe's 12 principles of good governance at every stage of the democratic, administrative and financial management. In this way, they will achieve sustainable and inclusive development at the local level and contribute more to the quality of life of production.