In May 2025, the Council of Europe published the report ‘Towards a New Democratic Pact for Europe’, which was subsequently reviewed for the first time in Türkiye at a specialized workshop. The event was attended by over 100 participants, including members of the Presidential Local Policies Board, mayors, council members, bureaucrats, civil society representatives, and academics. A workshop report will summarize the findings and recommendations, which will then be shared with the Council of Europe, member states, and the public in Türkiye.
The workshop commenced with opening remarks by Suat Yıldız, Secretary General of the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (TBB), and Mathieu Mori, Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. In his address, Yıldız emphasized: “Trust and participation established at the local level also enhance the resilience of democracy at both the national and international levels. In this regard, TBB, as the voice and representative of local governments, remains steadfast in its efforts to strengthen local democracy across Europe.” Mori began by expressing gratitude to TBB and Argüden Governance Academy for responding to the call of the Council of Europe Secretariat, underscoring that such consultative and contributory processes make a valuable contribution to the development of a new understanding of democracy.
In his presentation on the various dimensions of local democracy, Dr. İnan İzci from the Argüden Governance Academy stated: “The Council of Europe prepared this report with the aim of serving as a beacon to safeguard, renew, and strengthen democracy in these turbulent times. In the construction of a new democracy, the establishment and continuous development of a culture of trust are of critical importance. Strengthening good governance from the local level will foster a trust-based approach to democracy and governance, thereby ensuring its sustainability.”
Dr. İnan İzci
The workshop focused on key issues including citizens’ trust in local governments, participatory practices, enhancing transparency and accountability, and the effective engagement of youth, women, and disadvantaged groups in decision-making processes. Participants contributed their perspectives and recommendations through group sessions structured around the three principal frameworks of the Council of Europe’s roadmap: Learning and Practicing Democracy, Protecting Democracy, and Promoting Renewal for Democracy.
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