Strasbourg, 24 March 2014 CDDG(2014)9
Item 6 of the agenda
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE ON DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE
(CDDG)
CDDG WORK PROGRAMME
For information and guidance
Secretariat Memorandum
prepared by the
Directorate of Democratic Governance
Democratic Institutions and Governance Department
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Introduction
In line with previous practice, the Secretariat has established this working document as a tool enabling the CDDG to gather a view of the tasks it has been given and the means of implementing them. Some of the activities mentioned in the next pages are the result of specific decisions by the Committee of Ministers (ad hoc terms of reference). In other cases, it is up to the CDDG and member States alike to discuss and agree the modalities of individual activities.
In many cases, decisions on what to do or how to proceed will have to be taken by the CDDG in the framework of specific items on its agenda. This document will provide a regularly updated overview of the various actions taken in order to meet the goals of the Terms of Reference.
Action required
The CDDG is invited to examine the proposed work programme and give guidance to the Secretariat as to its implementation in the course of 2014-2015.
CDDG work programme 2014 – 2015 based on its Terms of Reference
Update 24 March 2014
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Terms of Reference Under the authority of the Committee of Ministers, and building notably on the achievements in the area of local and regional democracy and the outcomes of relevant ministerial conferences, the European Committee on Democracy and Governance (CDDG) will oversee the Council of Europe’s intergovernmental work in the field of democratic governance, with a particular focus on local and regional democracy, while taking due account of the role of civil society, and advise the Committee of Ministers on all questions within its area of competence. Taking due account of relevant transversal perspectives, the overall aim is to share information about policy, disseminate best practice and develop, as appropriate, proposals for possible standards relating to the modernisation of public administration, strengthening citizens’ democratic participation and democratic governance (including e-governance and e-democracy) at all levels, in particular at local and regional level, and in all forms, as well as to facilitate upon request targeted activities of exchange and assistance between member States in its field of work. |
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With this purpose, the CDDG is instructed to: i. exchange information, views and good practices among its members, associating as appropriate observers and participants, on issues concerning, citizens democratic participation, the modernisation of public administration and democratic governance, in particular from a local and regional perspective, making the most of available electronic means; |
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Modalities Themes for topical exchanges could be identified at each meeting for discussion at the forthcoming meeting. Outside the plenary meetings, members can make proposals, having regard to recent developments. The Bureau decides. Once the topic is identified, members are invited to prepare for oral presentations and to provide, if possible, written contributions in advance (this can take the form of answering short questionnaires). The Bureau may invite selected members and guest speakers to make specific presentations, to be followed by discussions. If appropriate, a summary of information provided and/or comments made is appended to the abridged meeting report or distributed separately to all delegations. If the CDDG so feels, proposals can be submitted to the Committee of Ministers. Timeframe – 2014 – 2015 Expected outcomes Through their representatives in the CDDG, member states are provided with information on policies and practices on topical subjects relevant for their policy making in the field of local and regional democracy. Beneficiary(ies) Delegations to the CDDG, relevant ministries. Current situation: At its 1st meeting, the CDDG is invited to hold exchanges on the three main issues: - Public administration and modernisation reforms; - Citizen participation and citizen engagement; - Promoting accountability and improving standards - developing local service provision while ensuring appropriate oversight.
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Modalities CDDG can decide at any time that an issue deserves to be discussed or information exchanged via electronic means. Any delegation can submit a request to that effect. The CDDG or the Bureau, between meetings, can decide. The Secretariat issues the request of the member to all members. Replies are sent directly to the requesting state. If the CDDG so decides, having regard to the topicality of the issue proposed for the exchange, replies could be disseminated to all members. The exchanges could take the form of pre-established questionnaires, which the respondent countries could fill in. Alternatively the procedure can be open regarding the content and presentation style. The CDDG is also to determine if electronic exchanges serve only as means of dissemination of information or the subjects on which such exchanges are organised can later be debated at CDDG meetings. Timeframe – 2014 – 2015 Expected outcomes Exchange of information and practices on highly relevant subjects within the CDDG will facilitate the flow of information among participating governments. Beneficiary(ies) Delegations to the CDDG, relevant ministries. |
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Modalities Member states so wishing fill the matrix of new series of Structure and Operation reports on local authorities. Texts are received by Secretariat that ensures linguistic revision and translation. Reports are published on the CDDG website under the sole responsibility of the author state. Timeframe – 2014-2015 Expected outcomes Information is provided and exchanged on local government structures. Beneficiaries Member States, the Congress. Current state The following reports are under review by the Secretariat and should be published shortly: Luxembourg, Romania, Slovenia. |
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Terms of Reference |
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(ii) Respond to requests from member States for information on specific issues relating to current or envisaged policies on the modernisation of public administration and on democratic governance (including e-governance and e-democracy) at all levels, in particular at local and regional level, and in all forms (rapid response service for governments); |
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Modalities The state which wishes to host a thematic workshop should inform the Secretariat of its intention and the proposed subject-matter. It should be the role of the Secretariat to inform CDDG members of the upcoming event and to elaborate, in close cooperation with the host state, the programme of the workshop, lists of key speakers and discussion topics. The Secretariat should also assist the host state in making arrangements, ensure the link to the Council of Europe acquis and take care of the reporting and dissemination of results. Invitations for participation are issued to CDDG members by the host state. Participants from member states should, in principle, pay for themselves. The organisation of the workshops should not entail any additional expenses for the CoE (besides the travel and subsistence fees of Secretariat members participating in the workshop). Topics for workshops, subject to the agreement of member states, could be - e-democracy: practices, obstacles, lessons learned at local and regional level; - e-voting; - participatory budgets at local level. Timeframe – 2014 – 2015 Expected outcomes Outcome documents, summarizing the main findings of the workshops can be compiled and made available to policy-makers in member states. Beneficiary(ies) All CDDG member states. |
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Modalities The “Rapid Reply Service” is a tool which has been used successfully in the past and aims at supplying the requesting country with specific comparative information at a short notice, whilst not constituting a major workload for the respondent countries. The country which has a specific request for information should inform the Secretariat. The latter, in close cooperation with the requesting state, shall draft the request in a clear and concise manner before forwarding it to all CDDG delegations for a response. The replying states should send their answers directly to the requesting state, by preferably copying the answer message to the Secretariat. Timeframe – 2014 – 2015 Expected outcomes Responses are provided to up to 10 requests from governments for information through “the rapid response service” for governments. Beneficiary (ies) Requesting state, all member states receiving copies of the information. Current situation: following informal enquiries, several countries look interested in using the Rapid Response Service. |
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Terms of Reference (iii) facilitate, upon request from interested member States and within the limit of its resources, targeted activities of exchange and assistance between member States in its field of work, notably regarding local and regional democracy, the modernisation of public administration and transfrontier cooperation. This will be done including through peer-to-peer advice and drawing on the in-depth knowledge of governmental representatives from other member States and the expertise of high-level consultants, having full regard to Council of Europe standards; |
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Modalities The “Peer Review” process is a powerful methodology whereas, following invitation addressed by a host government to assist with reform in a particular field, a team of peers (senior officials from countries with experience in the field under review), accompanied by 1 or 2 experts, travel to a country and meet with all relevant stakeholders. At the end of the meeting, the peer team provides oral suggestions to the host government. These suggestions are further drafted and sent, very shortly after the meeting, in the form of a short report providing observations, conclusions, recommendations and examples of success stories in the field under review. The report can remain confidential if the Committee so wishes. A Peer Review is a powerful learning tool both for the reviewers and the reviewees. Peer reviews are organised in co-operation with the Centre of Expertise for Local Government Reform, which has designed the methodology. Timeframe – 2014 – 2015 Expected outcomes At least four peer reviews are organised and host countries are satisfied with their results. Beneficiary (ies) Requesting state, all member states represented in the peer teams. Current situation: In 2013, three peer reviews were organised under the authority of the CDLR in Finland (topic: citizen participation), Armenia and Albania (in both countries, the topic was territorial reform of local government). In 2014, an additional peer review has been organised in Moldova (on competencies of local authorities). Several countries have expressed preliminary interest in hosting a peer review. It is expected that further peer reviews be organised in May-June in Albania (on the topic of national planning, in cooperation with the CEMAT Senior Officials) and in Cyprus (on the topics of territorial reform and inter-municipal co-operation). |
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(iv) contribute to the guidance materials and toolkits for the “Strategy for Innovation and Good Governance” and the “Centre of expertise for local government reform”, as requested by the Council of Europe bodies managing the Strategy and the Centre; designate representatives in these bodies as well as, subject to invitation and available means, in other relevant and appropriate fora; |
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Modalities At its first meeting, the CDDG should agree on modalities for implementing ad hoc terms of reference given to it by the Committee of Ministers on measures to improve the impact of the Strategy and the ELoGE Label. It should also appoint four members to sit on the working party on the simplification of tools and procedures for the promotion of the twelve principles and task the working party, in consultation with the Parliamentary Assembly, the Congress and the Conference of INGOs, to examine ways of simplifying the tools and procedures for the promotion of the twelve principles. The working party should submit a draft report ahead of the next meeting of the CDDG thus enabling it to adopt its response to the Committee of Ministers by the end of 2014. Further measures should be envisaged in the light of the results of the work of the working party. Timeframe – end of 2014 Expected outcomes Report on the ways to improve and simplify the procedures to promote the twelve European Principles of Good Democratic Governance at Local Level. Beneficiary(ies) Member States who have adopted or envisage adopting the Strategy and ELoGE. Current situation: The Stakeholders’ Platform of the Strategy held an informal meeting in October 2013 and the Committee of Ministers subsequently adopted specific terms of reference as they appear in the document CDDG(2014)4. |
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Modalities The CDDG to discuss the activity of the Centre of Expertise, to provide suggestions and to invite its members to benefit from and contribute to this activity. CDDG to also appoint a member to the Advisory Board of the Centre. Timeframe – 2014-2015 Expected outcomes CDDG regularly examines the activity of the Centre of Expertise in the light of its activity reports and provides the Centre with guidance on tools, country- and regional-specific activities and funding strategies. Further thematic tools are prepared and disseminated. Member states obtain a better understanding of the work of the Centre and participate in it more. Beneficiary(ies) Member states which are direct or indirect beneficiaries of the activities of the Centre. Current situation: the Advisory Board (CELGR) should meet in May 2014 to examine the annual report of the Centre for 2013. The Secretariat is in contact with the Congress with a view to finding a suitable date. |
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Modalities Invitations are collected by the Secretariat and transmitted to the Chair. The Chair decides which members, if any, should be designated to represent the CDDG at specific events taking into consideration the particular subject-matters and varying competencies and roles of CDDG members. The Secretariat assists the designated member(s) in the preparation of their participation, notably by providing information briefings, speaking notes and any other relevant documentation. Timeframe – 2014 – 2015 Expected outcomes This practice provides for larger dissemination of information regarding the activities of the CDDG to external partners and vice versa, the activities of other organisations can become more visible to the CDDG. Exchange of best practices and enhanced cooperation possibilities are the other potential advantages. Beneficiary(ies) The stakeholders’ involved in the organisation of specific events to which the CDDG is invited, as well as CDDG delegations and member states. |
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Terms of Reference (v) on the basis of a comprehensive document by the Secretariat, advise the Committee of Ministers on the necessity, purpose, scope, feasibility and budgetary and workload implications of the preparation of a reference text bringing together existing principles and standards of democracy, intended for programming purposes and, if the advice is positive and the Committee of Ministers agrees, prepare such a draft reference text; |
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Modalities The CDDG to agree on the setting up, composition and mandate of a working party entrusted with drawing up draft advice to the Committee of Ministers on the Reference Text on Democracy, as per its Terms of Reference. The working party will prepare a reasoned opinion to be discussed by the CDDG and then presented to the Committee of Ministers, on “the necessity, purpose, scope, feasibility and budgetary and workload implications of the preparation of a reference text bringing together existing principles and standards of democracy, intended for programming purposes and, if the advice is positive and the Committee of Ministers agrees, prepare such a draft reference text”. Timeframe – end of 2014 Expected outcomes A report on the feasibility of a reference text on democracy. Beneficiary(ies) All Member States. Current situation: The Secretariat has started collecting evidence of Council of Europe standards and documents on democratic principles (see document CDDG (2014)5 Addendum) and will provide the working party and the CDDG with the “comprehensive document” on which the Committee will base its opinion. |
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(vi) in accordance with decisions CM/Del/Dec(2013)1168/10.2 of the Committee of Ministers, carry out, at regular intervals, within the limits of the available resources and bearing in mind its priorities, an examination of some or all of the conventions for which it has been given responsibility, in cooperation, where appropriate, with the relevant bodies, with regard to their respective mandate, and report back to the Committee of Ministers; |
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Modalities CDDG to undertake an evaluation of one or several conventions for which responsibility it has been given responsibility i.e.: - The European Charter on Local Self-Government and its additional Protocol; - The Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation and its three Protocols; - Convention on the Participation of Foreigners in Public Life at Local Level. Timeframe: 2015 Expected outcomes: One or several reports (possibly appended to meeting reports) on the main causes of the success or lack thereof of these international treaties. Practices are identified and measures are suggested to encourage Member States who have not yet done so to sign and/or ratify these international treaties. The Committee of Ministers is informed about the results of this activity. Beneficiaries: All Council of Europe Member States. Current situation: At the invitation of Slovenia, a regional workshop was held in Ljubljana on 19 February 2014 with the participation of representatives of Croatia, Serbia and Hungary, to discuss current crossborder cooperation and projects and Protocol No 3 to the Madrid Outline Convention by other States, following Slovenia’s ratification. Expert organisations (CESCI, MOT) and consultants (ISIG) also took part in the event. A further meeting could take place in May 2014 in Hungary to discuss the prerequisites and impact of ratification of Protocol No 3 on future cooperation. |
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(vii) provide, in its regular meeting reports, information on progress made in the different tasks above and difficulties encountered; |
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Modalities: The abridged meeting reports of the CDDG are sent to the Committee of Ministers. Various other documents may be sent specifically to the Committee of Ministers, depending on the situation, for information and decision. Timeframe: 2014-2015 Expected outcomes: The Committee of Ministers takes informed decisions in the fields dealt with by the CDDG. |