About

EloGE – European Label of Governance Excellence is a programme of the Council of Europe – Centre of Expertise for Good Governance.

The European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE) is awarded to municipalities which have achieved a high level of good governance measured against a Council of Europe benchmark.

ELoGE can be awarded to municipalities of Council of Europe member States which achieve a high standard of governance, as measured against a national (regional) benchmark which is equivalent to the European Benchmark of the Centre of Expertise and based on the Twelve Principles of Good Democratic Governance.

ELoGE programme is designed to support municipalities to enhance their performance and provide high quality services in an improved system of local self-government.

In the process of applying for the ELoGE, the local government unit carries out self-assessments, conducts surveys among residents as well as employees and councilors, and also collects documentation allowing to check whether the self-assessment is justified.

Local government offices deciding to take part in the program undertake an engaging task related to the self-evaluation of the quality of implemented public services. This means that they put a special emphasis on raising the standards of their work in areas subject to self-assessment. It includes a way to measure and verification of compliance by each participating local government unit the Council of Europe 12 Principles of Good Democratic Governance and promoted in all Member States as part of the implementation of the European Strategy for Innovation and Good Governance at the Local Level. These are:

1. Fair conduct of elections, Representation and Participation.
2. Responsiveness.
3. Efficiency and effectiveness.
4. Openness and Transparency.
5. Rule of Law.
6. Ethical Conduct.

7. Competence and Capacity.
8. Innovation and Openness to Change.
9. Sustainability and Long-term orientation.
10. Sound Financial Management.
11. Human Rights, Cultural Diversity and Social Cohesion.
12. Accountability

The verification of the application of the 12 principles of good governance includes:

• self-assessment of the activity/service of the local government unit according to the tool developed by the Council of Europe, which defines the standards of activities and services implemented by the local government (benchmarking),

• collecting available evidence to demonstrate the implementation of twelve principles,

• assessment of the performance of the local government unit by the citizens, councillors and employees of the office.

ELoGE is awarded for one year. This label, is a recognition that a municipality has achieved a high level of good governance according to Council of Europe standards.

The physical distinction consists of a crystal dodecahedron the facets of which bear the Twelve Principles of Good Democratic Governance engraved. The award is a crystal dodecahedron engraved with the 12 Principles of Good Democratic Governance.

More information on: https://www.coe.int/en/web/good-governance/eloge

ALDA–accredited entity for ELoGE program

The European Association for Local Democracy – ALDA received in 2021 accreditation from the Council of Europe for the European Label of Governance Excellence ( ELoGE ) implementation in North Macedonia and Croatia.
ALDA is a part of the Consortium of the project LINK 4 Cooperation - Strengthening local participation and cooperation through partnership of Public Authorities and CSOs in Bosnia and Herzegovina implementing the ELoGE program in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Documents:

• ELoGE Benchmark
• ELoGE Regulations
• 12 Principles of Good Democratic Governance.
• Brochure: 12 Principles of Good Governance and current toolkits
• Brochure ELoGE - 12 Principles