Presentation by Ms Valmorbida, Responsible for the Code of Good Practices for Civil Participation in the Decision Making Process, Democracy, Social Cohesion and Global Challenges Committee, Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe on the occasion of the public hearing on Principles, procedures, and action for the implementation of Articles 11(1) and 11(2) of the Lisbon Treaty (EESC SOC sction, 17 April2012)

1. Code of Good Practice for Civil
Participation in the Decision-
Making Process
CONFERENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL NON GOVERNMENTAL
ORGANIZATIONS (INGOs) OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE
Coordinator, Antonella VALMORBIDA

2. Genesis
 Lack of attention of citizens towards the political
process
 Proposal to develop an instrument for support at
the Forum for the Future of Democracy in Sweden
 Promotion of a clear and “easy access” instrument
 Consultations at the regional level with NGOs
 Adoption of the Code by the Conference on the 1st
of October 2009 and endorsed by the
Parliamentary Assembly

3. Added value of the Code
 Council of Europe (and Members State) support. It
becomes an official document to refer to
 It create awareness for NGOs to be involved in
policy making at the local and national level
(NGOs often considered as implementing unit)
 Gives clear hints and indications about how to
proceed

4. Fundamental principles of
citizens’participation
 Freedom of participation and expression
 Trust
 Accountability and transparency
 Independence

5. Different levels of
participation
Dialogue
Information -Broad Partnership
Consultation
-Collaborative
Low LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION High

6. STEPS OF THE DECISION
MAKING PROCESS
Reformulation
Agenda setting
Monitoring
Drafting
Implementation
Decision

7. STEPS OF THE DECISION
MAKING PROCESS
Implementation and dissemination :
18 languages present on line :
http://www.coe.int/T/NGO/code_good_prac_en.asp
National programmes adopted the Code as a reference : Slovenia,
Latvia, etc
Inspires a number of capacity building activities in Europe