The European Charter of Local Self-Government and Its Enduring Relevance for SALAR International
This October marks 40 years since the European Charter of Local Self-Government was opened for signature. Adopted by the Council of Europe in October 1985, the Charter has become the leading international benchmark for local democracy, self-government, and decentralisation. It recognises that democracy begins at the local level, where citizens engage directly with their elected representatives and where public services most tangibly affect daily life.
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Local Service Center in Ukraine
For the Council of Europe’s member states, the Charter represents a formal commitment to uphold and protect the principles of local democracy. Yet its influence extends far beyond Europe. For SALAR International, the Charter is far more than a historic document, it is a living and guiding framework that shapes how we work with partners around the world. Whether in countries where it is a binding treaty or where it serves as an inspiration, the Charter’s core principles, autonomy, accountability, participation, and subsidiarity, are deeply embedded in our programmes that support reform, empower municipalities, and strengthen democratic governance from the ground up.
“The principles of the Charter guide much of what we do, from building local capacity and promoting citizen participation to advising on national decentralisation frameworks. It reminds us that strong, autonomous local institutions are essential for democratic, effective governance,” says Ryan Knox, Managing Director at SALAR International.
From Albania to Ukraine
In Albania, a Council of Europe member state, the Charter’s spirit guided our long-term efforts to support the country’s decentralisation and EU integration. Through the Development of the Albanian Association of Communes (DAAC) project, SALAR International helped local governments become key actors in national reform, not passive observers. By embedding principles of transparency, citizen engagement, and subsidiarity, the project strengthened municipal capacity and contributed to Albania’s landmark territorial reform, which reduced over 350 communes to 65 stronger municipalities. This transformation, rooted in the Charter’s idea of empowering local authorities, helped make Albania’s EU path more locally anchored and sustainable.
In Ukraine, the Charter’s principles have proven essential in times of both reform and crisis. For over a decade, SALAR International has supported Ukraine’s ambitious decentralisation process through Sida and EU-funded initiatives. These efforts helped establish hundreds of modern Administrative Service Centres, improve fiscal decentralisation frameworks, and build local resilience. During wartime, these empowered municipalities, or hromadas, have become the backbone of democratic stability, ensuring service delivery and protecting residents even under attack. As one Ukrainian partner put it, “Decentralisation has become Ukraine’s municipal shield in times of crisis.” That principle, that democracy must be rooted locally, lies at the heart of the Charter.
A foundation for future reform
Across these contexts, and many others where we work, the European Charter of Local Self-Government provides a shared language for democratic reform. It reinforces the idea that decentralisation is not simply an administrative exercise, but a pathway to accountability, inclusion, and sustainable development.
As the Charter turns 40, its relevance has only grown. Whether supporting EU accession, crisis response, or peacebuilding, the Charter’s vision continues to shape SALAR International’s work worldwide. It remains a reminder that local self-government is not just a principle of democracy, it is its foundation.