Nicosia adopts the Charter of Consultation and Participation – A milestone for participatory democracy at the local level

On 16 October 2025, the Municipality of Nicosia officially adopted the Charter of Consultation and Participation, a landmark policy document designed to institutionalize participatory governance at the local level. The Charter was prepared under the guidance of the Executive Director of Oxygen for Democracy and Founder of PolicyLab, George Isaia, who led the process in close collaboration with the municipal administration and Mayor Charalambos Prountzos.

The drafting of the Charter followed a comprehensive and inclusive process that unfolded over several months. It began with a series of exploratory meetings between Oxygen for Democracy and the Mayor of Nicosia to identify the city’s needs and priorities regarding citizen engagement and transparency. Extensive research followed, focusing on international best practices, European frameworks on local democracy, and participatory tools implemented in other EU municipalities. Based on these findings, the first draft of the Charter was prepared, outlining the principles, objectives, and participatory mechanisms to be institutionalized.

The document underwent successive rounds of internal review and amendment in consultation with municipal officers and stakeholders, ensuring that the final text reflected the city’s social and institutional realities. The refined version was then submitted to the Municipality’s Board of Directors, which unanimously endorsed the Charter, marking its official adoption on 16 October 2025.

The Charter establishes a robust framework for citizen participation in Nicosia through a range of tools: public consultations on policy plans, citizen initiatives requiring 200 or 500 electronic signatures, a participatory budget allocating at least €10,000 annually for citizen-proposed projects, neighbourhood committees empowered to submit local policy proposals, and a formally constituted Youth Council to represent young citizens in municipal affairs.

By embedding these mechanisms in local governance, the Municipality of Nicosia takes a decisive step toward greater transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. The Charter also aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions, and reflects a broader European movement toward participatory democracy and open government.

The adoption of the Charter of Consultation and Participation stands as a significant milestone in strengthening civic trust and democratic engagement in Cyprus, illustrating how collaboration between local authorities and civil society can transform governance into a more participatory and citizen-centred process.

👉 See the full Charter here.