The Council of Europe’s European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE) have been acquired by six Turkish municipalities for the 2023-24 period.
The ELoGE, which is a symbol of good governance culture in local governments is given by the National Platform established in Türkiye under the coordination of Arguden Governance Academy. In 2023, the National Platform was formed by Arguden Governance Academy, European Association for Local Democracy, and Altinbas University. The municipalities that received the right to use the Label granted by the National Platform until the end of 2024 are Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, Eskisehir Metropolitan Municipality, as well as Bagcilar, Gebze, Sultanbeyli and Sisli Municipalities.
The Label applications for the 2023-2024 period were evaluated by an Independent Jury convened by Arguden Governance Academy, European Association for Local Democracy, and Altinbas University. Good governance and local governments, in a jury composed of competent and expert members; Retired governors and bureaucrats, political science professors, and members of good governance were present.
The Vice President of the European Council’s Center of Expertise in Good Governance, Niall Sheerin, expressed delight at the second meeting of the European Label of Governance Excellence with municipalities in Türkiye. Sheerin stated, ‘ELoGE serves as a mirror for local governments. Today, not only do we recognize the municipalities that have earned the Label for one year, but we also invite other municipalities to apply next year with the aim of enhancing the quality of life and promoting the development of democracy at the local level.”
Expressing the increasing significance of the partnerships they have developed in Türkiye for European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA), Antonella Valmorbida, the Secretary General of the ALDA, stated, ‘We are very pleased to collaborate with Argüden Governance Academy to recognize the efforts of municipalities in promoting good governance at the local level and to award ELoGE.
Expressing joy in being together with solution-oriented municipalities, Prof. Dr. Cagri Erhan, the Rector of Altınbaş University, stated in his speech, ‘It is possible to talk about good governance when the ideas and desires of people who are a part of urban life are taken into account. I individually congratulate all the mayors who have earned the right to receive this Label.
Dr. Yılmaz Arguden, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Arguden Governance Academy, who is accredited by the Council of Europe to lead the process and coordinate the National Platform for the process of European Label of Governance Excellence in Türkiye, said “Trust for institutions is the key for quality of life and sustainable future. Deployment of a good governance culture in municipalities will not only improve inclusive and participative democracy, but also quality of life by improving citizens’ trust.”.
