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CINGO also heard an update on recent activities and future reports of its Expert

Council on NGO Law, including the preparation of its next periodic report on
developments in standards, mechanisms and case law related to NGOs in Europe. It
agreed that additional efforts will be deployed to increase the

The next session is scheduled to take place on 7-9 April 2025

Please don’t Forget

Independent non-governmental organisations are a vital component of
European society, guaranteeing freedom of expression and association

both of which are fundamental to democracy.

Recognising their influence, the Council of Europe provides international
NGOs (INGOs) with the opportunity to acquire participatory status.

The Council of Europe has had working relations with non-governmental
organisations since 1952 when it introduced a consultative status for INGOs. This
status was changed from consultative to participatory in 2003 and since 2016, the

status is regulated by Resolution (2016)3 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council
of Europe. The Resolution sets out the rules for the granting of participatory status
to INGOs, gives more information on the background of the status, what it represents,
the conditions to be met by INGOs and the possibilities it gives to INGOs to co-operate
with the Council of Europe.

The INGOs enjoying participatory status form the Conference of INGOs which
represents civil society at the Council of Europe and works to promote participatory
democracy. The Conference meets in its General Assembly twice a year and works in
committees on priority themes of the Council of Europe.