In Rome, in the prestigious setting of the Chamber of Deputies, the awards ceremony for the ELoGE Italia 2025–2026 Program and the first national edition of EAP Italia took place on July 3, 2026, two initiatives promoted by AICCRE with the support of the Council of Europe and the technical and scientific support of ISIG.
The initiative was an event of great institutional and symbolic significance, dedicated to recognizing the commitment of Italian local governments to promoting good democratic governance, public leadership, and the strengthening of administrative capabilities.
Franco Brussa, Deputy Vice President of AICCRE, delivered the opening remarks. This was followed by official greetings from the Hon. Alessandro Battilocchio, Member of the Italian Parliament, and Giuseppe Battaglia, Councilor for the Suburbs and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) of Roma Capitale. The program featured remarks by Claudia Luciani, Director of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe; AICCRE President Milena Bertani; and a remote address by the Hon. Piero Fassino.
Daniele Del Bianco, Director of ISIG, and Alfonso Zardi, President of the ELoGE National Evaluation Platform, presented evidence, results, and outlooks for the two initiatives.
The ELoGE Italia 2025–2026 Program initially involved 65 municipalities from 17 regions in a process of self-assessment and evaluation based on the 12 principles of good democratic governance. This comprehensive process, accompanied by training activities, methodological support, and technical assistance, garnered significant participation: 5,579 questionnaires were completed by citizens and residents, 1,429 by municipal employees, and 432 by local officials.
At the conclusion of the evaluation, 36 municipalities were admitted to the final phase: 22 were awarded the ELoGE certification, receiving the dodecahedron—a symbol of the 12 principles of good governance—while 14 received a certificate of participation for their efforts throughout the process. This recognition goes beyond the final result; it highlights the concrete commitment of local governments to measuring themselves against European standards of democratic quality, transparency, participation, and public accountability.
The ceremony also marked the inaugural edition of EAP Italia, the European Academy Program, a training program designed for local government officials and focused on developing advanced skills in leadership, capacity building, innovation, and regional development. Following an introductory online session, the program consisted of three residential sessions in Fiumicino, Garda, and Bologna, dedicated respectively to democratic governance, regional resilience, and the skills needed for the future of local governments.
Thirty-two local government officials from 16 regions participated in EAP Italia, including 13 mayors, 10 department heads, and numerous city council members with specific portfolios. This qualified, engaged, and motivated group not only created a learning experience but also fostered a true national community of local officials dedicated to continuous learning, the exchange of experiences, and collaboration among regions.
ISIG supported both initiatives by providing methodological expertise, scientific support, and facilitation skills, helping to create spaces for dialogue where data, experiences, and administrative perspectives came together with the shared goal of strengthening the quality of local democracy.
The day underscored the profound significance of two programs that view Europe not as a distant horizon, but as a daily practice of governance: one built on responsibility, participation, listening to communities, and the growth of local institutions. It was a celebratory occasion, but also a moment of collective awareness, confirming the role of local governments as essential players in European democracy.
