The European Charter of Local Self-Government which came into force on 9 September 1988 is its magnum opus. This is the instrument in which the signatory states undertake to recognise the principle of local self-government in domestic legislation. The Convention lays down common European standards in order to protect and develop the rights and freedoms of local and regional authorities.
The Congress is in charge of monitoring local and regional elections and of setting the standards for the Council of Europe’s member states in electoral matters. Being intended to genuinely represent both local and regional authorities, it comprises two chambers: the Chamber of Local Authorities and the Chamber of Regions.
The Congress brings together the elected representatives of the local and regional communities. It has 318 members and 318 substitutes, and represents over 200.000 communes and regions within the Council of Europe’s 47 member states. It is grouped by national delegation and by political group. Norway has five representatives and five substitute representatives.
For more information about the Congress visit its website
An overview of the Norwegian members of the Congress can be found here