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Webinar: European Observatory for the Defence of Democracy at the Local Level
The European Observatory for the Defence of Democracy at the Local Level (ODELL) was officially launched in December 2025 as a joint initiative of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), the Municipality of Bilbao and the Association of Basque Municipalities (EUDEL), in partnership with Bocconi University, and with the support of the Basque Government. Building on a shared commitment to safeguard democratic governance at the level closest to citizens, ODELL aims to better understand, document, and respond to the growing pressures faced by local and regional elected representatives across Europe.
Since its launch, the Observatory has focused on developing robust evidence based on threats affecting local leaders. This work comes at a time when democratic institutions across Europe are facing increasing challenges, including rising political polarization, the spread of disinformation, and declining trust in public authorities. In this context, local and regional representatives are often on the front line, exposed to various forms of intimidation, harassment, and violence that can hinder their ability to carry out their mandates effectively.
These developments are also gaining recognition at the European level. Initiatives such as the European Democracy Shield reflect a growing awareness of the need to strengthen the resilience of democratic systems against both internal and external threats. While much of the policy focus has traditionally been placed on national institutions, there is increasing acknowledgment that local democracy constitutes a critical layer of democratic life that requires targeted attention and protection.
In this evolving landscape, generating reliable data and fostering dialogue between different levels of governance is essential. ODELL contributes to this effort by combining research, political engagement, and cooperation with institutional and academic partners.
As part of its work, ODELL is preparing a European report analyzing patterns of threats and attacks against local and regional representatives. This webinar will present the preliminary findings of the report and open a discussion with political representatives and experts on their implications for local democracy in Europe.
The webinar will take place on 21 May 2026 from 14:00 to 15:15 (CEST), will be held online with the meeting link provided to registered participants one day before the event, and will be conducted in English without interpretation.
