“Partner Organization of the Year”

Beşiktaş Municipality has once again been honored with the  European Local Democracy Week (ELDW), carried out by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Beşiktaş Belediyesi achieved a significant international success. Attending the certificate ceremony held in Cascais, the municipality was honored with the “Partner Organisation of the Year Award.”

Launched in 2007, the European Local Democracy Week (ELDW) stands out as one of Europe’s key platforms aimed at strengthening participatory democracy in local and regional governments. The initiative encourages citizens to take a more active role in local decision-making processes and seeks to promote a culture of dialogue, cooperation, and collective wisdom.

As of January 2026, the initiative will continue its activities under the name European Local Democracy Action (ELDA). Among the municipalities and unions that earned the “Partner Organisation Certificate” through their work carried out in 2024 and 2025, the award recipients were selected.

Beşiktaş Belediyesi received the award particularly for its social support and active living programs for elderly citizens, Erasmus+ projects, collaborations with universities, joint initiatives with non-governmental organizations, and social projects aimed at students.

By placing participatory governance, social solidarity, and international cooperation at the center of its local administration approach, Beşiktaş Belediyesi has become one of the municipalities recognized as exemplary across Europe with this award.