European University Sports Association (EUSA) has received participatory status with the Council of Europe. The decision has been officially announced by the Council of Europe on July 5, and is another important recognition of EUSA and our activities.

The Council of Europe advocates freedom of expression and of the media, freedom of assembly, equality, and the protection of minorities. It promotes human rights through international conventions and by carrying out projects and other activities. The voice of civil society is heard at the Council of Europe thanks to the Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs). Organisations which enjoy participatory status, make up the Conference of INGOs which constitutes civil society’s pillar in the Council of Europe “quadrilogue” with the Committee of Ministers, the Parliamentary Assembly and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.



The Conference of INGOs holds two plenary meetings a year, during the January and June sessions. The plenary meetings of the Conference are a platform for dialogue with the bodies of the Council of Europe and for exchange amongst its members. The Conference decides on policy lines and actions and adopts positions on fundamental issues which are sent in the form of Recommendations or Resolutions to other Council of Europe bodies, to other international or national institutions as well as to the media.



The Council of Europe’s work benefits extensively from contacts and co-operation with the dynamic elements of society, as represented by NGOs. One of the main challenges currently facing the Organisation is to strengthen NGOs and civil society and to develop participatory democracy on a pan-European basis.

For more information, please see www.coe.int/en/web/ingo/