The Council of Europe is an intergovernmental body which seeks to develop throughout Europe common and democratic principles based on the European Convention on Human Rights and other reference texts on the protection of individuals. The organisation, which gathers 47 member states, is especially active in the area of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural cooperation.

The Council initiated dialogue with NGOs to meet a three-fold need:

· to know the views and aspirations of European citizens;

· to provide direct representation for them;

· to publicise its own activities through these associations, 374 of which now hold participatory status

Practical involvement:

NGOs have been involved in the preparation and drawing up of some of the Council of Europe's conventions and charters and recommendations, including the following:

· the European Convention on the Legal Status of Migrant Workers;

· the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture;

· the European Cultural Convention;

· the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages;

· Legal standards for Non-Governmental Organisations. The Recommendation defines the minimum standards to be respected concerning the creation, management and the general activities of NGOs in member states of the Council of Europe 

· The European Convention on the Recognition of the Legal Personality of International Non-Governmental Organisations; an international instrument aimed at facilitating NGO activities at international level.

International representative non governmental organisations (INGOs) can apply for participatory status in the Council of Europe and are gathered in the Council’s Conference of the INGOs.  The annual Plenary Conference of NGOs decides on the lines of action. The participating INGOs are grouped in thematic groupings active in the following areas:

Civil society
Countryside & environment
Education & culture
Extreme poverty & social cohesion
Gender equality
Health
Human rights
NGO Towns
North-south dialogue and solidarity
European Social Charter and Social Policies 

For further information go to the Council of European and INGOs website