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As the Union of Municipalities of T%u00fcrkiye, we arepleased to present, through this booklet, theexemplary practices in the field of goodgovernance implemented by our municipalitiesthat have qualified for the European Label ofGovernanceExcellence(ELoGE).Today, the world is going through a challengingperiod marked by multilayered crises. Wars, theclimatecrisis,theriseofdisinformation,newrisksarising from rapid technological transformation,anddeepeningsocialpolarizationareconfrontingdemocracieswithnewtests.Wearewitnessingatime in which trust in democratic institutions isweakening in many countries and democraticbacksliding is increasingly being debated. In suchaperiod,oneofthestrongestpillarsofdemocracyislocalgovernment.Thisisbecausedemocracyisfelt most concretely in citizens%u2019 lives at the locallevel.Everypolicyproduced,everydecisiontaken,and every initiative implemented in our citiesshapes not only service delivery but also thequalityofdemocracyitself.ELoGE, developed by the Council of Europe,provides an important framework that supportsthisunderstanding.Theprogrammeenableslocalauthorities to assess themselves in line with theprinciples of good governance and to strengthentheir institutional capacities. In this respect,ELoGE provides a strong framework forstrengtheningthequalityoflocaldemocracy.The ELoGE process in T%u00fcrkiye was firstlaunchedin 2022 under the coordination of the Arg%u00fcdenGovernanceAcademy. Through the contributionsof the National Platform established during thisprocess,asignificantbodyofknowledgehasbeenaccumulated. I would like to express my sincerethanks to the Arg%u00fcden Governance Academy forinitiatingthisvaluableeffortandtoallmembersoftheNationalPlatformwhohavecontributedtotheprocess.AstheUnionofMunicipalitiesofT%u00fcrkiye,weattachgreatimportance to promoting a culture of goodgovernance and strengthening the exchange ofexperience among our municipalities. Thisbooklet brings together examples of goodpractices implemented by the municipalities thathavequalifiedtoreceivetheELoGElabel.Ouraimistomaketheseexperiencesvisibleandtocreatea platform for sharing that will inspire othermunicipalities. A strong culture of goodgovernanceatthelocal level strengthensnotonlythegovernanceofourcitiesbutalsothefutureofour democracy. Because the implementation ofthese principles creates a strong foundation forbuilding a more just, inclusive, and sustainablefuture. As the Union of Municipalities of T%u00fcrkiye,we will continue to strengthen solidarity amongour municipalities and supportinitiatives such asELoGEthatcontributetothedevelopmentoflocaldemocracy.Becauseastrongerdemocracyandafairerfutureare possible through a governance approach thatrises from the local level. Let us rememberthat agoodfuturestartsatthelocallevel!GoodPracticesBOOKLETVahap Se%u00e7erUnion of Municipalities of T%u00fcrkiyeDeputy President