Inhabitant Councils as a Tool for Human-Centred Governance in Latvia

Since 2023, inhabitant councils have been introduced in Latvia as a participatory governance mechanism aimed at ensuring the representation of local community interests and promoting the territorial development of municipalities through mutual cooperation and coordinated action for the common good. This article examines inhabitant councils as an instrument of human-centred governance contributing to regional resilience and growth. The study analyses the national legal framework, relevant scientific literature, and early implementation practices to assess how local governments establish, support, and integrate inhabitant councils into local decision-making processes. Particular attention is paid to the institutional arrangements and administrative measures that enable their functioning. The article identifies key challenges and issues, including uneven implementation across municipalities, limited capacity and resources, unclear roles and mandates, representativeness and inclusiveness concerns, and the risk of formalistic participation. The findings highlight the potential of inhabitant councils to strengthen civic engagement, trust, and collaborative governance, while also underscoring the conditions necessary for their effective contribution to sustainable territorial development and regional resilience.