Implementation of the basic principles of participatory democracy has been an objective of political representatives and an important task for the actors of civil society institutions for over 25 years. However, this is a process that requires time, resources and cooperation of all the actors involved. An effective coordination between the local public administration’s (LPA) authorities and civil society institutions is also needed in the decision-making, which can be achieved through the public hearings, referendums, consultations and decisions taken to address the local issues.  This article examines the cooperation partnership between the civil society institutions and the LPA authorities in the light of the international and national normative acts, regulating the possibilities of citizens’ involvement in public affairs.