The State of Local Democracy Assessment Framework places citizens at the forefront of the democracy assessment process, with the aim of supporting home-grown policy initiatives and internally driven reform agendas. It is therefore a two-dimensional process, which combines research with inclusive dialogue and debate. It is intended to be as much an exercise in assessing the quality of democracy as an opportunity for citizens to further develop and deepen their local democracies.

A concept of democracy that is anchored in clear principles and values helps provide a framework for high-quality democracy against which localities can evaluate and measure themselves. Using a common set of democratic principles, such as popular control over public decision-making and equality among citizens, is important throughout all phases of the State of Local Democracy assessment.

The State of Democracy Assessment Framework may be applied in any democracy, regardless of its level of economic development. It consists of five main phases, and it can be used as a whole, in part or targeted at specific priority areas.