Local sustainable development programs build democracy in four ways: 1. institutional capacity building, 2. opening opportunities for further public participation in the process of local governance, 3. multi-level networking, and 4. social capital development. These venues can be utilized through two complementary approaches currently being used in the Central Eastern Europe (CEE) and are elaborated to show their utility for developing democracy in local communities. CEE case studies from Púchov and Martin illustrate the validity of these assertions and outline a complementary, integrated approach that offers a flexible framework of tools. This combination of methodologies from environmental management and community development spheres simultaneously facilitates the achievement of a more ecologically sustainable and actively democratic character in communities. Hence, this combined approach offers an effective tool for communities to truly develop in a balanced way and, more significantly, to improve their ability and opportunities to choose their future.