This paper explores the complex relationships between states and religious communities in contemporary legal frameworks, focusing on mechanisms of participation. It examines how different legal systems balance the principles of secularism and religious freedom, and highlights the legal instruments used to regulate interactions between state institutions and religious organisations. Taking Belgium and Italy as case studies, the comparative analysis reveals some common approaches to accommodate religious pluralism while preserving the neutrality of the state. In particular, forms of multilateral dialogue between the state and different religious denominations that go beyond traditional bilateralism (the signing of concordats or other formal agreements such as the Italian "intese") are emerging in practice. Applying the principles of participation and subsidiarity at the local level, the document aims to promote the multilateral participation of religious groups in public decision-making processes, particularly in areas such as education, environmental protection, religious buildings and heritage, spiritual care in hospitals or the army, as a third way between bilaterality and unilaterality in the adoption of rules on law and religion.