Road to European elections 2024

ALDA Statement on European elections – Use your Vote!

“More than ever, it is time to exercise our right to vote. Let’s make our voices heard. Let’s not let others decide our future. Let us encourage our members and networks to do the same. Let us remind every citizen of the incredible power they hold through the simple act of voting.“

Read the statement made by our President, Nataša Vučković, and by the whole Governing Board on the upcoming European Elections.

Shades of Democracy Podcast on EU Enlargment and Ukraine

Join us on this new episode of ALDA Podcast “Shades of Democracy” as we discuss EU enlargement, and developments in Ukraine. 
Our distinguished guests, Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Secretary General and Marta Barandiy, founder of Promote Ukraine, share their perspectives on the situation in Ukraine, its links with the EU, and ALDA’s role in supporting democratic values in the region.

Tune in for more knowledge on the topic! 

Useful links:
ALDA Flagship Initiative in Ukraine ➡️ https://bit.ly/4aQo94l
Promote Ukraine website  ➡️ https://bit.ly/4bXDssi

300+ Candidates Signed the European Civil Society’s Pledge

On 28 May, ALDA and parters of the Civil Society for EU’s campaign led by Civil Society Europe secured more than 300 signatures by European election candidates.

The coalition secured endorsers from all member states but Cyprus, with France bringing most of the signatures, followed by Italy and Latvia.

Are you a candidate to the European elections? Do you want your candidates to sign the pledge? Visit civilsocietyforeu.eu/the-pledge.

Communicating on the Importance of Democratic Participation

On 22 May, ALDA contributed to a workshop on Communicating Europe Locally and the Importance of Democratic Participation in Fiesso Umbertiano, Italy, in collaboration with the Europe Direct Center of Padova.

ALDA Secretary-General Antonella Valmorbida gave a lecture on “The Importance of Democratic Participation in the European Political System”

ALDA at the Eurovision Debate 2024

On 23 May, ALDA was present in the hemicycle of the European Parliament where was held the Eurovision debate of the lead candidates for the Commission presidency.

Candidates Walter Baier (European Left), Sandro Gozi (Renew Europe Now), Ursula von der Leyen (European People’s Party), Terry Reintke (European Greens), and Nicolas Schmit (Party of European Socialists) presented their ambitions for Europe and their programmes should they be elected at the head of the European Commission.

Illustration: © European Union 2024 – Source : EP

Use Your Vote or Others Will Decide for You

In the European Union, democracy may seem obvious to us today. But this has not always been the case.

Not so long ago, millions of Europeans lived through times when they could not vote or even speak up freely. When their very lives could be in danger simply for being different, for holding different beliefs or for wanting a different life.

Democracy is a precious gift passed on to us from previous generations. They aspired towards it and fought for it. Now it is up to us to maintain it, to make it stronger and pass it on to the generations to come.

The most effective way to do so is by voting — because the more people vote, the stronger democracy becomes.

On June 6-9 2024: Use your vote or others will decide for you.

ALDA welcomes Mariupol delegation in Brescia and Verona, Italy

On Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 May, ALDA welcomed a delegation from the Ukrainian city of Mariupol.

Denis Kochubei (Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Marioupol) and Yehor Pyvovarov (Director of the Department of Relations with Members of Parliament and Internal Policy at Marioupol Town Hall) met with Deputy Mayor Federico Manzoni, Brescia Town Hall President Roberto Rossini and Agostino Zanotti (Coordination of Local Authorities for Peace and International Cooperation).

The visit was also the occasion for the city of Verona to organise, in collaboration with ALDA, the screening of the documentary “20 Days in Mariupol”, in the context of the city’s European Festival.

Europe Day 2024: 100 reasons to vote

On Thursday 9 May, Europe Day, ALDA, through the voice of its employees and Secretary-General Antonella Valmorbida, encouraged citizens to vote via a short video message.

There are so many reasons for voting. From exercising a democratic right, to having ideas represented at the European level, it is important that all citizens feel included in the democratic process.

Therefore, on this special occasion, we encourage all citizens to express their voices. On 9 June, use your vote!

ALDA at the EurHope Final Event

On Wednesday 8 May, ALDA attended the EurHope campaign final event at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels, in the presence of EESC president Oliver Röpke.

ALDA contributed to two panels (democracy and economic affairs) by guiding the reflection and exchange of teams of young delegates from all over Europe. Both groups received an award at the end of the event, respectively, for the most original idea, and best team work).

ALDA has been a coalition partner of EurHope, a project led by the Young European Federalists and Make.org.

Better Europe Together at the European Parliament’s partners reception

On Monday 6 May, ALDA attended the European Parliament’s communications partners reception in Brussels, in the presence of European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.

Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary-General of ALDA, insisted on the importance of informing citizens about the European Union and the European elections.

ALDA was awarded a certificate for recognition of its work in promoting the elections to European citizens.

Shades of Democracy Podcast on the European elections

Join us on this episode of ALDA Podcast “Shades of Democracy,” as we explore the significance of the EU Elections 2024 and their impact on the future of European democracy.

Our distinguished guests, Domènec Ruiz Devesa MEP and Alexandre Météreau offer valuable insights into the complexities of the electoral process and the strategies needed to engage citizens effectively through civil society.
Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the upcoming elections and their implications for the European Union!

Useful links:
ALDA EU Elections Campaign #BetterEuropeTogether ➡️https://bit.ly/3yf9AJa
EU Elections 2024: All you need to know ➡️https://bit.ly/4dtGXIt

Meeting with France’s Europe Minister

On Monday April 22, the University of Strasbourg was the scene of a fruitful exchange with France’s Minister Delegate for Europe, Jean-Noël BARROT, invited by the Mouvement Européen Alsace in partnership with the Jeunes Européens Strasbourg.

As part of this citizen dialogue, the Minister was questioned on the results of the European mandate that is drawing to a close (2019-2024), and on France’s priorities in the European Union for the next legislature.

This event is an integral part of the L’Europe pour de Bon ! campaign to raise awareness of the European elections on 9 June.

ALDA, in addition to its campaign on the European elections, Better Europe Together, is participating and supporting the organisers as a member of the coalition of L’Europe pour de Bon !

European Treasure Hunt in Strasbourg

Welcomed by ALDA during an afternoon, a delegation of 42 Italian students from the Liceo di Salò embarked on an unforgettable journey through the European district in Strasbourg.

The participants joined in an exciting treasure hunt devised by the Centre Europe Direct, discovering the hidden treasures of the European quarter and learning about the importance of the upcoming European elections.

Young citizens and European elections candidates debate in Brussels

On 9 April, five young candidates to the European elections met and exchanged with young citizens in Brussels in an event organised by Stand Up for Europe.

This event provided a platform for an active exchange of perspectives, ideas, and concerns, facilitating direct engagement between young individuals and candidates for the European Parliament. Addressing critical issues such as climate change, economic policies, mental health, human rights, social justice, and education, the session sought to identify and help bridge the gap between youth aspirations and the legislative agenda.

With the participation of candidates Suzana Carp (Volt), Laura Hidalgo (MR), Yvan Verougstraete (Les Engagés), Léa Charlet (Ecolo), Bram Vandeninden (Volt), Marta Barandiy (Voor U).

Students and young professional meet at TALE’s World Cafè in Rome

On 19 April 2024, in the framework of the European Youth Week, students, young professionals, and local associations met in Rome, Italy to discuss the upcoming European elections as well as youth participation beyond the voting process.

This event is part of the TALE project (TAke the Lead in the European Elections) and was organised by one of the 100 changemakers ALDA and the project partners trained in the context of the European elections.

The event was dedicated to discussing effective communication on European issues, values and institutions.

Assessing European Political Groups Manifestos for a Sustainable Future

On 26 March at the seventh edition of REAL DEAL’s Civil Society Forum for Sustainability, representatives from diverse Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) across Europe and beyond came together to critically assess the promises in the political manifestos of five European political groups: Party of European Socialists (PES), Party of the European Left (PEL), European Green Party (EGP), Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), and European People’s Party (EPP).

In the context of the 6-9 June European elections, the assessment was a key activity of the Forum.

Inaugurating the “Bench of Europe” in Vicenza

On 13 April, on the occasion of the inauguration of the “Bench of Europe” in Vicenza on 13 April, Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary-General of ALDA, presented the Better Europe Together campaign.

The Alta Via Della Grande Guerra at the European Parliament: nature, history and the promotion of European values

On Thursday, 11 April 2024, in Brussels (Belgium), at the European Parliament took place the presentation of the Alta Via della Grande Guerra (AVGG) project, an initiative of cohesion and promotion of the Vicenza mountains that retraces some emblematic places of the First World War that today represent a real “open-air museum” of the Great War.

Invited by the Honourable Mrs. Paola Ghidoni, among the speakers of the meeting Mr. Andrea Nardin, President of the Province of Vicenza, Mr. Roberto Ciambetti, President of the Council of the Veneto Region and Mr. Marco Boaria, Director of Programmes and Corporate Strategy of ALDA and CEO of ALDA+. 

Speak Up for the European elections

ALDA gave a presentation on the European elections to the Partners of the Speak Up project, looking for synergies two months ahead of the elections. We also presented ALDA’s own campaign for the European elections, Better Europe Together, in which the partners were invited to participate.

Presenting ALDA’s European election’s campaign and activities in Thiene, Italy

During the Open Days of Villa Fabris in Thiene and within the “Shape your Europe” Lab, ALDA had an informative session about the Better Europe Together campaign and a stand dedicated to the TALE – TAke the Lead in the European Elections project.

This was the opportunity to inform local participants and citizens about the relevance of the upcoming elections of the next European Parliament as well as about the voting process in Italy.

Presenting ALDA’s European elections campaign to French social representatives

On 27 and 28 March 2024, ALDA was present in Paris at the Conseil économique, social et environnemental’s (CESE) two-day event dedicated to the European Union and the European elections. We presented our activities and flagship initiatives to the members of the CESE.

ALDA was kindly invited to participate by the Mouvement Européen France, our partner in l’Europe pour de Bon ! campaign in France.

Talking about EU elections at the Officina sociopolitica Altovicentino

On April 6, 2024, ALDA Secretary General, Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida, delivered a presentation on the importance of the European elections 2024 to the Officina sociopolitica Altovicentino. The presentation included an explanation of the European Parliament, of the functions of the Members of the European Parliament and of ALDA’s campaign ‘Better Europe Together: Local Ideas, European Results‘.

The event, entitled ‘Progettazione Europea’ was also attended by Marco Boaria, Director of Programmes and Corporate Strategy of ALDA, who led a presentation on European projects tackling all the project cycle management.

ALDA at the Atheneum Royal Jean Absil in Brussels

On April 5, 2024, ALDA delivered an interactive presentation concerning the upcoming European elections to 60 students of the Atheneum Royal Jean Absil in Brussels. The event was aimed at presenting to the students the role of the European Parliament, the number of MEPs that will be elected and their function, and the date for the elections in Belgium.

ALDA gratefully accepted the invitation extended by Stand up for Europe to introduce their simulation of a European Parliament vote. Within this engaging exercise, students assume roles advocating for propositions of law and endorsing amendments in adherence to specific political guidelines.

ALDA in Vicenza to mobilise students to vote!

On March 23rd, the Secretary General of ALDA, Antonella Valmorbida, met with the students of the Paolo Lioy High School in Vicenza (Italy), to raise awareness about the upcoming European elections scheduled for June 6-9, 2024.

During the meeting, organised by the Volunteer Service Center of the Province of Vicenza (CSV) as part of the “Vote Volunteer Vision” campaign developed by the Centre for European Volunteering (CEV), Antonella Valmorbida spoke about the importance of European institutions, their role, and how elections have a huge impact on citizens’ daily lives.

Furthermore, before encouraging the students to vote, she presented ALDA’s campaign for the European elections ‘Better Europe Together: Local Ideas, European Results’. 🇪🇺

Discover it here: https://lnkd.in/d2btFKmx

The Future of Europe is Youth: ALDA in Labin to raise awareness on European elections 2024

On March 15, 2024, within the framework of the ALDA Governing Board which took place in Labin (Croatia), the ALDA delegation met some high-school students to discuss the importance of the upcoming European Elections 2024 and to present ALDA’s campaign “Better Europe Together: Local Ideas, European Results”.

The meeting, led by ALDA Secretary General, Antonella Valmorbida, focused on the importance of the European elections and how the European institutions affect the daily lives of every citizen.

The students, despite not yet having reached the age of majority, showed interest and participation and made it clear that they would definitely like to participate in the elections in five years’ time, so that they could shape the future of Europe by expressing their vote.