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Members and ALDA: together for a brilliant new year!

Despite the big challenge the whole world is still facing, 2021 marked a great year for ALDA: spreading democracy, supporting local initiatives are at the heart of the Association’s activities. Yet, much of this has turned into real thanks to, and in collaboration with, members and friends of ALDA.

Hence, listening to members’ ideas and proposals is a daily commitment: through interactions the best projects have been made possible! Therefore, ALDA is very much committed to engage and animate its network, offering several concrete opportunities

Yet, what does “being a member mean”? As many of you already know, by joining ALDA and become an ALDA Member, you will enter an international network offering several benefits, such as:

  • Networking, partnership opportunities and facilitation;
  • Capacity-building activities;
  • Free webinars and workshops specifically designed for the members;
  • Assistance in finding funding opportunities.

Listening to members’ ideas and proposals is a daily commitment: through interactions the best projects have been made possible!

Yet, this is not everything. Believing in its network is a concrete exercise for ALDA: thus, the association re-invests in its members the majority of its total budget. As shown on the picture  on the right, the 55% of its resources are allocated to Local Authorities, Civil Society Organizations, and Local Democracy Agencies. In other words: to ALDA’s network!

Furthermore, members will benefit from great visibility on ALDA’s website and social media channels. On ALDA’ website, each member has a dedicated page with all related information, whose content is customisable according to each member’s needs. More, by following the hashtag #ALDAMember, each Friday a post will be dedicated to the presentation of a member, on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. 

Yet, ALDA Team will be glad to share further information, initiatives and events of our members!

Hence, if a member is willing to spread specific information through ALDA communication channels (social media, website, newsletter), it only takes a few minutes! Write an email with all the information to alda@alda-europe.eu or fill in the form, upload the visual material (if any), and enjoy seeing your initiative spread throughout the enlarged Europe, and beyond!

Last but not least… 2022 already brings something new! ALDA has launched a new communication initiative called “Shades of democracy” – the new ALDA Podcast. Each episode, monthly broadcasted, tackled several topics related to democracy, from crowdfunding, to ELoGE, from culture to youth! 

Listen to it on the main platforms, and contact us at alda@alda-europe.eu if you want to know more!

Hope to see you online soon! Great to have you as #ALDAMember

***
Shades of Democracy on:

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This newly started 2022 has also marked the inauguration of a new Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Following Slovenia, from the 1st of January 2022, France has taken over the Presidency for the next six months, until June 30th, 2022.

In light of the delicate and peculiar situation the Union and the whole World are going through, the French Presidency will focus its mandate according to citizens’ expectations and needs, trying to bring the needed changes in a concrete way, as stated in the latest news.

2022 starts with the beginning of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union

From a general perspective the trio programma, that means the overall mission of French, Czech and Swedish Presidencies, up until the beginning of 2023 will focus on:

  • Protecting citizens and freedoms; based on European values;
  • Promoting a new growth and investment model for Europe, inspired by sustainable green growth;
  • Building a greener and more socially equitable Europe, with special regard to health and
  • A global Europe that promotes multilateralism and renewed international partnerships

Specifically on the French Presidency, its main priorities around three emblematic areas: climate, digital and social. At the same time, it will work to lay the basis for important changed and achievements linked to the economic sphere, youth, health and culture.

ALDA welcomes with enthusiasm the new French Presidency and encourages it to keep the active participation of citizens in the European governance high in the political agenda, thus giving the needed impetus to the closing phase of the Conference on the Future of Europe!

Check the Presidency website

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[Picture source: www.theparliamentmagazine.eu]

It’s with great sadness that we acknowledge the loss of David Sassoli, European Parliament President and former journalist.

On behalf of the whole staff of ALDA, its Governing Board and entire network, we will always remember Mr Sassoli as a convinced and committed European politician and activist, a person who could wisely lead one of the most important but complex Institution, as the European Parliament, since July 2019.

Davide Sassoli contributed to lead European policies and politics  in an extremely difficult period with a remarkable know-how and a solid set of principles: respect, loyalty and coherence to the cause.

Being the Parliament the EU institution which best represents its citizens, since its members are directly elected every five years through universal suffrage, David Sassoli perfectly represented the values carried on by ALDA: citizens participation, active commitment, solidarity, tolerance, equality, justice and much more.

Our condolences go to its family, his close colleagues, friends and to all who knew and appreciated him.

May he rest in peace.

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Winter Greeting and Happy New Year from ALDA President, Mr. Oriano Otočan, ALDA Secretary General Mrs Valmorbida and all the ALDA team!
As every December, it is time to stop for a second and look back at what has been done during the last 12 months. A year full of initiatives, meetings and events that give great energy for the upcoming 2022.

« Dear Members, Partners and Friends of ALDA, behalf of the whole team of ALDA, its Governing Board and all the LDAs, let me wish you all the best Winter Holidays that 2021 can offer to all of us! » – stated our President Mr Oriano Otočan  at the beginning to its letter.

« The year about to end has been a unique one – continued Mr. Otočan –  with the COVID-19 pandemic crisis still challenging deeply the implementation of our activities and everyday work all around Europe and beyond. Many of you have faced difficulties in the management of the crisis, from the economic to the social and cultural point of view. It is the reason why our support towards local communities has been more important than ever.

This year more than ever, our goal has been to connect our network of local communities and actors from Europe and beyond, deeply convinced that only together, by sharing ideas and by working together, we will overcome the complex challenges of our time. In this regard, we also launched a series of new opportunities for our members, among which the working groups, giving the opportunity to share, cooperate and shape together the future of our Association and of Europe as well.

Despite difficulties in the phase out this global pandemic, that deeply affected the life of all of us, we are ready to do our part to protect the more vulnerable ones and to approach ourselves to 2022 with renewed energy to finally come back to a new-form of “normality”, enriched by all the thoughts and challenges we all together faced in the past 2 years.

I wish also to use this opportunity to remember our dear friends and colleagues Sasa Marinkov, delegate of the Local Democracy Agency Central-Southern Serbia, and Victor Cotruta, Eastern Partnership Project Coordinator, that left us this year. Friends that we would truly remember and adore till the end of days.

« Let me wish you all the best Winter Holidays that 2021 can offer to all of us! » – Mr Otočan – ALDA President

As said, the year(s) behind us were not easy. Yet, besides challenges, they were also full of opportunities to prove the importance of mutual support that only the global community, composed by the local communities all over the globe, can provide. That is the core of ALDA, the core value of all of us: local communities working for a global sustainable change, towards a better future for all the human beings and for our planet as well!

Last but not least, – concluded Mr. Otočan –  I wish everyone all the best!  I wish you a better, calmer, safer and happier 2022! »

Similarly, Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Secretary General wished to the network and friends of the association warm winter greetings and happy New Year, and willing to see each other soon in 2022.

Play the video and listen Mrs. Valmorbida’s winter greetings in Italian, French or Russian

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2022 will bring great new steps and activities for PART-Y Project! Let’s have a look at them together.

Kallipolis, the lead partner, will be developing the second intellectual output of the project, namely a Learning Methodology of Placemaking by Design Thinking, aimed at reshaping design thinking by applying it to the placemaking of urban spaces, with a view to guaranteeing equal access and use to girls and boys.

Similarly, partners will also keep doing trainings to find out more on the “design thinking” method and technique. Meanwhile, some national and international events will enable the partners to introduce the public to the outputs and outcomes of the project.

But has been done so far? Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 was a year filled with activities for the PART-Y project.

2022 will bring great new steps and activities for PART-Y Project

After an online kick-off meeting in March, the eight partners met each other three times for management and trainings where they learnt more about placemaking and gender equal cities via study visits. Due to the health crisis, the meetings have been done online. Nevertheless, the partners have been able to meet face-to-face for the first time in Madrid in October 2021.

In addition, activities in the youth centers owned by the municipalities of Trieste and Koper have been organized. These workshops will be used to implement and test the methodologies studied during the trainings; enabling the partners to collect young people’s feelings about their opportunities to play a role in placemaking projects.

From its end, ALDA wrote the first project’s intellectual output: the Toolkit to Build a Communication Campaign for a Young and Inclusive Placemaking addressed to youth and municipalities seeking to be involved in placemaking actions. The output has been disseminated during the one-month PART-Y Street Art Festival hosted in Trieste, Italy.

Last but not least, in October, the partners also had the great opportunity to present the very first project’s outcomes and the Toolkit during the 2021 European Union Week of Regions and Cities.

Based on these great initiatives, 2022 will be even better, and PART-Y partners are ready to start the new year with great energy!

***
Follow the project on social media:
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

[PART-Y HANDBOOK – Soon available
PART-Y TOOLBOX – Soon available]

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From 17 to 19 November 2021, the 5th and final event of the DIGITAL project– Supporting Democratic Union and Active Citizenship in Digital Era  – took place in Madrid, Spain. The event entitled “Fake news: How to counter the fake news and disinformation that spread online?” was held both online and offline and offered the possibility to debate and share opinions on topics such as the impact of digitalization, the future of the European Union, and the place of citizens in this digital transformation. For ALDA it was attended by Elisabetta Uroni, Head of the Communication Department.

The DIGITAL project is led by the Federation of Municipalities of Madrid (FMM) and financed by the Europe for Citizens Programme. Its aim was to assemble policymakers and citizens from 15 European countries to enhance democratic and civic participation across Europe.

The first day of the event focused on the proliferation of fake news in the digital age and included interventions by José Antonio Sánchez Serrano, the Deputy Minister of Local Administration and Digitization of the Community of Madrid, and Cristina Moreno Moreno, the General Manager of FMM. In addition, conclusions were drawn from the previous international events, including through interactive sessions.

The event focused on the proliferation of fake news in the digital age; the effects on on local democracy  and on digital transition

The second day focused on issues such as the effects of fake news on local democracy with speakers José Manuel Hoyo, the Mayor of Brunete and Vice President of the Information Society Commission, Alfredo García-Plata, the Mayor of Torrelodones and Member of the Information Society Commission, Jorge Alberto Campos, the Mayor of Paracuellos del Jarama and Member of the Governing Board FMM, and Asensio Martínez Agraz, the Mayor of Sevilla la Nueva and Member of the Governing Board of the FMM. Furthermore, strategies, methods, and techniques in the fight against fake news were discussed together with Francisco Serrato from The Objective, Vincenzo Tiani, Advisory expert in Digital Policies and professor at the IULM University (Milan), Andrés Jiménez, the MALDITO BULO Coordinator, and an expert from NEWTRAL. The day closed with an interactive session on good local practices with regard to fake news.

The third day started with a round table discussion on best practices that make a significant contribution to the “digital transition” at EU level, presented by Cristina Moreno Moreno and featuring Myrian Redondo from VerificaRTVE. This was followed by a presentation of the conclusions of the teamwork of day 2 and the closing session.

The event provided an important forum for analyzing and discussing the issue of fake news and its impact on local democracy from a variety of perspectives. It brought together a number of experts and stakeholders but also allowed citizens to actively participate.

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This month, ALDA welcomed the partners of the DEVOTE project (Developing the Competencies of Teachers to Integrate Students from Migrant Background into European Schools) in Strasbourg in order to work together on the development of the online course foreseen by the project. In addition, the consortium discussed the sustainability of the project, especially after its completion, while having preliminary discussions on the Community of Educators. The latter will be created for teachers to support each other;  and exchange good practices. Of course participants took some informal time to discover Strasbourg and its Christmas sparkle!

Promote the « Whole School Approach », to set up an assessment of students with migrant backgrounds and to learn from good practices

From a general perspective, the project aims to strengthen the integration of students with migrant backgrounds in schools and improve their success in education by providing training, coaching and guidance to teachers equipping school leaders and educators with the necessary skills and innovative tools to support secondary students in the process, strengthening collaboration between schools, families, and other external stakeholders.

To this end, at the core of the project is the creation of a brand new online course for teachers to strengthen their approach towards language support, parental support, psycho-social support, but also to enable them to promote the Whole School Approach, to set up an assessment of students with migrant backgrounds and to learn from good practices already used across Europe.

The course, currently under development, brings together the expertise of 5 project partners (4 associations and 2 universities) with complementary expertise on issues related to inclusion, support for migrant populations, education and digital training.

The meeting in Strasbourg was a necessary step to discuss the technical development of the platform, the content of the modules, the evaluation of the learners: The online course is expected to be available in 2022!

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After the first steps of the programme in Croatia and North Macedonia, ALDA was awarded with the accreditation to implement the European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE) in Kosovo*.

In the next 2 years, ALDA will implement the ELoGE assessment of around 15-20 municipalities in Kosovo* and work with them to be able to understand and apply good democratic practices. They will also facilitate and monitor the process of the implementation of the 12 principles of good democratic governance as outlined by ELoGE and spread awareness among authority figures.

This project will last for a 2-year period, starting the activities in January 2022 and ending-up in November 2023.

From January 2022, ALDA will contribute delivering better local governance for citizens of Kosovo*

Previously, ALDA received the accreditation to be able to implement ELoGE in Croatia and North Macedonia, which was a precursor for the work in Kosovo* and another step in the greater ambition for the Western Balkans. Along with that, recently on September 28th, the Secretary General of ALDA, Antonella Valmorbida, visited Kosovo* in order to create a proposal for the support of local governance, encourage and facilitate capacity building, and grow regional cooperation in the Country and the rest of the Balkans. Important factors are the promotion of good management of EU funds and the promotion of EU programmes.

Strong of this further accreditation, ALDA is excited and committed to supporting local government and EU integration ambitions in Kosovo*.  Through the implementation of the principles of the ELoGE programme, ALDA will contribute to deliver better local governance for citizens.

Why the ELoGE? The ELoGE evaluation allows local authorities to understand their strengths and their weaknesses when providing public services to the local community and exercising public authority. To improve the quality of local governance, local authorities can use various tools developed by the Centre of Expertise and take inspiration from their colleagues’ best practices.

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The event “Post-catastrophic cities in a comparative perspective” supported by the program Normandy for peace, was held on a hybrid format the 13th of December 2021 in Skopje, North Macedonia.

This gathering was an opportunity to hear on various interpretation on post-catastrophic cities in Europe and abroad. Experts were able to present their researches on the destruction and the reconstruction of cities.

Ms. Stefanie Dupont from the “General inventory of cultural heritage” office of the region Normandy, presented the label “Heritage of Reconstruction in Normandy”, created by the same region to protect its cities’ heritage after its the rebuilding due to WWII. Mr. Gruia Badescu from the University of Konstanz brought many examples of European and non-European cities, like Bucharest or Mostar, which were rebuilt after being destroyed.

An opportunity to hear on various interpretation on post-catastrophic cities in Europe and abroad

Finally, Naum Trajanovski, from the Polish Academy of Sciences presented the book “Skopje’s earthquake in 1963 and its post-seism reconstruction: Personal testimonies”, written as part of the project “Skopje’s 1963 earthquake, memories, identities and actions”.

The event is a part of the project “Skopje’s 1963 earthquake, memories, identities and actions” implanted by CINIK – Center of research for nationalism and culture, and is supported by the Ministry of culture of North Macedonia, ALDA and the program Normandy for peace of the region Normandy.

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The call for the 2022 edition of /e.mò.ti.con/ illustrate emotion entitled Earth Guardians and dedicated to human being’s role as guardian of the planet is online!

Are you an illustrator (professional, non-professional, student) of any nationality, aged up to 35 years? Apply!

/e.mò.ti.con/ illustrate emotion – Earth Guardians is realised within the project CAPPERI Common Agricultural Policy Peer Education Resources in Italy, co-financed by the European Union programme IMCAP (Information Measures relating to the Common Agricultural Policy Programme) and realised by ALDA Associazione Europea per la democrazia locale (coordinator) together with:

Earth Guardian: open call 2022. Check it here!

Among the works sent by the authors participating in the call, the jury of experts will select the finalist illustrations (minimum 10) that will be displayed in the exhibition /e.mò.ti.con/ 2022. Thanks to CAPPERI, /e.mò.ti.còn/ is five times bigger: in fact, there will be many Italian cities, headquarters of the project partners, where the exhibition will be held next spring-summer: Vicenza, Milan, Rome, Mesagne and Palermo.

A variable number of winning illustrations will then be selected among the finalist illustrations, which will be featured in the communication campaigns of La Piccionaia’s theatre programs dedicated to the younger generations, childhood and families

***
Useful information:

This call for applications expires at 11 p.m. on March 31st, 2022.
Each illustrator must submit at least 2 different, original and preferably unpublished illustrations.
In the case of illustrations that have already been published, the participant must specify in which context the publication took place.

Check the call
Download the call in pdf
Check the application form

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Partnerships are stronger than the distance!

On Monday, December 13th, 2021, a very special event took place, sealing a new valuable partnership between ALDA – the European Association for Local Democracy and IRDP – Institute of Research and Dialogue for Peace.

The event, livestreamed on ALDA’s Facebook page, involved ALDA Secretary General, Antonella Valmorbida and the Director of IRDP, Eric Ndushabandi, engaged in a dialogue moderated by Afaf Zaddem, Delegate of the Local Democracy Agency Tunisia, culminated with the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two Organisations.

After setting the framework for the event, Ms Valmorbida described ALDA’s actions and strategy for the African continent, having the Associations a growing number of partners and projects active in the region. Afterwards, Ms Valmorbida retraced the history of ALDA’s relations with IRDP, which goes back to July 2021, when Antonella Valmorbida was invited by the International Association of Francophone Mayors to attend their General Assembly in Kigali, Rwanda.

There, she had the pleasure the meet Mr Ndushabandi and a fruitful exchange had started, in light of the many characteristics which are shared by ALDA and IRDP in terms of values, mission and common goals, this event wanted to materialise the already existing cooperation with a Memorandum of Undestanding.

Let’s partner: ALDA and IRDP e-signed the Memorandum of Understanding

The event was also important to introduce IRDP to the whole network of ALDA. As described by its Director Mr Ndushabandi, IRDP is an organisation based in Kigali, Rwanda, initiated in 2001 as an Institute to contribute to peacebuilding efforts in the aftermath of the 1994’s Genocide against Tutsi. IRDP is an independent and neutral space where critical and sensitive issues challenging peace are debated with a participatory approach in order to influence positive behaviour change at the community and national levels.

As stated in the partnership’s convention, ALDA and IRDP agreed to “work together in the future and join their efforts to achieve complementary results in the shared geographical areas of intervention”, working on common themes, such as:

  • support local democracy and citizen participation;
  • support civil society empowerment;
  • support media and freedom of expression;
  • support to displaced people and refugees;
  • integration of minorities.

If you wish to get to know better ALDA and IRDP and learn more about the terms of the partnership agreement, watch again the event, available at this link!

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The  ACHIEVE – Awareness of Common History for Identifying and Extending the Values of Europe – project had its 3rd International event from 5 to 7 December in Peja, Kosovo*. 

The event was held in hybrid mode, so in person and online, allowing each partner to join the meeting. With great enthusiasm, the event began with the opening speech of Francesco Faresin, Municipality of Breganze, who welcomed partners’ representatives while providing not only an overview of the project, but also giving fruitful and valuable food for thought. 

Following Mr. Faresin’s speech, partners shared the results on the local path done in each country on European issues. The latter were also at the centre of the two workshops organised for this event.

ACHIEVE: talks and dialogues are essential when it comes to find a common ground

“What is European identity?” “What characterise each of us identity?” Those questions were at the basis of the first interactive workshop lead by Gideon Hoogvliet; ESC volunteer. Similarly, Elion Kollcaku, journalist and researcher, shared an interesting point of view on the different ways with which, also from an academic perspective, it is possible to tackle the topic of “Euroscepticism” its causes and counter narratives, while focusing on the Balkan stand point as well.

In addition, this meeting allowed participants to find out more about local habits, culture and historical heritage. Talks and dialogues are essential when it comes to find a common ground, and build common initiatives working for the same goals.

Last but not least, a note of thanks to the Municipality of Peja, who organized the event, and all the partners that joined, making the meeting fruitful and useful!

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During the last meeting of the Governing Board of ALDA, held on Thursday December 2nd2021, all members agreed upon a strategic document concerning a more reasoned and effective action to be implemented by the Association and its network in the Balkan Region.

Being the Balkans the birthplace of ALDA, the Region where everything has started back in that December 1999, ALDA has always paid a particular attention to the Western Balkan region, through the continuous implementation of initiatives aimed at supporting and empowering local authorities and Civil Society.

At present, ALDA is an organisation deeply rooted in the Balkan area, with ongoing activities and projects in all the Western Balkan countries, namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. Furthermore, counting 36 member municipalities and associations, 8 Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs), the Balkan Network for Local Democracy (BNLD) as well as a wide network of partners, ALDA is well placed and ready to develop and implement local driven initiatives while sharing international best practices and support actions.

ALDA is ready to develop and implement local driven initiatives while sharing international best practices and support actions

Let’s unfold ALDA’s new Strategy in the Western Balkans

Goal: ALDA’s main goal in Western Balkans is to support regional cooperation and EU integration processes in the Region as well as to promote local democracy and citizens participation as a precondition for local sustainable development.

Actions: The Strategy foresees a set of action lines to be implemented, each one addressing a key area, important for the achievement of the overall objective in a sustainable and effective manner.

  • Be a global alliance of civil society and local authorities engaged in local democracy and community engagement in the region with a regional approach
  • Support dialogue between EU and the Balkans
  • Support and development of the Local Democracy Agencies as agents for change for local democracy and citizens’ participation
  • Implementation of country-based strategies and strengthening of the cooperation with relevant national institutions and local stakeholders

The whole ALDA and its Governing Board are very proud of the elaboration of this strategy which will surely bring benefit to the whole Western Balkans Region, as always happens when reinforcing internal relations among local and regional stakeholders, decentralised cooperation and dialogue with key institutions.

While widening its scope, ALDA will remain a key player in the Balkan region, reinforcing its actions and establishing new profitable relations with stakeholder at a global level.

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The Community of Madrid hosted, on 24th and 25th of November 2021, the third international event of the RECRUIT Project.

RECRUIT Project’s main objective is to promote the exchange between three Mediterranean countries (Greece, Italy and Spain) to tackle local unemployment through the sharing of good practices in Social Economy.

The latter represents, in addition, the focus of the event itself. Thus, different associations and enterprises from Spain shared their experiences; among them:

  • Mercado Social de Madrid,
  • ECOINSERTA,
  • Endesys Sociedad Cooperativa,
  • Inrobics,
  • Fecoma,
  • Campus I+G,
  • Helechos,
  • Supermercados La Osa, and
  • Amoverse

Moving on to the second country tackled by the project, representatives from Italy showed how gender equality and youth inclusion are key features to fight unemployment with good practices as testified by Young Women Network, Sprint School Project from Impact Hub Bari, La Fabrica del Farò, RISE-LAB Palermo and the Municipality of Bari.

The Community of Madrid hosted the third international event of the RECRUIT Project: sharing good practices in Social Economy

Similarly, the Greek team had representatives from Impact Hub Athens, Agia Pareskevi Municipality and VIOME Project, also sharing their results and impression on the issue.

In addition, Mr. Guzman García Gonzalez-Posada, representative of the Spanish Ministry of Labour and Social Economy, and Mr. Carlos Lozano Palanca, Director of International Relations for the Spanish Confederation of Social Economy Enterprises (CEPES) were among the keynote speakers.

Last but not lease, ALDA’s colleagues Alessandra Brigo – Project Manager – and Lavinia Traina – Project Developer – presented the results and goals of the project and its sustainability.

Finally, a booklet with all the good practices shared and collect throughout the project and the international events will be available at the beginning of 2022.  A special thank the Community of Madrid for the amazing hospitality during these two days!

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Since 2015, when the Ukraine Working Group was firstly created by the European Committee of the Regions (COR), leaders of local-government associations and city mayors gather to reflect and share perspectives and concrete knowledge on Ukraine state of art in terms of politics and reform.

This year as well, led by Alexandra Dulkiewicz, mayor of Gdańsk and chairwoman of the meeting, the event was organized on November 18th 2021 on hybrid mode.

From a general perspective, decentralization and rebalancing of administrative and financial powers represented the key aspect of the meeting. Similarly, the discussion focused on the scheduled adoption of legislation on public consultations, having also in mind the COR and European Commission joint efforts to develop city partnerships as far as supporting anti-corruption initiatives in Ukraine concerns.

Decentralization and rebalancing of administrative and financial powers represented the key aspects of this year Ukraine Working Group

Thus, Andreas Kiefer, Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, said that « the consultation of local authorities by higher levels of government needs to be further improved and strengthened ».

Generally speaking, the meeting represented an opportunity for participants to assess the current situation in Ukraine and create a strategy for future actions.

Hence, Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Secretary General, stressed the importance on focusing on « feasibility and inclusiveness », when it comes to the adoption of a law on public consultation. Besides the above-mentioned guests, among the keynote speakers at this year event there were:

  • Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv and head of the Association of Ukrainian Cities;
  • Andrii Borovyk of Transparency International Ukraine;
  • Iryna Shybaof the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative in Ukraine (EUACI);
  • Ksenia Sukhova, from Mariupol City Council;
  • Viacheslav Nehoda, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister for Communities and Territories Development;
  • Sergii Chernov, president of the Ukrainian Association of District and Regional Councils

Overall, the meeting was a fruitful occasion to discuss on decentralization process in Ukraine and its roadmap. ALDA is very much glad to play an active role in these circumstances, working for the best of democracy development.

***
Further info:
Read “Decentralisation in Ukraine continues to enjoy strong public support ” article on COR website

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On November 28-29 and December 1st 2021, ALDA had its much anticipated Staff Meeting in Vicenza (Italy) together with colleagues from all over Europe and beyond! 

Everyone was very happy to finally be together again after a prolonged absence due to the ongoing pandemic, and some of the colleagues had never seen the new Vicenza office after the move!

The key words of the meeting were: team building, dialogue, and sharing. Based on these three words, several activities and meetings have been organised. But let’s start from the beginning.

The key words of the staff meeting were: team building, dialogue, and sharing

ALDA staff coming from our different offices in Tunis, Chisinau, Strasbourg, Brussels, Skopje, gathered in Vicenza for a three-day event to meet in person and do some team building to get to know each other better.

On the first day the colleagues met in Villa Tacchi. Marco Boaria – Director of Programs and Development Department – together with Anna Ditta – Senior Project Development Officer, animated the first session. Thanks to interactive and team-building games, ALDA staff had the possibility to know each other better, while getting ready for the first day!

Moreover, after lunch,  future strategies to implement in the upcoming years and flagship initiatives that guide ALDA were presented. The latter, specifically, was essential to set the framework within which the Association is operating.

After an intense first day, November 30th  was dedicated to a  training session on Local Democracy and Participatory Processes, lead by Antonella Valmorbida – ALDA Secretary General – while the afternoon saw a meeting in the premises of Vicenza City Hall, where the staff was welcomed by the City Councilor Matteo Tosetto. 

During the meeting, Councillor Tosetto spoke about the importance of participatory processes for local democracy in the city of Vicenza and in Europe, as also underlined by ALDA Secretary General. At the end of the meeting Tosetto gave a commemorative plaque with the symbol of the city, the Palladian Basilica, to the representatives of the different countries, while receiving ALDA gonfalon.

Finally on the third day, the Associazione Caracol Olol Jackson hosted the final sessions, team building exercises, department presentations, bilateral meetings and working group sessions on the agenda for the day. Last but not least, ALDA’s staff gather together for the dinner with the Governing Board members as well, to celebrate this great moment of sharing and empowerment.

The meeting was a success! It gave ALDA colleagues a chance to have an honest and open dialogue and share meals and breaks together in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. But most importantly it was a great opportunity to connect, reconnect and enjoy being part of a great team carrying on a important mission every day!

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On 19th November 2021, the Young European France organised the national day entitled “ European Cities Label”.  Launched in 2020 for French municipalities by the Young European France (JEF), this initiative is supported by the France European Mouvement (MEF) and Union of European Federalists in France (UEF).

From a general perspective, the European Cities Label is a specific label for cities, aimed at giving them access to a wide network of towns, supporting in implementing European action in their territory; while highlighting their commitment to Europe and the European Union. 

Moreover, participants presented their actions in favour of European citizenship, exchange on their good practices and reflect on the next steps of the Label created in 2020.

Within this context, ALDA Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida was invited to give a speech on democracy and citizens’ participation; while presenting ALDA’s commitment as far as involving different actors on playing a role in the CoFoE platform. 

Ms Valmorbida’s speech at the European Cities Label  focused on ALDA’s work with Local Authorities and reaffirmed ALDA’s commitment in sharing European values.

Together with Mrs. Valmorbida, ,ALDA Resource and Network Development Manager –  Morgane Egerton – also attended the event, which saw, among keynote speaker:

  • Arnaud Michel, Councillor in charge of European Affairs and Memory of the city of Arras;
  • Nadia Haï, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Territorial Cohesion and Relations; 
  • Dimitri Oudin, Municipality of Reims;
  • Anne Tallineau, Secretary General of the Franco-German Youth Office for Youth (OFAJ);
  • Adrien Naizet, Municipal Councillor Delegate for Youth, Student Life, Higher student life, higher education, student social housing in the city of Rouen;
  • Christophe Rouillon, Vice-President of the Association of French Mayors of France (AMF) 

Beside, on this occasion the plaque « Label Ville européenne » was presented to the City of Paris. 

Overall the event was a success and a reminder of how important ALDA’s work is to uphold and share European values across all platforms and with as many entities as possible. 


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Learn more about the label here: Ville Europeenne
And read the article on European Federalists in France website

DOCUMENTS

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From the 22nd to the 25th of November the city of Peja in eastern Kosovo* welcomed the delegation of the Valid Project in a new opportunity to promote intercultural dialogue and collaboration between the local authorities and civil society.

The Valid project aims to spread more inclusive policies and European values to cities around the region, to finally develop a network of cultural exchange and tolerance. 

In Peja, the delegation from different associations and cities started their stay with a meeting in the Mayor’s office of Mr. Gazmend Muhaxheri. 

Overall, the agenda was rich of events and excursions:  from a visit to the natural and cosmopolitan heritage of the municipality, to the medieval orthodox to the ottoman time; or the  iconic landmarks included in the visit were the Drin Waterfall, which  is the source of the river Driniand located in the gorge of Drini i Bardhe, in Zhljeb Mountain in Radavc village.

Valid project in Peja: to develop a network of cultural exchange and tolerance

In addition, the delegation had the opportunity to listen to the Choir Siparantum Performance at Professional Theatre Istref Begolli Peja; while meeting the staff of the International Animation festival “Anibar”. Gathered in the theatre next to the centre of Peja, the creators of the festival explained how the project was born, the activities that they do and even showed some of the short films that were projected during previous editions!

Within this event, to emphasize the importance of solidarity and social values, the delegation was first brought to visit  the « Odhise Paskali » Art School, where the art exhibition in the school’s atrium was presented. The latter was comprised of works from the classes on fashion, architecture, paint and graphic design.

Finally, the VALID project partners also had the opportunity to visit the Patriarchate of Peja, an orthodox monastery near Peja; and finally the Bajrakli Mosque and the bazaar. By walking down the street of the city, by talking with people and meeting local delegates, participants had the opportunity to concretely see how culture does unite people, as aimed by the project itself.


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The Valid project is co-founded by the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union.