« Despite the undeniable difficulties brought about by the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, it is a great honour for me to present the ALDA activity report 2019, this year perhaps with even more satisfaction than usual. 

The European Association for Local Democracy is approaching its 20th anniversary, and we couldn’t be more excited for this upcoming milestone which further consolidates the Association’s relevance and influence in the enlarged Europe« , are the first few welcoming words of ALDA President Oriano Otočan at the very beginning of the ALDA Activity Report 2019.

« The last 12 months have witnessed a whirlwind of concrete ALDA actions and initiatives which quite simply went over and beyond in support of active citizenship and participatory democracy: beyond all set geographic limits; beyond expectations; beyond all usual project horizons« .

Indeed, our wish and invitation for all ALDA members, networks, partners and friends in this particular and special times is to join us in this journey through the past year, carefully collected in a little over 80 pages of dedicated activities.

From a summary of 2019 in images to an overview of ALDA’s worldwide presence and a solid presentation of the Association’s work in the field, all the way to our action in 5 Ps, behind the scenes activities and ways to get involved, the ALDA Activity Report serves as a reminder both of wonderful outcomes, successes, and achievements; and of what’s still to be done and worked on – our goals for the present and the upcoming future.

Of course, it couldn’t be better complemented than by the Local Democracy Agencies’ Activity Report 2019, where the now 15 LDAs and 3 Operational Partners showcase the geographic and cultural width of their crucial, relentless contributions to the cause.

In the words of ALDA Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida: « the challenging times we are living in call for our work to be more efficient and effective than ever before […] It’s [about] the vision we want for each of the ALDA local communities: a vision of local democracy« .

Click here to consult and download the ALDA Activity Report 2019; and here to consult and download the LDA Activity Report 2019.

français

Rapports d’activité de l’ALDA et des ADL 2019, en vue de l’ALDA 2020 ! 

« Malgré les difficultés indéniables engendrées par la crise actuelle du Covid-19, c’est un grand honneur pour moi de présenter le rapport d’activité 2019 de l’ALDA, cette année peut-être avec encore plus de satisfaction que d’habitude.

L’Association Européenne pour la Démocratie Locale approche de son 20ème anniversaire, et nous ne pourrions pas être plus enthousiastes pour cette prochaine étape qui consolide encore plus la pertinence et l’influence de l’Association dans l’Europe élargie », sont les premiers mots d’introduction du Président de l’ALDA, Monsieur Oriano Otočan, qui précèdent le rapport d’activité 2019 de l’ALDA.

« Les 12 derniers mois ont été témoins d’un tourbillon d’actions et d’initiatives concrètes de l’ALDA qui ont tout simplement dépassé les limites de la citoyenneté active et de la démocratie participative : au-delà de toutes les limites géographiques fixées, au-delà des attentes, au-delà de tous les horizons habituels des projets ».

En effet, notre souhait et notre invitation envers tous les membres, réseaux, partenaires et amis de l’ALDA en ces temps particuliers et extraordinaires est de nous rejoindre dans ce voyage à travers l’année écoulée, soigneusement rassemblé dans un peu plus de 80 pages d’activités dédiées.

D’un résumé de 2019 en images à un aperçu de la présence de l’ALDA dans le monde et à une solide présentation du travail de l’Association sur le terrain, en passant par notre action en « 5 Ps », les activités en coulisses et les moyens de s’impliquer, le rapport d’activité de l’ALDA sert à la fois de remémoration des merveilleux résultats, succès et réalisations ; et de rappel de ce qui reste à construire et à réaliser – nos objectifs pour le présent et pour le futur proche.

Bien entendu, ce rapport ne saurait être mieux complété que par le rapport d’activité 2019 des Agences de la Démocratie Locale, dans lequel les 15 ADL et les 3 partenaires opérationnels illustrent l’étendue géographique et culturelle de leurs contributions cruciales et permanentes à la cause.

Selon les mots de la Secrétaire générale de l’ALDA, Madame Antonella Valmorbida : « Les temps difficiles que nous vivons exigent que notre travail soit plus efficace et performant que jamais […] Il s’agit de la vision que nous souhaitons pour chacune des communautés locales de l’ALDA : une vision de la démocratie locale ». 

Cliquez ici pour consulter et télécharger le rapport d’activité de l’ALDA 2019 ; et ici pour consulter et télécharger le rapport d’activité des ADL 2019.

italiano

I report delle attività di ALDA e delle ADL del 2019, verso ALDA 2020!

« Nonostante le innegabili difficoltà causate dall’attuale crisi del Covid-19, è un grande onore per me presentare il report delle attività di ALDA del 2019, quest’anno forse con ancora maggiore soddisfazione del solito.

Il 20° anniversario dell’Associazione Europea per la Democrazia Locale è vicino e non potremmo essere più entusiasti di questa imminente pietra miliare, che consolida ulteriormente la rilevanza e l’influenza dell’Associazione nell’Europa allargata », sono le prime parole introduttive del presidente di ALDA Oriano Otočan all’inizio del report delle attività di ALDA del 2019.

« Gli ultimi 12 mesi sono stati testimoni di un vortice di azioni e iniziative concrete di ALDA, a sostegno della cittadinanza attiva e della democrazia partecipativa, e sono andate oltre tutti i limiti geografici; oltre le aspettative; oltre tutti i consueti orizzonti di progetto ».

Realmente, in questi tempi particolari e speciali è nostro desiderio e invito a tutti i soci, le reti, i partner e gli amici di ALDA di unirsi a noi in questo viaggio nell’anno trascorso, accuratamente raccolto in poco più di 80 pagine di attività dedicate.

Da un riassunto del 2019 in immagini a una panoramica della presenza mondiale di ALDA e una solida presentazione del lavoro dell’Associazione sul campo, fino alla nostra azione in 5 « P », alle attività dietro le quinte e a come unirsi e partecipare, il report delle attività di ALDA serve come promemoria sia dei meravigliosi risultati e successi conseguiti, sia di ciò che ancora deve essere compiuto, su cui lavorare: i nostri obiettivi per il presente e per il prossimo futuro.

Naturalmente, non potrebbe essere meglio integrato dal report delle attività delle Agenzie per la Democrazia Locale del 2019, in cui le attuali 15 ADL e 3 partner operativi mostrano l’ampiezza geografica e culturale dei loro contributi cruciali e determinati alla causa.

Nelle parole della Segretario Generale di ALDA, Antonella Valmorbida: « i tempi difficili che stiamo vivendo chiedono che il nostro lavoro sia più efficiente ed efficace che mai […] Si tratta della realtà che desideriamo per ciascuna delle comunità locali di ALDA: una realtà di democrazia locale ».

Cliccare qui per consultare e scaricare il report delle attività di ALDA del 2019; e qui per consultare e scaricare il report delle attività delle ADL del 2019.

русский

Отчеты о деятельности ALDA и агенств местной демократии за 2019 год!

“Несмотря на неоспоримые трудности, вызванные продолжающимся кризисом Covid-19, для меня большая честь представить отчет о деятельности ALDA за 2019 год, возможно, в этом году с еще большим удовлетворением, чем обычно. Европейская ассоциация местной демократии приближается к своему 20-летнему юбилею, и мы очень взволнованы этой предстоящей вехой, которая еще больше укрепляет значимость и влияние Ассоциации в расширенной Европе”, – этими словами приветствует президент ALDA Ориано Оточана в самом начале отчета о деятельности ALDA 2019.

“За последние 12 месяцев был отмечен вихрь конкретных действий и инициатив ALDA, которые просто вышли за рамки поддержки активной гражданственности и демократии участия: за пределами установленных географических ограничений, за пределами ожиданий, за пределами всех обычных проектных горизонтов”.

На самом деле, мы хотим и приглашаем всех членов, сети, партнеров и друзей ALDA в это особенное время присоединиться к нам в этом путешествии в течение прошедшего года, тщательно собранного на чуть более 80 страницах специальных мероприятий.

От сводки 2019 года в изображениях до обзора присутствия ALDA по всему миру и подробного представления работы Ассоциации на местах, вплоть до наших действий, закулисных мероприятий и способов участия, отчет о деятельности ALDA служит напоминанием о прекрасных результатах, успехах и достижениях; и о том, что еще предстоит сделать и над чем поработать – наши цели на настоящее и будущее.

Конечно, это не может быть дополнено лучше, чем Отчетом о деятельности агентств местной демократии за 2019 год, где теперь 15 агентств местной демократии и 3 операционных партнера демонстрируют географический и культурный размах их решающего, неустанного вклада в дело.

По словам генерального секретаря ALDA Антонеллы Вальморбиды « трудные времена, в которые мы живем, требуют, чтобы наша работа была более эффективной и действенной, чем когда-либо прежде […] Это [о] видении, которое мы хотим видеть для каждого местного сотрудника ALDA сообщества: видение местной демократии ».

Нажмите здесь, чтобы просмотреть и скачать отчет о деятельности ALDA 2019; и здесь, чтобы ознакомиться и скачать отчет о деятельности местных демократических агентств 2019. 

srpski

Izveštaji o aktivnostima ALDA-e i LDA za 2019, u susretu ALDA-i 2020!

« Uprkos nespornim poteškoćama do kojih je dovela trenutna Covid-19 kriza, velika mi je čast što ću predstaviti izveštaj o aktivnostima ALDA-e za 2019. godinu, možda sa još većim zadovolјstvom nego inače. 

Evropska asocijacija za lokalnu demokratiju bliži se svojoj dvadesetogodišnjici, a mi ne možemo biti uzbuđeniji zbog ove nadolazeće prekretnice koja dodatno učvršćuje važnost i uticaj asocijacije u Evropi », ovo su bile pozdravne reči predsednika ALDA-e Oriana Otočana na samom početku ALDA izveštaja o aktivnostima za 2019. godinu.

« Poslednjih 12 meseci svedoci smo velikog broja konkretnih akcija i inicijativa ALDA-e koje su i nadilazile podršku za aktivno građanstvo i participativnu demokratiju: izvan svih postavlјenih geografskih ograničenja; iznad očekivanja; izvan svih uobičajenih horizonata projekata ».

Zaista, naša želјa i poziv svim članovima, mrežama, partnerima i prijatelјima ALDA-e u ovom posebnom vremenu je da nam se pridruže na ovom putovanju iz protekle godine, pažlјivo evidentiranom na nešto više od 80 stranica opisanih aktivnosti.

Od rezimea 2019. u slikama do pregleda prisutnosti ALDA-e u svetu i solidnog predstavlјanja rada asocijacije na terenu, sve do naše akcije u “5 P”, aktivnosti iza kulisa i načinima za priključivanje aktivnostima, ALDA izveštaj o aktivnostima služi kao podsetnik na predivne ishode, uspehe i dostignuća; i o onome šta još treba učiniti I kako raditi na našim cilјevima za sadašnjost I budućnost.

Naravno, to se ne bi moglo bolјe dopuniti nego izveštajem o aktivnostima agencija lokalne demokratije za 2019. godinu, gde sada 15 LDA i 3 operativna partnera prikazuju geografsku i kulturnu širinu svog klјučnog doprinosa.

Po rečima generalne sekretarke ALDA Antonele Valmorbide: „izazovna vremena u kojima živimo zahtevaju da naš rad bude efikasniji nego ikada ranije […] To je vizija koju želimo za svaku od ALDA lokalnih zajednica: vizija lokalne demokratije“.

Kliknite ovde da biste konsultovali i preuzeli ALDA izveštaj o aktivnostima za 2019. godinu; i ovde kako biste preuzeli LDA izveštaj o aktivnostima za 2019. godinu.  

العربية

ألداوتقاريرأنشطةألدالسنة 2019 نحوألدا !2020 

بالرغممنالصعوباتالواضحةوالجليةالتيخلفتهاجائحةكوفيد-19, أناأشعربفخرواعتزازكبيرفيتقديمتقريرحولأنشطةألدالسنة 2019, وربمابأكثررضىمنذيقبل

فيوقتتقتربالجمعيةالأوروبيةللديمقراطيةالمحليةفيهمنإحياءمرور 20 سنةعلىانبعاثها, نحننشعربالسعادةوالإثارةلهذاالحدثالكبيرالقادمالذيسيمكنمنتعزيزأهيمةالجمعيةوالتأكيدعلىالتأثيرالذيستخلفهفيكافةأنحاءأوروباالموسعة, هي اللائحة التي احتوت على كلمات الترحيب الأولى والقليلة التي جاءت على لسان رئيس المنظمة أوريانو أتوشان  فيالمقدمةالتيوردتفيالتقريرحولأنشطةألدالسنة 2019.

شهدت 12 شهرالأخيرةسلسلةمنالأنشطةوالمبادراتالملموسةالتينظمتهاألداوذهبت, بكلبساطةإلىأبعدالحدود, فيدعممنظومةالمواطنةالنشطةوالديمقراطيةالتشاركية: إلىأبعدمنكافةالجغرافيةالمحددةوإلىأبعدمنالانتظاراتوإلىأبعدمنكلالآفاقالمعتادة.

في الحقيقة, رغبتنا الصادقة ودعوتنا الصريحة نوجهها لكافة أعضاء وشبكات وشركاء وأصدقاء ألدا, في هذه المرحلة الفريدة والخاصة, للالتحاقبنافيرحلتناالتيتواصلتطوالالسنةالماضية, والتي سعينا إلى تجميعها في أكثر من 80 صفحة خصصت لكافة الأنشطة التي قمنا بتنظيمها.

 ,5Ps من صيف 2019 موثق بالصور إلى نبذة تجسد حضور ألدا على الساحة العالمية; ومن حضور بارز لأعمال الجمعية في المجال, وصولاإلىكافةالأنشطةالتيأنجزناهاحول

إضافة إلى الأنشطة التي تمت في الكواليس ومختلف المنهجيات التي اعتمدناها للمساهمة في مختلف هذه الأنشطة, يمكناستغلالالتقريرالصادرحولأنشطةألداكمرجعيذكر, فينفسالوقت, بالنتائجوالنجاحاتوالانجازاتالرائعة, وكذلك ما تبقى من عمل يتعين التركيز علية بشكل أوضح – أي ما هي الأهداف التي ننشدها في الحاضر وفي المستقبل.

لم يكن هذا العمل أن يكتمل بطريقة أفضل من تلك التي وفرها تقرير الأنشطة لسنة 2019 والصادر عن وكالات الديمقراطية المحلية, حيث تم توظيفه من قبل 15وكالةديمقراطيةمحليةو3 شركاءنشيطين لعرض البعد الجغرافي والثقافي الذي يعكس جهودهم الأساسية والمتواصلة في خدمة القضية.

كما جاء على لسان أنتونلا فالموبيدا, الأمينة العامة لألدا: إنالأوقاتالصعبةالتينمربهاحالياتفرضعليناالعملبلاهوادةلكينكونأكثرجدوىوفاعليةمنذيقبل […]. (غايةمافيالأمر) أنناترغبفيتحقيقرؤيةتخدممصلحةمجتمعمنالمجتمعاتالمحليةالتيتضمهاألدا: رؤيةتعكسالديمقراطيةالمحلية.

انقرهنالاستشارةوتنزيلتقريرألداالخاصبأنشطة 2019 وانقرهنالاستشارةتنزيلتقريرأشطةوكالاتالديمقراطيةالمحليةلسنة 2019.

On July 6th-7th, 2020, the EPIC project convened its second Steering Committee meeting, led by EPIC project coordinator Dolinda Cavallo with the participation of representatives from the whole consortium.

The 2-day online exchange aimed to analyze and evaluate the work achieved during the first six months of project implementation, and to define the upcoming steps of the project.

The first day was launched with a short introduction from the project coordinator, as representative of ALDA as lead partner of the project, regarding EPIC’s latest accomplishments and updates; followed by a presentation by Dr. Giovanna Astolfo, of the Bartlett DPU, about the ongoing surveys and research.

The meeting also served as a round table to discuss the next steps for the project: EPIC partners will next meet in Madrid in October 2020 for an in-depth collective brainstorming on what integration services particularly need improving through the job-shadowing activity. In connection to this, ADL-Z presented how this phase of matchmaking will be structured; and, finally, AEIDL – the partner in charge of the communication activities – explained the latest updates concerning the project website, which will be ready soon! During the second day, and following another quick overview of project updates by the project coordinator, the meeting then focused on financial questions and on communication and monitoring issues.

All EPIC partners were actively engaged in the meeting, noted the significant achievements of the project in its first semester and came to a unanimous agreement on how to proceed in the next few months. As lead partners of the project, we are grateful and honoured for their important contributions as part of the consortium, and very much looking forward to keeping the good work up! In the meantime, the EPIC newsletter is online: subscribe here to receive it!

Funded by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) programme and coordinated by ALDA, the European Platform of Integrating Cities (EPIC) project aims to create a network of Local Authorities and NGOs to share knowledge and best practices for TCNs’ integration.

Launched in March 2020 in spite of the difficult situation, the Kyrgyzstan-based Media Dialogue project is relentlessly proceeding with its implementation; July 3rd 2020 marked another crucial step towards the project goals, as an online event was organized to officially sign grant agreements with the four pre-selected grant winners, i.e.

1. The www.24.kg news agency
2. Radio Salam Kyrgyzstan (Daanazat)
3. Promedia Plus
4. The TV1KG TV channel.

Beating 23 other applications that ALDA had received as part of the call for proposals it launched in April, in fact, each of these four finalist organizations will now receive up to 30,000 euro, as stipulated with this official signing of the grant agreements.

“We are glad that we started to explore the region with Kyrgyzstan because, despite all the recent challenges, it remains one of the most democratic country in this part of the world”, stated ALDA Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida referring to the project being the first for ALDA in Central Asia. Indeed, in the past few years Kyrgyzstan experienced a good amount of political turmoil, going through revolutions in 2005 and 2010 that led to changes in the country’s leadership and to ethnic violence in the south, eventually culminating in a constitutional referendum in 2010 that reduced presidential powers and established a parliamentary system.

As expressed by Eastern Partnership & Central Asia Coordinator Alexandru Coica, « It is truly inspiring for us to see such interest [the 27 applications for the grants] because we know how challenging the current situation is for media institutions. Apart from the global pandemic situation, the local media are also affected by recent legislative initiatives that tend to negatively affect freedom of expression, access to information and media independence« .

Indeed, Media Dialogue effectively wants to provide conflict prevention and mitigation tools ahead of the 2020 elections to avoid the repetition of past crises, and aims to do so by strengthening the capacity and responsibility of media actors to operate as drivers of democracy. To reach this goal, on the one hand the project wants to improve the legal environment affecting the media sector in Kyrgyzstan, so that the environment abides by international freedom of expression standards; on the other hand, it will help media actors play a stabilisation role as reliable relays of information and democratic watchdogs during the 2020 electoral cycle.

Hopefully, Dr. Valmorbida added, this will be just the beginning of a fruitful cooperation with an increasing number of local partners: “ALDA is interested not only in establishing working relationships with its grantees, but also a truly constructive and long-term partnership”. Best of luck, Media Dialogue!

In the framework of our ALDA 20th anniversary webinar series on the 4 main geographic areas of ALDA operation, on Thursday, July 9th at 2 pm CEST we will convene online with a focus on the European context.

In consideration of the impact that the Covid-19 state of emergency had and is still having on the rule of law and EU fundamental rights, the webinar will conduct a reflection on the current situation in Europe and for European democracy.

Alongside the introductory and conclusive speeches of ALDA President Oriano Otočan and ALDA Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida, more specifically, Mattia de Grassi will describe the departing point of democracy in the post Covid-19 recovery-plan on behalf of EU Commission Vice-President Dubravka Suica.

The discussion will then be moderated by ALDA Head of Secretary General Office Francesco Pala and animated by a multi-stakeholder panel:

Gilles Pelayo (Head of Unit of the programme Europe for Citizens, Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency – EACEA) will discuss the Europe for Citizens programme and its future in the next programming period; Giovanni Allegretti (planner and senior researcher at the Centre for Social Studies of the Coimbra University, Portugal) will bring his contribute on participatory budgeting and local democracy; and Assya Kavrakova (Executive Director – European Citizen Action Service – ECAS) will present the crucial role of digitalization in democracy.

Questions will be encouraged; registration is required, but free and open to everybody. The event will take place in English, with interpretation in Italian and French.

And register here: https://bit.ly/EU_ALDA20years

Looking forward to seeing you there and discussing together what’s next for ALDA in Europe!

As part of ALDA’s 20th anniversary webinar series, on Wednesday July 8th, 2020 at 10:30 am CEST we will be focusing on the Eastern Partnership as one of the four main areas of ALDA activity.

While there was some scepticism when the programme was launched a decade ago, the Eastern Partnership has effectively filled a vacuum in terms of dialogue and of providing the eastern neighbours with a prospect of closer integration with the EU, and there is relative optimism from the EU’s side that the EaP is there to stay in one form or another.

Together with our high-level panelists, we will aim to explore what major changes shall be expected in the EU – EaP relations in the next decade; how EaP member countries should act to get most out of this Partnership; in what way ordinary citizens benefited of EaP framework in the past 10 years and how/if they will benefit in the future; and what local authorities shall do to be more involved in the implementation of the EaP agenda.

Alongside the introductory and conclusive speeches of ALDA President Oriano Otočan and ALDA Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida, the webinar will be moderated by ALDA EaP & Central Asia coordinator Alexandru Coica and animated by the keynote speeches of

Vassilis Maragos, Head of Unit in DG NEAR (Armenia, Belarus, Azerbaijan & EaP) of the EC
;
Natalya Yerashevich, Director of Secretariat of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum
;
and Boris Navasardian, President of the Yerevan Press Club.

Questions will be encouraged; registration is required, but free and open to everybody. The event will take place in English, with interpretation in Russian.

Please find the complete agenda of the event HERE.
And register here: https://bit.ly/EaP_ALDA20years

Looking forward to seeing you there and discussing together the future of the EaP!

ALDA is turning 20! In order to celebrate the Association’s 20th anniversary despite the pandemic, four open webinars will take place in the month of July to celebrate itsimportant activity in its different regions of operation, i.e. Europe, the Balkans, the Eastern Partnership and the Mediterranean.

All four digital occasions will be held in English with the possibility to access interpretation in one or more other languages. They will include welcoming words from ALDA President Oriano Otočan and Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida, an overview of ALDA’s multi-decennial work in the respective area of interest, a number of keynote speeches, and conclusions on ALDA and its action plan for the upcoming future.

 View the four webinars’ complete agendas HERE.

Everybody is welcome to register and join: being active in the fields of citizen participation, good local governance and sustainable communities for the past two decades is a veritable source of pride for everyone at ALDA, and the difficult situation the whole world is currently facing is one more reason to intensify the network’s efforts in support of all its members, partners, friends and of the wider community in the enlarged European neighbourhood!

This special webinar series will, besides, pave the way for the Annual ALDA General Assembly, which in this year’s unordinary circumstances will finally take place in Brussels in October 2020 in occasion of the EU Week of Regions and Cities.

More information on each webinar and its specific context at the links below:

• Wednesday, July 8th 2020, at 10:30am CEST – The future of the Eastern Partnership after the Covid-19 outbreak, in English and Russian
• Thursday, July 9th 2020, at 2pm CEST – 20 years of support to democracy at the local level in Europe, in English, French and Italian
• Friday, July 10th 2020, at 2pm CEST – The Berlin process and the future of the Balkans, in English, Albanian and BHS
• Wednesday, July 15th 2020, at 2pm CEST – The Mediterranean and sustainable cities: the way forward, in English, French and Arabic.

Join us to celebrate the results achieved together in the past 20 years and reflect on future challenges and solutions! For more information, please contact alda@aldaintranet.org.

*Click on the webinar(s) of your interest to and register!

The Balkan Network for Local Democracy is proud to present its new profile video animation! The video presents the BNLD values and engagement through the eyes of its members and those it works with in the Balkans, and gives a brief idea of what the Network does.

Cooperation, Solidarity, Innovative, Equality, Partnership, Multigenerational, Regional are among the core concepts mentioned in the video: it’s through these words that the BNLD showcases its contribution to the regional development and cooperation!

–> Have a look at the video on Youtube <–

The clip was filmed within the Regional Youth Compact for Europe project, implemented by ALDA together with the Center for Democracy Foundation, the Balkan Network for Local Democracy, CRTA, Youth Act and Sodem. The project is funded by the European Union and the Balkan Trust for Democracy, a project of the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

In May 2020, the Balkan Network for Local Democracy (BNLD) was proudly awarded a grant by the prestigious Western Balkan Fund (WBF) for the implementation of the CulTours: Western Balkan Cultural Tours project, starting from the month of June.

CulTours is a 12-month project that involves 5 countries from the Western Balkans (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia and North Macedonia) with the aim to promote regional cooperation in the field of culture and sustainable growth. It is a follow-up of the Monumental 9 project, currently implemented by the same project partners, and proposes touristic routes of 9 cultural heritage sites from World War 2 in the Western Balkans.

Its activities will include research and work with local stakeholders; the development of a tool for the promotion of cultural heritage; a series of webinars for the exchange of ideas on tourism and local economic development; and one of its planned outcomes is the creation of a phone app that showcases touristic routes linking 9 cultural heritage sites in the Western Balkans.

« The Western Balkan countries have common cultural heritage from World War 2 and the post-war period that is highly interesting from architectural, cultural and ideological points of view« , stated Ivana Petrovska, Director of the Balkan Network for Local Democracy. « Making a link between these sites and providing a shared touristic offer is going to be crucially beneficial for the local communities in all involved countries”.

The award of a grant by the WBF is of great encouragement to the CulTours project, as well as a great honour. The BNLD will work hard to achieve the maximum benefit for all its target communities!

The Balkan Network for Local Democracy is a network created by ALDA and the Local Democracy Agencies in the Western Balkans to support regional cooperation in the region.

français

Une subvention du Western Balkan Fund pour le projet CulTours du BNLD!

En mai 2020, le Balkan Network for Local Democracy (BNLD) a été fier d’obtenir une subvention du prestigieux Western Balkan Fund (WBF) pour la mise en place du projet CulTours: Western Balkan Cultural Tours, qui a débuté au mois de juin.

CulTours est un projet sur 12 mois qui implique 5 pays des Balkans occidentaux (Bosnie-Herzégovine, Kosovo, Monténégro, Serbie et Macédoine du Nord) avec l’objectif de promouvoir la coopération régionale dans le domaine de la culture et de la croissance durable. Il s’agit du prolongement du projet Monumental 9, qui est actuellement mis en œuvre par les mêmes partenaires du projet, qui propose des routes touristiques dans les Balkans occidentaux autour de 9 sites relevant du patrimoine culturel de la Seconde Guerre mondiale.

Ces activité comprendront des recherches et des actions avec les parties prenantes locales ; le développement d’un outil pour promouvoir le patrimoine culturel ; une série de webinaires pour le partage d’idées autour du tourisme et du développement de l’économie locale et l’un des objectifs attendus est la création d’une application pour smartphone qui met en valeur les routes touristiques qui relient ces 9 sites liés au patrimoine culturel des Balkans occidentaux.

« Les pays des Balkans occidentaux partagent un patrimoine culturel commun provenant de la Seconde Guerre mondiale et de la période d’après-guerre qui est particulièrement intéressant d’un point de vue architectural, culturel et idéologique » a déclaré Ivana Petrovska, Directrice du Balkan Network for Local Democracy. « Créer un lien entre ces sites et fournir une proposition touristique commune sera absolument bénéfique pour les communautés locales de tous les pays concernés ».

L’octroi de la subvention du WBF est un formidable signe d’encouragement pour le projet CulTours ainsi qu’un grand honneur. Le BNLD travaillera d’arrache-pied pour permettre à toutes les communautés en question d’en dégager un maximum de bénéfices!

Le Balkan Network for Local Democracy est un réseau créé par l’ALDA et par les Agences de Démocratie Locale des Balkans occidentaux pour soutenir la coopération régionale dans la région.

italiano

Una sovvenzione dal Fondo per i Balcani occidentali per il progetto CulTours del BNLD!

Nel maggio 2020 la Rete dei Balcani per la Democrazia Locale (BNLD) ha orgogliosamente ricevuto una sovvenzione dal prestigioso Fondo per i Balcani Occidentali (WBF) per l’attuazione del progetto CulTours: Western Balkan Cultural Tours, che comincerà a breve.

CulTours è un progetto della durata di 12 mesi che coinvolge 5 paesi dei Balcani Occidentali (Bosnia ed Erzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia e Macedonia del Nord) e ha l’obiettivo di promuovere la cooperazione regionale nel campo della cultura e della crescita sostenibile. È un seguito del progetto Monumental 9, attualmente implementato dagli stessi partner del progetto, e propone percorsi turistici di 9 siti del patrimonio culturale della Seconda Guerra Mondiale nei Balcani Occidentali.

Le attività includeranno la ricerca e il lavoro con le parti interessate locali; lo sviluppo di uno strumento per la promozione del patrimonio culturale; una serie di webinar per lo scambio di idee sul turismo e lo sviluppo economico locale; e uno dei risultati previsti è la creazione di un’app che mostra i percorsi turistici che collegano i 9 siti del patrimonio culturale nei Balcani Occidentali.

« I paesi dei Balcani Occidentali hanno un patrimonio culturale riguardanti laSeconda Guerra Mondiale e il dopoguerra in comune, il quale è molto interessante dal punto di vista architettonico, culturale e ideologico« , ha dichiarato Ivana Petrovska, direttrice della Rete Balcanica per la Democrazia Locale. « Creare un collegamento tra questi siti e fornire un’offerta turistica condivisa sarà di fondamentale utilità per le comunità locali in tutti i paesi coinvolti« .

L’assegnazione di una sovvenzione da parte del WBF è un grande incoraggiamento per il progetto CulTours, nonché un grande onore. Il BNLD lavorerà sodo per ottenere il massimo beneficio per tutte le comunità di interesse!

La Rete dei Balcani per la Democrazia Locale è una rete creata da ALDA e dalle Agenzie per la Democrazia Locale nei Balcani Occidentali per sostenere la cooperazione regionale in quest’area.

русский

Грант Фонда Западных Балкан для БСМД CulTours!

В мае 2020 года Балканская сеть местной демократии (БСМД) была награждена грантом престижного Западно-Балканского фонда ЗБФ на реализацию проекта CulTours: Western Balkan Cultural Tours, начиная с июня месяца.

CulTours – это 12-месячный проект, в котором участвуют 5 стран Западных Балкан (Босния и Герцеговина, Косово, Черногория, Сербия и Северная Македония) с целью содействия региональному сотрудничеству в области культуры и устойчивого роста. Он является продолжением проекта Monumental 9, который в настоящее время осуществляется теми же партнерами по проекту, и предлагает туристические маршруты из 9 объектов культурного наследия времен Второй мировой войны на Западных Балканах.

Его деятельность будет включать исследования и работу с местными заинтересованными сторонами; разработка инструмента для пропаганды культурного наследия; серия вебинаров для обмена идеями о туризме и местном экономическом развитии; и одним из запланированных результатов является создание приложения для телефона, которое демонстрирует туристические маршруты, связывающие 9 объектов культурного наследия на Западных Балканах.

“Страны Западных Балкан имеют общее культурное наследие Второй мировой войны и послевоенного периода, что очень интересно с архитектурной, культурной и идеологической точек зрения”, – заявила Ивана Петровская, директор Балканской сети местной демократии. ”Создание связи между этими сайтами и предоставление общего туристического предложения будет чрезвычайно полезным для местных сообществ во всех вовлеченных странах”.

Присуждение гранта WBF является большой поддержкой для проекта CulTours, а также большой честью. BNLD будет усердно работать, чтобы добиться максимальной выгоды для всех своих целевых сообществ!

Балканская Сеть Местной Демократии – это сеть, созданная ALDA и Агентствами местной демократии на Западных Балканах для поддержки регионального сотрудничества в регионе.

srpski

Grant Fonda za Zapadni Balkan za BNLD projekat “CulTours”!

U maju 2020. Balkanska mreža za lokalnu demokratiju (BNLD) dobila je grant Fonda za Zapadni Balkanestern Balkan (Western Balkans Fund – WBF) za realizaciju projekta “CulTours”: Western Balkan Cultural Tours”, sa početkom u junu mesecu.

“CulTours” je 12-mesečni projekat koji uklјučuje 5 zemalјa sa Zapadnog Balkana (Bosna i Hercegovina, Kosovo*, Crna Gora, Srbija i Severna Makedonija) sa cilјem da promoviše regionalnu saradnju u oblasti kulture i održivog razvoja. Ovaj projekat predstavljaće u izvesnom smislu nastavak projekta Monumental 9, koji trenutno sprovode isti partneri, i predlaže turističke rute koje prate 9 značajnih mesta kulturne baštine iz Drugog svetskog rata na Zapadnom Balkanu.

Aktivnosti projekta će uklјučivati istraživanje i rad sa lokalnim akterima; razvoj alata za promociju kulturne baštine; niz vebinara za razmenu ideja o turizmu i lokalnom ekonomskom razvoju; a jedan od njegovih planiranih rezultata je stvaranje mobilne aplikacije koja prikazuje turističke rute koje povezuju 9 lokacija kulturne baštine na Zapadnom Balkanu.

« Zemlјe Zapadnog Balkana imaju zajedničko kulturno nasleđe iz Drugog svetskog rata i posleratnog perioda, što je veoma interesantno sa arhitektonskog, kulturnog i ideološkog stanovišta », izjavila je Ivana Petrovska, direktorka Balkanske mreže za lokalnu demokratiju. „Uspostavlјanje veze između ovih lokacija i pružanje zajedničke turističke ponude biće od presudne koristi za lokalne zajednice u svim uklјučenim zemlјama “.

Dodela grantova od strane WBF-a predstavlja veliko ohrabrenje za projekat “CulTours”, kao i veliku čast. BNLD će naporno raditi na postizanju maksimalne koristi za sve svoje cilјne zajednice!

Balkanska mreža za lokalnu demokratiju je mreža stvorena od strane ALDA-e i agencija lokalne demokratije iz zemalja Zapadnog Balkana za podršku regionalnoj saradnji u regionu.

العربية

(BNLD CulTours)  منحةمقدمةمنقبلصندوقغربالبلقانلفائدةمشروعالجولاتالثقافيةلشبكةالبلقانللديمقراطيةالمحلية

في شهر مايو (آيار) من سنة 2020, عبرت شبكة البلقان للديمقراطية المحلية عن فخرها واعتزازها بالحصول على منحة من قبل صندوق غرب البلقان الشهير لتنفيذ مشروع جولاتثقافيةلغربالبلقان, انطلاقا من شهر جوان (حزيران).

يضم مشروع جولات ثقافية لغرب البلقان, الذي يمتد على مدى 12 شهر, عدد 5 بلدان من منطقة غرب البلقان (البوسنة والهرسك, كوسوفو, الجبل الأسود, صربيا وشمال مقدونيا), يهدف هذا المشروع إلىتعزيزالتعاونالإقليميفيمجالالثقافةوالتنميةالمستدامة. كمايمثلهذاالمشروعمتابعةلمشروعآخريعرفباسممشروع 9 الضخم (Monumental 9 projet ), الذي يتم تنفيذه حاليا من قبل نفس الشركاء في المشروع, ويقترحعدد 9 مسالكثقافيةسياحيةتركزعلىمواقعالتراثالتييعود تاريخها إلى الحرب العالمية الثانية وتتواجد بمنطقة غرب البلقان.

تشمل أنشطة هذا المشروع عددا من البحوث والأشغال تنجز بالتعاون مع أصحاب المصلحة المحليين, إضافة إلى امكانية تنمية أداة للنهوض بالتراث الثقافي وسلسلة من حلقات الوابنار يتسم استغلالها للتفاعلوتبادلالأفكارحولالقطاعالسياحيومجالالتنميةالاقتصاديةالمحلية, مع الإشارة إلى إحدى المخرجات الهامة في إطار هذا المشروع والتي تتمثل فيبعثتطبيقةهاتفيةتوضح المسالك السياحية التي تربط مواقع التراث الثقافي في منطقة غرب البلقان.

« بلدانمنطقةغربالبلقانلهاقاسممشتركيتمثلفيتراثثقافيمشتركيعودتاريخهإلىحقبةالحربالعالميةالثانيةوإلىفترةمابعدالحرب, حيثيكتسيهذاالتراثأهميةبالغةمنالناحيةالهندسيةوالثقافيةوالإيديولوجية. الربطبينمختلفهذهالمواقعوتوفيرعروضسياحيةمشتركةيمثلفرصةسانحةويخدممصلحةكافةالمجتمعاتالمحليةفيكلالبلدانالمساهمةفيهذاالمشروع« , كماجاءعلىلسانإيفانابيتروفسكا, مديرةشبكةالبلقانللديمقراطيةالمحلية.

المنحة التي قدمها صندوق غرب البلقان تمثل بادرة طيبة ومشجعة لمشروع جولات ثقافية (CulTours), إضافة إلى انها تعتبر مصدر شرف كبير. ستبذل شبكة البلقان للديمقراطية المحلية قصارى جهدها لتمكين كافة مجتمعاتها المحلية منالاستفادةالقصوىمنهذاالمشروع!

شبكة البلقان للديمقراطية المحلية هي شبكة تم بعثها من قبل ألدا ووكالات الديمقراطية المحلية في منطقة غرب البلقان لدعم التعاون الاقليمي في المنطقة

Big news from the Eastern Partnership area, as both the AGREED and Media Dialogue projects are deep in the works with very exciting initiatives!

Under ALDA management and thanks to the co-financing of the European Union, the sub-grants scheme of the “Activating Governance Reform for Enhancing Development” (AGREED) project was launched on April 12th this year with the deadline for proposal submissions of May 15th.

ALDA received 123 project proposals from all districts of Moldova, a number the ALDA team was extremely positively surprised by, especially considering the high quality of the applications. This month, the Evaluation Committee completed its selection according to the criteria that were published together with the call for proposals and, consequently, the projects proposed by the following 17 organisations were approved for up to 6000 euros each in funding:

1. Public Association « Regional Centre for Sustainable Development », Ungheni
2. Public Association « Destin », Schineni, Soroca 
3. Public Association « Development and Involvement », Cimislia
4. Public Association « Ilenuța », Cotova, Drochia
5. Public Association « Floresti District Coulcil of Youth », Floresti
6. Public Association « DOR DE CASA », Criva, Briceni
7. Public Association « Mugurasii de la Bic », Gura Bacului, Anenii Noi
8. Public Association « Ecological Movememt Stefan Voda », Stefan Voda
9. Public Association « PRO  Community Assistance and Develpment », Ciolacu Nou, Falesti
10. Public Association « Pro-Europa », Comrat
11. Public Association « PROSPECT », Cimislia
12. Public Association « Silent Generation », Balti
13. Public Association « For SURUCENENI », Suruceni, Ialoveni
14. Public Association « We – The bright future », Falesti
15. Public Association « MALURILE NISTRULUI », Cosnita, Dubasari
16. The Association of Natives of Telenesti « Brotherhood of Telenesti Everywhere », Telenesti
17. The Association of Natives « CIUCIULEA-VATRA DE DOR », Ciuciulea, Glodeni.

Project implementation is now scheduled to start on June 25th and last for a maximum of 6 months. ALDA and the AGREED consortium are highly pleased with the enthusiasm shown by Moldovan civil society; and a similarly successful grant competition is in progress in Kyrgyzstan, too, in the framework the Media Dialogue project!

As of December 2019, in fact, ALDA and 4 other partners kicked off the Media Dialogue project in Kyrgyzstan and, after a series of preparatory activities, officially launched it in March 2020 in Bishkek with a large presence of stakeholders. Project activities aim to improve the policy and legal environment affecting the media sector and to assist media houses, journalists and editors in upholding professional journalistic standards and acting as democratic watchdogs during the 2020 electoral cycle.

With this in mind, back in April a grant competition was launched to (1) strengthen the media environment in Kyrgyzstan, (2) support the provision of public high-quality journalism and (3) promote media policy reform. More specifically, the call for proposals looked for ways to support media institutions in delivering advocacy campaigns to raise public awareness of the need to maintain and promote freedom of expression, high-quality journalism, contents of public service, access to information and other constituents of a free and democratic media environment.

By the given deadline of May 10th, the Media Dialogue team had received 27 applications from Kyrgyz media outlets and media organisations, out of which 4 proposals were pre-selected for support by the selection committee and are currently in the negotiation and preparation phase for grants agreements. Each organisation will receive up to 30,000 euro, thus meaning that, as of July 2020, ALDA will be supporting 4 media organisations from Kyrgyzstan to increase public access to information, transparency of state institutions and better access to diversified information for vulnerable groups.

We are extremely proud of how far both projects have already come and are looking forward to seeing what’s next!

AGREED is a 2-year project which aims at strengthening the capacity of Moldovan local authorities to perform a transparent and participatory governance in their communities, with a specific reference to the policy-making process related to the local decentralisation reform.

Media Dialogue is an 18-month EU-funded project based in Kyrgyzstan which wishes to strengthen the capacity and responsibility of media actors to operate as drivers of democracy and to prevent potential conflicts during the October 2020 parliamentary elections.