Following the official launch of the BRIDGE to the CoE project earlier this year, ALDA – the European Association for Local Democracy – is now moving full speed ahead with the implementation of its core activities. Funded by the Council of Europe, BRIDGE (Building Resilience and Independence for Democratic Governance and Engagement with the Council of Europe) is designed to reinforce democratic governance and civil society participation across Southern and Eastern Europe.
The project addresses urgent democratic challenges such as civic disengagement, political polarisation, and restrictions on fundamental freedoms. Through a dynamic and participatory approach, BRIDGE transforms these challenges into opportunities by strengthening the role of civil society in shaping inclusive, accountable governance.
At the heart of BRIDGE is a set of concrete activities designed to empower local actors and foster democratic resilience:
- Workshop on Civil Society and the Council of Europe – Taking place in Vicenza, Italy, this one-day hybrid event will bring together civil society actors and experts to explore how organisations can engage with CoE institutions, drawing from the Reykjavik Principles and focusing on representation, participation, and deliberation.
- Conference in Chisinau – Scheduled for mid-2025, this event will convene 50 civil society representatives from Ukraine and Moldova to explore CoE legal standards and tools related to civil society participation. The dialogue will foster cross-border solidarity and offer practical insights into strengthening rights-based civic engagement.
- Final Online Event – As a capstone to the project, this event will create space for participants across Europe to reflect on achievements, share lessons learned, and explore future collaboration opportunities beyond the project lifecycle.
These actions are backed by a robust communication and dissemination strategy, which includes:
- An ALDA Talk to discuss the Reykjavik Principles and best practices in democratic governance.
- A dedicated podcast illustrating ALDA’s collaboration with the Council of Europe through real-world examples.
- An information campaign connecting Southern and Eastern Europe, raising awareness of the shared democratic challenges and opportunities.
- Wide outreach during ALDA’s General Assembly in Rome (July 2025), held in conjunction with the Ukraine Recovery Conference, to amplify visibility and stakeholder engagement.
As the project progresses, ALDA continues to build bridges between citizens, institutions, and European values—advancing a collective commitment to democracy, participation, and resilience. Through BRIDGE, civil society does not just adapt to change—it leads it.
