For the first time in recent history, something uncontrollable made us stop and think about the World in which we were living. During the long isolation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we all posed questions to ourselves on the reality in which we have been living, our lifestyle, and on the one we would like to live in, and build for our future. 

ALDA, as well, has been carrying on a deep and elaborated reflection aimed at ensuring the continuity of its activities and providing support to all its members and partners, even from a distance.

Thus, after a long break, on the 4th of July, ALDA Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida flew to Ukraine to deliver a series of trainings  within the programme “Platform for Good Governance and Environmental Protection”, financed by UNDP in Ukraine. 

ALDA: working for the people and with the people

More in details, Ms. Valmorbida is leading seven interactive and participative trainings, from July 5th until July 14th, on the following topics:

• Raising awareness of professional competencies of representatives of local authorities and public leaders of target communities;
• Creativity and innovation in local governance;
• Responsible local governance: publicity, transparency, innovation and partnership

These activities, carried out in presence, are essential aspects of the overall mission of ALDA: working for the people and with the people. If on the one hand the above-mentioned trainings mark a small, yet important step; on the other, this achievement would have not been possible without a constant commitment of ALDA throughout 2020. Thus, the association and its staff managed to re-designing its projects, not by changing its objectives; on the contrary by re-scheduling its activities, events and methods.

ALDA, guided by its experiences and vision, has been able to successfully overcome this intense year, turning challenges into opportunities, and opportunities in reality… and now is finally ready to meet again its partners and friends!

Stay tuned for further updates!

We are delighted to announce that on June 30th – at the General Assembly of the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) – Antonella Valmorbida has been reappointed as Chair of the organisation, for the upcoming 2 years. Together with Ms. Valmorbida, Anthony Smith, executive director Westminster Foundation of Democracy, has been appointed as treasurer; and Thijs Berman, Executive director of Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), as Vice- President.

Antonella Valmorbida has been reappointed as Chair of the organisation, for the upcoming 2 years

Besides elections, in lights of its role as a key player on EU democracy support, both vis-à-vis the EU Institutions and the member states, as well as the wider democracy support community, this year’s meeting had several key topics on the agenda, reflecting on the role of EPD in the near future.

With its seventeen civil and political society organisations as members from many states around the world, it comes with itself that the role of EPD is essential when stimulating citizens’ participation; social engagements and dialogue among different stakeholders.

ALDA staff is very much glad to hear this great news, and wish to all the Board of Directors, and colleagues at EPD the very best for its future.

***

To know more: EPD website

On June 15th at the General Assembly of the French Network of the Anna Lindh Foundation in Marseille, ALDA and Les Têtes de l’Art were confirmed as co-heads of the network, following the election that took place in the previous days.

For the next two years, our two organisations will animate a network of more than 150 French member associations working on intercultural dialogue and related topics. Bringing together our expertise, we will support the development of the members by organising training sessions and activities ranging from exchanges, workshops and advocacy campaigns. ALDA, based in Strasbourg, will contribute with its experience in EU project development and management, as well as coordinating activities aimed to enhance citizens participation, good governance and local democracy. Les Têtes de l’Art, based in Marseille, has developed a strong knowledge of participatory arts practices, informal education, social and solidarity-based economy as well as youth participation and the use of media. ALDA and Les Têtes de l’Art have been collaborating in the last 2 years in various activities promoted by the French Network, previously led by Forum Femmes Méditerranée.

ALDA and Les Têtes de l’Art were confirmed as co-heads of the network

With this mandate, ALDA and Les Têtes de l’Art will join the other 41 Heads of National Networks of the Anna Lindh foundation (list available here), favouring international exchange and reinforcing the dialogue both with Anna Lindh Foundation and the European Union as the main donor of the Foundation.

Reflecting fully the Euro-Mediterranean dimension and the great potential of the French Network, we are both extremely motivated to accept this mandate and the stimulating challenge of reinforcing intercultural dialogue at the local, national and international level.

ALDA looks for this great collaboration, and it is motivated to work closely together for the best of this initiatives.

VALID project is taking us to Larissa – Greece! Among the 11 participants that virtually gathered together on June 9, 2021, there were members of the Municipality of Larissa; various other cultural entities such as NGOs, museums and associations. As many already knows, the VALID project – Enacting Common Values of Solidarity and Intercultural Dialogue – is designed to reinforce the integration of intercultural and social perspectives into a wide range of public policies. Hence, within this context the above-mentioned meeting has to be understood

This meeting served as a good cultural exchange experience for those involved, while paving the way for future meetings and moments of share

This meeting was hosted in order for participants to present their organisations and activities, while showing them the  details and specifics of “VALID” project. More into depth, several presentations, various activities, and ideas-sharing were among the different tolls used in order to present the project. After that, attendees discussed the “Mill of Pappas” Culture Hub; and, at the same time, they also explored possible mutual collaborative activities and partnerships after September of 2021.

Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions, according to which no more than 7 people were allowed in the municipal hall, the meeting was held online in order to allow anyone to join the event. Despite that, this meeting served as a good cultural exchange experience for those involved, while paving the way for future meetings and moments of share.

***
The event was co-funded by the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union

The 15 members of ALDA Governing Board, including our President, Mr Oriano Otočan, gathered for their annual meeting on the eve of the ALDA General Assembly, in the afternoon of Thursday June 24^th.

As often, this period of the year is the occasion to make the point on ALDA’s activities and to disclose and discuss key documents for the democratic life of the Association, passing towards the review and approval of the Governing Board.

The members of the Governing Board had then the opportunity and duty to discuss about core documents such as ALDA and ALDA+ accounts for 2020 and budget and program for 2021, which have been approved unanimously by all participants. Indeed, despite the challenging year that we leave behind us, the Association’s balance sheet showed an overall positive and promising situation.

Following all the Governing Board members started planning the preparation of the ALDA General Assembly

Following all the Governing Board members started planning the preparation of the ALDA General Assembly with a series of crucial decisions for the smooth progress of the Assembly, being the core event of the whole week.

All of them, along with the ALDA secretariat went through the documents and decisions to be discussed with our members on the following day, assuring a clear and detailed presentation of ALDA’s activities, going also through the internal reports drafted by the President, the Treasurer, and the Auditor of ALDA. Thereafter, the Governing Board members had the chance to enjoy the preview of both ALDA’s and the LDA’s Activity Reports.

The third and last part of the meeting was more centred on strategical and political issues, with the approval of the revised strategies for ALDA Going Global, general updates on the Local Democracy Agencies, on the members and on the upcoming events involving the Association.

Key decisions and discussion which paved the way to the awaited ALDA Ordinary General Assembly!

Over the last few months, ALDA, along with 75 membership-based organisations working at the pan-European level, has been actively working towards developing a Civil Society Convention on the Future of Europe serving as a key interlocutor with the EU institutions conveying the voice of citizens and civil society within the Conference for the Future of Europe (CoFoE).

These efforts have finally been acknowledged by the CoFoE executive board. While within the Convention work is well underway and members are about to undertake an extensive consultation campaign across their constituencies – reaching out to millions of citizens in all areas of life: from education to culture, social inclusive, environment, governance and transparency – without clear sight on the follow-up and consideration these major takeaways would be given to the CoFoE, the latter has just been officially endorsed to seat in the Plenary.

Plenary chairs have offered 5 out of the 8 seats reserved for civil society representatives to the Convention members

Indeed, the Plenary chairs have offered 5 out of the 8 seats reserved for civil society representatives to the Convention members, especially those of the Steering Committee ALDA is part of, to contribute to the meetings & debates alongside citizens and representatives from the others bodies and institutions involved.

This initiative, in addition to granting recognition to the work carried out by the Convention, demonstrates genuine consideration of the role of civil society as a representative of the citizens’ voice.

We invite all European associations and organisations to keep up with the Convention’s work and agenda, which beyond this ongoing representation, will ensure to deliver strong inputs upon the CoFoE conclusion.

Last but not least, ALDA is very pleased to inform you that, whether you are a single citizen, a CSO or a Local Municipality you can join us and be an active player within the Conference on the Future of Europe.