“EU Regions Week”: join the debate and save the date for the online workshop “Boosting territorial recovery through innovative citizens’ participation” taking place on the 12th of October from 14:30 to 16:00. 

Registrations open on the 30th of August 2021!

The 19th edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities (#EURegionsWeek) – the biggest annual Brussels-based event dedicated to cohesion policy – will take place from the 11th to the 14th of October under the slogan “Together for recovery”. The event, organized by the European Commission’s  Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) and the European Committee of the  Regions (CoR), will bring together politicians, decision-makers, experts and practitioners of cohesion policy,  as well as stakeholders from business, banking, civil society organisations, academia, the EU institutions and the media to discuss common challenges for Europe’s regions and cities and examine possible solutions. 

As same as last year, we are thrilled to announce that the ALDA will have an active role in this unique communication and networking platform, joining as an official partner together with the European Partnership for Democracy with the workshop “Boosting territorial recovery through innovative citizens’ participation” which will take place on the 12th of October 2021 from 14:30 to 16:00.

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Building on virtuous good practices the workshop will provide concrete examples of participatory processes

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Citizens’ engagement in local governance has been proved to be crucial to pursue multidimensional goals, thus achieving sustainable and long-term results within a recovery process. The workshop will be a space of dialogue about the key role played by participatory processes in addressing people’s needs, boosting sustainable development processes at the territorial level. 

Involving citizens, local and regional authorities, civil society organizations and international networks, the session will address the most urgent challenges related to:

• Environment;
• Digitalisation;
• Social inclusion and economy;

reflecting on how participatory approaches can boost the post pandemic relaunch of EU cities. 

Building on the rich experience of ALDA and European Partnership for Democracy, the workshop will stimulate an inspiring multi-stakeholder debate to commonly identify the societal needs that represent the main starting point to boost an effective and sustainable recovery-plan. Building on virtuous good practices in the fields of environment, digitalisation, social inclusion and economy, the workshop will provide concrete examples of participatory processes that – through the active involvement of local communities – have contributed to improve local governance.

In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and taking into account the restrictions related to health and security (social social security) the #EURegionsWeek 2021 will take place in a digital format. 

We invite you to give a look to the EU Regions Week Programme and to register to this and many other events!! The registration process will open on August 30th, 2021 and is completely free of charge, available exclusively through the event website!

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To know more about DG REGIO please visit the website

Read more about  European Committee of the  Regions here 

More information on EPD at this link

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On August 3rd, the President of ALDA Oriano Otočan and Vice President Alessandro Perelli visited the Municipality of Brtonigla-Verteneglio, in Croatia.

There, they met with the delegate of the Local Democracy Agency based in the city, Umberto Ademollo and had a reception with the Mayor of Brtonigla-Verteneglio, Neš Sinožić.

Established in 1996, the LDA Brtonigla-Verteneglio is one among the very first LDA, which has always distinguished itself for being very active in the field of youth volunteering, among others.

Moreover, this visit also represented the occasion to further consolidate the already strong and long-lasting cooperation with the Municipality of Brtonigla-Verteneglio, whose Mayor expressed the wish to get more and more involved in ALDA projects that promote local development. Indeed, specifies Sinožić, the administration is deeply committed to strengthen the quality of services linked to local tourism and thus participating in projects and actions favouring the internationalisation and the promotion of the Municipality and stimulating the creation of partnerships and the exchange of best practices with municipalities having similar characteristics and goals.

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On July 27 2021, the final conference of the AGREED project – Activating Governance Reform for Enhancing Development, was organised.

The event was attended by Tsvetomir SVILENOV, Project Manager from the European Union Delegation, Larisa VOLOH Deputy, Mayor of Palanca village, Alexandru COICA, Coordinator of Eastern Partnership and Central Asia Countries (ALDA), Victor COTRUȚĂ, Coordinator of Eastern Partnership Countries (ALDA), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) representatives beneficiaries of grant projects, mayors, district councillors, secretaries.

The conference agenda focused not only on the results achieved by the AGREED project, but also on addressing the issues of improving local governance, sustainable development of localities, involvement of citizens at local level. Besides, during the three discussion panel, speakers focused on:

• Issues of territorial administrative reform and decentralisation;
• Models of training of natives in local development;
• Current challenges of sustainable development at the local level and
• Cooperation between civil society and Local Public Administration (LPA).

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  This initiative succeeded in increasing the capacity of local LPAs and CSOs to consistently participate in the processes of ensuring good local governance and local development through joint actions

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Mayors, local councillors but also by a deputy elected to the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, experts in the field and representatives of CSOs joined the event as well.

More into depth, participants mentioned that the project has achieved its planned results and most of its objectives with a few slight exceptions. Hence, this initiative succeeded in increasing the capacity of local LPAs and CSOs to consistently participate in the processes of ensuring good local governance and local development through joint actions, while involving citizens in local decision-making process, and mobilising communities and to implement projects.

The main activities and results of the project included:

• Capacity building workshops for public authorities and representatives of the local associative sector. As a result, 1091 trained people, of which 742 participated in physical format and 349 online;
• Supporting local development initiatives through the implementation of the LPA-CSO-citizens-business environment partnership. As a result, 19 local projects were supported, with a total budget of over 150 thousand Euros, which ensured the implementation of 26 community initiatives, including Transnistrian region and ATU Gagauzia;
• Elaboration of the voluntary amalgamation methodology;
• Development, publication and distribution of the brochures “Participatory Democracy” and “Community Development: Cooperation between Local Authorities and Civil Society”;
• Creation of a training platform for capacity building of public authorities with interactive modules (E-Learning platform) and
• Elaboration and dissemination of a video / audio spot, audio version – over 3000 broadcasts, video version – over 300 broadcasts.

Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions, the event was organised in hybrid format, about 75 participants attended the event. Yet, the event was a great succeeded, enjoying both the online and presence of the participants. As also said by participants: “We thank all those involved in this event and hope that the governance reform will come as soon as possible to improve the local development and strengthen the potential of LPA in the Republic of Moldova”.

ALDA is very much glad to the great achievements of this project, and the positive outcomes it has reached.

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The project is implemented by the European Association for Local Democracy – ALDA, LDA Moldova, the University Legal Clinic and funded by the European Union

For more information, please visit www.agreed.md

The event registration can be found on the project’s Facebook page

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From 21 to 23 July the 1st “STAR Project” international meeting took place – in an hybrid form – in Arcugnano, having the onsite participation of 8 European delegations partner of the project coming from Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, The Netherlands. The remaining 6 European delegations from Albania, Germany, Serbia, Czech Republic, Kosovo and Poland attended the international event online.

On the first day, project’s parties and local authorities met to present both STAR initiative, and the consortium to Arcugnano citizens. The latter, which joined the presentation in a great number, were interested about the work carried out by the Municipality and welcomed the European delegations with enthusiasm.

More into details, the event took place in the main council hall, where the city Mayor Paolo Pellizzari welcomed the participants with an opening speech. Afterwards, Nadia Di Iulio, Project Manager of ALDA, presented the project to the public. Then, each STAR partner briefly presented its association as well as street art initiatives implemented at local level, aimed at the regeneration of a territory; while stimulating civic engagement. In addition, partners took this chance as a fruitful moment of sharing experiences, and getting to know each other better.

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 Partners took this chance as a fruitful moment of sharing experiences, and getting to know each other better

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During the second day, a technical meeting was held, where the parties discussed the participatory process carried out at the local level within the STAR project, the objectives achieved and the next future steps. 

After the meeting, a public press conference took place in the Council hall of the Municipality, on the importance and impact of street art in regenerating depressed areas and promoting social inclusion and targeted artistic and cultural associations. Based on the day 1 format, Mr Paolo Pellizzari opened the meeting; followed by Project Manager Nadia Di Iulio.

Among keynote speakers, who joined this second day of events:

• Mr Antonio Ceccagno from Jeos Association talked about how street art contributes to urban regeneration of a territory, while involving different stakeholders;
• Luis Gomez de Teran – artist – discussed the challenges of street art as an instrument of social cohesion. 

Finally, guided by the Mayor, together with Antonio Ceccagno and Nadia Di Iulio participants joined a guided tour of the murals. The tour of the artworks and the explanation was useful to understand the concrete importance of the project for the Municipality and its engagement.  Then, the STARproject partners moved to Città di Vicenza, where they were warmly welcomed by Caterina Soprana, Vicenza Municipality Councillor of civil and human rights and peace culture. Mrs Soprana congratulated the STAR partnership on this initiative and wished for future collaborations with the city of Vicenza.

On the third and last day of the meeting the associations and parties involved met to discuss the administrative aspects and last greetings. 

Despite the difficulties and although some partners had to participate online, due to covid-19 safety measures, the meeting was a positive experience for all parties involved and they worked together discussing various important for good practices and active citizenship  to build more inclusive and creative European communities

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Useful information on: Municipality of Arcugnano

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To inaugurate this new series of in-presence events, we are glad to announce that this year ALDA is taking part into the General Assembly of the “International Association of French-speaking Mayors – AIMF”.

The Assembly takes place in Kigali, Rwanda, from July 18th to 22nd and follows an intense and stimulating agenda, animated by special guests and experts from all over the World.
While the Assembly itself is foreseen on Wednesday, the first day of conference is dedicated to the issue of gender equality in relation to family management: a sensitive topic, also related to health care management for young people in the Country and in general to the services offered by the Municipalities.

On Tuesday July 20th, the focus is more linked to ALDA’s core action, with a series of panel discussions on the relation between mayors and citizens and how this dynamic reflects on the urban management of French-speaking cities. In this vein, ALDA Secretary General, Ms Antonella Valmorbida, is taking the floor during the first panel, titled “Local government policies in phase with civil society: models of partnership between the municipality and civil society“.

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A fruitful occasion of learning and sharing, for the advancement of good local governance all around the World

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After listening to the Rwandans experience through the voices of local experts, Ms Valmorbida is giving an overview of participatory democracy and the dynamics of citizens participation in Europe and its Neighborhood, drawing from the experience and the best practices of the myriad of projects ALDA has been leading on these topics for the past 20 years.

In light of the recent, yet extremely promising, collaboration with AIMF, it is important for ALDA and its network to be involved in such an event, and getting to know better the mechanisms that regulate the functioning of communities in different places
This is crucial for the advancement of the work of ALDA and the elaboration of even more complete models for the support of local democracy all around the World, according to changing contexts and needs.

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Starting in 2008, and based on a bottom-up approach, the idea behind the Covenant of Majors is to gather together thousands of local realities committed to turn European legislation on climate and energy into concrete actions, such as EU 40% greenhouse gas-reduction target by 2030

With more than 10.000 signatories, and spread among 53 countries, the “Covenant of Mayors” is the world’s largest initiatives focusing on climate and energy actions.

The call ‘City in the Spotlight Awards’ is a great opportunity to showcase the progress made and become a reference example for the whole Covenant Community and beyond!

More in depth, the call is open until August 16th 2021, allowing cities and majors to share their experiences, progress and strategies as far as climate and energy legislation concerns.

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Apply and let your city be a reference example for the whole Covenant Community

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Specifically, requirements – such as only signatories that have committed to the 2030 mitigation and adaptation targets are eligible – applied. Nonetheless, this is a great occasion to participate, or to join the initiative and get ready for the next call. Concerning the winners, here is the ratio behind:

• 1 small-sized signatory (<10,000 inhabitants)
• 1 medium-sized signatory (10,000- 250,000 inhabitants)
• 1 large-sized signatory (>250,000 inhabitants)

If you are interested in applying, please visit the website

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. 

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ALDA: working for the people and with the people

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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!

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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.

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

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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.

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To know more: EPD website

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