Greece welcomed the fifth and last Capacity Building Workshop (CBW) on the 7th and 8th of February.  During the two day online event, participants listened enthusiastically to the Greek approach to safeguard the rights of mobile women, illustrated by Vasiliki Tsekoura, on behalf of CYCLISIS. 

The CBW focused on the inclusion of women in decision-making processes and on the co-creation of services and empowerment. Starting from the good practises and actions implemented in Greece, the BRIGHT partners had the chance to discuss and compare ideas on:

• The project’s approach for the empowerment of female exploited in the agricultural sector and the formation of leadership, as ActionAid reminded us;
• The useful tool of the collaboration pacts, as explained by LABSUS.

---

Participants were thrilled to find out the results of the BRIGHT project in the target countries and listen to the approaches used in Greece

---

BRIGHT’s stakeholders explained how they managed to create, alongside with the municipality of Schiavonea, a public service to orient women through administrative and bureaucratic services, while CYCLISIS (partner from Greece) focused on the role of the NGOs and municipalities to help women victims of illegal trafficking. The event was a practical and handy way to share ideas and ways on how to tackle problems these women had, and still have, to face, such as the initial reluctance of the local community to integrate them or the possibility to work while caring for their children.

Even though the Capacity Building Workshops came to an end, ALDA invites everyone to join the hybrid final conference of the BRIGHT project on the 23rd of February 2022 in Rome, Italy. 

During the event, institutions, stakeholders of the project and female workers will intervene and present the Manifesto of Women in Agriculture for access to European citizenship rights through 6 priorities for change. The conference will be organised around 3 thematic axes: 

1. Mobile EU women agricultural workers: obstacles to participation and full enjoyment of European citizenship rights
2. the role of public services to contrast the invisibility of women agricultural workers: the leadership, empowerment, and co-programming of services programme
3. the European framework for EUMC rights: how to ensure the full participation of mobile European women citizens in the democratic life in the EU Member States.

There will be simultaneous translation Italian – English and vice versa for all the speakers.

To stay updated on the progress and on the final conference of BRIGHT, follow the project on social media!

🟡 After this great workshop focusing on Greece, do not miss the final conference 🟡

Register here ✍️

Check the agenda of the final conference 📔

---

Two months of interesting and challenging work were dedicated to the implementation of the project “Advocacy at the local level-Shirak”, within the framework of “Local Democracy School”. More specifically, in cooperation with Communities’ Finance Officers Association (CFOA), and in the form of sub-granting scheme, the “Local Democracy Agency Armenia” foundation implemented a series of meetings in several consolidated communities in the Shirak region with the participation of administrative leaders, council members, municipalities’ staff and active citizens.

---

Two months of interesting and challenging work were dedicated to the implementation of the project “Advocacy at the local level-Shirak”

---

Hence, four meetings were held in Artik, Ani, Ashotsk enlarged communities to face and discuss community issues, accordingly to the advanced proposed topics, while getting suggestions to solve problem. The latter have been presented to the local authorities for further consideration via advocacy.

The above-mentioned meetings were of great importance: in fact, simple discussions and conversations with the locals can help in understanding the reality from grass root perspective, reflecting communities’ needs and problems.

From a general perspective, the action is a part of larger project that implements similar actions throughout Armenia, both at the local and regional level.

Finally, the package of suggestions received from each region will be elaborated by the CFOA experts and sent to the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure.

***
“School of Local Democracy” is established by Communities’ Finance Officers Association (CFOA); Eurasia foundation; Information systems Development and Training Centre in the frames of The Civic Engagement in Local Governance (CELoG) Program financed USAID.

---

On 31 January and 1 February 2022, the SHERPA project organized the second edition of the Annual Conference. This online conference was the occasion to present the work done during the past year, especially the work undertaken by the 20 SHERPA Multi-Actor Platforms (MAPs). Indeed in 2021, the MAPs worked on three relevant topics: 

• Alternative rural futures (foresight), 
• Change in production and diversification of the rural economy, 
• Climate change and environmental sustainability. 

These reflections had supported the implementation of the rural vision. Over 100 participants joined the virtual event to listen, exchange and share knowledge and experience with over 30 guest and keynote speakers as well as several Horizon 2020 projects which share their views and results.

---

This online conference was the occasion to present the work done, especially the 20 SHERPA Multi-Actor Platforms

---

On 2 February, the SHERPA project organized a training for the Facilitators and Monitors of the Multi-Actor Platforms. This online training was the occasion to gather in the morning the facilitators and the Monitors of the new MAPs. Then the afternoon session was dedicated to exchange and share best practices, advice between the new MAPs and already experienced MAPs. For this new year, the 40 MAPs will focused on and provide their views and inputs one of the 4 topics: 

• Social dimension in rural areas
• Digitalisation, smart ruralities, including rural-urban relations
• Land-use management in the context of climate change
• Entrepreneurship and social economy, just transition, including sustainable value chains

About the project SHERPA: 

Sustainable Hub to Engage into Rural Policies with Actors (SHERPA) is a four-year project (2019-2023) with 17 partners funded by the Horizon 2020 programme. It aims to gather knowledge that contributes to the formulation of recommendations for future policies relevant to EU rural areas, by creating a science-society-policy interface which provides a hub for knowledge and policy.

For more information: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram , Youtube

---

ALDA’s Middle East and Africa Department core team attended this week  [February 7-8 2022] in Marseille the Forum des Mondes Méditerranéens (Mediterranean Worlds Forum), organized by initiative of the French President to follow up the engagements of the Sommet des Deux Rives in 2019. The Forum was organized in coordination with the Délégation Interministérielle pour la Méditerranée, the Provence-Alpes-Côtes d’Azur Région, Marseille Municipality, the Union for the Mediterranean and with the presence of both the President and Executive Director of the Anna Lindh Foundation.

Our Middle East and Africa Department participated in the forum in a plurality of ways, reflecting the multifaceted engagement ALDA has in the region.

First of all, projects: ALDA team (Giulia Sostero, Apolline Bonfils and Abdelaziz Bouslah), together with Younes Aggoun, the Project Coordinator from CODATU, managed a stand in the Project Village to present the AUTREMENT project. This EU-funded project, led by the Municipality of Strasbourg in partnership with the Municipalities of Kairouan and Mahdia, ALDA, CODATU and CEREMA, aims to implement sustainable urban planning solutions through participatory processes to enhance active mobility in the two Tunisian cities. This decentralised cooperation project between France and Tunisia raised a great interest among the public, especially towards the organisation of the Forum Inter-régional sur les Mobilités Actives, which will take place in Sousse, Tunisia, in September 2022.

---

The Middle East and Africa Department participated in the  Forum des Mondes Méditerranéens in a plurality of ways, reflecting the multifaceted engagement ALDA has in the region

---

ALDA is also part of two key French networks for what concerns euro-Mediterranean relations. Together with Les Tetes de l’Art, ALDA co-leads the French Network of the Anna Lindh Foundation. In this framework, ALDA and Les Têtes de l’Art participated in the Forum to represent the French Network and promote its interest and activities with ALDA has also assisted to the workshop organised by Her Majesty Rim Ali, Princess of Jordan, who has recently been appointed President of the Foundation, on the topic of media coverage and communication around the phenomenon of migration.

Moreover, ALDA is an active member of Réseau Euromed France, in particular for what concerns the programme “Jeunesses Méditerranéennes” (Med Youth). Our colleague Abdelaziz Bouslah intervened in a workshop to present the programme and highlight the impact it has had on young activists from all over the Mediterranean. 

With around 4000 registered participants and 500 speakers, the Forum has been a great opportunity to connect, reconnect and share projects and ideas among the many organisations and institutions who were present during the event. With major investments from the French State and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we all hope to construct sustainable ways to face the several issues affecting this area of the world and to see a concrete follow-up to the engagements taken in the Forum. ALDA, in her role as co-head of the French Network of the Anna Lindh Foundation, also seeks to stimulate better coordination between the many networks that are already active in the region, in order to join efforts towards common goals.

---

The works of Imereti Regional Hub are run by Local Democracy Agency Georgia (LDA Georgia) within the framework of the European Union (EU) and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) funded project “Civil Society STAR initiative: CSOs as Sustainable, Transparent, Accountable and Resilient Development Actors in Georgia” (2021-2025). The project aims to strengthen civil society as an independent, sustainable, transparent, and accountable development actor across Georgia; while the Hub is targeted to support the sharing of information, experience and opportunities.

Specifically, it spreads information about the project activities in the region, communicates with the local actors via consultation, networking, advocacy and monitoring, strengthens local CSOs, CBOs, civil activists and increases public awareness on their role and works.

---

The aim of the Imereti Regional Hub is to support the sharing of information, experience and opportunities

---

Beyond supporting main activities under the “Civil Society STAR Initiative “, the Hub implements following activities:

• LDA Georgia conducts trainings for CSOs / CBOs from Imereti region on the following topics: advocacy; fundraising; project writing; financial management of projects.
• In the framework of the project will be held study visits of CSO’s / CBO’s representatives of Imereti region to successful civil society organizations in the regions of Western Georgia.
• CSO’s and CBO’s representatives can get consultation on management issues of the organization in order to strengthen them, the information about the grant competitions announced in Imereti region.
• The SMS platfrom was created to proactively provide information to CSO and CBO representatives in the region about various activities.
• During the project formed several youth clubs to change the attitudes of young people / students towards civil society and community- based organizations; Each course of seminars continues for three months.
• The public consultations will be provided at the regional level to discuss important issues at the regional level with the involvement of relevant actors.
• The Meetings are held with the persons responsible for relations with the non-governmental organizations of the municipalities. The aim of the activity is to promote the role of civil society in public policy.
• Imereti regional hub offers hotline service any interested persons who will be able to receive information remotely on a legal issue of interest to them/not only;
• Newly established CSO and CBO organizations will be selected to support their development with whom the organization will work on refining its structure, developing internal management documents.
• Regional Civil Society Forums will be held to increase the accountability of civil society and improve public attitudes. Connect with potential sponsors and funding seekers.
• Imereti regional hub supports to strengthen youth club in Baghdati municipality. During the project will be created a model of mayor’s order, model of provision, will be held trainings and youth conferences, will be funded youth initiatives.

---

The project “Civil Society STAR initiative: CSOs as Sustainable, Transparent, Accountable and Resilient Development Actors in Georgia” (2021-2025).  is implemented by the Consortium led by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and composed of the following CSOs: Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), Civil Society Institute (CSI), Center for Training and Consultancy (CTC), Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC), and Institute for European Politics (IEP).

For several years now, ALDA has been one of the beneficiaries of the operating grant of the “Europe for Citizens” programme of the EACEA – Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency of the European Union.

Thus, we are thrilled to announce that, again this year, ALDA has been confirmed beneficiary of the operating grant of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) of the European Union!

The CERV stems from the fusion of the previous programmes “Europe for Citizens” and “Rights, Equality and Citizens Programme”, and aims to protect and promote rights and values as layed down in the EU Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights in particular by supporting civil society organisations active at local, regional, national and transnational level.

---

This grant proves the effectiveness of ALDA’s actions for the promotion of democracy and citizens participation in Europe and beyond

---

More specifically, the operating grant just awarded is dedicated to networks, organisations or think tanks contributing to the implementation of programme objectives, including training and capacity building activities, conferences, mutual learning, cooperation, awareness-raising, communication and dissemination activities.

The whole ALDA is honoured to be again among the few beneficiaries, proving the effectiveness of ALDA’s actions for the promotion of democracy and citizens participation in Europe.

A great opportunity and an important responsibility: ALDA is ready to act more than ever as a driver of participation, democracy and European values, giving a strong input towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Agenda 2030.

---

ALDA – The European Association for Local Democracy, is proud to be recognised by the European Commission as one of the 59 most active organisations that work to protect and promote Union values.

Indeed, ALDA has been recognised in the Framework Partnership Agreement of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) of the European Union for the period 2022-2025.

Such framework partnership is of great importance for ALDA, being both a confirmation of the effectiveness of ALDA’s work in supporting good governance and citizen participation in Europe; as well as evidence of the confidence that the European Commission has in ALDA as a strategic partner in the implementation of the new EU priorities for the next 4 years.

---

ALDA is proud to be recognised by the European Commission as one of the 59 most active organisations that work to protect and promote Union values

---

More in depth, the agreement consists in a long-term cooperation between the Commission and the selected partners with the aim to contribute to the objectives of the Union policy in the following areas:

• promoting and protecting Union values;
• promoting equality, preventing and combating discrimination;
• promoting gender equality;
• combating racism, xenophobia and all forms of intolerance;
• protecting and promoting the rights of the child;
• promoting European remembrance;
• promoting citizen engagement;
• preventing and combating gender-based violence;
• preventing and combating violence against children.

Visit the dedicated web page of the European Commission to learn more and click HERE to have a glance of ALDA’s main activities for the 4-year period, titled “Local democracy: shaping the future together”

---

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!

---

---

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:

• Spotify
• Google Podcast
• Spreaker
• Deezer

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

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

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