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Since November 2019, in collaboration with ALDA, the Municipality of Arcugnano is leading the European project “STreet ARt project”, co-funded by Europe for Citizen Programme of the European Union. Aimed at building a network of European cities to promote street art as a tool for increasing citizens’ participation, the project is intended to – among others – to connect people of different cultures; regenerate depressed and abandoned areas, while reducing marginalisation.

From a general perspective, it involves participants from 14 European countries, such as: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Germany, The Netherlands. More specifically, from 21st to 23rd July the Municipality of Arcugnano is pleased to announce and host the first international event organized within the project: two days of exchanging experiences and thoughts regarding the role of street art in building more inclusive and creative European communities.

 Two days of exchanging experiences and thoughts regarding the role of street art in building more inclusive and creative European communities

The event takes an hybrid form, which see the onsite participation of nine European delegations partner of the project coming from Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and The Netherlands. The remaining five European delegations from Albania, Germany, Serbia, Czech Republic and Poland, will attend the international event online due to national covid related restrictions, preventing them from travelling abroad. 

Concerning the event, on the first day on 21st July, the Municipality of Arcugnano and its community will welcome the European “STreet ARt project” partners and the project will be officially presented to the community. During the second day, at 11.30, a public conference will be held in the Council hall of the Municipality. The conference will investigate the importance and impact of street art for regenerating depressed areas and promoting social inclusion. 

Relevant speakers will take part into the discussion:

  • Antonio Ceccagno – Italian street art expert and 
  • Luis Gomez – international street artists

Finally,it will be organized to exchange ideas and reflect on how street art can contribute to the regeneration of a territory and stimulate civic engagement. The conference is targeted to artistic and cultural civil society organizations, students and young generations. Participants will join a tour of city murales, after the conference. Along the 2 days event, the Municipality will additionally host an artistic residency in which the international street artist Luis Gomez will create a mural on the local school walls.

The participation to the conference is free (subject to availability)

Please register by filling the following form:  https://forms.gle/Jofgyet76y6VdGNj8

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For more information, please contact Nadia Di Iulio, Project Manager of the project STAR: nadia@alda-europe.eu

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When it comes to support and assistance, ALDA+ is among the well-experienced and skilled partner, with which carry out relevant projects. Thus, a great example is the collaboration with an outstanding international stakeholder. In fact, ALDA+ is currently supporting UNDP Turkey in developing a comparative assessment within the framework of the project LAR III, Local Administration Reform Project (Phase III).

The overall objective of the latter is to ensure effective, inclusive, accountable, and participatory local governance in Turkey, through support to further implementation of the local administration reform process undertaken between 2003-2013, in line with international standards

Strengthen the administrative capacity ensuring the effective implementation of the new local administration model

More in details, going deeper into the specific aims, the ad-hoc objective is to strengthen the administrative capacity ensuring the effective implementation of the new local administration model according to principles of democratic governance.

Concretely on the role of ALDA+, the latter is overseeing the organisation of online interviews on different services provided by some relevant European Municipalities, cities and towns in an exchange of best practices aiming at producing a comparative assessment for each service. On the agenda, the following topics will be at the core of this comparative exercise:

  • Water & Sewerage
  • Municipality Led – Enterprises

European towns and cities, Local Authorities interested in this great initiative are invited to contact us!

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ALDA + has always been able to provide valuable and professional courses on several topics, and this time is glad to present a new course!

Developed in collaboration with Progetto Sud – Trade Union Institute for International Cooperation promoted by UIL – the labour trade union –   this training will have a strong focus on “Development cooperation: design and management techniques and methodologies”, and it is planned to star in October 2021.

New course starting in October!

Experts and professional will be at your disposal during the course, which will last 80-hour and it will be divided into 5 modules:

  • module 1 – International development cooperation: actors, actions, themes
  • module 2 – Techniques, methodologies and tools for drafting development cooperation projects: a path to generate change
  • module 3 – EU Project management techniques: the management of a development cooperation project for lasting, sustainable and measurable change
  • module 4 – Financial reporting of projects: aspects, criteria and tools
  • module 5 – Working on a project proposal: reflection, analysis, processing and evaluation of the project idea

Do not miss this great occasion, and stay tuned: more information on the way!

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Migration and integration of non-European Union citizens (third country nationals) is a crucial issue of the European Union, but it is also a great resource, especially for the labour market. However, in 2019, the employment rate of Third Country Nationals (TCN) declined to 60%, some 13,8 points below the average for national citizens, with women and refuges struggling more. And even when they have a job, TCNs often work below their qualification and skills. Yet, the labour market integration of TCNs is a key element for their effective integration in European societies.

This idea is the spirit of the LIME project – a project ran by ALDA and several partners from France, Italy and Spain, which aims to promote and foster the swift integration of third country nationals into the labour market.

In order to do so, the project designed and developed a new approach: the Migrants Economic Integration Cluster (MEIC) approach. It aims to strengthen the cooperation and mobilisation of employers and social and economic partners through the activation of “cluster networks” at the local level, meaning a local multi-stakeholders network enabling to manage the multidimensional process of migrants’ integration.

Promote and foster the swift integration of third country nationals into the labour market

Recently, the project has released two useful papers to make this approach and the project’s results accessible and replicable in other local contexts:

– “A toolkit for designing cluster interventions”. This instructive document, and more especially the section 3 “How to activate and consolidate the MEIC Approach: some operational suggestions”, will give you the basics of this new methodology: how to engage institutional and private stakeholders, how to manage the cluster to respond to specific needs, how to ensure the long term sustainability in the context, and much more!

– An advocacy paper: “Implement in cluster: a new form of governance to empower social capital of local networks for Third Country Nationals’ labour inclusion.” This second document addresses several recommendations from the LIME project in order to foster the migrants’ labour inclusion, such as promoting the involvement of beneficiaries in the co-design of labour inclusion programs at the local level, recognizing the qualification recognition procedures for third country nationals, etc. You can read it in English, Italian and Spanish

Would you like to know more about the LIME project? Check the website

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On Tuesday 6th of July 2021, within the “Gruppo Scintilla” projects, locals had the occasion to jump into history and meet Antonio Pigafetta, a geographer and writer, who walked down the streets of Vicenza, back in the XV° century.  The association Pigafetta 500, together with ALDA, organised an event dedicated precisely to him. Being an “active citizen”,  more than 500 years ago, his actions positively affected the Italian history. Let’s find out why.

As recalled by Stefano Soprana – President of the association, this historic figure is still quite mysterious. Thanks to research and analysis, today we know that he took part in the first tour around the world, together with Magellano, with whom he had a strong and trustful relationship. More in detail, his  fame is related to the  journal he wrote during his adventure around the Earth, which still represents a milestone not only in history, but also in cuisine.

People from different generations gathered together in “Firenze street”, and let themselves be involved in this event

Hence, bringing back herbs and spices from his travel, Pigafetta brought innovation also in the daily routine of people. Inspired by this, the event was based on interaction with participants, who had to fill a world-picture, with different elements: from herbs to bark; from spices to sand. Kids, parents and grandparents, all together to play and get engaged in finding out more about this great traveller and writer.

People from different generations gathered together in “Firenze street”, and let themselves be involved in this event. Max, a guy living in this street, played music from his balcony; Igi, musician and storyteller, read some extracts from Pigafetta’s book. Storekeepers opened their shops, shared electricity and products with participants: everyone was there to join!

 The occasion also served as a moment of fundraising for the Scintilla Group, with which this event was related to.  After such a great day, ALDA looks forward to the next meetings which will take place on July 31st at 6 PM CET  at “Pampas – Il Giardino Inclusivo”. More information soon!

***
To know more about “Pigafetta 500” visit the website

Take a look at the picture, and follow Gruppo Scintilla

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The Rude Awakening project brings you back into history!

Within the “Rude Awakening” project, a videogame has been developed so that to both bring the younger generation back to the museum; and to learn about history.

After more than a year, ALDA together with all the partner of the project is glad to announce that the main output of this project is now ready to use.

The game retraces the life of soldiers during the First World War. Check it!

Realised by the Rome-based creative hub Centounopercento – 101% studios on the initiative of the Foundation Belvedere-Gschwent (Lavarone, Italy), the video game offers the possibility to undertake a multimedia journey to discover life “on the front line”, to find out more about how historic events have influenced everyday life. Besides, it allows us to also reflect on the present in which we are living in. More in details, the game retraces the life of soldiers during the First World War, and it will be soon available at Forte Belvedere in Lavarone (Italy) from 19 August and from September in all the museum sites of the European project partners in Austria, Slovenia, and North Macedonia.

Last but not least, the video presentation of the game “The Rude Awakening”, with Renzo Carbonera and Daniele Azara, respectively art and creative director of the project, is now available online.

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Take a look the video trailer in English

Read the press release (ENG)
Read the press release (IT)
Read the press release (MK)
Read the press release (FR)

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The AVATAR project (Alto Vicentino, Alleanza per Azioni in Rete) strongly believes in the importance of sharing and exchanging practices, activities and experiences with other organisations and networks whose projects are coherent with AVATAR objectives. To this end, we have launched a “Call for Best Practices on e-government and Open government” addressed to local authorities in the European Union and in the neighbouring countries.

Fill in the form to join the call

This initiative allows us to establish close relationships and contacts with new partners and projects, with the aim to promote collaboration among various local realities. From this it follows that, the overall goal is to foster greater coordination and harmonisation of activities and practices, benefitting both project, and the involvement of citizens of small realities in Italy and abroad.

Thanks also to the contribution and commitment of public administrators who strongly believe in digitalisation as a means to strengthen citizens’ participation in local self-government, by sharing and exchange of best practices we intend to increase the value of the AVATAR project itself.

Last but not least, digitalisation is an essential aspect when promoting a transparent and efficient relationship between citizens and public administrations.

The AVATAR project (Alto Vicentino, Alleanza per Azioni in Rete) strongly believes in the importance of sharing and exchanging practices, activities and experiences with other organisations and networks whose projects are coherent with AVATAR objectives. To this end, we have launched a “Call for Best Practices on e-government and Open government” addressed to local authorities in the European Union and in the neighbouring countries.

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We are pleased to inform you that ALDA has recently entered the network of Paesi dell’Acqua (PDA) (Lands of Water) Cultural Association. In line with its commitment in support of sustainable and green policies at local level, joining the PDA network represents for ALDA a chance to engage on a debate with other CSOs and LAs focusing on creating awareness towards the sustainable management of such an important resource as water. 

PDA – was established in 2015 as a natural consequence of a process developed in collaboration with the Municipality of Sassinoro (BN), in conjunction with the World Water Day created by the United Nations.

Development and protection of water resources by developing a national and international network

It aims to address the issue of development and protection of water resources by developing a national and international network of professionals able to collect good practices, to respond effectively to environmental criticality, to promote studies and research in order to develop a lively debate that would also involve the communities, a debate that effectively boosts participation and implementation of best practices characterised by innovation and development.

The Association is looking for developing effective collaborations with Municipalities, Associations, and other Organisations to create an intangible network committed to the protection of environment and sustainable management of water resources. This network – RETE DEI PAESI DELL’ACQUA (PDA Network) – will aim to effectively respond to territorial challenges, to promote initiatives, studies and research and to encourage a constant debate through the exchange of good practices and trigger innovative processes. 

The network is growing faster and has been joined by several international organisations brought together by the common purpose of taking care of water resources. Last but not least, every year PDA organises the public event ‘Sassinoro Paese dell’Acqua’, a forum on best practices about water management and environmental sustainability, which celebrates its  13th edition! The latter will take place from August 19th to 24th, 2021 in Sassinoro – BN (Italy). 

ALDA is very much glad to be part of this network, and it looks forward to share its knowledge when it comes to water management and green. Together for the planet!

***
To get more information about Paesi dell’Acqua, click HERE.

https://youtu.be/iLcx7VON1j8

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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!

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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.

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

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The First Round of the Food Wave Call for Proposals directed to youth-led and small civil society organisations closed successfully! 21 proposals have been selected, involving 13 different countries and 25 territories.

The Food Wave Project, led by the Municipality of Milan together with 29 project partners (cities, municipal agencies and civil society organisations)  in 17 countries, aims at creating awareness on sustainable ways to consume and produce food for climate change mitigation and activate young people in their cities, in order to enable them to influence institutional decisions, so they can lead us to a sustainable global food system by 2030, with the involvement of global networks such as C40.

Within this framework, the Project, under the coordination of ALDA, with the collaboration of the project partners and in synergy with the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP), established a sub-granting scheme that will contribute to the Food Wave Project overall objective, supporting grass-root initiatives in the field of climate-friendly food consumption behaviours.

The selected proposals will directly involve about 6000 young people in 13 European countries implementing a wide variety of communication, promotion, dissemination and awareness raising initiatives but also training and learning by doing activities such as intercultural cooking workshops, gardening and planting workshops and creative activities like food museums, bike-parades, photo documentaries among many others!

The main themes that will be addressed are: Sustainable diets to reduce the impact on the planet and protect human rights, fight against food waste, sustainable food education and knowledge sharing/dissemination, local alternative food systems, local producer and territorial market, fight against climate change and equal access to healthy, sustainable and fairy food.

Through the territorial actions promoted by the selected applicants, the project is contributing to the SDGs localisation and to the implementation of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda, with a specific focus on fighting hunger (SDG 2), contributing to economic growth and decent work opportunities (SDG 8), promoting responsible consumption and production patterns (SDG 12), building sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) and contributing to the climate action starting from the territorial level (SDG 13).

Here is a complete list of the selected organisations and their projects:

CountryTerritory of the project implementationName of the organizationTitle of the project
BelgiumMolenbeekBx -Jeunes  1080Fertile City
BelgiumBrugesJCI Brugge vzwRoad show for JCI EC Bruges 2022  
BulgariaSofiaReflektor FoundationSofia Neighbourhood
FranceStrasbourgStamtishWorld Food for Thoughts
HungaryBudabestFelelős Gasztrohős Alapítvány – Heroes of Responsible Dining FoundationGas Trial – interactive gastronomy related trial program for young adults
ItalyMilanRecup – Associazione di Promozione SocialeRecipes from the neighbourhood
ItalyTurinYOUth ConnectFrom Waster to Master
ItalyMilan, Zona 6, Quartiere Giambellino-LorenteggioAssociazione di Promozione Sociale Laboratorio di Quartiere Giambellino LorenteggioGiambellGarden
ItalyAosta (Aosta); Assisi (Perugia); Orvieto (Terni); Riva del Garda (Trento); Larino (Campobasso); Termoli.Associazione Italiana Giovani per l’UNESCOEDU project – Agenda 2030
ItalyMilan and FlorenceCHANGE FOR PLANET – YOUTH IN ACTION – APSEat Climate For breakfast
NetherlandsAlmereStichting ‘n Wilde Keuze (Translation: Foundation A Wild Choice)A Wild Choice: The Food Museum of today and tomorrow
NetherlandsAlmere, Turin, Milan, RomeStichting Slow Food Youth NetworkOn the wave: European youth changing the food system
PolandWarsawPolski Klub Ekologiczny Okręg Pomorski„Climate Eatucation”  
PortugalCascaisAssociação Juvenil Rota JovemEco youth citizens
PortugalEsposendeRio Neiva – Associação de Defesa do Ambiente / Rio Neiva – Environmental NGOThe museum of Food waste
RomaniaLasiERASMUS STUDENT NETWORK IAȘI – REȚEAUA STUDENȚILOR ERASMUS IAȘI (ESN Iași)The rise of the Food Hero
SloveniaMariborEntrepreneurial educational youth cooperative society EPEKA, ULTD, social enterpriseHealthy food for a healthy planet
SloveniaLjubljanaKomunikum, Inštitut za podatkovno povezovanje v medmrežjuCommunity garden Ljubljana
SpainMadridMar de TierrasFOOD JUSTICE ON ZERO WASTE BIKE CHALLENGE
SwedenÖrkelljungaHello YouthLet’s fight food waste

Don’t miss the next news, catch the wave!

Visit the official page of the Food Wave Project: https://www.foodwave.eu/join-the-wave/

Follow the project on Instagram and Facebook and to sign up to our newsletter to receive updated information about the project and the opportunities offered to be part of our international community of young people working to fight climate change shifting towards fair and sustainable food systems.

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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.

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Our office in Brussels is happy to announce that our co-working space is now open, and ready to be booked. Find yourself a spot at the core of the European quarter, and be surrounded by the European spirit. ALDA is more than glad to share its space with everyone, who is looking for a place to work, study and carry out activities.

Increasing citizen participation and the democratic level in different Western Balkans realities is the key point at the basis of the partnership between ALDA and CEI

How do you book your place? You can choose among 3 different options:

The plan foresees a key event in Skopje (North Macedonia) together with ALDA Skopje in 2023 and the presentation of the flagship initiative in Ukraine: the aim is to continue to expand LDAs range of action and strengthen their work. ALDA represents CEI’s key partner for its work in the Western Balkans: CEI Moldova representatives will also take part in ALDA Festival and General Assembly 2023 as an opportunity to further enhance this collaboration. 

hese events will be marked by a festive atmosphere as 2023 is the 30th Anniversary of the establishment of the first Local Democracy Agency Subotica in the Balkans: we look forward to celebrating the everyday activity of the LDAs and their delegates, the achievements of ALDA and the LDAs through the years, with the collaboration of our closest partners.

The choice of Trieste, regional capital of the “Friuli Venezia Giulia” Autonomous Region (🇮🇹) as the host of the meeting is symbolic as it remarks the formalisation of this long-lasting collaboration between the Region, ALDA and CEI. 

4 desks (whole room) →
600,00€ per month including:

  • the use of the whole room with 4 desks/workstations
  • internet without limits
  • use of the office phone
  • access to the printer
  • weekly cleaning service
  • access to the office kitchenette

2 desks →
350,00€ per month including:

  • the use of 2 desks/workstations in a 4-desks room
  • internet without limits
  • use of the office phone
  • access to the printer
  • weekly cleaning service
  • access to the office kitchenette

1 desk →
180,00€ per month or 
50,00€ per week including:

  • the use of  1 desks/workstations in a 4-desks room
  • internet without limits
  • use of the office phone
  • access to the printer
  • weekly cleaning service
  • access to the office kitchenette

The working space is located in Rue Belliard 20, 1040 – Brussels.

Please email us: aldabrussels@alda-europe.eu

ALDA staff in Brussels is looking forward to meet you!

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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.

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

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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 24th.

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!

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ALDA is extremely proud to make part in the Anna Lindh Virtual Marathon for Dialogue with the project “Cross Border cooperation to strengthen the decentralisation process in response to the Covid-19 Crisis”.

Indeed, the whole month of June ALDA and its trainers have been engaged in the delivery of trainings and capacity buildings on advocacy techniques and communication tools to French and Tunisian civil society organisations.

The trainings were held respectively by Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Secretary General, and Elisabetta Uroni, Head of the Communication Department of ALDA.

Support Tunisia in addressing the problems encountered during its decentralisation process.

While the overall objective of the project was to shed light on the different roles of stakeholders in decentralisation, paying a particular attention to the part played by the State in these kinds of processes, the trainings aimed at providing local organisations with tools and knowledge to promote decentralisation and democratic principles in their local context.

As a result, the associations involved will have to launch an advocacy campaign through short video pills promoting democracy, rule of law, conflict resolution and culture of peace.

As mentioned, the reason of this action was to support Tunisia in addressing the problems encountered during its decentralisation process. One of the priorities, indeed, is to clarify the role of the State in the whole process of decentralisation, since many municipalities gave up the process because of political conflicts and lack of interest and involvement.

***
To know more about Anna Lindh Foundation, check the website

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With the occasion of 700th anniversary of the death of the epic poet Dante, within VALID project a meeting has been organised, in this Italian city of Ravenna, on June the 14th of 2021, were the poet is now resting in peace. During the event, the deputy councilor for Culture and representatives of Teatro delle Albe were invited. They were also joined by the citizens who attended the “CHIAMATA PUBBLICA” (Public call) initiatives of 2017 and 2019, to turn the words of the poet into arts, specifically as far as the “Hell” and “Purgatory “respectively concerns.

15 participants took part in various activities involving brainstorming and ideas-sharing. Specifically, two questions were given be they: “based on your personal experience which were the strengths for inclusion and dialogue?” and “please give some ideas and suggestions for the up-coming future”. Participants were also engaged with the creation of word clouds on different topics such as: connection between theatre and inclusion.

Artists and citizens involved with the project partners to further promote culture

People of various ages participating at the meeting, had the opportunity to both learn about the cultural contributions of the municipality; and to increase the feeling of belonging to a community, no matter the background. Dante’s work as a tool to stimulate dialogue and sharing among citizens and participants.

A third international meeting is scheduled for next September, also in Ravenna, and it will bring in artists and citizens involved with the project partners, all in order to further promote the culture of the municipality and the community.

ALDA is very much glad to travel around the cities of VALID, in fostering dialogue and social inclusion.

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On June 9th, ALDA held its 4th and International Capacity Building Workshop within LIME project. The aim of this online event was to discuss the following topic “Migrants’ Labour inclusion: Networks, Cluster Activation and Consolidation” at the European level. In order to do so, various speakers from Italy, Spain, France and Belgium took the floor to discuss two main topics:

  • The self-entrepreneurship and how to set-up a business;
  • The vocation training for migrants’ labour inclusion into the labour market.

Dolinda Cavallo, Project Manager of the LIME project at ALDA, moderated the event, making it participatory and alive through interactions; exchange of ideas;  and sharing of experiences from the participants especially as far as migrants’ labour inclusion concerns.

Besides, the workshop was also the opportunity to discover the LIME project in detail. Loredana Gionne, Head of Cooperation and Co-development Department from CIES Onlus, presented the project, the partners and the two pilot actions in Spain and Italy. The latter two countries highlighted the following good results:

  • In Madrid: 49 participants were trained in the catering sector, 10 were involved in the training on the job, 7 had a job contract after the training. In the end, 14 beneficiaries have found a job without the training on the job!
  • In Rome: 28 participants were trained in the soft skills, 5 trained in technical skills, 12 involved in the training on the job; 14 were involved in the enterprise path, 1 got involved in the national civilian service and last but not least, 1 start-up was established!

The event was the occasion to present the “MEIC – Migrants Economic Integration Cluster methodology”

Afterwards, the event was also the occasion to present the “MEIC – Migrants Economic Integration Cluster methodology” implemented in these two pilot projects and set up within the scope of the LIME project. Considering that half of the participants were not familiar with the concept of cluster and more particularly the “cluster network”, Folco Cimagalli, Full Professor of Sociology of Migrations at LUMSA University presented this paramount notion to promote the swift integration of migrants into the labour market. The presentation focused especially on how the pilot actions in Rome and Madrid implemented this concept and established sustainable clusters of private and public stakeholders.

Moreover, Rossana Cerbone from Confcooperative Roma tackled the issue of “Self-entrepreneurship and social enterprise”, by explaining the methodology and the training path developed by her association. During the pilot action in Rome, Confcooperative Roma identified two main start-ups that could turn into reality: a pastry shop and a cooperative. Specifically, Confcooperative Roma helped them to draft a business plan and to implement their projects. Besides, based on these two examples, the Cooperative illustrated the reasons why migrants should start their own businesses, and more particularly cooperative.

More into depth, access to funding represents a effective tools to allow migrants to create their own start-ups. This specific topic was discussed by David Taquin, from MicroStart. Thus, he introduced the work and missions of MicroStart in helping migrants to create their business while having access to funding. MicroStart works to overcome these obstacles through the implementation of supporting tools, individual coaching sessions, interest-free microcredits, and much more. In order to do so, Microstart has developed partnerships with several public and private stakeholders; which again highlights the importance of networks.

As above-mentioned, the second part of the event focused on “Vocational Training & Migrants labour inclusion into the labour market”. Ivan Toscano, from Cnos Fap, addressed the need to endorse a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach, while emphasising the potential of VET to foster third country nationals integration. Similarly, Margherita Valori from CIES Onlus illustrated the “good labour insertion methodologies”, insisting  on the use of a narrative and biographical approach when it comes to migrants’ labour inclusion. Furthermore, in order to guarantee the effectiveness of interventions, the following aspects are needed: monitoring actions, direct assistance actions, preventive actions, tutoring, and individual coaching.

The discussion then tackled the second country earlier-mentioned: Spain. Berta Ruisanchez from the Spanish association Pinardi, addressed the role of enterprises in improving the migrants’ labour inclusion, and how companies and NGOs should work hand in hand. She presented the toolkit developed by the association in order to raise awareness among enterprises about migrant workers, and to fight stereotypes that often appear as major obstacles to their good integration.

From Spain to France, we met Chloé Schmitt from Kodiko and discovered their “refugee-employee” co-training programme in companies. While presenting their approach, she also emphasised the importance of raising awareness among enterprises and providing them training about stereotypes, cultural differences, etc, and to link their actions with the concept of corporate sustainability and responsibility. The work of Kodiko relies on strong partnerships with enterprises, institutional actors and other NGOs; which was a perfect example of a cluster network.

To conclude the workshop, Cristiana Di Pietro from LUMSA University introduced the EU recommendation paper they will draft, and reminded us how these types of  workshops and shared moments are paramount to better understand how the model of cluster network can be improved and thus better used in the future to promote the swift integration of third countries nationals into the labour market.

ALDA is very pleased to host the LIME Project next meeting within its General Assembly week from June 19th until 25th 2021