The aim of this visit was to study the system and functioning of the Youth Information Centers in this part of France, representatives of the municipalities Shtip and Strumica in order to get familiar with the model of Youth Information Center.

he Association of Local Democracy Agencies strongly supports the demand for democracy and respect for human rights in the Southern Mediterranean countries and condemns in particular the violence in Libya.

The Association of Local Democracy Agencies was present for the second time this year to the 2011 South-East Europe School for Local Democracy in Sarajevo, from April 7 to 11.

The co-operation of civil society with local authorities is an important prerequisite of democratic governance that could contribute to further stability and sustainable development in the Western Balkan region.

The director of ALDA, Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida, presented the Code of Good Practices for Civil Participation, promoted by the Conference of the INGOs of the Council of Europe, at the Association of Municipalities of Sweden (SALAR) on the 31st of May.

In cooperation with the French Cultural Center Nis and the Office for European Affairs of the City of Nis, with the support from the French Embassy in Belgrade, LDA CSS realised a series of screenings of films and debates on globalisation.

The Centre for New Initiatives in Arts and Culture Lokomotiva and The Regional Centre for Ethnology Culture and Techniques from Lower Normandy – CRCET are organising an Analysis and Strategic planning workshop for cultural development in the Pelagonija region.

The role of Local Democracy Agencies in the process of democratization in the Balkans and in the South Caucasus was underlined by Philippe Richert in his allocution to the 20th Session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.

ALDA will participate to the second Assises of Decentralised Cooperation for development that will take place in Brussels on 29th and 30th of March, promoted by the Committee of the Region.

Strengthening and enlarging the network of Local Democracy Agencies in Europe is the first objective of ALDA, the Association of Local Democracy Agencies.

The National Platform of the Civil Society Forum of the Eastern Partnership (CSF EaP) has been denied a place to hold its Conference Civil Society Role & Place in the Future Strategy.

A delegation of elected representatives, staff from local authorities and professional managers from Türkiye, participated from the 20th to the 27th of February 2011 at the study visit in England “Local Governments in Europe: responsibilities, competencies and management”, organised by ALDA and UNDP.

An Europe closer to its citizens and able to ensure them real opportunities to improve their life. This is the need stressed by the participants to the project E-Panels, promoted by ALDA.

Starting this week The National Association of Towns and Regions of Art and History and tows with protected areas will visit their partner The Association of historical and artistic cities of the Republic of North Macedonia.

The Union of Municipalities of Marmara, around Istanbul, is certainly one of the most active association of municipalities in Türkiye.

The next 10th and 11th of March will take place in Sarajevo “NEXPO 2011” , the first Local Government Fair including participants from South Eastern Europe.

The meeting will discuss some relevant topics emerged during the last partner meeting, held in Peja/Pec in August 2010 on the occasion of the signature of the Preliminary Partner Agreement.

Turkish and EU local authorities met in an introductory meeting held in Ankara from February 1st 2011 to February 4th 2011 to help increase the effectiveness and broaden the scope of the twinning arrangements both between the local authorities of Turkey and Europe as well as among Turkish local authorities.