The Balkan network for local democracy (BNLD) reunites for the first time in 2022 for the Regional Capacity building and Networking seminar, which took place in Novi Sad, Serbia, from the 20th to the 22nd of June 2022.
Capacity-building sessions, a regional activity planning, field visits and exchange with OPENS, and Novi Sad capital of culture organizations
The programme saw capacity-building sessions, a regional activity planning, field visits and exchange with OPENS, and Novi Sad capital of culture organizations.
This activity is organized in the framework of the project “Strengthening the regional cooperation to promote civic space in the Western Balkan countries” financed within the Project Protecting Civic Space –Regional Civil Society Development Hub” financed by SIDA and implemented by BCSDN.
The Annual General Meeting of the Balkan Network for Local Democracy(BNLD) took place on the 22nd of June 2022 in Novi Sad, Serbia. On the agenda were the election of the President, as well as the strategic accountability principles of the Network. The Delegate of Local Democracy Agency Zavidivoci, BiH, Sladjan Ilic, previously having sat in the Governing Board, was elected as the new President of BNLD.
Sladjan Ilic, previously member of the the Governing Board, is elected as the new President of BNLD
A different discussion highlighted that after the long period of COVID – 19 outbreaks, there was a generation shift in the organization and in civil society. Changes are constant and fast, on the personal, social, and organizational levels. The members agreed that a good quality and solid base for a functional registered organisation was laid out, and that the Network is ready for bigger projects.
In addition, it was pointed out that the creation of digital tools and development of the Network presence is a strong point and that the Network needs to continue working in that direction so as to lead to more sustainable projects.
BNLD, since its creation in 2019, has been actively promoting regional cooperation, local democracy, and peace and reconciliation in the Western Balkan countries.
The project was supported by INNOVABRIGE Foundation and implemented in different cities in Ukraine. The city was the first one to develop the concept of the project and conduct a successful advocacy campaign for its approval by the Dnipro City Council. Young people aged 21-29 made up the main part of the Concept Development team.
Dnipro was the first city to develop the concept of the project and conduct a successful advocacy campaign for its approval by the Dnipro City Council
The main aim of the project was to facilitate e-democracy applications in the city of Dnipro. This included electronic local petitions, appeals of citizens to authorities, discussions and voting for projects, and consultations with the population on important issues for the community.
In these times, the Eastern Partnership countries experience a number of worrying trends. Specifically, rising extremism and disinformation as well as threats against journalists result in citizens’ mistrust of democratic institutions. Therefore, it is important to make young people heard at all levels in order to create democratic and inclusive societies.
The 4th Eastern Partnership Youth Conference – Youth for Revitalisation of Democracy will give the opportunity to approximately 100 young people to take part and discover methods and strategies which improve inclusive youth participation in democratic processes, as well as facilitate youth involvement at all levels of political decision-making.
ALDA congratulates the colleagues from LDA for such a great achievement!
The EPIC project – European Platform of Integrating Cities is a three-year project funded European Union – AMIF programme – which aims to improve the integration of migrants at the local level by creating a European network of local authorities and civil society organisations that:
A) will share knowledge and practices of inclusion of citizens from third countries, B) engage in peer-to-peer exchanges on the basis of common priorities and different competences, C) will develop efficient integration services within the local territories and D) will improve capacities to counter negative narratives on migration.
Based on the transfer of knowledge and skills between local authorities and NGOs with different degrees of experience, EPIC supports practical, direct and gradual learning to improve the inclusion of migrants in each project city.
Apply to the EPIC call for proposal for two pilot project by 12 September 2022!
Subject of the Notice and Aims of the Intervention
Within the EPIC programme, ALDA in collaboration with the Region of Sardinia and the project partners project partners, proposes an ideas competition to develop TWO PILOT PROJECTS in the Region Sardinia.
The pilot projects envisage the implementation of activities related to the themes of promotion and active socio-occupational participation of migrants, with particular reference to the valorisation of 2G young people (second generation). The ideas may concern, by way of example only, paths that can be activated both in the school and extra-school environments, complementary to initiatives already existing in the territory of the Region of Sardinia or ex novo.
Amount of the grant
ALDA provides a budget of Euro 15,000.00 for each of the two winning projects. Both winners shall contribute to the total budget of Euro 15,000.00 with a 45% of co-financing of the total, amounting to Euro 6,750 of co-financing not deriving from other EU funds.
On 17 June 2022, ALDA Secretary General, Antonella Valmorbida joined the webinar entitled: “Ukraine: Regional and local initiatives for support and exchanges”, organised by the Assembly for European Region (AER).
Considering the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the need to support local citizens now facing a tremendous reality, a great number of civil society organization (CSOs), institutions and other entitles have started a countless initiatives targeted to provide concrete help.
Based on its experience, concrete knowledge and field work, ALDA has presented its networks and strategy to support Ukrainian citizens at AER’s webinar
Within this framework, led by the opening speech of Magnus Berntsson, AER President, several experts and representatives of the CSOs joined the invitation to share and discuss together how to foster and further develop the ongoing actions.
Based on its experience, concrete knowledge and field work, ALDA has presented its networks and strategy to support Ukrainian citizens. Hence, since the beginning of this unjust war, the Association has proved its continuous and tireless commitment to help the colleagues form the Local Democracy Agencies in Mariupol and Dnipro, as well as other friends leaving in Ukraine.
ALDA is very much willing to keep on its activities with Ukrainian partners, while remaining available for future possibilities with new stakeholders.
From a general perspective, this specific grant is articulated in the following pillars:
Equality, Rights and Gender Equality; focusing on promoting rights, non-discrimination, equality (including gender equality), and advancing gender and non-discrimination mainstreaming
Citizens’ engagement and participation; in terms of promoting citizens engagement and participation in the democratic life of the Union, exchanges between citizens of different Member States, and raising awareness of the common European history
Daphne; which stand for fighting violence, including gender-based violence and violence against children
Union values, targeting the protection and promotion of Union values
Based and inspired by these above-mentioned guiding lights, ALDA has been fully committed in turning those goals into fact, thus engaging citizens, and local communities within its actions. The DESIRE project, aiming at raising people and especially youth’s awareness on the historical importance and the meaning of the Declaration of Schuman for the EU, is just an example.
The pillars of the CERV programme at the basis of ALDA’s projects and initiatives
Yet, the Association collaborates and exchanges with several other entities and networks, from the Local Democracy Agencies to other CSOs and institutions.
Considering the latter, ALDA will join the Award Ceremony of the European Federalist Movement in Verona, to celebrate winners of the contest “Lets’ become European citizens” on 30 June 2022 at 4 PMat Loggia Frà Giocondo, Verona, Italy.
On June 15th, 2022, Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA took part to “Local Democracy; Digital Accessibility & Assistive Technologies; Future of Digital Identity” a webinar in preparation of the upcoming Global Forum Event 2022, which will take place on Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th October 2022 in Muscat, Oman.
The webinar focused on Digital Accessibility, which, along with Local Democracy and Assistive Technologies, are going to be the three protagonist themes of this year’s Global Forum.
After two years of suspension due to the covid pandemic, the Global Forum/ Shaping the Future Event is back to a face-to-face modality, and it foresees several speakers on the topic of digital solutions for a smarter, more sustainable and resilient world.
Since 1992, the Global Forum gathers together experts of different fields in order to discuss the main technologic, economic, social, societal, political and ethical issues and challenges that affect the digital society.
ALDA believes that digitalisation comes with challenges and opportunities and that it needs to be guided by a long term strategy, not only digital but also cultural. This strategy is the key to exploit the potential that digitalisation offers, while ensuring data protection and digital security.
“United in diversity” is not only the motto of the European Union, but also the fundamental idea on which the LET’S MEET project is based.
The LET’S MEET project aims at erasing the geographical borders by sharing, through the use of new media such as podcasts, biographies of the most prominent figures of European cultures in order to highlight and embrace the cultural diversity rooted in European history.
The main idea behind this project is to disseminate knowledge on European multicultural personalities which have made cultural diversity their most powerful weapon, transferring ideas and artistic motives across Europe, thus contributing to the construction of the European Cultural Community and Civic Identity.
“United in diversity” is not only the motto of the European Union, but also the fundamental idea on which the LET’S MEET project is based.
Halfway through the end of the project, the partners of the LET’S MEET project decided to meet for their first International face-to-face Meeting on 7&8 June in Brussels.
During this two-days long event, the partners discussed the achievements of the project and outlined its future directions, exchanging ideas and thoughts and creating a melting pot of cultures. In addition, they had the opportunity to get to know better the personalities that shaped Brussels, by walking through the streets of a city that is the very essence of multiculturality.
The festival was an incredible opportunity to raise awareness on the project and on the inclusion of the youth in decision-making processes in regards to placemaking.
After the project explanation, Part-Y’s delegates interacted with guests and passers-by, asking them questions and suggestions on placemaking, on what they would like to change or what is missing in public spaces.
The festival was an incredible opportunity to raise awareness on the project and on the inclusion of the youth in decision-making processes in regards to placemaking
The first edition of the European Bauhaus festival, organised by the European Commission, was attended by more than 100 projects, alongside concerts and artistic and cultural performances in several European cities and online. It was an amazing opportunity to explore the New European Bauhaus values of beauty, sustainability and togetherness, and their power to address societal challenges.
Do not miss the next activities of the PART-Y project by following us on social media:
46 months of activities, 6 partners, 7 concrete interventions to implement Natural Water-Retention Measures, 1 mission: implementing a strategy for adaptation to climate change and flood risk in urban and rural areas, through the active involvement of local communities. This is the project Life Beware, whose results were presented in the final event on June 4th in Santorso.
During the whole day, participants were able to get to know the project’s achievements in depth, and to reflect together on potential future developments and actions that can be implemented as a follow up.
In the morning, Life Beware facilitator Giulio Pesenti held the “Life Beware, e poi?” [“Life Beware, then what?”] workshop using the Open Space Technology methodology. The latter is an innovative way of organizing workshops and laboratories, which fuels participants’ passion and interest by allowing them to choose the ways of working that they find most useful and productive.
“Now we have a great responsibility: accompanying other institutional actors and territories to strongly commit to environmental and hydraulic resilience, guarding the delicate balance between man and nature” (Franco Balzi – Mayor of Santorso)
Moreover, in the late afternoon with the final conference and round table entitled: “Acqua, Resilienza e Territorio. Attività e Risultati del Progetto LIFE BEWARE” [“Water, Resilience and Territory. Activities and Results of the LIFE BEWARE Project”]. During the first part, representatives of the project shared the most innovative and interesting results for the AltoVicentino area from the point of view of their Organization. Furthermore, the second part saw the contribution of representatives from Ispra, ViAcqua, Centro Internazionale Civiltà dell’Acqua ONLUS and Anbi Veneto for a shared reflection on the environmental resilience of our territory and how to best involve citizens on these issues. The actor Diego Dalla Via moderated the event and animated it with short performances on the topic of water and climate change during interludes.
The consortium is really proud of the achievements of the project, and it is also happy to have shared with so many people knowledge, best practices and questions related to the world of climate change, promoting an active and constructive dialogue on the challenges of the climate crisis.
Thanks again to everyone who participated!
***
The final event was preceded by two days of Professional training that took place both online and in-person on the 31st of May and 1st of June. The training targeted technicians and professionals, focusing on stormwater management in urban and agricultural environments for flood prevention and land adaptation to climate change. This opportunity also included on site visits of the NWRM implemented. Professional Training Credits were officially recognized by the Veneto Order of Geologists and the Order of Agronomists and Foresters. The training was led by Prof. Lucia Bortolini, Prof. Vincenzo D’agostino and Dr. Francesco Bettella of the TESAF Department of the University of Padua, Ing. Paolo Ronco of Centro Rive, Dr. Roberto Fiorentin of Veneto Agricoltura and Ing. Laura Di Prima of Consorzio di Bonifica Alta Pianura Veneta.
How far are communities able to support EU Mobile Citizens (EUMCs), and how do the latter experience the move from a Member State to another, especially in terms of accessibility of services in the digital era?
APProach project has successfully responded to these challenges, thus willing to narrow the gap among citizens, and Local Authorities. To do so, a dedicated digital ecosystem has been created, to help EU citizens facing obstacles when deciding to move with their families to another EU country: poor administrative services, social inclusion, schooling insertion, additional requirements to register to vote/stand as a candidate in the European Parliament or the municipal elections. Indeed, the APProach digital ecosystem provides quick access to information concerning voting, education, civic life, social life, as well as how to get started in your host city!
After months of its conclusion, its contribution is still worthwhile and useful for the entire community… but let’s take a closer look.
Starting in 2018, and willing to increase the knowledge on EUMCs rights, as well as sharing information on the bureaucratic steps those citizens will encounter, APProach project saw the commitment of six municipalities gathering together in order to provide support to new European comers.
APProach digital ecosystem: the go-to source to get access to information concerning voting, education, civic and social life
Despite the challenges foreseen and tackled within the project, a greater one affected this initiative as it did with many others: COVID-19. Hence, the entire project was greatly impacted by this tremendous health crisis, yet without dauntening the partners of the project.
Hence, from a general perspective, achievements can be summarised into five main pillars:
Community and network: have an added value per se, especially in reflecting and analysing the the efficiency and challenges of the Local Authorities when welcoming EUMCs;
The Digital Ecosystem: represents a new communication tool and the ultimate go-to source for EUMCs and municipalities;
Visibility and communication: several outputs have been implemented, from small videos to reports and news, willing to spread the value and mission of the project;
Training: to Local Authorities and civil society, contributing to a better understanding and implementation of “European Citizens” definition;
Concreteness: 60 people within the municipalities’ staff have been engened, thus benefiting, as a spillover effect, 7500 EUMCs (as the indications of the application).
If the above-mentioned pillars were specifically related to the peculiarities of the project itself, it is worth mentioning also some single actions conducted by the partners and related to the overall achievement of the APProach aims.
Related to the fifth pillar, concreteness, in the framework of the EU parliament and administrative elections, for example, APProach provided great support to the EUMCs in the Milano Municipality.
Similarly, Erasmus students in Lisbon do represent a great percentage of Mobile Citizens in the Portuguese capital: therefore, the municipality, considering the positive tool developed by APProach, targeted the latter exactly in support of those new students.
In addition, but more on the CSOs side, in light of the the role of ALDA within the Conference on the Future of Europe, as well as a key stakeholder in democracy promotion and civic engagement, the Association took the positive experience of APProach as a best-practice example when it comes to the relation between democracy and digitalization, especially in terms of citizenship. Thus, in its flagship initiative European Support for Local Democracy, the project represents the perfect in-between of “the need to meet the top-down approach coming from the various institutions and bottom-up approach coming from the citizens, the civil society organisations when digital tools are in question to improve the exercise of the citizens’ rights.”
Overall, despite the incidental crises posed by COVID-19, partners managed not only to achieve the initial goals, but also single partners got inspired by this project, fully implementing it at local level, while empowering EU Mobile Citizens.
On May 24th-25th, 2022 a Transnational Partners Meeting of the 3STEPS project was held in Athens, Greece, with partners both on site and online.
During the meeting, partners discussed the implementation of the piloting phases for both methods of inclusion of disadvantaged migrant youth in the 5 implementing countries through a training of educators/trainers/teachers and the training of mentors. Moreover, partners shared good practices in implementing the youth training with young refugees and migrants at local level while continuing in discussing the creation of the 3 STEPS Network and dissemination/exploitation of the project.
Transnational Partners Meeting of the 3STEPSproject was held in Athens, Greece, with partners both on site and online.
Therefore, the meeting was the occasion for the whole consortium to discuss the progress and reflect on the effective promotion of developed materials and methodologies to support the integration of migrant and refugee learners!
The project combines the motivating effect of ethnic role models with a blended mentoring approach that was especially developed on the basis of migrants’ needs.
*** About 3STEPS
3STEPS – Fostering Education and Inclusion of disadvantaged refugee and migrant learners is a EU project funded by Erasmus Plus KA3 which involves partners from 5 countries, namely Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain, and France. The project aims to upscale two methods: first good practice is known as “Basic Education” and the second good practice, “TANDEM NOW” which involves Ethnic Role Model Mentors and aims at helping youth with a migration background develop social and professional skills as well as the support needed to stay in school.
On 7-8 of June, ALDA took part in the CAMELOT project event hosted by Porto Metropolitan Area, Portugal (AMP). During two-days meeting, partners shared experiences regarding the management of Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI)
The event started with the intervention of Manuel Pizarro, Member of the European Parliament, who presented the role of Integrated Territorial Investments in metropolitan areas, underlining the importance of local and regional governments in the functioning of the EU institutions.
António Cunha, President of the North Regional Coordination and Development Commission, presented the experience of his region in designing and negotiating the North 2030 Operational Programme which gather EU funding for the territory. According to him, and within the framework of implementation of a new legislation on decentralization in Portugal, ITI will gather stakeholders, the same vision of development.
Echoing Cunha’s presentation, Filipe Ferreira, Metropolitan Executive Officer Lisbon Metropolitan Area (AML) and Vicente Pinto, Metropolitan Executive Officer AMP presented the results of the 2020 Strategies as well as their expectations for 2030 ones.
Similarly, participants from the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona, the Metropolitan City of Milan, the Metropolitan City of Bari, the City of Zagreb, the Stuttgart Region and the Craiova municipality presented their experience in managing ITI as well as their concerns regarding the trend toward centralization of EU funding. ALDA invited the participants to join its working group on Local Democracy, advocating for necessary evolutions of ITI management modalities and to deepen the involvement of citizens in the development and implementation Integrated Territorial Investments funded projects.
ALDA advocates for necessary evolutions of ITI management modalities and to deepen the involvement of citizens in the development and implementation of Integrated Territorial Investments funded projects
On Wednesday 8 June, the second day of the meeting, the group visited the Leça’s Green Corridor project. The 29-mile-long River Leça springs in Santo Tirso, at an altitude of 475 m, and flows into the sea in Matosinhos. For several decades, it was considered one of the most polluted rivers in Europe. In 2016, the four municipalities through which the river flows – Matosinhos, Maia, Valongo and Santo Tirso – joined forces and began working on the consolidation, strategy and definition of a plan for the Leça Corridor, at an early stage within the Porto Metropolitan Area, and then by themselves.
These municipalities presented “Leça’s Green Corridor”, an environmental and mobility project, with strong cultural, economic, touristic and social character, which will allow the landscape and environmental improvement of the River Leça and its banks, while contributing to territorial cohesion, connecting coastline and inland through a specific channel dedicated to soft transport modes.
In addition to that, the project foresees the construction of a pedestrian and cycling path, creating a mobility alternative on foot and by bicycle for daily travel among the surrounding areas. “Leça’s Green Corridor” will be the first step towards the river’s full depollution and the amelioration of the river banks’ landscape, transforming them into leisure areas. The improvement and revitalization process has already begun, supported by European Community funds through the Urban Development Strategy Plans (PEDUS) of the municipalities involved.
Finally, partners gathered in the Church and Museum of Porto’s Misericórdia (MMIPO). Located in Porto’s historical centre’s Rua das Flores, in the building that headquartered the institution from the mid- sixteenth century to 2013. Over the centuries, the building has undergone several changes, the most recent being its adaptation for museum functions. The Museum has the double goal of spreading Porto’s Santa Casa da Misericórdia’s history and its institutional purposes, and of displaying its art collections, by providing a set of resources representing the memory and identity of this organisation, and projecting it into the future. A visit to the Museum is also an opportunity to learn more about the past and present of this area of the city.
As the ongoing war against Ukraine continues to be endangered, dreams continue to be broken and days are flowing by, ALDA believes that it is its responsibility to bring the attention to those that are now fighting to ensure their safeguard of rights and freedoms.
In its commitment to reinforce the Local Democracy Agencies, the Association invites the community of Local Authorities and Civil Society Organisations to the conference entitled “Supporting the Local Democracy Agencies in Ukraine”. Aimed at giving a reliable update on the situation on the ground in Ukraine, as well as on the activities that ALDA has implemented in order to provide support to civilians and people in need, the conference will also be the occasion to focus on the on-going activities, as well as possible future ones, that need further support.
The conference will take place on the 22nd June 2022 at 2.30 PM in Brussels at Residence Palace
Thus, ALDA will present the possibilities to further empower the network while explaining the local governance system that is currently in place. Living in a period of uncertainly, Local Democracy Agencies are a powerful instrument for supporting communities affected by crises and by the war.
Specifically, the conference will take place on the 22nd June 2022 at 14:30 – 17:30 in Brussels, Belgium at Residence Palace, Wetstraat 155, 1040.
Bruno Julian Hamm – Pütt, Konrad Adenauer foundation Kyiv will give its opening speech, thus preparing the scene for the beginning of the conference. The latter will be designed into two panels, each of which addresses the different aspects of the topic at the centre of the meeting: the Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs).
Moderated by Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Secretary General, the first panel will focus not only on the testimonies from the LDAs, but also on the methods undertaken by the latter in terms of democracy promotion and people’s engagement.
Among the keynote speakers of this first session:
Tetjana Lomakina, Adviser-representative of the President of Ukraine on the barrier society issues and delegate of the Local Democracy Agency in Mariupol
Moving on to the second panel, the last part of the conference will be dedicated to the specific supports and needs of the Agencies. Following the format of the first debate, the second one will be moderated by Alexandru Coica, Regional Coordinator for Eastern Partnership at ALDA’s, having among its keynote speakers:
Inna Volkova, Member of Odessa Rayon Council
Anzhelika Pylypenko, Delegate of LDA Dnipro, and representative of the municipality
Dzenana Dedic, Delegate of LDA Mostar
by Olha Oliinyk, head of NGO “Ideas for People” and deputy head of the Secretariat of VOAOMS in Vinnytsia (Ukraine), potential new LDA Host
Overall, ALDA knows that local governance supporters are also willing to commit, by telling the Ukrainian Local Agencies that their courage is a reminder not to take democracy, peace and freedoms for granted.
In the Paris Declaration of 2015, European Ministers of Education have re-announced their commitment for an inclusive education as an important door opener of social inclusion, therefore migrants and refugees shall be helped to ensure their full participation in society, good education and transition to the labour market.
To increase the chances of migrants and refugees to remain within the educational and vocational system of their host country, the 3 STEPS project is aiming to provide them basic skills as well as a stable grounding for further personal achievements.
The practices promoted through the project (Basic education and Tandem Now) aim to standardise a valid and adaptable teaching method in the various countries involved.
3 STEPS Network
The goal is to provide channels through which the necessity of social inclusion of migrants and refugees in terms of education and vocational training increases its visibility and strength in the five countries of implementation (Spain, Turkey, Italy, Greece and France) across different entities, among those Universities, private organisations, social businesses on education, schools that are pursuing an agenda of inclusion and are committed to promote successful methodologies for inclusion.
The expected result is to obtain a well-established network of schools, public authorities, NGOs and volunteer organisations, important influencers and decision makers as well as transnational institutions able to call for policy reform.
Partners believe that joining the 3 STEPS network means having a communicative, trustworthy and empowered relationship with all the people interested in the project, and which we want to maintain until the end of its existence.
If you are a stakeholder in the field of migration, working at local, national or European level in one of the 5 implementing countries (Spain, Turkey, Italy, Greece and France) to foster inclusion of young disadvantaged refugees and migrants, join the network!
It is easy, you just need to contact the 3 STEPS partners through the website and we will reach out to you: https://3steps.eu/contacts/
Sending inspiring and universal messages to the community, once again, about 40 youth with disabilities took the stage on May 31th, 2022, in Kairouan, Tunisia and presenting a great variety of performances. The event was organized by the LDA Tunisia within the project “Starting with You” for the rehabilitation of people with disabilities and their inclusion in the society.
Among the 40 participants, 30 performers were Tunisians from Kairouan city, while 10 were Italians students, part of the association “Mettiamoci In Gioco”, who traveled from Italy to Kairouan specifically to join the show and perform in the event!
The show was designed as follow: 7 different performances from mime and sign language to a fairytale play, and from singing and dancing to corporal expression. The themes varied, yet interrelated through both the Tunisian and the Italian anthems, emphasising the idea of participation, friendship, empathy, inclusion, and the sense of belonging and community. Also, the music was also varied and marvelous that added a wonderful energy and enthusiasm to the scenes.
Aged between 7 and 35 years old, the performers are currently engaged in three local centers, each of which focuses on different characteristics: physical, mental, and auditive. All together, based on the potential and abilities of each participant, one of the dance performance proved how inclusion is possible, while breaking social exclusion.
This initiative marked a further step in building a bridge for communication, while highlighting the productive, creative, autonomous and confident skills of the performers
Once again, this initiative marked a further step in building a bridge for communication, while highlighting the productive, creative, autonomous and confident skills of the performers.
Hence, the event brought to the fore the need to further reinforce the rights of people with disabilities; especially in a city like Kairouan, which poses several barriers to citizens, being not fully accessible. In light of this, theatre thus became a source of advocacy, while raising a voice and breaking stereotypes. In the show the people portrayed a novel image where they were delighted, energetic, vivid, and active. They brought movement, energy, art, and wit to the scene. Coming from different backgrounds; local authorities, directors and staff of centers for rehabilitation, ONGs, Tunisian and Italian parents, media, students, youth and artists; the audience, engaged during the whole event, got the vibe and was deeply moved
From a general stand point, the event also emphasized the role of theater as a tool for improvement, capacity building, and personal growth, resulting from a seven-months of theater workshops, where youth actively participated working on their artistic capacities, discovering their abilities and empowering their skills.
Concluding, this event highlights the LDA Tunisia role and contribution to creating an inclusive community and reinforcing citizenship and participation of people especially those who belong to vulnerable groups. It also foregrounds the agency’s commitment to sensitize the stakeholders and the community about the rights of people with disabilities and contribute to creating a solid ground for communication and participation through artistic expression.
The event was unique and unprecedented in the community which made it standout. The LDA Tunisia team ensured that the event received the deserved public attention and national and local media coverage. The cultural and artistic event “Theatre for everyone” is the second round and the LDA Tunisia is looking forward to organizing more shows in the future. The agency is the regional responsible for the project in Kairouan, thus it actively seeks an effective, innovative and participatory solutions platform.
On 21-22 June 2022, Brussels hosted the European Development Days 2022 (EDD), Europe’s most important forum on international partnership organised by the European Commission.
Entitled “Global Gateway: building sustainable partnerships for a connected world” this year’s edition was dedicated not only to the European Strategy as such, but also on how to improve and foster it in terms of digital, energy and transport. The latter, especially, was the realm within which ALDA+ will provide its contribution!
Hence, ALDA+ joined this international event by actively participating with a stand addressing “Urban development, smart & interconnected cities. Together for fostering Good Governance at Local and Global Level”.
Concretely, based on the positive example of AUTREMENT project, currently implemented in the Tunisian cities of Kairouan and Mahdia by the ALDA office in Strasbourg, the stand showcased project’s good practices on sustainable urban mobility, which can be taken as an example for other cities.
ALDA+ joined the European Development Days 2022 by participating with a stand addressing “Urban development, smart & interconnected cities
Despite its paperless format, our stand engaged participants through digital tools and tricks: not only informative slides presenting ALDA and its spin off ALDA+, but also an interactive quiz on soft mobility and sustainability! Thus, a participation under the banner of sustainability and… discovery!
Last but not least, theEuropean Development Days aim to bring the “development community together each year to share ideas and experiences in ways that inspire new partnerships and innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges”.
For this reason we are extremely glad and proud to take active part in such a dynamic and crucial event. More, the EDD2022 were the perfect spot to showcase, once more, ALDA’s flagship initiative the “European Support to Local Democracy”, since it provides a complete overview on ALDA’s expertises in all target regions and underlines the fundamental role of cooperation.
On 31 May & 1 June, 2022, the partners of the SMELT project – Skilling Marginalised people to Enter the Labour markeT, gathered together in Nicosia (Cyprus) for their third Transnational Partners Meeting, the first one face-to-face!
After having worked together for almost two years, the first in-person meeting of the SMELT partners represented a great opportunity both to discuss the achievements of the project obtained so far and to get to know each other.
The SMELT project, started back in 2020, aims at facing the paradox of business sectors experiencing workforce shortage and the high number of vulnerable people unemployed, by supporting marginalised people in acquiring and developing key competencies, strategical for the labour market.
The project involved the execution of 3 different Intellectual Outputs – project activities that result in tangible and meaningful outputs – and, during the meeting, the partners discussed the achievements obtained from the implementation of the first Intellectual Output (IO1) titled “Develop social and entrepreneurial skills” which consisted in the preparation of 150 vulnerable people to face the labour market with a basic knowledge of their rights and possibilities and, to increase their knowledge with regards to job offers, CVs, Job centers, organisations offering employment assistance, etc.
The IO1 resulted in the creation of an Easy Handbook, which was also an object of discussion during the meeting.
The gathering ended by establishing the next project goals to be achieved in the following months and by getting acquainted with the interesting Cypriot culture.
