Earlier this year, ALDA – The European Association for Local Democracy – was awarded the Operating Grant of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) of the European Union!
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.
Starting from the former, ALDA has organised a dedicated conference, involving several donors and stakeholders, on the current situation, and possible future opportunities for the Local Democracy Agencies in Ukraine, willing to contribute to the process of peace-building, citizens’ engagement while firmly condemning this war. The conference will take place on 22 June 2022, at 2.30 PM at Residence Palace, Wetstraat 155, Brussels, Belgium
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 PM at Loggia Frà Giocondo, Verona, Italy.
These are just a few of the countless initiatives undertaken by ALDA, within the CERV programme, as a leading association within the democracy promotion and citizens’ engagement framework, in Europe and beyond.
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