On October 9, 2024, ALDA held its Governing Board meeting in Brussels (Belgium). This meeting marked an important moment, as ALDA and Promote Ukraine are now located in the same building and on the same floor in the heart of the European Quarter. Promote Ukraine’s President, Marta Baraniy, offered welcoming remarks, underscoring ALDA’s growing role in supporting Ukraine through ongoing projects and collaboration.
The meeting began with remarks from ALDA President Nataša Vučković, followed by an address from the Representative of the Ombudsman of Ukraine to the EU and Belgium, who discussed the current situation in Ukraine. Later, the Board held a minute of silence in honour of Alessandro Perelli, a dedicated member and advocate for local democracy.
Key agenda items included the approval of new members, showcasing ALDA’s expanding reach across Europe. New members included the Zelenodolsk Municipality, the Grand Est Region, WTFO Europe (the European Branch of the World Fair Trade Organization), CitizensACT, and Chernivtsi Municipality. The meeting also addressed memberships and the change of elected representatives from Diputació de Barcelona, welcoming Maria Eugenia Guy, the Deputy Mayor of Barcelona, who now represents it.
During the session, the Board approved new LDA Delegates, welcoming Shota Kvaratskhelia from Georgia and Valentyna Puzikova from Odesa, Ukraine, further reinforcing the network’s presence in regions critical to democratic governance. The event was also attended by Chiara Adamo, Head of Unit “Gender, Human Rights and Democratic Governance” – DG DEVCO at European Commission, who reaffirmed the Unit’s commitment in supporting Civil Society Organisations outside Europe, specifically within the WYDE – Civic Engagement project framework.
The discussion also encompassed broader strategic and operational topics, including the 2024 Programme and Strategy Implementation, the first details of the 2025 Programme and Budget, and the registration of new offices, notably in Ukraine. An important moment was the approval of ALDA’s Statement on Palestine, showing the association’s commitment to dialogue and local democracy worldwide. Adrien Licha, Head of the Eastern Partnership Department at ALDA also presented a report on a mission to Central Asia, sharing insights into future opportunities in the region.
The event concluded with a reception, where ALDA’s Governing Board members and Chiara Adamo, from DG INPTA, joined colleagues and guests for a moment of informal exchange, marking the end of a highly productive session.
In addition to the agenda items, the meeting was also an occasion for the presentation of Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida’s book, “30 Years of Local Democracy.” In her book, she reflects on three decades of promoting democratic governance at the local level, sharing her experiences and the challenges faced, including the impact of the war in Ukraine.
The meeting reinforced ALDA’s strategy for the coming years and highlighted its ongoing commitment to local democracy, solidarity, and resilience in the face of Europe’s biggest challenges.