The presence of ALDA in Ukraine dates back to 2012 and counts two Local Democracy Agencies in the country: LDA Dnipro established in 2015, followed two years later by the opening of LDA Mariupol.
Even before the start of this terrible war that has been going on for more than a year now, ALDA had the intention of strengthening its connection with Ukraine by opening other Local Democracy Agencies to work alongside the existing ones.
The attack on the country and its people in February 2022 has accelerated this process and made it inevitable to have instruments in Ukraine that promote values such as democracy, peace, freedom and citizens participation.
It is also for this reason that, during the first week of May, an ALDA team travelled to Ukraine to meet with representatives of the cities where two Local Democracy Agencies are scheduled to open soon: Odesa and Vinnytsia…and it didn’t end here
ALDA’s presence in Ukraine dates back to 2012, and to date, the connection with the nation and its people has grown stronger day by day
On May 9, ALDA Secretary General, Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida and the Consultant for LDAs development in Ukraine, Mr. Bartlomiej Andrzej Ostrowski, met online with the Head of the Regional Council in Rivne, Mr. Andriy Karaush, and with the Deputy of the Regional Council, Ms. Svitlana Bohatyrchuk-Kryvko, in order to open an additional Local Democracy Agency in Rivne.
As highlighted during the meeting by Mr. Karaush, the opportunities for cooperation are endless and range from vocational education to tourism and the enhancement and conservation of architectural monuments.
ALDA’s connection with Ukraine and its population grows stronger day by day, as the will to help the Ukrainian people rebuild their beautiful country.
“Our presence in Ukraine dates back to 2012. Our Local Democracy Agencies are working in Mariupol and Dnipro. (..) ALDA wants to open another seven LDAs in the country, and we are interested in doing so also in Rivne and thus establish a strong and resilient cooperation with the city” – stated Mrs. Valmorbida.
On a day as important as Europe Day, it is crucial to promote and support entities, such as Local Democracy Agencies, that promote values of equality, human rights and democracy on which the European project is based.