From 21 to 23 July the 1st “STAR Project” international meeting took place – in an hybrid form – in Arcugnano, having the onsite participation of 8 European delegations partner of the project coming from Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, The Netherlands. The remaining 6 European delegations from Albania, Germany, Serbia, Czech Republic, Kosovo and Poland attended the international event online.

On the first day, project’s parties and local authorities met to present both STAR initiative, and the consortium to Arcugnano citizens. The latter, which joined the presentation in a great number, were interested about the work carried out by the Municipality and welcomed the European delegations with enthusiasm.

More into details, the event took place in the main council hall, where the city Mayor Paolo Pellizzari welcomed the participants with an opening speech. Afterwards, Nadia Di Iulio, Project Manager of ALDA, presented the project to the public. Then, each STAR partner briefly presented its association as well as street art initiatives implemented at local level, aimed at the regeneration of a territory; while stimulating civic engagement. In addition, partners took this chance as a fruitful moment of sharing experiences, and getting to know each other better.

 Partners took this chance as a fruitful moment of sharing experiences, and getting to know each other better

During the second day, a technical meeting was held, where the parties discussed the participatory process carried out at the local level within the STAR project, the objectives achieved and the next future steps. 

After the meeting, a public press conference took place in the Council hall of the Municipality, on the importance and impact of street art in regenerating depressed areas and promoting social inclusion and targeted artistic and cultural associations. Based on the day 1 format, Mr Paolo Pellizzari opened the meeting; followed by Project Manager Nadia Di Iulio.

Among keynote speakers, who joined this second day of events:

• Mr Antonio Ceccagno from Jeos Association talked about how street art contributes to urban regeneration of a territory, while involving different stakeholders;
• Luis Gomez de Teran – artist – discussed the challenges of street art as an instrument of social cohesion. 

Finally, guided by the Mayor, together with Antonio Ceccagno and Nadia Di Iulio participants joined a guided tour of the murals. The tour of the artworks and the explanation was useful to understand the concrete importance of the project for the Municipality and its engagement.  Then, the STARproject partners moved to Città di Vicenza, where they were warmly welcomed by Caterina Soprana, Vicenza Municipality Councillor of civil and human rights and peace culture. Mrs Soprana congratulated the STAR partnership on this initiative and wished for future collaborations with the city of Vicenza.

On the third and last day of the meeting the associations and parties involved met to discuss the administrative aspects and last greetings. 

Despite the difficulties and although some partners had to participate online, due to covid-19 safety measures, the meeting was a positive experience for all parties involved and they worked together discussing various important for good practices and active citizenship  to build more inclusive and creative European communities

***
Useful information on: Municipality of Arcugnano

To inaugurate this new series of in-presence events, we are glad to announce that this year ALDA is taking part into the General Assembly of the “International Association of French-speaking Mayors – AIMF”.

The Assembly takes place in Kigali, Rwanda, from July 18th to 22nd and follows an intense and stimulating agenda, animated by special guests and experts from all over the World.
While the Assembly itself is foreseen on Wednesday, the first day of conference is dedicated to the issue of gender equality in relation to family management: a sensitive topic, also related to health care management for young people in the Country and in general to the services offered by the Municipalities.

On Tuesday July 20th, the focus is more linked to ALDA’s core action, with a series of panel discussions on the relation between mayors and citizens and how this dynamic reflects on the urban management of French-speaking cities. In this vein, ALDA Secretary General, Ms Antonella Valmorbida, is taking the floor during the first panel, titled “Local government policies in phase with civil society: models of partnership between the municipality and civil society“.

A fruitful occasion of learning and sharing, for the advancement of good local governance all around the World

After listening to the Rwandans experience through the voices of local experts, Ms Valmorbida is giving an overview of participatory democracy and the dynamics of citizens participation in Europe and its Neighborhood, drawing from the experience and the best practices of the myriad of projects ALDA has been leading on these topics for the past 20 years.

In light of the recent, yet extremely promising, collaboration with AIMF, it is important for ALDA and its network to be involved in such an event, and getting to know better the mechanisms that regulate the functioning of communities in different places
This is crucial for the advancement of the work of ALDA and the elaboration of even more complete models for the support of local democracy all around the World, according to changing contexts and needs.

Starting in 2008, and based on a bottom-up approach, the idea behind the Covenant of Majors is to gather together thousands of local realities committed to turn European legislation on climate and energy into concrete actions, such as EU 40% greenhouse gas-reduction target by 2030

With more than 10.000 signatories, and spread among 53 countries, the “Covenant of Mayors” is the world’s largest initiatives focusing on climate and energy actions.

The call ‘City in the Spotlight Awards’ is a great opportunity to showcase the progress made and become a reference example for the whole Covenant Community and beyond!

More in depth, the call is open until August 16th 2021, allowing cities and majors to share their experiences, progress and strategies as far as climate and energy legislation concerns.

Apply and let your city be a reference example for the whole Covenant Community

Specifically, requirements – such as only signatories that have committed to the 2030 mitigation and adaptation targets are eligible – applied. Nonetheless, this is a great occasion to participate, or to join the initiative and get ready for the next call. Concerning the winners, here is the ratio behind:

• 1 small-sized signatory (<10,000 inhabitants)
• 1 medium-sized signatory (10,000- 250,000 inhabitants)
• 1 large-sized signatory (>250,000 inhabitants)

If you are interested in applying, please visit the website

For the first time in recent history, something uncontrollable made us stop and think about the World in which we were living. During the long isolation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we all posed questions to ourselves on the reality in which we have been living, our lifestyle, and on the one we would like to live in, and build for our future. 

ALDA, as well, has been carrying on a deep and elaborated reflection aimed at ensuring the continuity of its activities and providing support to all its members and partners, even from a distance.

Thus, after a long break, on the 4th of July, ALDA Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida flew to Ukraine to deliver a series of trainings  within the programme “Platform for Good Governance and Environmental Protection”, financed by UNDP in Ukraine. 

ALDA: working for the people and with the people

More in details, Ms. Valmorbida is leading seven interactive and participative trainings, from July 5th until July 14th, on the following topics:

• Raising awareness of professional competencies of representatives of local authorities and public leaders of target communities;
• Creativity and innovation in local governance;
• Responsible local governance: publicity, transparency, innovation and partnership

These activities, carried out in presence, are essential aspects of the overall mission of ALDA: working for the people and with the people. If on the one hand the above-mentioned trainings mark a small, yet important step; on the other, this achievement would have not been possible without a constant commitment of ALDA throughout 2020. Thus, the association and its staff managed to re-designing its projects, not by changing its objectives; on the contrary by re-scheduling its activities, events and methods.

ALDA, guided by its experiences and vision, has been able to successfully overcome this intense year, turning challenges into opportunities, and opportunities in reality… and now is finally ready to meet again its partners and friends!

Stay tuned for further updates!

We are delighted to announce that on June 30th – at the General Assembly of the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) – Antonella Valmorbida has been reappointed as Chair of the organisation, for the upcoming 2 years. Together with Ms. Valmorbida, Anthony Smith, executive director Westminster Foundation of Democracy, has been appointed as treasurer; and Thijs Berman, Executive director of Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), as Vice- President.

Antonella Valmorbida has been reappointed as Chair of the organisation, for the upcoming 2 years

Besides elections, in lights of its role as a key player on EU democracy support, both vis-à-vis the EU Institutions and the member states, as well as the wider democracy support community, this year’s meeting had several key topics on the agenda, reflecting on the role of EPD in the near future.

With its seventeen civil and political society organisations as members from many states around the world, it comes with itself that the role of EPD is essential when stimulating citizens’ participation; social engagements and dialogue among different stakeholders.

ALDA staff is very much glad to hear this great news, and wish to all the Board of Directors, and colleagues at EPD the very best for its future.

***

To know more: EPD website

On June 15th at the General Assembly of the French Network of the Anna Lindh Foundation in Marseille, ALDA and Les Têtes de l’Art were confirmed as co-heads of the network, following the election that took place in the previous days.

For the next two years, our two organisations will animate a network of more than 150 French member associations working on intercultural dialogue and related topics. Bringing together our expertise, we will support the development of the members by organising training sessions and activities ranging from exchanges, workshops and advocacy campaigns. ALDA, based in Strasbourg, will contribute with its experience in EU project development and management, as well as coordinating activities aimed to enhance citizens participation, good governance and local democracy. Les Têtes de l’Art, based in Marseille, has developed a strong knowledge of participatory arts practices, informal education, social and solidarity-based economy as well as youth participation and the use of media. ALDA and Les Têtes de l’Art have been collaborating in the last 2 years in various activities promoted by the French Network, previously led by Forum Femmes Méditerranée.

ALDA and Les Têtes de l’Art were confirmed as co-heads of the network

With this mandate, ALDA and Les Têtes de l’Art will join the other 41 Heads of National Networks of the Anna Lindh foundation (list available here), favouring international exchange and reinforcing the dialogue both with Anna Lindh Foundation and the European Union as the main donor of the Foundation.

Reflecting fully the Euro-Mediterranean dimension and the great potential of the French Network, we are both extremely motivated to accept this mandate and the stimulating challenge of reinforcing intercultural dialogue at the local, national and international level.

ALDA looks for this great collaboration, and it is motivated to work closely together for the best of this initiatives.

VALID project is taking us to Larissa – Greece! Among the 11 participants that virtually gathered together on June 9, 2021, there were members of the Municipality of Larissa; various other cultural entities such as NGOs, museums and associations. As many already knows, the VALID project – Enacting Common Values of Solidarity and Intercultural Dialogue – is designed to reinforce the integration of intercultural and social perspectives into a wide range of public policies. Hence, within this context the above-mentioned meeting has to be understood

This meeting served as a good cultural exchange experience for those involved, while paving the way for future meetings and moments of share

This meeting was hosted in order for participants to present their organisations and activities, while showing them the  details and specifics of “VALID” project. More into depth, several presentations, various activities, and ideas-sharing were among the different tolls used in order to present the project. After that, attendees discussed the “Mill of Pappas” Culture Hub; and, at the same time, they also explored possible mutual collaborative activities and partnerships after September of 2021.

Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions, according to which no more than 7 people were allowed in the municipal hall, the meeting was held online in order to allow anyone to join the event. Despite that, this meeting served as a good cultural exchange experience for those involved, while paving the way for future meetings and moments of share.

***
The event was co-funded by the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union

The 15 members of ALDA Governing Board, including our President, Mr Oriano Otočan, gathered for their annual meeting on the eve of the ALDA General Assembly, in the afternoon of Thursday June 24^th.

As often, this period of the year is the occasion to make the point on ALDA’s activities and to disclose and discuss key documents for the democratic life of the Association, passing towards the review and approval of the Governing Board.

The members of the Governing Board had then the opportunity and duty to discuss about core documents such as ALDA and ALDA+ accounts for 2020 and budget and program for 2021, which have been approved unanimously by all participants. Indeed, despite the challenging year that we leave behind us, the Association’s balance sheet showed an overall positive and promising situation.

Following all the Governing Board members started planning the preparation of the ALDA General Assembly

Following all the Governing Board members started planning the preparation of the ALDA General Assembly with a series of crucial decisions for the smooth progress of the Assembly, being the core event of the whole week.

All of them, along with the ALDA secretariat went through the documents and decisions to be discussed with our members on the following day, assuring a clear and detailed presentation of ALDA’s activities, going also through the internal reports drafted by the President, the Treasurer, and the Auditor of ALDA. Thereafter, the Governing Board members had the chance to enjoy the preview of both ALDA’s and the LDA’s Activity Reports.

The third and last part of the meeting was more centred on strategical and political issues, with the approval of the revised strategies for ALDA Going Global, general updates on the Local Democracy Agencies, on the members and on the upcoming events involving the Association.

Key decisions and discussion which paved the way to the awaited ALDA Ordinary General Assembly!