DOCUMENTS

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A great moment of share within ALDA project Regional Youth Compact for Europe (RYCE) in Western Balkans, which ended in May 2021.

The roads ahead of us are going to be difficult, but fundamentally speaking, we are optimistic for the future of Europe and the youth, and in the last conference under the Regional Youth Compact for Europe(RYCE) project, this was very clearly expressed by everyone, who has participated.

The RYCE Final Project Conference was held on July 1, 2021, in the city of Belgrade, Serbia, at the Metropol Hotel. The conference conducted with a hybrid format, with 36 participants viewing from the Zoom platform. Together with ALDA, there was a great number of participants – be they networks and organisations, including 13 partners.

The Regional Youth Compact for Europe project lasted for 3 years, with the aim of empowering youth organisations and other civil society groups in the Western Balkans as well as Europe. More into details, the project took into account policy design, mobilisation of participation and better decision-making among the younger generations, and EU integration monitoring.

The conference showed great optimism for the future of Europe and of youth

The topic  of the first panel concerned the relationship between the Western Balkans and Europe, the second one was about youth expectations for outlooks of European integration alongside with a research presented on the matter, while the third and last panel had representatives from Local Democracy Agencies to discuss local democracy and civic initiatives.

Overall, the conference showed great optimism for the future of Europe and of youth, but also stressed the importance of investing in younger generations; by monitoring the function of democracy and by building trust. The approaches envisaged are largely bottom-up and pan-European, in order to achieve these kind of goals. Thus, youths effectively need to be mobilised for greater participation, they need to be provided with information about policy matters that concern them, while boosting on digital tools to enable them to get valuable news and knowledge within this realm.

Talking about digitalisation, it was also highlighted that as of July 1, roaming agreements were put into place in the Balkans with the help of the European Union. 18 million people among Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia will know have the possibility to “roam like at home”, meaning that no extra money to spend when using their phones when travelling within the region. Regional integration a key to make steps forward. The latter, in fact, continues to be a topic of great importance.

Going back to the overall Final Conference, time was also given to present results of surveys for the youth done at this time of the year in 2020. From a general perspective, it can be said that this meeting proved to be a productive dialogue, showing the accomplishments of the last 3 years of the Regional Youth Compact for Europe project. Nonetheless, youth mobilisation, as well as European integration benchmarks are still very much something that needs to be further sustained.

***
This Final Conference is in the framework of the project “Regional youth compact for Europe” implemented by the Centar for Democracy Foundation (lead partner), Balkan Network for Local Democracy, CRTA, Youth Act and Sodem. This project is funded by the European Union.

DOCUMENTS

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On the 9th of June 2021 from 09h30 to 12h30 CEST, ALDA will host the 4th online International Capacity Building Workshop “Migrants’ Labour Inclusion: Networks and Cluster Activation and Consolidation” of the LIME project. Save the date and register here!

Only one month left until the end of the LIME project, but we still have a lot to share and to learn! This 4th International Capacity Building workshop will be a great opportunity to discuss migrants’ labour inclusion with participants from all over Europe, to discover the existing networks of multi- stakeholders in the field of labour inclusion and to share knowledge and experiences.

After three successful workshops dealing with the inclusion of migrants into the labour market in France, Spain and Italy respectively, the project is now organising an international workshop aiming to tackle this topic at the European level.

Save the date and register here

Thereby, this event will be a great opportunity to discuss how the MEIC model and toolkit can be applied by participants in their own local contexts, taking as examples the two successful pilot projects in Rome and in Madrid.

Valuable experts, known at international level, will share their expertise about two main topics:

  • Vocational Training & Migrants labour insertion into the labour market
  • Self-entrepreneurship & setting up a business

This will be the opportunity to listen to:

  • Dolinda Cavallo, Project Manager of the LIME project, ALDA
  • Loredana Gionne, Head of Cooperation and Co-development Department, CIES Onlus
  • Folco Cimagalli, Full professor of Sociology of Migrations, LUMSA University
  • Rossana Cerbone, Coofcooperative
  • David Taquin, MicroStart
  • Ivan Toscano, Cnosfap
  • Margherita Valori, CIES Onlus
  • Berta Sanchez, Pinardi
  • Chloé Schmitt, Kodiko
  • Roberta Petrillo, Sr Migration expert, CIES Onlus

The stakeholders involved will be from all over Europe, as the aim of the workshop is to spread the MEIC methodology at a wider scale in order to keep on fostering the inclusion of third country nationals and creating cluster networks in other cities and regions.

The event will be held on Zoom in ENGLISH, but translation in ITALIAN and SPANISH will be available.

If you would like to have further information, check our Facebook event here.

DOCUMENTS

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ALDA provides valuable and professional courses, benefitting from competences and knowledge gained throughout its 20 year experience. After a long period of time, ALDA is back in presence, launching a new course, in Italian, on “Project Cycle Management”.

This course will provide participants with tools and skills useful to better understand how to design a project from start to finish! Thus, during this intensive course, attendees will broaden their knowledge in the following topics:

  • Logical Framework Approach;
  • Drafting proposals;
  • Analysis of  EU application forms; 
  • Budget and 
  • Best practices

Register at the following link

Besides, ALDA well experienced trainers – Marco Boaria, Programme & Development Dept.  Director  & ALDA+ CEO; together with Anna Ditta, Senior Trainer and will guide participants throughout the whole training.

Lessons are organised in presence, at our headquarters in Vicenza – Viale Milano 36 – on July 2nd, 9th and 16th from 2 to 6 PM CET. Those willing to participate have to register at the following link 

As far as costs concerns, please find specifics below:

  • 300 € standard price per one person
  • 270 € standard price per one ALDA Member or student under 26

Benefit from the “Early Bird” 20% OFF! If you apply by June 11th  (6 PM CET) these will be the costs:

  • 240€ price per one person
  • 210€ price per one ALDA Member or student under 26 (20% + 10%)

Remember: costs include all teaching materials used during the course!

Check the detailed agenda here

***

Please note: the course will be in Italian

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The conference “Fostering Local Development through Tourism” took place on 26th of May in the frames of the project “Citizens’ voice and actions in consolidated communities of Armenia” with hybrid format supported by European Union. The conference aimed to conclude the 3 years’ project that was implemented in Lori, Shirak and Tavush regions of Armenia and share best practices in local development at community and regional levels executed by the consortium of Communities Finance Officers Association, European Association for Local Democracy and Union of communities of Armenia.

Mrs. Silja Kasmann, Deputy Head of Cooperation Section from Delegation of the European Union to Armenia officially opened the conference, welcomed the participants emphasising the importance of the project for the communities and how the tourism potential can promote development of Armenia.

The importance of community and economic development through tourism in Armenia

Consortium member organisation leaders Mr. Vahan Movsisyan, Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida and Mr. Emin Yeritsyan shared with the experience, difficulties and challenges during the project implementation. Tourism sphere experts from Armenia, Georgia and Moldova presented the realities in each country during and after covid, possibilities to recover tourism industry, promotion of digital tools and innovations, development of internal tourism.

Projects implemented within inter-community and demonstrative re-granting scheme once again approved the importance of community and economic development through tourism in Armenia.

ALDA is very much glad to have been part of this great project, contributing to the lives of local communities  by spurring the implementation and development of tourism in Armenia.

***

Visit Community Finance Officers Association page

Watch the conference

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Mind Inclusion project has come to an end, after two years of full implementation and commitment. Take a look at the press release to know more. When it comes to the project, together with partners, ALDA designed it so that to encourage the competences of educators of Intellectual Disabled People (IDP).

Take a look at the press release to know more

In so doing, the project contributed to achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially those targeting the reduction of inequalities (SDG 10) and the promotion of an inclusive society (SDG 16).

Among the outcomes of the project, one can find the Mind Inclusion APP

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From May 31st to June 13th the EU Green Week will take place! Two weeks to raise awareness and knowledge of how pollution affects us all: it is in the air we breathe, in the water we drink, in the land where we grow food. It is the main environmental cause of several mental and physical illnesses and premature deaths, especially among children, people with certain diseases and the elderly. However, pollution does not affect everyone equally. People living in poorer areas often live near contaminated sites or areas with high traffic density. Pollution is also a major cause of biodiversity loss. It reduces the ability of ecosystems to perform functions such as carbon capture and decontamination.

Participants will also look at other relevant European Green Deal initiatives, such as climate projects, the upcoming chemicals strategy, and other programs in energy, industry, mobility, agriculture, fisheries, health and biodiversity. EU Green Week 2021 will be an opportunity to discuss with all interested parties and citizens how to work together to make the goal of a zero-pollution, toxic-free environment a reality.

European Green Week 2021 will be an opportunity to discuss with all interested parties and citizens how to work together to make the goal of a zero-pollution, toxic-free environment a reality

ALDA, partner of the event, will join the #EUGreenWeek on the 4th of June 2021 with two online webinar, organized within the following projects: Camelot, LIFE Metro Adapt and LIFE BEWARE through 2 online workshops:

  1. 4th of June from 10:30 to 12:00 – Zero pollution challenge and Nature-Based Solutions: The leading role of metropolitan areas and EU financial instruments. The workshop will tackle the issue of urban pollution through an interactive reflection around two main questions: i) Among the different mitigation measures, which are the benefits and challenges of NBS? ii) Which is the strategic role of metropolitan areas as leaders of territorial environmental governance? Key-note interventions will set the ground for a common reflection. Afterwards, participants will be engaged in a participatory session to exchange thoughts and common solutions. Register to the webinar here.
  2. 4th of June from 12:15 to 13:40 – Natural Resources Management and Pollution Reduction: Sharing best practices at the local, national and international level. The webinar is built to share experiences about the sustainable management of natural resources in order to reduce pollution and to increase territorial resilience to climate change. The topics covered by the webinar include best practices for preventing water, soil and air contamination such as Nature-Based Solutions, Water Safety Plans, policies for the conservation and restoration of soils and to reduce air pollution. Register to the webinar here. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

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Based on competences and knowledge gained throughout its 20 year experience, ALDA is able to provide valuable and professional courses on several topics, mostly related to European funding, Policy Analysis and Project Development.

Hence, we are now launching the online course, in Italian, on: European funding: new programmes and opportunities. 

ALDA well experienced trainers – Marco Boaria, Programmes & Development Dept.  Director  & ALDA+ CEO; Anna Ditta, Senior Trainer and Lavinia Traina, Trainer  – will guide participants in better understanding EU programmes – be they CERV, HORIZON, ERASMUS + and many others.

During the course attendees will be provided with experience-based and good tips and insights useful to know when approaching this topic. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to

  • learn about EU programmes;
  • find the necessary information;
  • identify possible calls of interest and
  • learn about successful projects / best practices.

 Register to the course at the following link

Lessons are organised online on July 1st-8th-15th-22nd from 5 to 7 PM CET. Those willing to participate have to register at the following link

As far as costs concerns, please find specifics below:

  • 200 € standard price per one person
  • 180€ standard price per one ALDA Member or student under 26

Benefit from the “Early Bird” 10% OFF! If you apply by June 23rd (6 PM CET) these will be the costs:

  • 180€ price per one person
  • 160€ price per one ALDA Member or student under 26 (10% + 10%)

Remember: costs include teaching materials used during the course!

Check the detailed agenda here

By joining this ALDA course, one will gain tools and skills useful to better understand the world of “EU funding”, while expanding one’s own personal working knowledge.


***
Please note: the course will in Italian

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On the 20th of May 2021, the project IMPACT -Inclusion Matters! using Performing Arts towards Cohesion and Tolerance has officially closed its virtual doors with the Final Online Conference. The question is now, did we made the IMPACT we were hoping for? The answer is yes, as shown by the projects final outcomes: good practices, guidelines and a video

The final conference had the objective to highlight good practices designed to foster social inclusion by developing art strategies, techniques and methodologies which target refugees and citizens at the local level. The event gathered more than 60 representatives of civil society organizations as well as artistic and other institutions that work on the topic of social inclusion of migrants and refugees.

The project leader presented the project and its outcomes, and the partners presented their work on local level. Also, the conference was the perfect occasion to present the new innovative pedagogical tool developed by the project partners and the video made to illustrate the project activities.

The final conference had the objective to highlight good practices designed to foster social inclusion by developing art strategies, techniques and methodologies

IMPACT guidelines: social integration through performing arts is an innovative methodology resulting from the contribution of artists active in the field of social inclusion through arts coming from seven different countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, Italy, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia. The aim of the guidelines is to facilitate the design and implementation of workshops for social integration of migrants and local citizens, through the use of theatre and performing arts.

The promotional Video for Digital Education is a visual documentation of what the IMPACT project meant for the refugees and locals on personal level. Furthermore, it intends to show, to interested parties, how the proscribed strategies and pedagogy of methodology from the developed guidelines can be used during workshops.  The aim of the video is to promote cohesion, tolerance and joy to the outside by selling the methodology and showing the results of a self-directed group in a visual way.

The Guidelines and the Video for Digital education are easily accessible on the ALDA webpage and YouTube so the future artists and social workers can get inspired and us this unique methodology in their communities.

***
The project IMPACT is funded by the Erasmus+ programme and is implemented by the Coalition of Youth Organizations SEGA in cooperation with VIFIN – Videnscenter for Integration – Denmark, as lead partner, ALDA – France, La Piccionaia – Italy, LDA – Montenegro, LDA – Bosnia & Herzegovina, Association for Developing Voluntary Work – Novo Mesto and the Urban Development Center – Serbia.

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On May 19th, ALDA held its 3rd Capacity Building Workshop, entitled: “Coordination mechanisms in the field of migrants’ labour integration: the Italian experience”. The online webinar gathered 61 participants, mainly from Italy, spurring the creation and activation of cluster networks in this country; especially in Rome.

The event, moderated by Dolinda Cavallo from ALDA, was first of all the occasion to present both the LIME project and “CIES Onlus” –  the lead partner of the project. The event began with the opening speech of Elisabetta Bianca Melandri (CIES’ President), followed by Loredana Gionne’s contribution, focusing on the impact of the Covid-19 on the project as well as on the new challenges they had to face and successfully overcome!

Furthermore, the workshops got through many topics, such as migrants’ in Italy first and  Europe. Hence, Tatiana Esposito  – GD Migration and Integration policies of the Italian Ministry of Labour –  presented the interventions and projects implemented in Italy to foster migrants’ labour inclusion. She focused on the fact that labour integration plays a crucial role when helping migrants and refugees; while insisting on the necessity to ensure close cooperation between the institutions as well as private and public actors at all levels (national and local). Tatiana Esposito particularly emphasised the role of the cities, mentioning Rome as a good example.

Spurring the creation and activation of cluster networks in this country; especially in Rome

Afterwards, Angelique Petrits – Policy Officer at the European Commission – presented the European perspective by showing the Action Plan for Integration; its principles and key figures about employment and skills. In addition, she listed the most important areas of interventions of the Action Plan 2021 – 20217 approved by the European Commission to foster migrants’ inclusion:  education, training, health and housing.

The Action Plan is aimed to:

  • Establish a stronger cooperation between labour market actors,
  • Give more support to migrant entrepreneurs,
  • Increase the participation of migrant women in the labour market, and much more!

Besides, participants had the chance to listen to the voice of the private sector through the presentation of Monia Dardi, Diversity & Inclusion expert at Adecco Foundation. She emphasised the importance of creating networks between the public and private sectors and how it is necessary to set up a systemic approach when it comes to improve the inclusion of migrants into the labour market.

Finally, benefitting from Folco Cimagalli – full professor of Sociology of Migrations at LUMSA University –  Cristiana di Pietro and Marco Mastrodascio – Researchers at LUMSA -, the webinar served as the opportunity to learn more about the MEIC – Migrants Economic Integration Cluster methodology. Based on the case of Rome, they highlighted the first achievements of the pilot project and pointed out the interventions for migrants’ labour integration through the activation and piloting of clusters.

In conclusion, Roberta Petrillo, Senior Migration Expert at CIES Onlus, and Dolinda Cavallo, Project Manager at ALDA, engaged participants in interactive activities to address several questions to the audience. The aim of the discussion was to  collect feedback and opinions from the participants as far as the coordination with other stakeholders in labour inclusion concerns, in order to then develop a MEIC toolkit – containing all tools and guidelines for the set-up of other successful vocation and entrepreneurial cluster initiatives.

***
The LIME project  will organise two others events, take note already of the following dates!

  • 9th of June, the International Capacity Building Workshop. You can already register HERE.
  • 21st of June, the Final Conference of the LIME project. You can already register HERE.

DOCUMENTS

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It is official: ALDA General Assembly is coming soon and with it a whole week of special events under the banner of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

***

ALDA is extremely proud to announce that its General Assembly 2021 is going to happen on Friday, June 25th, at the end of an eventful week starting on Saturday, June 19th.

Taking place completely online for the second time in its history (and hopefully the last!), ALDA General Assembly 2021 and its related events will follow a common theme, being ALDA as key stakeholder in stimulating productive dialogue and participation in the Conference on the Future of Europe.

Participation, Involvement, Dialogue, Citizens, Union, Shared Solutions, Democracy: those words are not only ALDA’s main values, but also the pillars of the CoFoE, whose main objective is to encourage citizens to share ideas on the Europe we want to live in and thus shaping our future together.

Within this framework, the General Assembly and the related events will match with the set of topics identified by the CoFoE (i.e. Climate change and environment, digital transformation, migration, European Democracy,…) and will serve to stimulate reflection and discussion on key issues for our future.

As we approach the General Assembly, on Thursday June 24th ALDA Governing Board members will gather online, accompanying our members and networks in a crescendo up until the General Assembly and the Final Conference on Friday, June 25th

IMPACT guidelines: social integration through performing arts is an innovative methodology resulting from the contribution of artists active in the field of social inclusion through arts coming from seven different countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, Italy, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia. The aim of the guidelines is to facilitate the design and implementation of workshops for social integration of migrants and local citizens, through the use of theatre and performing arts.

The promotional Video for Digital Education is a visual documentation of what the IMPACT project meant for the refugees and locals on personal level. Furthermore, it intends to show, to interested parties, how the proscribed strategies and pedagogy of methodology from the developed guidelines can be used during workshops.  The aim of the video is to promote cohesion, tolerance and joy to the outside by selling the methodology and showing the results of a self-directed group in a visual way.

The Guidelines and the Video for Digital education are easily accessible on the ALDA webpage and YouTube so the future artists and social workers can get inspired and us this unique methodology in their communities.

***
The project IMPACT is funded by the Erasmus+ programme and is implemented by the Coalition of Youth Organizations SEGA in cooperation with VIFIN – Videnscenter for Integration – Denmark, as lead partner, ALDA – France, La Piccionaia – Italy, LDA – Montenegro, LDA – Bosnia & Herzegovina, Association for Developing Voluntary Work – Novo Mesto and the Urban Development Center – Serbia.

DOCUMENTS

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On Saturday, May 8, 2021, the AUTREMENT project “Urban Planning of the Territory for Reinventing Mobility and Empowering Tunisians”, organised its first parade “Nbasklou fel korouane” (Let’s ride a bike in Kairouan) with the support of the municipality and alongside several Kairouanese civil society organisations.

The objective of this bicycle parade was to raise awareness of the use of bicycles as a mode of transport, particularly in the current health context, as well as to inform the general public about the axes of the AUTREMENT project, which are sustainable mobility and citizen participation.

Switching to a soft mobility model is an essential step towards the spreading of a greener mobility system at a large scale

The opening of the parade at Bab El Jeladine, the central square of the city at the gates of the medina, took place in the presence of:
– Mr Radhouen BOUDEN, Mayor of Kairouan, as well as
– Mrs Khaoula HAJJI, municipal councillor in charge of international cooperation projects,
who both participated in the parade.

The participants cycled in front of two essential monuments of Kairouan: the great mosque Okba Ibn Nafaa and the Aghlabides’ basins (the fasqiya) before reaching to the end of the city of Kairouan at the Zerbya crossroads and returning to Bab El Jeladine.

The exceptional conditions together with the current health context forced the organisation to limit the number of participants and to cancel the planned activities to encourage exchanges with the inhabitants (stand, exhibition, activities with the public, for example). Other channels of dissemination and exchange with the inhabitants will be developed during the project so that to achieve the same objectives of awareness and citizen mobilisation.
Other bike parades and car-free days are planned within the framework of the project, in Kairouan, but also in Mahdia, in order to raise awareness of the inhabitants to the challenges of sustainable urban mobility, while renewing and perpetuating this kind of event in both cities.

***
The AUTREMENT project is a cooperation project, co-financed by the European Union, between the municipalities of Kairouan and Mahdia, the City and Eurometropolis of Strasbourg in France, the CEREMA study centre and the associations ALDA (local democracy) and CODATU (urban mobility).

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On May 18th, from 2 to 3 pm, ALDA Secretary General Ms Antonella Valmorbida was one of the special guest of the 8th edition of the European Chats, together with Ms Veronika Chmelárová, AEGEE Secretary General. European Chats are online discussion organised by EMI – European Movement International, gathering activists and stakeholders from the EMI network and live-streamed on its main channels.

How does the covid-19 pandemic and its repercussions affect citizens and which impact does it have on the state of democracies around Europe?

This was the main topic Ms Valmorbida addressed during the conversation, moderated by Petros Fassoulas, EMI Secretary General, starting from explaining and giving examples of how the covid-19 has impacted ALDA, its members and which tools ALDA put in place to face such a crisis and support its network.

“The role of local governments in sorting out the difficulties with their own civil societies and citizens is the pillar of the recovery”

“What we are bringing with us is that local communities are even more important than before. The role of local governments in sorting out the difficulties with their own civil societies and citizens is the pillar of the recovery” – stated ALDA Secretary General.

Finally, the online discussion ended on a sweet note, addressing the Conference on the Future of Europe, a one-year inclusive process aimed at involving citizens, organisations and local governments in brainstorm together for a boosted and strengthened Europe.

Antonella Valmorbida underlined the fact that this is a “precious moment” for the whole society and ALDA is going to actively join the COFOE with its ALDA network of members and partners, organising events, providing information on the whole mechanisms, and thus stimulating participation.

About the results and hopes we all place in the Conference, Ms Valmorbida is confident that good ideas will emerge from this process, as always results from openness and dialogue, as long as the Member States as well give proof of openness and receptivity .

Watch the full livestream here!

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This year ALDA is very much involved in the framework of the Conference on the Future of Europe (COFOE), which was officially launched last May 9th in the occasion of the “Europe Day” and will land in Strasbourg in 2022.

ALDA is member of the Civil society Convention for the Conference on the Future of Europe, which is a network of European Civil Society Organizations coordinated by Civil Society Europe. ALDA’s Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida is also an elected member of the Steering Committee, along with representatives from the European Civic Forum, JEF Europe,  Centre for European Volunteering, ECOLISE, SOLIDAR, Green10, the European Citizens Action Service and Volonteurope.

ALDA participates in activities on the fight against climate change and environmental challenges, Europe’s digital transformation and the European Life

Within the Convention, different thematic clusters have been created around the core topics of the Conference – be they “EU in the world”- “Digital transformation” – “ European democracy”. With ECOLISE, ALDA is co-chairing the cluster on “The Union’s democratic foundations, and how to strengthen democratic processes governing the European Union (including the Rule of law). To make Europe a citizens’ project”. The process of gathering Convention members for the cluster is currently ongoing until the first meeting of the cluster which will take place on May 27th. The members of the cluster will develop a consultation strategy to gather inputs from their constituencies, networks and other stakeholders.

Based on this strategy, ALDA will coordinate the implementation of this strategy, whereas consultations will be carried out by every cluster members, aiming at elaborating innovative ideas for the EU governance based on citizens dialogue and a democratic participatory approach. The recommendations and proposals will then be presented for the debate to the Convention.

ALDA participates also in the activities of other thematic clusters, namely the one on the fight against climate change and environmental challenges, Europe’s digital transformation and the European Life. Consultations among the members of the NGOs involved in the clusters will be organized soon, stay tuned to know how to contribute to shape a better future for Europe!

In light of this, ALDA will encourage and stimulate its networks and members both at international and global level to actively take part at the Conference on the Future of Europe, by both fully interacting with the platform directly; and joining all the events that ALDA will organise. Thus, the association is more than glad to guide its partners and friends to participate in this great occasion, because #TheFutureIsYours !

***
Take a look at the European Commission Platform for COFOE
Read more information on the Civil Society Convention here

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Well aware of all the great challenges resulting from the COVID19 health crisis, ALDA’s commitment to support local realities has never failed. Thus, by encouraging a resilient approach to new challenges, by stimulating dialogue and concretely responding to the needs of local communities, ALDA opened a call for participants specifically dedicated to municipalities. 

By this call, ALDA has offered its valuable support and knowledge in providing municipalities with new tools and skills useful to overcome those challenges affecting people, while stimulating a reaction to better face the health crisis.

Selected municipalities will benefit from one-year free membership

For this specific purpose, selected municipalities will benefit from one-year free membership, while also taking advantage of the already existing opportunities as a member of ALDA, such as:

  • Information exchange;
  • Participation in international events; 
  • Opportunities to join EU consortia and transnational projects and
  • Assistance in finding the proper funding opportunities.

During the ALDA Governing Board meeting – on May 17th 2021, the following municipalities have been selected:

  1. Municipality of Lushnje  (Albania)
  2. Ain sobh nadhour Municipality (Tunisia)
  3. Comune di Oristano (Italy)
  4. Zagora Municipality (Morocco)
  5. Ixelles Municipality (Belgium)
  6. Leporano Municipality (Italy)
  7. Scafa Municipality  (Italy)
  8. Caramanico Terme Municipality (Italy)
  9. Perrevia Network (Greece)

ALDA congratulates the shortlisted candidates and looks forward to starting this collaboration, sure that together great achievements can be reached to support local communities!

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ALDA is happy to share this great achievement of the Local Democracy Agency Montenegro. Established in Nikšić since 2001, LDA Montenegro has been working with local communities to promote local democracy, human rights, peace-building, economic development, youth participation and facilitate the European Union integration processes.

This is also an excellent opportunity to remind what they have achieved in the last two decades:

  • over 500.000 website visits
  • over 10 000 beneficiaries
  • over 1000 exchanges
  • over 200 partners
  • over 100 volunteers and projects

LDA Montenegro: a successful organisation in the Balkans turning 20 years old

Thanks to the engagement of citizens, volunteers, partners, donors and the support of ALDA, they will continue to develop meaningful actions and partnerships in favour of the local community and the whole region! 

ALDA is pleased to celebrate this great achievement together, while working hand in hand in building a stronger society, in stimulating debates and discussion while encouraging the increase of a democratic reality.

Visit their website and social media to learn more about their work.

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On 13th of March 2021 the conference to present the evaluation report of the pilot projects of the AGREED programme –  Activating Governance Reform for Enhancing Development took place. The event was organised in a hybrid format and participants could join the conversation either online or in presence.

The event was of utmost relevance, since it aimed at presenting the pilot projects implemented thanks to the main AGREED programme and with the support of ALDA, assessing their achievements and results.

The conference was animated by the following keynote speakers:  

  • Svetloslav SVILENOV, Project Manager of Public Administration Reform and Anti-Corruption from European Union Delegation from Moldova
  • Antonella VALMORBIDA, General Secretary of ALDA
  • Alexandru COICA, EaP and Central Asia Coordinator of ALDA
  • Victor COTRUTA, EaP Coordinator from ALDA
  • Mayors and presidents of the CSO’s which have implemented the grant projects

A cascade effect of small projects with a great local impact

Participants have highlighted the great results and good cooperation achieved thanks to the projects, expressing their willingness to visit the projects in the field and wishing the best for future actions.

AGREED,  like its pilot projects,  aims to strengthen Moldova’s local authorities capacity to perform a transparent and participatory governance within their communities, focusing on the policy making process related to the upcoming decentralisation reform.

ALDA is glad to have participated in the event and to support such an important project on good governance and local development!

To know more visit AGREED website

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As ALDA’s engagement becomes deeper stronger in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) area, we are very glad to announce that ALDA, in the person of the EaP regional coordinator Alexandru Coica, is actively engaged within the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (CSF EaP), as far as the Association Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova concerns. 

Signed on 27 June 2014, the Association Agreement entered into force on 1 July 2016, and according to article 442 a Civil Society Platform (CSP) should have been set, so that to have Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) –  from both EU and Moldova– involved “in order to keep them informed of, and gather input for, the implementation of this Agreement”.

Besides, the Platform organises regular meetings to discuss and share ideas, while making recommendations to the Association Council. 

“In order to keep them informed of, and gather input for, the implementation of this Agreement”

During the seventh meeting – held virtually on 30-31 March 2021 – the CSP tackled different key aspects and, among them, one can find:

  •   The welcoming of the agenda of the  President of Moldova; without forgetting, yet, the concern on the polarisation of the country;
  •   The attention on the Transparency International Index, focusing on the level of corruption in Moldova, as well as the dichotomy on salaries between male and female workers and the welcoming of the EU Focal Regions Programme;
  •   The focus on the climate change, especially the willingness of the Republic to reduce emission by 70% by 2030

Furthermore,  the occasion served as a moment to discuss two issues more in depth. Starting with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its repercussions both on the social and economic development, CSP recognised and appreciated the EU and its Members States’ solidarity in supporting Moldova – through, for example, “Team Europe”. Yet, the importance of having an efficient communication strategy on vaccination campaign has also risen. 

In addition, on economic development,  the second issue above-mentioned, participants to the seventh meeting called on the Moldovan Government to postpone fiscal payments for companies and individual entrepreneurs and to increase unemployment subsidies. Furthermore, they also urge the need to have civil society involved, especially when it comes to discuss and define policies to address the current health crisis and its negative outcomes.

Finally, the overall health sector has been addressed also as far as its digitalisation concerns. The latter has been seen both as an opportunity to make the most of the EU4Digital initiatives; and as risk – meaning that it should not lead to cuts in services.

ALDA has actively contributed in this process and within the EU-Moldova Civil Society Platform, in order to make a concrete step forward while sharing its valuable knowledge and expertise.

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Today, May 17th 2021, the ALDA Governing Board met online again, paving the way throughout our annual General Assembly, which will take place online on the 25th June in the framework of a week of events ALDA is organising towards the Conference on the Future of Europe.

The meeting was an occasion for debate and growth. Members of the Governing Board discussed several topics; from ALDA staff to LDAs, while focusing especially on strategies’ implementation, and on the role that ALDA will play as a global actor. Thus, as ALDA is enlarging, becoming day by day an even more strategic partner for institutions, local authorities and the world of organised civil society; the GB is now laying the foundation for making another step forward. Starting from our 20 years of experience and expertise in engaging people, associations and third parties from all over the world, the GB discussed about the concrete path to be followed in the upcoming months and years.  

In addition, ALDA – benefitting from newly elected Governing Board members’ networks – proposed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with LEADER France. The latter, created in 1997 on the initiative of rural territories involved in the European rural development programme LEADER, represents 339 LEADER territories, both of mainland France and overseas. 

ALDA is enlarging, becoming day by day an even more strategic partner for institutions and CSOs

Moreover, considering ALDA’s mission in promoting and stimulating local actors’ engagement, at today’s Governing Board meeting, the opportunity to join the “Paese dell’acqua” (“Land of water”) cultural association. Addressing the issues of water resources’ development and protection, “Paese dell’Acqua” facilitates the creation of a national and international network of professionals, while collecting good practices and promoting research.

As said, discussing the future steps to take, today’s meeting served as the occasion to prepare the General Assembly, which will take place during the second half of June. The Governing Board is sure that this year’s General Assembly will be a great opportunity for discussing and reflecting on the role of ALDA in light of the great challenges posed by the health-crisis and the role that the association has played at European level, providing great support to partners and institutions.