LDA Montenegro welcomed Turkish friends from "Yayade - Slow Living"
“Yayade – Slow Living” members, Bulent Kostem and Metin Savural, from Karsiaka – Izmir (Turkey), met LDA Montenegro during their 4-days study visit in the country.
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On 16 October LDA Montenegro welcomed the study visit of “Yayade – Slow Living” members, Bulent Kostem and Metin Savural: after a short introduction, an exchange of ideas was conducted with LDA staff in the Niksic office. The meeting was hosted by Nikšić Municipality representatives: Zivko Kecojevic (Manager), Slobodanka Roganovic (Chief of Mayors Service) and Lazar Mijanović (Secretary for Local self-governance). The day continued with the meeting with the Young Ecologists Association and Director Miodrag Karadzic, a working lunch in Trebjesa park and, in the end, a farewell party organised for the two interns that finished their nine-months apprentisage in LDA Montenegro: Tanja Rabrenovic and Bojana Radovic.
On 17 October “Yayade – Slow Living” members met in Podgorica Elvira Hadzibegovic – Bubanja, director of “Forum MNE”, followed by meeting with Bar municipality representatives: Olivera Vidakovic (Chief of the Secretariat for social affairs), Ana Lekic & Naser Kraja from NVO cooperation office and Ana Zivanovic & Meliha Gutic from Mayor’s office for international cooperation. The last meeting of the day was in Ulcinj Municipality with Artan Cobaj from International relations and projects office. The Turkish friends will continue their visit on 18 and 19 October with the participation at the Regional Youth Forum in Peje and Pristine (Kosovo) within ALDA’s “Regional network for your participation and dialogue” project.
This study visit is organised within Civil Society Exchange programme by MitOst from Germany and Bilgi University from Istanbul, funded by Stiftung Merkator.
Useful links:
LDA Montenegro webpage
“Yayade – Slow Living” members, Bulent Kostem and Metin Savural, from Karsiaka – Izmir (Turkey), met LDA Montenegro during their 4-days study visit in the country.
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On 16 October LDA Montenegro welcomed the study visit of “Yayade – Slow Living” members, Bulent Kostem and Metin Savural: after a short introduction, an exchange of ideas was conducted with LDA staff in the Niksic office. The meeting was hosted by Nikšić Municipality representatives: Zivko Kecojevic (Manager), Slobodanka Roganovic (Chief of Mayors Service) and Lazar Mijanović (Secretary for Local self-governance). The day continued with the meeting with the Young Ecologists Association and Director Miodrag Karadzic, a working lunch in Trebjesa park and, in the end, a farewell party organised for the two interns that finished their nine-months apprentisage in LDA Montenegro: Tanja Rabrenovic and Bojana Radovic.
On 17 October “Yayade – Slow Living” members met in Podgorica Elvira Hadzibegovic – Bubanja, director of “Forum MNE”, followed by meeting with Bar municipality representatives: Olivera Vidakovic (Chief of the Secretariat for social affairs), Ana Lekic & Naser Kraja from NVO cooperation office and Ana Zivanovic & Meliha Gutic from Mayor’s office for international cooperation. The last meeting of the day was in Ulcinj Municipality with Artan Cobaj from International relations and projects office. The Turkish friends will continue their visit on 18 and 19 October with the participation at the Regional Youth Forum in Peje and Pristine (Kosovo) within ALDA’s “Regional network for your participation and dialogue” project.
This study visit is organised within Civil Society Exchange programme by MitOst from Germany and Bilgi University from Istanbul, funded by Stiftung Merkator.
Useful links:
LDA Montenegro webpage
A new paradigm for environmental policies - citizens’ participation is key
On 16-17 October 2017, the deliberative event of project ENLARGE gathered over 80 people in Milan, Italy. The aim was as simple as ambitious — discussing successful real-life cases of participatory governance in the field of sustainable energy.
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More than 31 cities, associations, and other institutions participated in the event, bringing their experience in the field. They had been selected following a call for practices launched months ago.
The discussion was intense, and organized through innovative participation methods. Participants from 10 countries in the enlarged Europe thus had the opportunity to discuss their experiences, success factors, obstacles, and lessons learnt in their local community.
Following the deliberative event, the results from the group discussion will be analyzed and used to produce the “Choose Your Own Adventure” book, which will be created to support communities design the best participatory process, according to their specific features and needs.
Erica Melloni, Director of the Institutional and Administrative Policy Unit of IRS, stated: “The ENLARGE deliberative event was a great opportunity for discussing the different strategies that local governments and stakeholders can undertake to favour most effective policies through collaborative processes. All the information gathered, together with the case studies already drafted and available on the ENLARGE website, represent valuable materials to increase knowledge on collaborative public policies in general, and on sustainable energy policies in particular”.
ALDA was represented by Irene Zanetti, Head of the Communications Department. “Keeping in mind that there is no right or wrong model to engage citizens in different communities is crucial” said Zanetti. “Our local communities define who we are as citizens much more than where we come from, and are the level we can really impact. Promoting citizens participation in the environmental field, which everyone cares about, will stimulate participatory citizenship at a broader level. And when citizens are involved in decision making, our experience shows decisions taken are simply better” she concluded.
ENLARGE is a 2-year project led by Istituto per la ricerca sociale (IRS) and funded by the European Union. It aims to generate and disseminate knowledge on participatory governance with focus on sustainable energy, through a process of dialogue and exchange involving policy makers, civil society actors and practitioners.
Useful resources
ENLARGE website
Follow #ENLARGEproject on social media!
On 16-17 October 2017, the deliberative event of project ENLARGE gathered over 80 people in Milan, Italy. The aim was as simple as ambitious — discussing successful real-life cases of participatory governance in the field of sustainable energy.
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More than 31 cities, associations, and other institutions participated in the event, bringing their experience in the field. They had been selected following a call for practices launched months ago.
The discussion was intense, and organized through innovative participation methods. Participants from 10 countries in the enlarged Europe thus had the opportunity to discuss their experiences, success factors, obstacles, and lessons learnt in their local community.
Following the deliberative event, the results from the group discussion will be analyzed and used to produce the “Choose Your Own Adventure” book, which will be created to support communities design the best participatory process, according to their specific features and needs.
Erica Melloni, Director of the Institutional and Administrative Policy Unit of IRS, stated: “The ENLARGE deliberative event was a great opportunity for discussing the different strategies that local governments and stakeholders can undertake to favour most effective policies through collaborative processes. All the information gathered, together with the case studies already drafted and available on the ENLARGE website, represent valuable materials to increase knowledge on collaborative public policies in general, and on sustainable energy policies in particular”.
ALDA was represented by Irene Zanetti, Head of the Communications Department. “Keeping in mind that there is no right or wrong model to engage citizens in different communities is crucial” said Zanetti. “Our local communities define who we are as citizens much more than where we come from, and are the level we can really impact. Promoting citizens participation in the environmental field, which everyone cares about, will stimulate participatory citizenship at a broader level. And when citizens are involved in decision making, our experience shows decisions taken are simply better” she concluded.
ENLARGE is a 2-year project led by Istituto per la ricerca sociale (IRS) and funded by the European Union. It aims to generate and disseminate knowledge on participatory governance with focus on sustainable energy, through a process of dialogue and exchange involving policy makers, civil society actors and practitioners.
Useful resources
ENLARGE website
Follow #ENLARGEproject on social media!
Special Initiative of LADDER in Belgrade: Youth Participation in Focus
The Special Initiative of the SEE Path “Youth Participation in Focus” was held from 10th to 12th October 2017 in Serbia. The event included an international conference, workshops and discussions on the topic, and it was organized by Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities.
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The Special Initiative of the SEE Path “Youth Participation in Focus” was held from 10th to 12th October 2017 in Serbia. The event included an international conference, workshops and discussions on the topic, and it was organized by Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities.
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"My city - intercultural city" – a new research activity in Niksic!
On August the 3rd 2017, the Local Democracy Agency Montenegro launched the first workshop of the initiative “My City – Intercultural City”
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The workshop represents the first step in the realization of the project “My City – Intercultural City”, which includes research initiatives pursued – under professional mentoship – by the participants on the topic of interculturality in the municipality of Nikšić, Montenegro. At this first workshop, the participants received all the necessary information, knowledge and materials necessary and individual tasks were assigned in accordance with their preferences.
Thanks to this workshop, young researchers from Niksic will be able to begin their work on cultural and historical monuments and famous people relevant to the city of Nikšić and able to testify the history of dialogue and multiculturality proper of the little Montenegrin town. A selection of the gathered results will be published and promoted locally and regionally. The aim of this activity is to present interculturality in Nikšić, both today and throughout its history, as well as raising cultural awareness in local communities and improving the general perception of cultural practices amongst young people in the region.
This activity is part of the project Balkan Regional Platform For Youth Participation and Dialogue, financed by the European Commission through the Civil Society Facility, Operating Grants of IPA CSO Associations, Support to regional thematic associations.
On August the 3rd 2017, the Local Democracy Agency Montenegro launched the first workshop of the initiative “My City – Intercultural City”
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The workshop represents the first step in the realization of the project “My City – Intercultural City”, which includes research initiatives pursued – under professional mentoship – by the participants on the topic of interculturality in the municipality of Nikšić, Montenegro. At this first workshop, the participants received all the necessary information, knowledge and materials necessary and individual tasks were assigned in accordance with their preferences.
Thanks to this workshop, young researchers from Niksic will be able to begin their work on cultural and historical monuments and famous people relevant to the city of Nikšić and able to testify the history of dialogue and multiculturality proper of the little Montenegrin town. A selection of the gathered results will be published and promoted locally and regionally. The aim of this activity is to present interculturality in Nikšić, both today and throughout its history, as well as raising cultural awareness in local communities and improving the general perception of cultural practices amongst young people in the region.
This activity is part of the project Balkan Regional Platform For Youth Participation and Dialogue, financed by the European Commission through the Civil Society Facility, Operating Grants of IPA CSO Associations, Support to regional thematic associations.
Networking and exchanging: ALDA’s Italian members meet up
On 13 October 2017 the coordination meeting of ALDA’s Italian member took place in Vicenza, in order to discuss together the priorities and future steps of the organisation.
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The coordination meeting represents an important moment of exchange for all the members attending, since it is an occasion to further discuss the priorities, concerns and needs they have in common, and to develop the strategies to act as a solid and inclusive network.
The meeting gathered more than 30 representatives of Civil Society Organisations and Local Authorities, and was opened by the welcoming words of Giorgio Sbrissa, General Director of ENAIP Veneto, that kindly hosted the meeting; Alessandro Perelli, Vice-President of ALDA; and Francesco Zarzana, member of ALDA’s Governing Board. Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA, introduced the meeting giving a definition of “being member of ALDA”, that is democratic expression of mutual trust, common values and mission.
The representatives involved had the opportunity to share the upcoming events they are planning, in order to have a clearer frame of the main activities that are going to take place in the next months of 2017 and in 2018. Furthermore, the participants exchanged many ideas and concerns during the working groups session, that focused on four main topics:
1. Migration: The participants shared their best practices on the topic, suggesting the creation of an observatory guided by ALDA both at national and European level, in order to foster the dialogue among the organisations and local authorities involved in the issue and facilitate the debate.
2. Environmental sustainability: The discussion led to the perception of environmental sustainability as part of the social and economic sphere. On the territorial perspective, many participants shared their good practices of actions run in the field, in particular in the Balkans, and the role of ALDA as joining link between local authorities and CSOs for the implementation of new action was restated. All participants to this working group showed the need of addressing to youngsters, with activities in their schools for instance.
3. Employment: The participants had an important exchange on the current opportunities of professionalization for adults and disable people in Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions. The promotion of employment opportunities for youngsters is also an issue for many of the representatives involved. As a solution, the group suggested to improve the communication around it and the impact of the concrete actions they are going to implement in the very next future.
4. European parliamentary elections 2019 and future of Europe: Some hints were shared within the group, as the suggestion to further promote the principles of the European Union, its history and evolution, addressing in particular the youngsters, since nowadays we are witnessing a regression of all values that built the European Union. Also we should mention the important role covered by the European Union itself in reaching out many of the civil rights we have nowadays, and the parallel role covered by participative processes in general, being the sole method that fostered a real, democratic and active participation.
Considering the fruitful results of the coordination meeting, many others are expected to take place in future months!
On 13 October 2017 the coordination meeting of ALDA’s Italian member took place in Vicenza, in order to discuss together the priorities and future steps of the organisation.
***
The coordination meeting represents an important moment of exchange for all the members attending, since it is an occasion to further discuss the priorities, concerns and needs they have in common, and to develop the strategies to act as a solid and inclusive network.
The meeting gathered more than 30 representatives of Civil Society Organisations and Local Authorities, and was opened by the welcoming words of Giorgio Sbrissa, General Director of ENAIP Veneto, that kindly hosted the meeting; Alessandro Perelli, Vice-President of ALDA; and Francesco Zarzana, member of ALDA’s Governing Board. Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA, introduced the meeting giving a definition of “being member of ALDA”, that is democratic expression of mutual trust, common values and mission.
The representatives involved had the opportunity to share the upcoming events they are planning, in order to have a clearer frame of the main activities that are going to take place in the next months of 2017 and in 2018. Furthermore, the participants exchanged many ideas and concerns during the working groups session, that focused on four main topics:
1. Migration: The participants shared their best practices on the topic, suggesting the creation of an observatory guided by ALDA both at national and European level, in order to foster the dialogue among the organisations and local authorities involved in the issue and facilitate the debate.
2. Environmental sustainability: The discussion led to the perception of environmental sustainability as part of the social and economic sphere. On the territorial perspective, many participants shared their good practices of actions run in the field, in particular in the Balkans, and the role of ALDA as joining link between local authorities and CSOs for the implementation of new action was restated. All participants to this working group showed the need of addressing to youngsters, with activities in their schools for instance.
3. Employment: The participants had an important exchange on the current opportunities of professionalization for adults and disable people in Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions. The promotion of employment opportunities for youngsters is also an issue for many of the representatives involved. As a solution, the group suggested to improve the communication around it and the impact of the concrete actions they are going to implement in the very next future.
4. European parliamentary elections 2019 and future of Europe: Some hints were shared within the group, as the suggestion to further promote the principles of the European Union, its history and evolution, addressing in particular the youngsters, since nowadays we are witnessing a regression of all values that built the European Union. Also we should mention the important role covered by the European Union itself in reaching out many of the civil rights we have nowadays, and the parallel role covered by participative processes in general, being the sole method that fostered a real, democratic and active participation.
Considering the fruitful results of the coordination meeting, many others are expected to take place in future months!
Localising SDGs - the way ahead. LADDER event in Strasbourg
A journey to inspire LAs, CSOs and citizens to SDGs and to foster their implementation at the local level. What was achieved so far and what’s next?
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ALDA, in the framework of the LADDER project (Local Authorities as Drivers for Development Education and Raising awareness) is organising its final conference, taking place in Strasbourg from 21-22 of November 2017.
The conference is organised in cooperation with several local stakeholders: Solidarité Eau Europe, COLECOSOL, Zig et Zag – plateforme achat responsable, Académie de la petit enfance, Council of Europe, CEFODE, and GESCOD.
The conference will last 1 day and a half and it will consist of a panel debates and discussions between representatives of Local Authorities, Civil Society Organisations, EU representatives and other highly relevant speakers who will share their expertise on the Sustainable Development Goals and the relevance of Development Education at the local level; an Open Space Methodology where participants will play an active role within the conference and launch their own thematic concerning related to SDGs and Development Education. Within the event a specific 3-day training for our Citizen Journalists network will take place, focusing on journalism and communication with reference to the field of sustainable development.
Did you miss some of our latest events?
In the last weeks two special initiatives took place in the framework of LADDER project, with a particular focus on youth:
– The Special Initiative “Youth for Sustainable Europe” was held in Brussels (Belgium) on 25-27 September, to discuss the links between Sustainable Development Goals and youth, and the contribution youth can give to their implementation.
– The Special Initiative of the South-East Europe path “Youth in all policies at local level” was held in Belgrade (Serbia) on 10-12 October, in the framework of the European Local Democracy Week. The event was an occasion to reflect on the improvement of youth participation in public health and welfare policies, education and employment policies, rural development and culture and creative industries.
About the LADDER Project
LADDER – Local Authorities as Drivers for Development Education and Raising awareness – is a 3-year European project which started in 2015 within the framework of the European Year for Development and it will finish in December 2017. These three years have been characterised by many different actions implemented by a broad consortium composed of 27 co-applicants and 19 associates from European countries and the Neighbourhood areas (MED, SEE and EaP). Our consortium is composed of Local Authorities (LAs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Association & Network of LAs/CSOs (View the full consortium).
The project focuses on Development Education and, throughout the cooperation between Local Authorities and Civil Society Organisations, it aims to inform and raise citizens’ awareness about global issues such as climate change, human rights, migration, private and public cooperation for development and – in general terms – the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Visit the website www.ladder-project.eu and check out the brochure.
A journey to inspire LAs, CSOs and citizens to SDGs and to foster their implementation at the local level. What was achieved so far and what’s next?
***
ALDA, in the framework of the LADDER project (Local Authorities as Drivers for Development Education and Raising awareness) is organising its final conference, taking place in Strasbourg from 21-22 of November 2017.
The conference is organised in cooperation with several local stakeholders: Solidarité Eau Europe, COLECOSOL, Zig et Zag – plateforme achat responsable, Académie de la petit enfance, Council of Europe, CEFODE, and GESCOD.
The conference will last 1 day and a half and it will consist of a panel debates and discussions between representatives of Local Authorities, Civil Society Organisations, EU representatives and other highly relevant speakers who will share their expertise on the Sustainable Development Goals and the relevance of Development Education at the local level; an Open Space Methodology where participants will play an active role within the conference and launch their own thematic concerning related to SDGs and Development Education. Within the event a specific 3-day training for our Citizen Journalists network will take place, focusing on journalism and communication with reference to the field of sustainable development.
Did you miss some of our latest events?
In the last weeks two special initiatives took place in the framework of LADDER project, with a particular focus on youth:
– The Special Initiative “Youth for Sustainable Europe” was held in Brussels (Belgium) on 25-27 September, to discuss the links between Sustainable Development Goals and youth, and the contribution youth can give to their implementation.
– The Special Initiative of the South-East Europe path “Youth in all policies at local level” was held in Belgrade (Serbia) on 10-12 October, in the framework of the European Local Democracy Week. The event was an occasion to reflect on the improvement of youth participation in public health and welfare policies, education and employment policies, rural development and culture and creative industries.
About the LADDER Project
LADDER – Local Authorities as Drivers for Development Education and Raising awareness – is a 3-year European project which started in 2015 within the framework of the European Year for Development and it will finish in December 2017. These three years have been characterised by many different actions implemented by a broad consortium composed of 27 co-applicants and 19 associates from European countries and the Neighbourhood areas (MED, SEE and EaP). Our consortium is composed of Local Authorities (LAs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Association & Network of LAs/CSOs (View the full consortium).
The project focuses on Development Education and, throughout the cooperation between Local Authorities and Civil Society Organisations, it aims to inform and raise citizens’ awareness about global issues such as climate change, human rights, migration, private and public cooperation for development and – in general terms – the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Visit the website www.ladder-project.eu and check out the brochure.