In memory of Didier Duboisset, dear friend and partner of ALDA
It is with great sorrow and profound sadness that we learnt of the passing of our dearest partner and friend, Didier Duboisset, convinced and committed supporter of our cause and mission.
Didier has always been actively involved in our network, first as a member representing the group of French local authorities Pays Vichy-Auvergne, then as a member of the Governing Board of ALDA, until 2022.
By virtue of the quality of its contribution, he was now Observing Member of the Board and of the activities of ALDA, serving the Association with his high expertise and experience, especially in the field of local and territorial development. He was also a key figure in the relations between ALDA and the network Leader France, with which the Association has been collaborating for several years.
The entire staff of ALDA, the Secretary General, the President and the members of the Governing Board join in the grief for this terrible loss.
We will continue to remember Didier in our activities, knowing that we were fortunate to have worked with him for many years.
Our deepest sympathies to his family, colleagues, friends and to all who knew and appreciated him.
Call for participants - THE:PLACE Programme
Programme & objectives:
THE:PLACE is a collaborative exchange programme designed to establish enduring networks between Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Türkiye and the European Union. Managed by ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy and MAD – Mekanda Adalet Derneği and supported by the Mercator Foundation, the programme aims to empower CSOs and Local Authorities(LAs) as crucial actors in local development.
The programme aims to enhance CSOs’ capacity to make a significant impact in their respective work areas, by facilitating the exchange of knowledge and cooperation among those working on local issues. It also encourages collaboration with local authorities through quadrilateral partnerships. The programme provides targeted capacity building, peer learning, and subgrant support on joint partnership projects.
THE:PLACE will last from November 2021 to October 2025, supporting two rounds of beneficiaries (the first from February 2022 to October 2023 and the second from September 2023 to September 2025).
Who is THE:PLACE for?
We are seeking CSOs which:
- adopt human rights or development based approach (İnsan hakları veya kalkınma temelli yaklaşım)
- are non-for-profit NGOs and Foundations (Türkiye için dernek, vakıf ve kar-amacı-gütmeyen kooperatifler);
- are based in Türkiye or the European Union
- are interested in engaging in an international exchange process coupled with an enhanced engagement with a local authority at the city level (either municipalities or metropolitan municipalities/district municipalities and metropolitan municipalities in Türkiye)
- have an experience in project management and sufficient stability as an organisation (for example, a minimum of 3 permanent staff members for both EU and TR CSOs and preferably a maximum of 10 permanent staff members for TR, 20 for EU);
The call for participants will be open until July 7, 2023
What will we work on at THE:PLACE?
The program doesn’t have restrictions on topics in which participating CSOs would like to enhance their capacity or work on the joint project they would like to develop later as long as they align with the general framework of the Human Rights Based Approach and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). And, of course, CSOs are expetected to be motivated to collaborate with local authorities and actively engage in international exchange with their counterparts through those topics.
In light of the recent earthquake disaster in Türkiye and the growing climate crisis worldwide, we believe it is crucial to incorporate a disaster resilience perspective into our works of any kind. Therefore, the program will look for participating CSOs to integrate this perspective into the projects they develop and implement later within the program.
How to apply?
Read the full call for proposals to have all the information about the call and how to apply!
The call will be open from until 7 July 2023.
All the questions related to the present call for participants and the participation modalities have to be addressed to the following email address: info@theplaceprogramme.org
An info-session of the Call for participants will take place on June 19, 2023 from 10:30 to 11:30 (CEST). Register here.
ALDA in Belgrade to advance Civil Society Organisations governance in the EU, Western Balkans and Türkiye!
ALDA took part in the two-day Civil Society Organisation Governance Community of practice regional meeting, organised by EU TACSO 3 in Belgrade (Serbia) on 11 and 12 May 2023.
The objective of the meeting was to bring together key stakeholders from the Western Balkans region and Türkiye to share best regional and EU experiences on CSO governance and create a community of practice on governance.
The aim of the meeting was to create a community of practice on governance
At this working meeting, Milena Dimitrovska-Zurovska, ALDA Skopje project developer, shared the Association’s European and regional experiences with CSO governance, challenges and approaches to transformation. Ms. Dimitrovska-Zurovska spoke about the development of the network, the activities and different approaches adopted by ALDA during its work in the region and how these have helped the network to grow outside its original borders in the Western Balkans.
ALDA will continue to work with professionals in the region and build partnerships to ensure the development of the Western Balkans and Türkiye on its path towards the EU.
Respond Locally to Global Issues - Call for proposals for local actions on Sustainability: results are out!
In February 2022, ALDA launched a call for proposals to fund ALDA members willing to support participatory actions in the field of sustainability.
In order to promote good governance and citizen participation at the local level in Europe and beyond, ALDA leads a wide range of actions supporting local, national and international stakeholders in achieving their goals in the fields of European integration, decentralisation, human rights, social inclusion, sustainable development, civic initiatives and much more. As its core element, ALDA supports citizens and groups of citizens in their initiatives aimed at improving their local context, building bridges with local authorities in order to make the change real. In this framework, ALDA works through a participatory approach and the method of multilateral decentralised cooperation, always focusing on strong partnerships between local authorities and civil society organisations.
ALDA works with and for local resilient communities, to address the future challenges from a democratic, environmental, social and economic point of view. The call was aimed at supporting local and grass-root initiatives in the field of EU rights and values, in order to promote both a sense of belonging to the EU in view of the 2024 EU elections, and a sense of “local ownership” and engagement in the local community. This way the funded projects were able to pave the way for further activities in this sense and ensure the capitalisation of the results.
“Respond Locally to Global Issues” call for proposals: results are out!
The call was addressed to ALDA members based in the EU which presented their own projects focused on increasing public knowledge, awareness and interest about the EU key policies and strategies.
ALDA received many interesting and qualitative applications. After the evaluation carried out by an appointed Evaluation Committee (EC), 15 organisations from 8 different countries were selected.
These organizations will implement different strategies at local level targeting different vulnerable groups in areas such as: education, health, climate action, gender equality among others.
Click here to discover the 15 beneficiaries of the regranting programme!
Welcome 3P4SSE: a new ALDA+ project on Social and Solidarity Economy
On April 18th and 19th, 2023, a new Interreg Central Europe project has kicked off in the Italian city of Trento.
Public-private-partnership for Social and Solidarity Economy (3P4SSE) – this is the project’s title – aims at filling Central Europe regional gaps in addressing weak economic sectors (with low added value) and disadvantaged people, by promoting the territorial clusterisation of Social and Solidarity Economies, creating a multilevel networks scheme at European and regional scales, based on Public-Private Partnership and a strategic EU cooperation.
Lasting 36 months, the project involves 11 partners from central Europe, led by the Autonomous Province of Trento, namely ALDA+, the National Foundation for Civil Society Development (Croatia), the Regional Development Agency ARLEG (Poland), Prizma Foundation (Slovenia), FAB – Vocational Support Association (Austria), Pannon Business Network Association (Hungary), Links Foundation (Italy), Regional Development Agency for Podravje – Maribor (Slovenia), Trentino Federation of Cooperation (Italy), Lower Silesian Centre for Social Policy (Poland) and Split – Dalmatia County (Croatia).
Increasing citizen participation and the democratic level in different local Western Balkans realities is the key point at the basis of the partnership between ALDA and CEI, that are currently cooperating and joining forces to give concrete support to the building of a strong local good governance expertise.
3P4SSE aims at filling Central Europe regional gaps in addressing weak economic sectors and disadvantaged people, by promoting the territorial clusterisation of Social and Solidarity Economies
The Kick-off meeting took place over two days dedicated to deepening the mutual knowledge of project partners, setting-up an action plan for the following months and discovering Solidarity Economy experiences in the Region of Trento.
Indeed, the first day a field visit was organised at the Centre for Solidarity Economy, in Trento (Italy) where project partners could discover this interesting and inspiring reality and have an introduction of the Trentino Solidarity Economy System. The following day was mainly focused on getting organised for the months to come, defining an action plan for future activities and discussing some key technical elements of the project.
In the following weeks and months the first project’s activities will start locally and all social media and information channels, included the project’s website, will be fully available.
Stay tuned!
Challenges of migrants’ integration: get inspired from the experiences of Cities and NGOs - EPIC final conference
After more than 3 years of hard work, the partners of EPIC will finally have the opportunity to gather together for the Final events of the project, which will take place on the 6th and 7th June in Brussels.
On the 6th of June, there will be the International networking path, which wants to be an opportunity to bring together public and private representatives to exchange in an interactive way on migrants’ integration, starting by looking at the project’s results and through different thematics (education, employment, legal and administrative support, housing, health, narrative, civic engagement and policy making). Marketplace space and focus groups on the above mentioned topics will be organised, to build synergies with other participating organisations. In this context, we do believe that your contribution will bring interesting and fruitful insights to the knowledge and experience exchange and stimulate the networking, given your expertise on the topics.
The focus is to discuss and reflect on the challenges around the reception and integration of people with migration background
The following day, the final conference, named “Challenges of the integration of migrants: get inspired from the experiences of Cities and NGOs”, will take place from 10.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. in Brussels, organised in the framework of the European project EPIC of which ALDA is coordinator, The event wants to be an opportunity to bring together public and private representatives to discuss and reflect on the challenges around the reception and integration of people with migration background, starting from the sharing of the project results.
The events are part of ALDA Festival and General Assembly 2023, named Local Democracy will Save Democracy! The festival will include participants from the EU countries and the neighbourhood, where colleagues, members and partners of ALDA will come together for fruitful exchanges on key EU priorities, sharing knowledge and best practices on themes such as migration, inclusion, gender equality, environmental protection, sustainable development and human rights
Here you can find the agenda of the events!
If you wish to attend, please register at the following link.
"Milan Sport United" Call for Participation in the "Sport for All" Event
Within the framework of the project “Milan Sport United”, PlayMore! – leader of the initiative – together with ALDA, are glad to announce the open call for participation in the “SPORT FOR ALL” event which will take place from 8 to 10 June 2023 in Milan, Italy.
The purpose of the project is to use sport as a medium to encourage integration and social inclusion.
⛹🏽The project consortium is looking for:
- An NGO committed to issues of inclusion through sport, practising training and tournaments in a multicultural environment.
- EU Member
⛹🏽The project consortium is inviting:
An amateur multi-sports team that can travel to Italy consisting of:
- at least 50 % asylum seekers, refugees and holders of international protection;
- volunteers and local athletes;
- 1-2 instructors/educators as accompanying persons.
(ideal composition: 1 instructor, 1 educator, 4 local athletes, 4 refugees; mixed genders)
Invited players can choose which sport activity to join among; running, futsal, soccer, basketball and beach volley. It is possible to choose multiple options.
The event “Sport for All” is thought for you!
Through different sport activities refugees, together with citizens and local stakeholders will set up more inclusive communities.
⛹🏽When and Where?
The event will take place from Thursday 8 June until Saturday 10 June 2023 at the PlayMore! Sport centre, in Via della Moscova, 26 – Milan, Italy.
⛹🏽How to participate:
If you are interested fill the form accessible here by 26 May 2023!
Participation in the event is FREE.
Strengthening collaborations in the Western Balkans: next steps and challenges
On 15 May 2023, ALDA and the Central European Initiative (CEI) met in Trieste (🇮🇹) to identify further possibilities for cooperation on the basis of the MoU – Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2022 in order to formalise the framework of the partnership that combines the work in the Western Balkans. The signature of the MoU represented an official and crucial moment of institutional bond between ALDA and CEI as it has been the outcome of a longstanding fil rouge that combines the ongoing commitment of the two organisations in the area.
ALDA Governing Board Member and Representative of the Autonomous Region Friuli Venezia Giulia, Mr. Alessandro Perelli, ALDA Secretary General, Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida together with the Director of Programmes and Corporate Strategy, Mr. Marco Boaria, met with CEI Secretary General, Mr. Roberto Antonione, and CEI Senior Officer, Mr. Ugo Poli, to discuss the next steps to undertake and strengthen the cooperation.
Increasing citizen participation and the democratic level in different local Western Balkans realities is the key point at the basis of the partnership between ALDA and CEI, that are currently cooperating and joining forces to give concrete support to the building of a strong local good governance expertise.
Increasing citizen participation and the democratic level in different local Western Balkans realities is the key point at the basis of the partnership between ALDA and CEI
The plan foresees a key event in Skopje (North Macedonia) together with ALDA Skopje in 2023 and the presentation of the flagship initiative in Ukraine: the aim is to continue to expand LDAs range of action and strengthen their work. ALDA represents CEI’s key partner for its work in the Western Balkans: CEI Moldova representatives will also take part in ALDA Festival and General Assembly 2023 as an opportunity to further enhance this collaboration.
These events will be marked by a festive atmosphere as 2023 is the 30th Anniversary of the establishment of the first Local Democracy Agency Subotica in the Balkans: we look forward to celebrating the everyday activity of the LDAs and their delegates, the achievements of ALDA and the LDAs through the years, with the collaboration of our closest partners.
The choice of Trieste, regional capital of the “Friuli Venezia Giulia” Autonomous Region (🇮🇹) as the host of the meeting is symbolic as it remarks the formalisation of this long-lasting collaboration between the Region, ALDA and CEI.
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Food Wave Call for Proposals - Third Round
Are you a Local Authority, Youth Civil Society Organisation or Association who is sensitive to sustainable food production and consumption patterns and wants to work with young people? You have a chance to get your activity funded by the Food Wave Project!
What is the main objective of the call for proposals?
The Food Wave Project – co-funded by the EU under the Development Education and Awareness Raising Programme (DEAR) and promoted by the Municipality of Milan together with ActionAid Italia, ACRA, Mani Tese Onlus and 25 project partners in 16 countries, including ALDA – will support grass-root initiatives in the field of climate-friendly food consumption behaviors and involve smaller youth organisations interested in joining the action but lacking the necessary means to do so.
The first call for proposals of the Food Wave Project was launched and directed to youth-led small Civil Society Organisations promoting sustainable production and consumption patterns to fight climate change, while the second call was addressed to Cities and Municipalities. Now it is time for the third call addressed to Local Authorities, Youth Civil Society Organisations or Associations to support grass-root initiatives in the field of climate-friendly food consumption behaviours!
Don’t miss your chance to participate, as at least 5 projects will be funded!
What is the main objective of the call of proposal?
The project will support actions developed by a partnership of Local Authorities, Youth Civil Society Organisations or Associations dealing with the topic of sustainable food consumption and production and targeting young people (15-35 years old).
Any submitted proposal must be of max 15.000 EUR. Each applicant will benefit from a financing of 75% of the total of the action up to a maximum of 11.250,00 € Eur. The budget presented by any submitted proposal must be of max 15.000 EUR (financing of the action up to a maximum of 11.250,00 € Eur) and min 9.600 EUR (financing up to a maximum of 7.200,00 € Eur).
The remaining 25% of the action will be provided by each applicant as co-funding. The financing and co-financing % always remain the same even if the overall cost of the proposed action is lower than 15.000 EUR. The general action carried out by the Applicant can be higher than 15.000 EUR, but in this case the remaining budget of the overall costs of the proposal will be covered with The Applicant’s own financial resources.
Which is the thematic focus of the call?
Each proposed action needs to address the nexus between food and climate change! Different types of activities can be eligible for the sub grant: activities with schools, communication activities, promotion and dissemination activities, awareness raising activities, training, art projects and initiatives, initiatives against food waste etc.
The FOOD WAVE call for proposals will be open until June 16, 2023
When and where can the project be implemented?
The implementation phase will be included between the 1st of July 2023 and the 30th of October 2023. Activities must take place in one of the following EU Member States: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK.
Who can apply?
The project proposals can be presented by a partnership of minimum 2 Local Authorities, Youth Civil Society Organisations or Associations that will work together to build a joint proposal. The small network of organisations will choose a project “leader” that is the one that will send the application.
How to apply?
Read the full call for proposals to have all the information about the call and how to apply!
The call will be open from 13 May to 16 June.
The election for the International Evaluation Committee will take place from 16 June to 29 June.
Here is the link to send your application.
The applicants will receive support by the Food Wave team during the proposal writing process. All the questions related to the present call for proposals and the participation modalities have to be addressed to the following email address: catchthewave@alda-europe.eu
Follow Food Wave Facebook and Instagram pages to stay updated!
#CatchTheWave and Lead the Change!
🇬🇧 Read the call for proposals
🇬🇧 Annex II – Declaration of Honour
🇬🇧 Memorandum of Understanding
🇬🇧 Apply to the Call by using the Google Form accessible here
🇬🇧 Overview of the Google Form
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Local Democracy Agencies in Ukraine as instruments to promote peace and democracy: next step, Rivne!
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.
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