The PIECE project: digitalizing and providing  e-platform tools to the community

 In the last couple of months, the project’s consortium has organized and implemented several initiatives to strengthen the dynamics of dissemination and, through the presentation of the Intellectual Outputs produced, reach more direct and indirect beneficiaries.

Right after the summer break, the partners met in Seville for the last Transnational Project Meeting where they discussed the development of the project’s activities and results, exchanged views on the situation in their respective home countries and talking together about the finalisation of intellectual outputs. Specifically, dissemination and communication issues were addressed. ALDA and the other partners created a plan for more efficient and effective dissemination of project outputs and management of the Facebook page.


Intellective outputs and interactive platforms for community workers


More recently, in the months of October and November, project’s partners have organized multiplier events in Italy (Lamezia Terme), UK (London) and Greece (Athens) to showcase the results produced. Moreover, the partners have hosted local pilot actions, with community workers, to test the effectiveness and the application of the Intellectual Outputs, in particular the e-Learning Platform for the Upskilling and Empowerment of the Target Group.

Lastly, on November 11th ALDA held an Interactive Webinar, with the collaboration of all partners, to present to a larger online audience the project itself and what has been produced in the last 2 years. The invite to the webinar was shared between ALDA’s and the other partners’ network. In this occasion the consortium was able to engage with associations working in similar fields and dealing with Erasmus+ projects. 

The exchange of information and interaction between the participants made these experiences unique and useful for gaining further feedback and to implement the latest changes to the digital education platform.

The project is indeed coming to its finish line but given the great interest in the project we are trying to create all the conditions for a possible follow up and continuation of the collaboration.

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On the 4th of April, the Vice-President ALDA Alessandro Perelli and the Director of the International Telematics University UNINETTUNO Professor Maria Amata Garito signed a cooperation agreement between the two institutions and launched their first common project, namely the new edition of the Master on-line in European Law and Policies.

Promoted by the International Telematics University UNINETTUNO in collaboration with the ALDA and the Italian Council of the European Movement.
By combining the expertise of the network ALDA in the European context and the experience of UNINETTUNO in distance learning with six faculties and nine master’s degree courses and professional training courses and students from 40 different countries, the new cooperation agreement will lead to the development of other training opportunities tackling European themes and topics.
In particular, besides the above mentioned Master, ALDA will develop a series of webinars focused on EU programs and funds, with special reference to the new programming period of the European Commission 2014-2020.
Finally, ALDA and UNINETTUNO – through signing the agreement – have expressed their common interest to develop new and innovative transnational projects that are able to combine ALDA and commitment on European issues and the focus of UNINETTUNO on distance education.

The Association of the Local Democracy Agencies, LDA Osijek, LDA Sisak, LDA Verteneglio, Foundation for partnership and civil society development of the Istrian Region, AEGEE- Zagreb, Centre for Civil Initiatives (of the Network CEECN) are the initiators of the Croatian Alliance for the European Year of Citizens 2013.
The first meeting took place in Zagreb on the 6th of November and confirmed this formal step. The Croatian Alliance for the European Year of Citizens 2013 will therefore officially registered within the National Platforms Alliances supporting the wide Alliance at the EU level.

The Secretary of ALDA, Ms. Paula Rauzan, Delegate of the LDA Sisak will coordinate the group of initiators. She was also accompanied by the Director of ALDA, Antonella Valmorbida and the Delegate of the LDA Osijek, M. Miljenko Turniski
The initiators are now working for launching a vast campaign of mobilisation in Croatia that will engage, before the end of the month, the networks of civil society interested to work for the EYAC 2013. They will be proposed to work together to disseminate the Manifesto at the EU level and probably to adapt it to their national and local situation. It is also proposed to work on working groups and to develop common initiative to include more citizens of Croatia in EU policies.
The Croatian Platform will be of particular interest because of the upcoming integration of the country into the EU. The Annual priority 2013 – Year of Citizens – will be then meaningful to launch a debate on European Citizenship for this new EU members.
ALDA is also member of the EU steering Committee and Coordinator of WG1, as well as initiator of the Italian Alliance.
Next 14th of November will take place in Rome (from 10:30 to 13:30 – Eurispes premises Via Orazio, 31) the second meeting of the partners. In this occasion will be adopted a declaration of intent of the Italian Alliance ECY 2013.

Oriano Otocan, ALDA President, and Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Director and member of CIVICUS International Board, will be participating in the 2012 CIVICUS World Assembly (3 – 7 September 2012) in Montreal, Canada.
In particular Mrs. Valmorbida will present ALDAs experiences on participatory governance at the workshop on “Good governance through citizen action” that will take place on 5 September (11.00-13.00), after the opening ceremony of the Assembly (9.00-9.30) and the first plenary session (9.30 – 10.45).
In the panel also Mrs. Carmen Malena, Canada, Mehr Latif, Programme Manager, Asia Foundation, Pakistan and Mrs. Paola Margarita Q. Deles, Coordinator, People Power Volunteers for Reform, Philippines.

This session will share good practices and lessons in participatory governance from around the world and challenge participants to think beyond traditional forms of protest and activism to less familiar but potentially more impactful practices of ‘critical collaboration’ and participatory governance.
As citizens, publicly denouncing injustices in society is an important first step towards seeking change, but it is not enough. Real change comes when citizens not only cry out in the streets, but claim their rightful place as active participants in processes of public governance and decision-making. In recent years, a wide and exciting array of ‘participatory governance’ approaches have been tried and tested around the world. From citizens’ juries, multi-stakeholder dialogues and integrity pacts to participatory budgeting, social audits and community scorecards, citizens and CSOs are creating a multitude of innovative ways to engage in ‘critical collaboration’ with government counterparts.
The 2012 CIVICUS World Assembly will focus on defining a new social contract, through discussions on three key themes: changing nations through citizens, building partnerships for social innovation and redefining global governance.
The 2012 Assembly will see the launch of a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder process, led by CIVICUS, on defining a new social contract, that will culminate in the presentation of recommendations to the United Nations in 2015. The World Assembly comes at a pivotal moment for citizens to redefine the relationships and conditions we want for a sustainable future in a changing world.
Having a role in CIVICUS International Board, for ALDA means taking a further step to bring internationally the cause of its work: to improve citizens’ and civil society’s participation at the local level, working closely with local authorities, for development, democracy and respect of human rights.

CIVICUS Board of Directors has formally communicated that Antonella Valmorbida, Director of ALDA, has been welcomed as a new co-opted member of CIVICUS International Board.
CIVICUS is an international alliance dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society throughout the world.
The term of Antonella Valmorbida Board membership will be one year and three months, until the Board meeting in September 2013, when all of the current Board members’ terms will expire.
Among the forthcoming engagements as member of CIVICUS Board is the attendance of the Board meeting in September during the CIVICUS World Assembly in Montreal, 3-7 September 2012.

CIVICUS, World Alliance for Citizen Participation, is an international alliance of members and partners which constitutes an influential network of organisations at the local, national, regional and international levels, and spans the spectrum of civil society. CIVICUS includes the following in its definition of civil society: civil society networks and organisations; trade unions; faith-based networks; professional associations; NGO capacity development organisations; philanthropic foundations and other funding bodies.
CIVICUS has worked for nearly two decades to strengthen citizen action and civil society throughout the world, especially in areas where participatory democracy and citizens’ freedom of association are threatened. CIVICUS has a vision of a global community of active, engaged citizens committed to the creation of a more just and equitable world. This is based on the belief that the health of societies exists in direct proportion to the degree of balance between the state, the private sector and civil society.
CIVICUS provides a focal point for knowledge-sharing, common interest representation, global institution-building and engagement among these disparate sectors. It acts as an advocate for citizen participation as an essential component of governance and democracy worldwide. CIVICUS seeks to amplify the voices and opinions of ordinary people and it gives expression to the enormous creative energy of the burgeoning sector of civil society.

The itinerary tour “On Albert Londres’ footsteps” will take place in August 2012 in several Balkan countries. This events is dedicated to promote reporting journalism among dispriviledged youth from France and Balkan countries. On 13 June, the France Balkans Network gathered in Saint-Denis, France, to discuss this forthcoming activity of the network.
This project is organised within the multilateral decentralised cooperation programme for good governance in South-East Europe supported by the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. The lead partners are the County Pays Vichy Auvergne and ALDA, the Association of Local Democracy Agencies. The main objective of this project is to revive Albert Londres’ (1884-1932) experience, born in Vichy, father of modern journalism and reporting, during his numerous investigation trips in the Balkans at the beginning of the 20th century. His story is aimed at stimulating the taste of adventure, curiosity and openness to other cultures among young people with talent for reporting but who do not have the opportunity to travel much and put their knowledge in reporting.
By enabling local authorities, civil society organisations and territories from France and the Balkans to meet and exchange on joint projects, this programme supports the values of peace and intercultural dialogue, as well as promotes European integration of all the countries from South East Europe.
Other partners which are involved in this adventure are the Regional Council of Auvergne, the Regional Council of Lower-Normandy, Maison de l’Europe in Caen, the General Council of the Hautes Alpes, CRET Hautes Alpes, the city of Dijon, the City of Saint-Denis and their counterparts from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Romania as well as the Local Democracy Agencies in Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, the French and Macedonian ALDA offices as well as two Italian partners.
Regional and national journalists and several associations (France Television, the National Association for the promotion and defence of press youth initiative, the Association of European Journalists) are also partners in the operation, which receives funding communities, the MAE, Foundations and probably Europe.
Then forty young French and Balkan bloggers, young and amateur journalists aged between 18 and 30, were selected to travel in the Balkans for two weeks and report about the current political, social, economic and environmental situation in the Balkans via different means of reporting (old and new technologies) and reflect upon the overall situation in Europe.
In preparation to this meeting, ALDA organised a meeting on 6 June with the Local Democracy Agencies involved in the project.

A meeting of municipalities and communities from the Region of Lower Normandy who cooperate with the Macedonian municipalities will take place on April 25 in Caen. The meeting will gather the officials and representatives from the Lower Normandy communities, but also representatives of the Regional Council of Lower Normandy, as well as representatives of the organisation Horizons Solidaires and the representatives from ALDA Skopje office that are in charge of technical support for the cooperation of cities.
Participants will have the opportunity to discuss the progress of each municipality in the cooperation and will give an update on administrative and financial matters. They will also discuss the opportunities in establishing new links and introducing other municipalities in the cooperation. One part of the meeting will focus on the tourism component, as a part of the Decentralised cooperation between the Region Lower Normandy and Republic of Macedonia, and on the role of the municipalities from both regions in tourism development.
In the framework of the Decentralised cooperation between Lower Normandy and Macedonia, there are currently seven active town twining’s, and more pairings are planned in the future. The town twinning segment builds up contacts and friendship with communities from the two territories and promotes better understanding. The Programme for Decentralised cooperation is coordinated by ALDA.

The increased involvement of Local Authorities (LAs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in EU development policy generates the need for the establishment of a new alliance among them in order to capitalise and improve their experiences and methods of actions.
On 28th of March 2012, in the Committee of the Regions premises in Brussels, will be launch WTD – Working Together for Development with the International Conference ”Local authorities and civil society: a partnership for development”.

During the last two decades, LAs gained a significant expertise in terms of conflict prevention, decentralisation and confidence building in development, revealing themselves as real catalysts for change. In strong cooperation with CSOs, LAs confirmed decentralised cooperation methodology as one of the most relevant tools to promote a shared and bottom-up approach to development, inside and outside Europe.
ALDA, which has been one of the first European actors promoting this practice through the network of Local Democracy Agencies, is launching a new alliance between LAs and CSOs interested in having a voice heard in Europe as for policy making about development cooperation.
We will be pleased to involve your institution or organisation in this new challenging European endeavour, thus the president of ALDA is honoured to invite you all in Brussels.
The Conference will gather the main European stakeholders in the field of development and aims at debating on the opportunities LAs have to work together with CSOs to foster a bottom up approach to development and to plan a join strategy to make their efforts more efficient.
WTD, Working Together for Development, is a multi-annual development alliance granted within the framework of the European Commission NSA & LA Programme in the Objective III.
It has been conceived by ALDA in cooperation with 21 international partners and associates coming from 16 different countries from enlarged the wider Europe.
It involves both Associations of Local Authorities and NGO networks, and aims at improving their capacities to act as development agents inside and outside Europe, in partnership with EU and national institutions. WTD adopts a multi-stakeholder approach and focuses on creating strong partnerships between Local Authorities and NGOs. It has a special particular focus on Eastern and South Eastern Europe.

For more information contact Mr Alfonso Aliberti, Project Manager of ALDA, at alfonso.aliberti@aldaintranet.org or visit the website: www.wtd-alda.eu

“The European Year of Citizens, suggested by the European Commission for the 2013, today focused on rights, mostly on right to move and work in the Union, should have a wider perspective, and promote European citizenship and identity, including social and cultural aspects”. This is the main proposal of ALDA about the EYC 2013, expressed during the public hearing promoted by the European Economic and Social Committee, in Brussels.
The European Economic and Social Committee is drawing up an opinion on the proposal of the European Commission and would like to give every European citizen, NGO, enterprise, trade union etc. an opportunity to contribute to its opinion, which will be sent to the European Parliament, Commission and Council once it has been adopted. A first NGOs meeting was held in Brussels in EESC on the 27th of January and ALDA was represented by Mr. Marco Boaria.
Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Director, attended to the public hearing that was held the day before.
“We are interested in an Alliance which main aims should be promoting the participation of a wide spectrum of civil society organisations working to promote European citizenship and implement the European Year of Citizens 2013. ALDA supports the idea of organising quickly “decentralised” groups of support at the national level”, stated Mrs. Valmorbida.
ALDA think that the activities of the “year” should be done even more on new members States, future member countries (those of the Enlargement process), and the countries of the ENPI Interregional Programme, since they are the direct beneficiaries of the effects as neighbours of Europe.
ALDA proposes that the programme of the 2013 European Year of Citizens works mainly with small and local events and not only focusing on high level discussions, engaging civil society and local authorities and promoting an open debate on the future of participation mechanisms to strengthen European identity and The European Project.
ALDA proposes also to reach political objectives in terms of citizens’ participation (and mechanisms for facilitating this) with legislative initiatives, best practices at the community level, etc. with the EYAC 2013. The group, in preparing the Year, should set these high objectives, planning the Year in this direction, considering the upcoming European Parliament Elections in 2014.
For further information please visit the EESC website

LDAs Mostar and Central and Southern Serbia – Niš signed a partnership agreement with the Association of Fenomena from Kraljevo (Serbia) for the implementation of project “Promotion of the European Charter for equality between women and men at the local level”, during the first project meeting that took place on 11-12 January 2012.
The Project, funded by the European Commission under the IPA Civil Society Facility: Partnership Actions-Empowerment of Women, will be implemented during the 2012.
The Association Fenomenon, as the leading organisation in the project, will implement the activities in cooperation with other organisations: Centre for Local Democracy LDA from Nis, Serbia; ANIMA – Center for Women and Peace Education from Kotor, Montenegro, Association of Citizens for Local Democracy Agency Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina and The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden.
The overall project objective is to contribute to the development of policies, measures and budgeting to improve gender equality in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The specific objective is to create conditions for development of policies, measures and budgeting to improve gender equality, development of local action plans to implement the European Charter for equality in cities and municipalities participating in the project.

The celebration for the 15th anniversary of the LDA of Sisak (HR) coincides, for a not accidental case, with the eve of Croatian access in the big European family, and the awarding of the “12 stars label” to the Municipality for its efforts in ELDW, the European local democracy week, by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.
The official celebration will take place the 4th of November, with an international conference on “The Road of Croatia towards the EU: the role of Croatian Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs)”, organised in the framework of the ELDW, ) by the LDA of Sisak, in cooperation with ALDA, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the CoE and the the Municipality of Sisak (9.00-13.30 City Hall Sisak).
The Conference will be attended by many national and international experts and representatives of European and national institutions as well. Among them Ms Barbara Toce, Member of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and Vice Mayor of Pedaso (Italy), Ambassador Henrik Ofstad, Royal Norwegian Embassy in Zagreb, Ambassador Paul Vandoren, Head of the EU Delegation to Croatia, Mr. Dinko Pintarić, Mayor of Sisak, Mr Per Vinther, President of ALDA.
In these 15 years, starting from the ruins of the conflict, the LDA has been a promoter of many initiatives whose aim was primarily to promote the participation of citizens and their associations and to strengthen the democratic debate with local authorities.
These are the values which Croatia has signed up to get access to the European community and some credit goes also to the work done by the ADL of Sisak.
During last 15 years LDA Sisak has implemented more than 100 projects that have directly involved over 15.000 people. Established in 1996 as a pilot project of Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Council of Europe and since 2006 working as a domestic organisation, Local Democracy Agency Sisak enforced itself as one of the key actors in civil society development in Sisak and Sisačko-Moslavačka County. From its very beginnings LDA Sisak is implementing projects aiming to protect human rights and democratic society development, promotes values of tolerance and non-discrimination, multiculturalism, cooperation, partnership and active citizenship.
In addition to the international conference, Sisak was selected by ALDA to host the Annual LDAs Delegates meeting and the Annual Meeting of the Lead Partners Representatives of the LDAs (3 – 5 November).
The Association of LDAs is confident that the regular meetings and discussions among the Delegates and the Lead Partners of the LDAs could contribute to the development of all the network of the Agencies, in particular with regards the concept of partnership in the framework of the multilateral decentralised cooperation and the area of intervention and interest of each LDA.

The new Local Democracy Agency Armenia will open on 28th of October in Gyumri. It is the second LDA in the South Caucasus area and the thirteenth LDA opened by the Association of Local Democracy Agencies (ALDA) with the support of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.
“Decentralisation of power and the development of administrative capacities at the local level, together with a capable and vivid civil society, represent a fundamental step in the process of democratisation, stability and development of Armenia”, says ALDA President, Per Vinther.
On occasion of the official opening ceremony, ALDA organises a conference to gather Local Authorities, NGOs, citizens, and international representatives that are actively involved in local governance issues to discuss and learn about best practices of involving citizens in public life. The opening conference will take place in the City Hall of Gyumri and will be also be part of the European Week of Local Democracy.

In an effort to support the process of democratisation, stability and development of Armenia ALDA and the Congress decided to establish the Local Democracy Agency in the country. The opening plan has been developing since 2008.
It is a long term project and it will utilise the expertise of ALDA and the other LDAs and the network, which gather about 160 members, including Local Authorities, Associations of Local Authorities and non-governmental organisations, coming from more than 30 countries.
Partners of LDA Armenia will come from three countries: the Rhône-Alpes Region (France), the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region (Italy), the International Committee For The Development of Peoples CISP (Italy), the Union of Communities of Armenia, the Urban Foundation for Sustainable Development (Armenia), the Journalists’ Club Asparez (Armenia), and the Armenian Municipalities of Gyumri, the host city, and Ijevan. The role of the international partners will be to provide core financial support, participate in activities where they have the skills and capacities, to encourage their own partners to participate in the work of the LDA and to promote the work of the LDA in their own community and encourage wider participation.
Gyumri is the second largest city in Armenia, situated in the North of the country and has been selected as host since it will provide a good basis to allow the LDA to work on a national level.
The Municipality of Gyumri provides an office and rooms for the LDA in a building which already hosts other public associations and NGOs in Gyumri. “Furthermore the vibrant civil society in Gyumri and the possibilities to improve the situation for cooperation between civil society and local authorities are also very important factors”, stresses President Per Vinther. “In addition”, says Mr Vinther, “Gyumri is also twinned with the Georgian city Kutaisi which provides a strong basis for developing the cooperation between both cities”.
The first LDA in the Caucasus is based in Kutaisi, Georgia since the year 2006.
The LDA will facilitate the participation of civil society in the decision-making process at the local level, increase the interest, awareness and capacities of citizens to take part in the decision-making process at the local level and increase the awareness and skills of the local communities and local authorities to address the needs of their citizens. So a practical exercise of policy sharing between citizens and local authorities should also be facilitated. The LDA will support capacity building of civil society and local authorities and it will implement its activities at the local level with trainings, study visits and other participative methods.
Acting as a promoter of democracy and local self-government, the Local Democracy Agency will also promote human rights and sustainable development. The realisation of all objectives will be reached by implementing projects with local authorities and NGOs using the international partners support. The LDA will aim to serve as a bridge between Europe and Armenia and will bring Armenian practice to Europe and European experience to Armenia.
Finally the LDA will also work to ensure cross border cooperation in South Caucasus and will work to promote peace and understanding in the South Caucasus region. “There are plans to set up an LDA in Azerbaijan in the near future as well. So the LDA in Armenia will also become part of a network of LDAs in South Caucasus that can promote cooperation and mutual understanding between the countries in South Caucasus” announces Per Vinther.

ALDA will take part in the International conference for the European Year of Volunteers on “Italy – Central and South Eastern Europe: Volunteerism and Institutions in comparison”, 7-9 October 2011 – Gorizia (I).
Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Director, will take the floor on the last day, after the presentation of the results of the working groups, together with Anica Mikus Kos, Slovenska Filantropija President, Andrea Waxenegger, University of Graz, President EUCEN (European Network of University Centers for Long Life Learning), and Luca Jahier, the Economic and Social Committee, President Group III.

The conference is promoted by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and organised by the regional CSV in collaboration with CSVnet – National Coordination Centres for Voluntary Service; it has also received the patronage of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, European Commission Representation in Italy CEV – European Volunteer Centre, Brussels.
The conference will be an opportunity to continue the comparison between volunteerism and institutions in Italy and in Central and South Eastern Europe, focusing on issues such as diversity and social inclusion, young people and participation. The aim is to draw a roadmap for future advocacy activities and common planning.
The event represents an important moment to engage and support existing realities of volunteering of those countries which are not members of the European Union yet.
The conference will be attended by over 100 Italian and foreign volunteers, institutional representatives and leaders of voluntary organisations, the Centers for Voluntary Service and Volunteer Centers, coming both from Italy and other countries such as Albania, Austria, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey.
The Conference will be opened, the first day, by a plenary session titled: “Which role for volunteering in the Europe of the future”.
The second day will be dedicated to working groups, accompanied by the interventions of Italian and foreign associations introduced by the relations of Joachim Ott, Acting Head of Unit, Directorate General Communication, Unit Policy for Citizens of the European Commission, and Martijn Pakker, Director CEV – European Centre for Volunteering.

Starting from July 4 until July 8, 2011, Macedonian and French professionals will work on discovering and practicing the technics of renovation of traditional buildings in Pont Farcy, Lower Normandy.
This practical workshop on renovating ancient buildings with natural and ecological materials will be held in the Norman farms and sites, where the experts from the two countries will demonstrate their skills in reconstruction using traditional methods.
The experts will work not only on the implementation, but also on the basic theory knowledge regarding preparation of building sites, renovating and constructing stone walls, cob walls, etc. while using the traditional (natural) materials, easy to practice individually. More information on this specific workshop and building heritage activities can be found at www.balkansheritage.eu.
This practical workshop is organised in the framework of the Decentralised cooperation between the Lower Normandy region and Republic of Macedonia, in the component 5 – Sustainable Tourism and Cultural Heritage, project coordinated by ALDA. For further information please consult the webpage of the Cooperation http://crbn-mk.courriers.info/

With three days of exhibitions, debates and concerts, the city of Brindisi has commemorated the first landing of Albanian citizens fleeing towards freedom. From 11th to 13th of March was held the exhibition “The hospitable city: Albania – Brindisi twenty years later“.
It was March 7th, in 1991, when thousands of Albanians fleeing from a country devastated by a severe economic and political crisis landed in the port of Brindisi.

Twenty years have passed and the city of Brindisi recovered the memory of this historical page, still current.
The program, developed through an extensive course of action, has decreased the city in an atmosphere of reflection and commemoration. Moments of entertainment and discussion, including art installations, events of the narrative, allegorical band marches through the streets of the historic center, documentaries and special interest, conference-seminar on immigration and the concert of an artist of great appeal, have read, with the lens of history, those days of March that shook nationally and internationally the public attention.

“The City hospitable” proposed to rediscover a dramatic period in the history of the Balkan country and also the great welcome offered by citizens and institutions in Brindisi, which was able to alleviate the suffering of countless lives embarked on an adventurous journey, revealing an extraordinary spirit of cohesion.

Twenty years later, today those people are integrated and vital into the civil society of the city.

The members of the Governing Board of Asael, the Association of municipalities of Aragon Region (Spain) that was dissolved in late 2009 swept away by a scandal, former President Jesus Alone in the head, will be liable personally for debts left.
ALDA, with its other partners, decided to take legal action on the basis of the Spanish Law on Associations (the “Ley Organica 1 / 2002, de 22 de marzo, reguladora del Derecho de Asociacion).
“We are forced to choose the legal way -said Antonella Valmorbida, Director of ALDA-because all our efforts to resolve the issue amicably have not been successful. The Aragon institutions we questioned, as Asael was an association of local authorities, ignored our calls or answered that the issue does not concern them. A rubber wall has been raised around Asael and its administrators that were all mayors of Aragon towns”.

But the Spanish Law on Associations is clear and says that administrators are responsible of debts of their Association debts, caused by malicious reasons, and also for culpable negligence, and that they have to pay with their personal assets.
“It’s clear-stated the Director of Alda, AntonellaValmorbida- that during the Sol management of Asael, in recent years none of the administrators has exercised effective control, to avoid accumulating debts and that European funds were not used for the purpose for which they were assigned to Asael, to support project activities”.

The projects were developed in the years 2008-2009 and were Bandair, Emanzipar and Eclau. The other ALDA members partners of the project managed by Asael were the province of Reggio Emilia (Italy), the City of Bydgoszcz (Poland), Baltisfem (Lithuania), the Local Councils’ Association, Association of Municipalities (Malta), the Institute of Enterpreneurship, an NGO (Greece), the Association for the development of mountain communities (Bulgaria).
The credit of ALDA and its partners amounts around to 115.000 (ALDA 30,180, City of Bydgoszcz 31,000, Baltifem, 24,000, Institute of Enterpreuneurship, 9,700, Province of Reggio Emilia 9,000, Association for Development of Mountain Municipalities, 9,000, Local Councils’Association, 1,800).
This is an amount of money that Asael has to pay to its partners for activities under the project, personal taxes, social contributions. Some of them could have lots of serious financial difficulties if they will not be paid.

“We believe that the situation has been largely overlooked bye very one here in Aragon – still says the Director of ALDA, Antonella Valmorbida – by the risk that it may have in relations with the European Community. The Commission’s representative office in Madrid is aware of what happened and shares our position. TheCommission’s anti-fraud office is investigating possible embezzlement of which has been discussed in newspapers in the region. We are willing to go all the way to guarantee our rights, and we believe that it’ll be hard that any other European project could have partners entities such as the Aragonese Famcp, one of which vice president is the current President of Asael, whose responsibilities, if not for Sol’s management facts, is now due to elude any response.”

Asael’s former partners do not understand how institutions and political forces in Aragon do not exercise all is in their power to success fully resolve the issue, which also includes former employees of Asael remained without payment.

“We know that the former president of Asael, JesusSol, was very close to the President of PAR, Jose Angel Biel, who is vice president and spokesman of the regional government, and that the majority of members of Municipality member of Asael were led by mayors of the PAR. Can the PAR, which will celebrate its congress in the next days – still says Antonella Valmorbida – ignore the moral issue internally? And do the other parties in government and in the opposition not have the heart to safeguard the image of the region of Aragon in Europe? And how do they believe that, at the upcoming May elections, they can nominate again those outgoing mayors responsible for this failure?”

These are questions which the public of the region should demand answers, because the ethics of elected representatives and the institutions they governed has been called into question.

“We regret being forced to give public evidence of this situation – concluded the Director of ALDA, AntonellaValmorbida-but silence would be complicit in unlawful conduct. And we are even more regretful for the thirty years of history of Asael, its efficient staff and the president himself Sol, who we always had, until these facts have emerged, a very good account on. Asael was our partner and Sol was a member of our Board. It’s a real shame that things have had this outcome.”

The next 10th and 11th of March will take place in Sarajevo “NEXPO 2011” , the first Local Government Fair including participants from South Eastern Europe. ALDA is actively involved in the programme of this event with a stand and the participation of its President, Per Vinther, in the first panel on Good Governance and EU Integration (see http://nexpo.nalas.eu/).

The stand will mostly present the last activities of ALDA on local governance and citizens participation as well as the activities of the Local Democracy Agencies from Mostar, Prijedor and Zavidovici.
“NEXPO 2011” is organised by NALAS, network of associations of local authorities of South East Europe, and more than 1,000 people will be participating, representatives from local municipalities, associations and international organisations.

A clear definition and extension of the competences of local authorities, appropriate local and regional financial means and autonomy, improvement of governance through increased transparence and participation and strengthening of capacities for public services.
These are the four central needs of local authorities in the Western Balkans indicated by Keith Withmore, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, in his conclusion speech of the conference on the European perspective of the Western Balkans and the contribution of local and regional authorities that took place in Paris, in the French Senate, on 18th and 19th of February.
Mr Keith Whitmore underlined also the involvement of the Congress in the Balkans (citing explicitly the LDAs and their existence since 1993 and ALDA’s work).

The conference united representatives of local authorities and other stakeholders of European decentralised cooperation. It was an excellent occasion for French local authorities and authorities from the Western Balkans to meet and exchange their views on the strategies and priorities of European integration.

A central point of reflection was the role of local authorities’ international cooperation in the integration process. Further subjects discussed included the role of good local governance and public local policy for European integration.
The pause of enlargement is a chance to rethink the relationship between the EU and the Western Balkans, underlined the debate, and the governments in the Balkans have to act now, and at the same time, the EU has to speed up the accession procedures and propose viable political solution to problems such as the Kosovo issue. Many participants also demanded a greater implication of local authorities in the accession process.

Per Vinther, President of ALDA, was present at the conference and informed about its activities in decentralised cooperation in one of the workshops. The project of decentralised cooperation between Lower Normandy and the Republic of Macedonia was at the centre of attention.
The conference was organised by the French Association of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (AFCCRE) in cooperation with the municipality of Dijon and the Community of Greater Dijon.

In cooperation with the The Franco-German Youth Office OFAJ and memorial centresOradur-sur-Glane in France and Dachau in Germany, LDA CSS implemented three cycle seminar entitled “War and Propaganda: An Approach to History in Europe”.

After a seminar in Dachau, this year youth groups from Germany, France and Serbia met in Oradour, France and Nis.
Each seminar has been led by wellknown national historians, experts on each specific topic. Young people had the opportunity to question the relationship between propaganda in the Second World War and the 90s conflicts in the former Yugoslavia while investigating transnational historiography.

🇮🇹 This article is in English, Italian below

On 16 and 17 September 2025, three events were organised by the association Caracol Olol Jackson and ALDA Italia APS to promote the Ambulatorio Popolare run by Caracol and to launch a campaign for the recruitment of new volunteer doctors.
These initiatives were held within the framework of the project Cura e Solidarietà – Prospettive dal Basso, funded by the Otto per Mille of the Waldensian Church. Launched in 2024, the project came to a close with these three meetings, which took place in the Vicenza neighbourhoods of San Lazzaro, San Giuseppe and Ferrovieri — areas of the city where many residents do not have regular access to the national health system.

The Ambulatorio Popolare managed by Caracol offers specialist medical services (dentistry, gynaecology, paediatrics, ophthalmology, and psychological support) to people excluded from or unable to afford the national healthcare system: the homeless, foreigners legally present but without residency, indigent adult migrants, both EU and non-EU citizens, as well as Italians who cannot afford these treatments. All services are provided by volunteers who dedicate their time to this essential cause.

Universal right to health

The “Cura e Solidarietà” project aimed to highlight the principle of universality of the right to health, guaranteeing access for all, regardless of individual or social conditions.

Specific objectives included:

  • Improving the services of the Ambulatorio Popolare through the certification of medical equipment, and the purchase of dental, prosthetic, and pharmacy supplies;
  • Promoting volunteering and raising awareness of the services of the Ambulatorio via a social media campaign run by ALDA Italia and by organising neighbourhood meetings to present the initiative to the public;
  • Making healthcare information more accessible through a multilingual brochure with details and contacts on how to access the Ambulatorio, particularly addressing language barriers and lack of knowledge of the healthcare system.

The meetings were enriched by the testimonies of volunteers and patients, who shared their life stories with participants


  • Gildo, a family doctor, emphasised that their work goes beyond treating physical conditions, extending to supporting patients’ psychological wellbeing.
  • Marta, a reception desk volunteer, spoke about the challenge of conveying the concept of care.
  • Soufiane, a patient from Morocco, expressed his gratitude for the welcome and treatment he received at Caracol, which inspired him to remain as a volunteer, helping with cleaning and maintenance.
  • Bade, from Kosovo, also transformed from a patient with chronic illnesses into a volunteer herself.

In another meeting, Luciana and Marina, also reception volunteers, highlighted the difficulty of communicating with patients and understanding their cultural differences. They stressed the importance of training volunteers to better interact with people coming from complex backgrounds. Marina also underlined the importance of mutualism at Caracol, offering care in exchange for the skills a person can contribute, helping them develop and use their abilities in society.

Finally, dentists Marcello and Antonio made an appeal to recruit more dentists, as this is the most requested service and currently has the longest waiting list. Marcello closed the meeting by explaining his choice to volunteer: 

“Taking care of others means taking care of oneself.” 

A powerful message that inspires the work of these true “angels of care.”


Caracol e ALDA Italia insieme per un equo accesso al diritto alla salute

Il 16 e il 17 settembre 2025 si sono tenuti tre eventi organizzati dall’Associazione Caracol Olol Jackson e da ALDA Italia APS per promuovere l’Ambulatorio Popolare gestito da Caracol e per lanciare una campagna di adesione di nuovi medici volontari.

Queste iniziative si sono svolte nell’ambito del progetto Cura e Solidarietà – Prospettive dal Basso, finanziato dall’Otto per Mille della Chiesa Valdese. Il progetto, iniziato nel 2024, si chiude proprio con questi tre eventi, che sono stati organizzati nei tre quartieri vicentini di riferimento: San Lazzaro, San Giuseppe e Ferrovieri, in quanto rappresentano una delle zone della città in cui la presenza di persone che non hanno regolare accesso al sistema sanitario nazionale è maggiore.

Caracol gestisce infatti un ambulatorio popolare che offre servizi medici specialistici (odontoiatria, ginecologia, pediatria, oculistica e supporto psicologico) a coloro che non hanno accesso al SSN o che non possono permettersi queste cure: persone senza fissa dimora, stranieri regolarmente presenti ma non residenti, cittadini stranieri maggiorenni indigenti, comunitari o extracomunitari, cittadini italiani per cui queste cure sono troppo costose. È importante ricordare anche che tutti i servizi sono erogati da volontari che dedicano il loro tempo per questa importante causa.

In generale, il progetto “Cura e solidarietà” vuole quindi mettere in luce il principio dell’universalità del diritto alla salute di tutta la popolazione senza distinzioni determinate dalle condizioni individuali e sociali. 

Altri obiettivi specifici del progetto sono:

  • Migliorare i servizi dell’Ambulatorio Popolare Caracol, attraverso la certificazione di macchinari e attrezzature, e attraverso l’acquisto di materiale di consumo odontoiatrico-protesico e di farmacia;
  • Promuovere il volontariato e i servizi dell’Ambulatorio, realizzando una campagna social gestita da ALDA Italia e organizzando i tre incontri nei quartieri per presentare l’iniziativa alla cittadinanza;
  • Rendere più accessibili le informazioni sanitarie, realizzando una brochure multilingua con tutte le informazioni e i contatti necessari per accedere all’Ambulatorio, spiegando le modalità di accesso al servizio. Infatti, una delle difficoltà maggiormente riscontrate dai volontari è proprio quella linguistica, o di scarsa conoscenza del sistema sanitario da parte degli utenti.

Gli incontri sono stati arricchiti da testimonianze dei volontari e di alcuni utenti stessi, che hanno condiviso con i partecipanti le loro storie di vita


Ad esempio, Gildo, medico di famiglia, ha sottolineato come il loro lavoro non si fermi al curare fisicamente la persona, ma anche contribuire al suo benessere psichico. Marta, addetta allo sportello accoglienza ha invece parlato della difficoltà di trasmettere il concetto di cura, e Soufiane, un paziente proveniente dal Marocco ha espresso la sua gratitudine per Caracol, dove ha trovato persone che lo hanno accolto e curato, tanto da decidere di rimanere come volontario per svolgere lavori di pulizia e sistemazione degli spazi. Lo stesso ha raccontato Bade del Kosovo, che da paziente con malattie croniche è ora anche volontaria.

In un altro incontro, Luciana e Marina, anche loro addette allo sportello, hanno evidenziato la difficoltà di comunicare con gli utenti e comprendere le differenze culturali che li caratterizzano, per cui è molto importante poter garantire anche ai volontari una formazione su come meglio rapportarsi con i pazienti, che provengono spesso da situazioni molto complesse. Molto importante in Caracol, come sottolineato da Marina, è il mutualismo, che consiste nell’offrire una cura in cambio delle competenze che una persona ha, in modo da poterla aiutare a sviluppare e sfruttare le proprie competenze nella società.

Infine, i dentisti Marcello e Antonio hanno lanciato un appello, chiedendo a tutti di aiutare l’Ambulatorio a trovare altri dentisti, che è il servizio maggiormente richiesto e per cui esiste una lunga lista d’attesa. Marcello ha poi concluso l’incontro spiegando di aver scelto di diventare volontario perché

Prendersi cura degli altri significa prendersi cura di sé stessi.

Un concetto importantissimo e che anima il lavoro di questi “angeli della cura”. 

The AMIL project continues its journey alongside social workers engaged in job orientation for third-country nationals.

Professor Francesco Carchedi, together with other trainers who led the training sessions, is supporting professionals in the initial phase of developing a practical and innovative toolkit designed for those working in employment services for migrants.

The creation of the toolkit does not start from scratch: the materials already produced are being enriched and integrated with insights that emerged during classroom training activities, with the experiences collected in pilot projects, and through an international questionnaire that also involved partners from Greece and Cyprus.

The design process also benefits from the contribution of Dr Cristina Di Pietro, university lecturer in Migration Phenomena and Multicultural Society, whose input complements that of Professor Folco Cimagalli and Professor Carchedi himself. Thanks to the direct involvement of social workers, the toolkit will be easy to consult and immediate to use, becoming a truly operational tool.

The project also foresees that the toolkit will be translated into several European languages to ensure its accessibility in different national contexts. Among the sections currently under development are those dedicated to identifying the needs of third-country nationals and to activating networks of services and opportunities across territories.

Through this work, AMIL strengthens its mission: to build concrete tools to improve the labour and social inclusion of migrants, promoting a collaborative and international approach.

AMIL – Alliance Multi-stakeholders for Migrants Integration and Labour is a project that aims to contribute to the sustainable integration of third-country nationals into the labour market by promoting, extending, and strengthening the MEIC (Migrants Economic Integration Cluster) methodology. This innovative approach, based on cooperation among different stakeholders, enables migrants to be directly involved in the integration process through tailored and personalised orientation and training programmes.

👉 To learn more about the AMIL project, click HERE

From 17 to 21 September 2025, ALDA welcomed a group of ten journalists and media students from North Macedonia in Vicenza, Italy for a four-day study visit under the framework of the Media4EU project. The initiative aimed to strengthen professional capacities, support cross-border exchanges, and provide first-hand insights into the European integration process and the role of the media within it.

The Media4EU project addresses the pressing challenges faced by the media sector in North Macedonia, where journalists often encounter self-censorship, disinformation, and external pressures that weaken journalistic standards. By bringing young professionals to Italy, the project sought to foster dialogue, skills development, and cooperation with European counterparts, while contributing to the fight against Euroscepticism and encouraging quality journalism.

A rich and dynamic programme

The visit began with a welcome session at ALDA’s Vicenza office, where participants were introduced to the Association’s mission, its international scope, and its long-standing commitment to local democracy, citizen participation, and European integration. This opening moment set the tone for the programme, highlighting how ALDA’s work connects local communities with the wider European project.

The delegation was then formally received at Vicenza City Hall by Councillor Alessandro Bertasi, who underlined the city’s active engagement in promoting European values at the local level. This institutional welcome was followed by the participation in a press conference on “Vicenza Città delle Donne” (“Vicenza City of Women”), focusing on rights and equal opportunities. Hosted by Vice Mayor Isabella Sala, Councillor Matteo Tosetto and Councillor Ida Grimaldi, the event offered participants the chance to see first-hand how local authorities communicate on issues of gender equality and inclusion.

This early interaction between the visiting journalists and Vicenza’s municipal representatives not only provided valuable insights into local governance and public communication, but also illustrated the strong link between media, democracy, and civic engagement at the heart of the European model.


Workshops and practical activities enriched the programme, giving participants both new skills and a direct taste of European media practices. An interactive training on social media communication, led by ALDA’s communication team, allowed the young journalists to explore how digital platforms can be used effectively to encourage civic engagement and counter disinformation. This was followed by a video-pills recording session in the heart of Vicenza’s Piazza dei Signori, where each participant was interviewed on project-related issues, reflecting on freedom of expression and the challenges of the profession in their country.

The group also visited TVA Vicenza, one of the city’s main local broadcasters, for an exchange with Director Gian Marco Mancassola. Here, they discussed the role of local media in informing citizens, building trust, and maintaining editorial independence, drawing parallels with the North Macedonian context.

Another highlight was the study visit to Schio Municipality, where the delegation was welcomed by the Deputy Mayor Cristina Marigo. Beyond the institutional meeting, a guided tour of the city’s historic landmarks offered a cultural perspective on how local identity, governance, and media narratives intersect.

The programme concluded with a podcast recording session at ALDA’s office, in which participants took part in the full process of planning, producing, and recording content.


This hands-on experience encouraged creativity while emphasising the importance of storytelling in strengthening democratic dialogue


Beyond technical training, the study visit was about building trust and networks. By engaging with municipal authorities, media professionals, and civil society actors, participants experienced how media freedom, gender equality, and democratic governance are interlinked within the European framework.

The initiative also created space for peer-to-peer learning, enabling young journalists to share challenges, compare approaches with more experienced colleagues, and strengthen their role in shaping a transparent and democratic media landscape.

Towards stronger media and democracy

 The Media4EU study visit in Vicenza, Italy was more than just a training event: it was a step forward for strengthening journalism in North Macedonia and increasing professional capacities.

By empowering journalists, supporting exchanges, and promoting freedom of expression, Media4EU directly contributes to a healthier public debate and a more inclusive European future.

ALDA is proud to announce the launch of the G.R.A.I.N. project – Governance, Rural Action, and Inclusive Networks, a new initiative that places rural communities at the centre of Ukraine’s recovery and European integration process.

From 11 to 16 September 2025, delegations from Ukraine, France, Poland and Moldova gathered in Ploeuc L’Hermitage (Brittany, France) for the official kick-off seminar of G.R.A.I.N. project.

Hosted by the Mayor, Thibaut Guignard, president of Leader France and member of the ALDA Governing Board — the seminar combined exchanges of expertise, field visits, and the first steps in building mentoring ties that will guide the project’s implementation.

A particularly symbolic moment took place on Monday 15 September, when the delegation was welcomed by Thani Mohamed Soilihi, Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships of France. On this occasion, the Minister reaffirmed France’s strong commitment to supporting Ukraine and underlined the importance of the LEADER methodology in strengthening rural communities.


Funded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the G.R.A.I.N. project is led by Leader France with partners from Poland, Moldova, and Ukraine, and supported by AFCCRE and ELARD. Its ambition is clear: to strengthen rural development and reconstruction in Ukraine by promoting the LEADER/CLLD methodology, a European approach that empowers local actors to design and implement development strategies.

Building Local Action Groups in Ukraine

Over the next three years, six Ukrainian territories — Odesa, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk and Poltava regions — will create pilot Local Action Groups (LAGs) and design Local Development Strategies. These LAGs will work hand-in-hand with European counterparts, drawing inspiration from the long-standing experience of French, Polish, and Moldovan partners.

The collaboration is extensive:

This framework ensures that Ukrainian partners benefit from both technical expertise and peer-to-peer learning, while building strong cross-border connections.


Beyond technical cooperation, the G.R.A.I.N. project is rooted in citizen engagement and the principle of participatory governance. 


Special attention will be given to the involvement of women, youth, and civil society, ensuring that diverse voices shape the future of rural territories. This approach echoes ALDA’s longstanding mission: to encourage and promote inclusive and democratic participation at the local level, empowering communities to design their own development paths.

The G.R.A.I.N. project is not only a technical cooperation initiative; it is a strategic step towards building resilient, participatory, and inclusive rural development models in Ukraine.

By connecting Ukrainian regions with European partners, the project strengthens European integration while contributing to the country’s reconstruction and long-term resilience.

 


Target: Municipalities in Türkiye – Applications must be submitted in Turkish
Deadline 30 September 2025

The pre-application period for the 2025 European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE) granted by the Council of Europe to Turkish local authorities that adopt and commit to improving a culture of good governance has begun.

ELoGE seeks to strengthen good governance practices in municipalities and promote the adoption of the 12 Principles of Good Democratic Governance at all levels of local administration. In Türkiye, the label is consistent with national legislation and aims to reinforce a culture of good governance through an evidence-based assessment and evaluation approach.  Local authorities that demonstrate compliance with the specified indicators are entitled to use the ELoGE label throughout the year.


Since its introduction in Türkiye in 2022, ELoGE has been awarded to five metropolitan, two provincial, and six district municipalities by 2024.


A collaborative model for the future

This growing interest demonstrates the increasing importance municipalities attach to good governance and citizens’ trust.

The ELoGE process in Türkiye is coordinated by Argüden Governance Academy, officially mandated by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, in cooperation with the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (TBB), ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy, and Özyeğin University. Applications will be assessed by an independent jury of experienced public officials, academics, and civil society representatives, based on the Council of Europe’s 12 Principles, 36 objectives, and 72 indicators.

📌 Key Dates:
  • Pre-application deadline: 30 September 2025
  • Submission of evidence files (for shortlisted municipalities): 31 October 2025
  • Information meeting: 24 September 2025, 14:00, at the TBB Headquarters in Ankara. The meeting will last for half a day, and participants are expected to cover their own accommodation, meals, and transfer expenses. Representatives wishing to attend the meeting can confirm their participation by sending an email to disiliskiler@tbb.gov.tr including their name and surname, municipality, position, and contact information.

For applications and further information, please visit: https://eloge.org.tr/.

📍Maison des Associations Internationales, Rue Washington, 40 B-1050 Brussels, BELGIUM

🗓️ 7 November 2025

Concept & Background

Europe is entering a decisive stage in its digital transformation. While digitalisation brings new opportunities for education, innovation, and participation, it also risks deepening divides between urban and rural areas. Many rural communities continue to face barriers — from limited infrastructure and connectivity to lack of tailored digital education and skills training.

These gaps not only affect access to services and opportunities but also challenge social cohesion and equal participation in the digital decade.

The Inclusive Digital Europe Conference responds to this challenge by creating a space for dialogue between educators, policymakers, local authorities, civil society organisations, and community leaders. The conference highlights how digital skills and inclusive strategies can empower rural communities, reduce inequalities, and ensure that no one is left behind in Europe’s digital future.


Drawing on experiences and practices from across Europe, the event will showcase how local actors co-create digital education solutions, adapt tools to rural needs, and strengthen the role of communities in shaping inclusive digital policies. Through plenary talks, a policy panel, and interactive roundtables, participants will explore practical pathways to bridge the urban–rural digital divide and build a more cohesive and resilient Europe.

This conference also serves as the final milestone of a Europe-wide initiative that piloted innovative methods to bring digital education closer to rural areas. By reframing these results within a wider European discussion, the event aims to connect local experiences with EU-level strategies and inspire future collaboration for inclusive digital transformation.


Join us!

By participating in the Inclusive Digital Europe Conference, stakeholders will not only exchange innovative practices and tools, but also contribute directly to shaping strategies for digital inclusion across Europe. Together, we will explore how to bridge the urban–rural divide and ensure that every community has a voice in Europe’s digital decade.

Whether you are a local authority, an educator, a policymaker, a civil society actor, or a passionate citizen, this conference will offer concrete pathways to empower rural communities, strengthen digital skills, and foster equal participation in Europe’s digital transformation — now and in the future.

📅 7 November 2025
📍 Maison des Associations Internationales, Rue Washington 40, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium

Discover the agenda of the event by clicking here, and secure your spot by registering below!

 

From 8 to 16 September 2025, the town of Recoaro Terme, Italy, is hosting the international youth exchange MATCH, co-organised by Erasmus+ and co-funded by the European Union. The project is designed to empower young people through sport, health education, and community engagement. Surrounded by mountains and known for its natural springs, the town provides a welcoming setting for both sports and cultural exchange, as well as moments of reflection and connection with nature.

The central aim of MATCH is to encourage young people to embrace healthy lifestyle practices that foster mental well-being, while promoting active citizenship and responsibility within their communities.

MATCH is built around a simple but powerful idea: looking after our health means taking care of both body and mind. Through sport and healthy nutrition, young people will be encouraged to reflect on their lifestyle and how small everyday choices can make a big difference in their overall well-being. But the project goes beyond personal health; it’s also about realising the impact each person can have on their community and learning to take an active role as responsible citizens.

Sport, in particular, becomes the common language that brings everyone together. It offers the chance to experience inclusion first-hand, to celebrate diversity, and to learn from one another through intercultural games and activities. Team sports and group challenges will help participants practise cooperation, leadership, and solidarity, while also reinforcing the values of fair play, respect for rules, and mutual support.

Another key aspect of the exchange is the opportunity to connect internationally. Participants will also build friendships across borders, exchange ideas on health, get to know more about the Veneto region, sport, and how to live more sustainably. Themes of sustainability will play an important role, encouraging eco-conscious choices in daily life as well as in the way we approach sport.

The exchange follows an interactive and hands-on format. Instead of just talking, participants will be actively involved through workshops, practical sessions, and discussions. Activities include fencing and tennis lessons, dance workshops, team-building games, and a sports festival in Valdagno. To balance the physical part, there will be reflection groups that create space for open discussions on well-being, mental health, and citizenship.

Six partner organisations, including Studio Progetto, are taking part in the project. Each isl brings a small group of young people from across Europe between the ages of 16 and 19, accompanied by one youth leader over 21. Leaders are helping with communication and coordination in English, while participants can freely join without needing prior language skills. Among the participants, ALDA is proud to guide and support five young people from Ukraine.

In the end, MATCH is not only a youth exchange but also an opportunity to grow personally, connect with others, and discover how every small gesture, whether on the sports field or in everyday life, can contribute to shaping healthier, fairer, and more engaged communities.


The AMIL project – Alliance Multi-Stakeholders for Migrants Integration and Labour – never moves forward alone. Instead, it works in synergy with other organisations, as well as with regional and national programmes already in place. This approach means enhancing local resources, connecting skills and opportunities, and integrating available public and private funding channels.

Such cooperation ensures stronger and more continuous support for beneficiaries throughout their socio-labour inclusion journey, generating a real and lasting impact. In this way, AMIL becomes a concrete bridge between Third-Country Nationals (TCNs) and the opportunities offered by the labour market, contributing to a model of ethical and sustainable integration.

Complementarity with other initiatives is not merely an added value, but a genuine strategy. Thanks to its connection with national and regional programmes, AMIL multiplies training and employment opportunities, creating a support ecosystem where different interventions do not overlap but instead reinforce one another. It is precisely this network of collaborations that transforms individual pathways into more solid and lasting inclusion experiences.

Examples of national and regional actions involving AMIL: 

  • PUOI PLUS Program
    Promoted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies and implemented by Sviluppo Lavoro Italia S.p.A. as part of the National Programme for Inclusion and the Fight against Poverty (2021–2027). Thanks to the accreditation of AMIL’s partner CIES Onlus, beneficiaries can access paid on-the-job training internships, combining practical experience with financial support.
  • GOL Programme – Guarantee of Employability of Workers
    Part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP – PNRR in Italian), implemented regionally by AMIL’s partner Speha Fresia. The programme offers personalised training pathways and job placement services, enriching employability opportunities and guiding beneficiaries towards more stable and qualified employment.

  • MINs Refugees Project – Mediation as a Pathway to the Socio-Labour Inclusion of Refugees Funded by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (through 8×1000 IRPEF funds), this initiative provides 280 hours of free intercultural mediation training and a work placement. It represents an investment in new skills that strengthens autonomy and inclusion, preparing professionals capable of building bridges between cultures and communities.

AMIL is not just a project but a platform of connections that amplifies opportunities and makes inclusion pathways more effective, turning collaboration into a driver of shared change


A collaborative model for the future

The added value of AMIL lies in its ability to integrate territorial initiatives into a broader vision of socio-labour inclusion. By linking local practices to national strategies, AMIL avoids duplication and instead builds stronger foundations for sustainable integration. Each beneficiary thus benefits not only from individual support but also from an entire ecosystem of collaboration designed to reinforce their professional and social inclusion.

This approach also has a ripple effect: by training professionals, strengthening mediation skills, and creating more accessible pathways to employment, AMIL contributes to a more cohesive and resilient society. Its work demonstrates how multi-stakeholder partnerships can transform integration from a single intervention into a long-term, structural solution.

👉 Find out more about the AMIL project by clicking here.

On 2–3 September 2025, the partners of the EnviRights project gathered in Turin for their first in-person meeting, hosted by the coordinator Volontariato Torino (Vol.To). This kick-off meeting marked an important step in the consortium’s collaborative work to strengthen the protection of environmental activism in Europe.

The project, co-funded by the European Union’s CERV programme, aims to enhance civic space by protecting the rights of young environmental activists, particularly their freedom of expression, assembly, and association, as guaranteed in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. At a time when youth climate protests are facing growing restrictions across different countries in Europe, the project’s relevance could not be greater.

The two-day agenda aimed both to consolidate effective internal procedures and to promote the consortium’s technical work. Partners first reviewed the Project Management Handbook and discussed the role of the Ethics & Compliance Committee. Particular attention was given to financial management, reporting practices, and administrative requirements, key elements for the sustainability of the partnership.

Following this, the consortium turned its attention to developing the monitoring system that stands at the heart of EnviRights. Led by the University of Turin, partners have begun in the past months the process of mapping stakeholders, organisations, and informal movements across Europe engaged in defending environmental rights. This mapping will allow the project to identify both best practices and documented violations, thereby laying the groundwork for the creation of a European monitoring platform.


Mapping environmental organisations and informal movements is the cornerstone of EnviRights’ work, ensuring that activists’ voices are documented and amplified across Europe


EnviRights goes beyond monitoring to invest in capacity building and advocacy, with activities including training young activists, creating consultation tables in four pilot countries, and engaging civil society, institutions, and media to strengthen awareness of environmental rights. ALDA will play a leading role in communication and advocacy: we will set up advocacy tables to connect with policy and decision makers at both European and international levels, and we will also organise the project’s final event in Brussels to present results and promote the EnviRights policy proposal.

The kick-off meeting also featured field visits to emblematic locations in Turin, sites of environmental activism. Partners visited Kontiki, the first Italian headquarters of Fridays for Future, today a vibrant environmental and cultural centre. Entirely self-managed by volunteers, Kontiki provides an inclusive space for youth environmental activism, hosting groups such as Extinction Rebellion and Last Generation.

The delegation then explored Meisino Park, a regional nature reserve along the River Po, designated as a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. While home to rich biodiversity, Meisino is under threat from development projects. The “Salviamo il Meisino” committee, founded in 2022, is actively campaigning against the construction of a sports citadel in the area, reminding us of the daily challenges faced by environmental defenders across Europe.

By the end of the meeting, partners had not only consolidated their project strategy but also reinforced their collective commitment to defending environmental rights. The Turin gathering was an opportunity to translate shared values into concrete plans, setting the course for two years of monitoring, training, and advocacy activities that will empower young environmental defenders across Europe.

As the consortium now moves forward with its first outputs, stay tuned for more updates from the EnviRights project!

AT A GLANCE

The EnviRights project aims to strengthen the protection and promotion of freedom of expression, assembly, and association for environmental and climate activists – particularly young people – across the European Union. It targets civil society organisations, youth movements, disadvantaged groups (including women, non-binary, ethnic minorities, and activists with disabilities), public officers, media operators, policymakers, and the general public.

OBJECTIVES

Specific Objectives:

  • Improve the effectiveness of monitoring environmental activists’ rights across Europe.
  • Build activists’ capacity by strengthening awareness, resilience, and coping skills.
  • Promote greater understanding and acceptance of environmental activists’ concerns among public officers, media operators, and policymakers.

The EnviRights project responds to the urgent need to safeguard participation in democratic life by ensuring the protection of fundamental rights in the field of environmental activism. While freedom of expression and demonstration is guaranteed by Articles 11 and 12 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, climate activists—especially young people—face growing restrictions, selective enforcement, and social hostility in many European countries. 

The project seeks to address these challenges through three interconnected strategies. First, it will improve monitoring of environmental activists’ rights across Europe by mapping both formal and informal climate movements, identifying best practices, and designing a unified European-wide monitoring system. Second, it will build the capacity of environmental rights defenders through a tailored training programme that addresses legal, communication, psychological, and resilience skills, with particular attention to disadvantaged groups (women, non-binary activists, minorities, youth, and those facing socio-economic barriers). Third, it will promote broader institutional and societal understanding by training public officers on proper application of legal protections, equipping media operators with a communication kit to avoid discriminatory narratives, and fostering dialogue with policymakers through advocacy tables and a recommendations paper.The partnership will bring together civil society organisations, a local municipality in Hungary, and an academic institution (University of Turin), combining expertise in youth engagement, training, monitoring, and advocacy. By targeting CSOs, individual activists, public authorities, media professionals, policymakers, and the general public, the project will contribute to a safer, more inclusive civic space in the EU. Ultimately, EnviRights aims to empower environmental activists, ensure better protection of their fundamental rights, and strengthen democratic dialogue on climate issues across Europe.

HASHTAGS

#freedom #expression #information #assembly #association #empowerment #environment #rights #activism #monitoring #capacitybuilding #advocacy #policymaking

RELATED NEWS

The ALDA Environment & Climate Hub is pleased to announce two major events this autumn, offering members and fellows the chance to exchange, collaborate, and co-create strategies for greener and smarter communities.

With an online event on 29 September 2025 and an in-person event in Brussels on 23 October 2025, the Hub aims to reinforce its mission of empowering civil society and local authorities in the fields of climate and sustainability.

Online Event: “Exchange with the Environment & Climate Hub: Your Voice in Our Work” [for ALDA members only]

The first event will take place online on 29 September 2025 from 10:30 to 12:30 CEST via Zoom. Entitled “Exchange with the Environment & Climate Hub: Your Voice in Our Work”, the session represents a key opportunity for participants to:

  • Explore the priorities and ongoing projects of the Hub;
  • Present their own environment and climate-related initiatives during an interactive session;
  • Discover funding opportunities;
  • Contribute to defining the Hub’s future direction.

The interactive nature of this event will ensure that every voice is heard, allowing members to share best practices, discover funding opportunities and strengthen cooperation.

👉 Register here to join the online exchange!

In-Person Event: “Beyond Awareness: How Civil Society Shapes the Green and Smart City” [for everyone]

The second event will take place in Brussels on 23 October 2025: the event is composed of “Beyond Awareness: How Civil Society Shapes the Green and Smart City” public workshop, followed by a closed session for ALDA members only. 

In line with the Environment & Climate Hub motto “Empowering smarter, greener, and more inclusive cities and communities through civic participation”, the workshop will highlight the role of civil society in creating sustainable and digital cities. This public event will showcase experiences from EU-funded projects such as BUILDSPACE and GreenScape, demonstrating how citizens contribute to urban transformation. Using interactive methods, participants will move from dialogue to action, exploring real-world solutions to climate and environmental challenges.

Subsequently, an exclusive members-only session will be dedicated to defining priorities and future activities of the Environment & Climate Hub. This closed discussion will strengthen ALDA’s commitment to co-designing initiatives with its members and collaborating.

👉 Register here for the Brussels workshop!

Why Participate?

These two events together constitute a vital step in shaping the Hub in a collaborative and meaningful way, exchanging members’ insights and supporting their work through the Hub work. By combining an online and an in-person format, the Hub fosters deeper, face-to-face engagement.

Do not miss this opportunity to connect, showcase your initiatives, and shape the future of the ALDA Environment & Climate Hub!

— Don’t miss any updates, subscribe to the Environment & Climate Hub Newsletter! You’ll find the sign-up form at the end of this page

Do you have a story that deserves to be told?

The Shared Horizons team invites young creatives from across the Western Balkans to take part in a Storytelling Competition celebrating six of the region’s most iconic historical bridges. Selected stories will be transformed into immersive Augmented Reality experiences, bringing history and imagination to life directly on the bridges themselves.

Why apply?

Winners will collaborate with experts to develop their stories into interactive AR experiences combining sound, images, and animation. These creations will not only enrich visits to the bridges, but will also be featured in public exhibitions and events across the Western Balkans, giving young authors significant regional visibility.

Who can apply?

Young creatives aged 15–29 from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

Stories should focus on one of these bridges:

  • Gorica Bridge (Berat, Albania)
  • Stari Most (Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
  • Stone Bridge (Prizren, Kosovo)
  • Stone Bridge (Skopje, North Macedonia)
  • Adž-pasha’s Bridge (Podgorica, Montenegro)
  • White Bridge (Vranje, Serbia)
How to apply?

📄 Applications will be submitted through this Google Form. For full details on criteria and the application process, please see the Info Pack attached below.

📅 Deadline to apply: 30 September 2025

For questions, contact this email

#BridgesThatConnect 

The Mayor Pawel Adamowicz Award continues to stand as a powerful tribute to the values of solidarity, inclusion, dialogue, and human rights. Created to honour the late Mayor of Gdańsk, a cherished friend and member of ALDA, who was tragically assassinated in 2019, the award recognises those who demonstrate exceptional bravery and commitment to freedom, equality, and democracy in their communities.

Now in its 5th edition, the award was officially launched on 15 May 2025 by Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), during the 166th CoR plenary session. Nominations remain open until 31 October 2025, offering the opportunity to shine a light on inspiring individuals and organisations who, like Pawel Adamowicz, dedicate their work to protecting human dignity and strengthening democracy.

The 2023 edition saw strong participation, with 14 nominations, including from the European Parliament and six from the CoR. Five candidates were shortlisted, and the ADL Zavidovići Association – a long-standing member of ALDA – received the award. Its Director, Maddalena Alberti, underlined the importance of resilience and structural change, while the association’s roots remain a beacon of solidarity for communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and beyond.

This award does more than recognise achievement; it celebrates those who build bridges, dismantle barriers, and defend civil freedom across Europe and the world. It calls attention to those who protect the vulnerable and act with courage for the sake of future generations.

ALDA warmly invites everyone to submit their nominations and help share stories of resilience, justice, and solidarity with a wider audience.

З початку повномасштабної війни в Україні ALDA активно підтримує тих, хто найбільше постраждав від руйнувань. Завдяки надійному партнерству з місцевими організаціями й солідарності від європейських донорів асоціації вдалося залучити понад 134 000 євро на проєкти гуманітарної допомоги та відновлення, щоб надати як термінову, так і довгострокову підтримку для стійкості України.

У перші місяці надзвичайної ситуації пріоритети були зрозумілі: потрібно було забезпечити, щоб родини, які виїжджали з Маріуполя та інших постраждалих територій, мали доступ до харчування, засобів гігієни та предметів найпершої потреби. Завдяки підтримці Fons Pitiús de Cooperació та Fons Menorquí de Cooperació, ALDA допомогла проєкту «YA Mariupol» надати переміщеним сім’ям життєво необхідні товари. Також терміново потрібна була медична допомога. У Вінниці коштом ресурсів, наданих Fons Menorquí de Cooperació, в місцеві лікарні було доставлено два апарати ультразвукової діагностики, а також придбано десять генераторів, щоб забезпечити надання базових послуг навіть під час відключень електроенергії.

У міру того як війна тривала, ALDA зосередилася на зміцненні інфраструктури та створенні безпечних просторів для внутрішньо переміщених осіб (ВПО). У Дніпрі завдяки підтримці Fons Pitiús de Cooperació та згодом регіону Північна Рейн-Вестфалія (Німеччина) обладнали й оновили притулки, щоб покращити умови життя людей, які втратили домівки. Окрім фізичної підтримки з місцем проживання, не менш важливими були психологічна та соціальна підтримка. За допомогою Fons Mallorquí ВПО у Дніпропетровській області мали змогу отримати психологічні консультації, юридичну допомогу й можливості навчання, спрямовані на підвищення самозарадності й лідерства та сприяння майбутньому працевлаштуванню.

В Одесі той самий донор підтримав створення центрів для дітей і жінок, які виїхали з дому внаслідок конфлікту. Старшим дітям віком від 7 до 14 років створили повністю вмебльований та обладнаний заклад, а молодшим, віком від 3 до 6 років, надали можливість навчатись у центрі раннього розвитку. Для жінок з дітьми було створено безпечний притулок, що забезпечує стабільність у часи крайньої невизначеності. Ці ініціативи на загальну суму 45 000 євро забезпечили не лише захист, а й відчуття гідності та спільноти.

Прагнення ALDA підтримати відновлення України поширювалось і на тих, хто захищав країну на фронті. У Полтаві за підтримки Ради Європи було створено Хаб для ветеранів, який слугує простором для реінтеграції, пошуку можливостей та нового етапу в житті для колишніх військовослужбовців після повернення до цивільного життя.

Від надання базової допомоги до внесків у соціальну згуртованість і стійкість — робота ALDA в Україні демонструє цілісний підхід до відновлення. Кожна ініціатива — чи то набір харчових продуктів, чи відремонтований притулок, чи програма реінтеграції ветеранів — стала складовою частиною процесу відновлення життя й підсилення місцевих громад. Наші заходи насамперед є свідченням сили солідарності й децентралізованої співпраці, показуючи, що навіть під час війни місцева демократія й колективна співпраця залишаються рушійними силами надії й оновлення.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, ALDA has been actively engaged in supporting those most affected by the devastation. Through strong partnerships with local actors and the solidarity of European donors, the association has mobilised more than €134,000 in humanitarian relief and recovery projects, providing both immediate aid and longer-term support for resilience.

In the first months of the emergency, the priority was clear: ensure that families fleeing Mariupol and other conflict-affected areas had access to food, hygiene, and essential goods. Thanks to the support of the Fons Pitiús de Cooperació and the Fons Menorquí de Cooperació, ALDA was able to assist the “YA Mariupol” project in reaching displaced families with life-saving supplies. Medical support was also urgently needed. In Vinnytsia, with resources provided by the Fons Menorquí de Cooperació, two ultrasound machines were delivered to local hospitals, while ten electricity generators were purchased to guarantee basic services even during power cuts.

As the war dragged on, ALDA’s efforts shifted towards strengthening infrastructure and creating safe spaces for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). In Dnipro, with contributions from the Fons Pitiús de Cooperació and later the NRW Region of Germany, shelters were equipped and refurbished to improve living conditions for those who had lost their homes. Beyond physical shelter, psychological and social support was equally crucial. With the help of the Fons Mallorquí, IDPs in the Dnipropetrovsk region were able to access counselling, legal advice, and training opportunities aimed at fostering self-reliance, leadership, and future employment.

In Odesa, the same donor made it possible to establish centres dedicated to children and women uprooted by the conflict. Adolescents aged 7 to 14 were welcomed into a fully furnished and equipped facility, while younger children, aged 3 to 6, were supported through an early development centre. For women with children, a safe shelter was created, providing stability in times of extreme uncertainty. These initiatives, amounting to €45,000, offered not just protection but also a sense of dignity and community.

Finally, ALDA’s commitment to Ukraine’s recovery extended to those who had served on the frontlines. In Poltava, a Veterans’ Hub was established with the support of the Council of Europe, offering a space for reintegration, empowerment, and new beginnings for former soldiers as they transition back into civilian life.

From providing basic relief to investing in social cohesion and resilience, ALDA’s work in Ukraine reflects a holistic approach to recovery. Each initiative – whether a food parcel, a medical device, a renovated shelter, or a veterans’ reintegration programme – has been a building block towards restoring lives and strengthening local communities. Above all, these actions testify to the enduring power of solidarity and decentralised cooperation, showing that even in times of war, local democracy and collective action remain key drivers of hope and renewal.

On 25 August 2025, 27 mayors from the Republic of Moldova visited ALDA’s Brussels office as part of their two-day mission to the European capital, organised under the invitation of the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos. Their stop at ALDA was a key moment to connect local leaders from Moldova with a network that has been actively supporting local democracy and citizen participation across the Eastern Partnership for more than two decades.

The meeting provided a space for constructive dialogue on the challenges and opportunities that local authorities face in Moldova, particularly in a context marked by democratic transition and the country’s European integration path. During the discussions, ALDA presented its longstanding commitment to Moldova and the wider Eastern Partnership region, highlighting ongoing programmes that foster citizen engagement, strengthen transparent governance, and empower civil society organisations.

“Local authorities are the cornerstone of democratic resilience,” underlined ALDA’s Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida. “By working hand in hand with mayors and communities, we ensure that democratic values take root where they matter most — at the local level.”

ALDA’s action in the Eastern Partnership

Within the Eastern Partnership (EaP), ALDA maintains an active presence in Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, while also working closely with the Belarusian diaspora. In a region where political instability, democratic backsliding, human rights violations, and shrinking civic space continue to intersect, ALDA has developed a strategy designed to be both responsive and resilient.

In Moldova specifically, ALDA contributes by:

  • Creating mechanisms for social accountability and active civic engagement
  • Providing technical and financial assistance to local initiatives and CSOs
  • Supporting participatory budgeting processes in local communities
  • Advocating within national and international platforms such as the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum and the Open Government Partnership

This work is embedded in ALDA’s broader mission to promote inclusive governance and citizen participation, while facilitating exchanges between Moldovan civil society actors and their European counterparts.

In particular, among all the ongoing projects in the region which further strengthen Moldova’s democratic path, we recall: 

  • INSPIRED Moldova, which empowers Moldovan civil society to actively shape national policies and play a leading role in the country’s integration into the European Union. Already in its first year, the project has provided financial support to more than 25 associations, funding initiatives in civic education, community development, and participatory democracy. 
  • On a different note, the project MICAD – Metropolitan Inclusivity in Climate And Digital Transitions enhances how metropolitan authorities approach climate and digital transitions, placing inclusivity and multilevel governance at the centre of action.
  • And the BRIDGE to the Council of Europe builds resilience for democratic governance by fostering dialogue with the Council of Europe and strengthening civil society’s ability to engage effectively in democratic processes. This project addresses challenges common to Moldova and the wider Eastern Partnership, such as shrinking civic space and democratic backsliding, while promoting citizen participation and the Council of Europe’s core values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law
A shared vision for the future

The mayors’ visit came at a crucial time, as Moldova advances on its path towards EU membership. The exchanges at ALDA’s Brussels office reaffirmed the essential role of local governments in shaping this trajectory, ensuring that reforms are grounded in the needs of citizens and communities.

By hosting the Moldovan delegation, ALDA reinforced its role as a bridge between European institutions and local realities, continuing its long-standing contribution to democracy, resilience, and peace in the Eastern Partnership.


👉 Stay tuned for the BRIDGE to the CoE upcoming event in Chișinău, in October 2025, a high-level occasion to discuss democratic governance, strengthen civil society’s role, and reinforce Moldova’s European integration path.

This September ALDA, with the patronage of the European Committee of Regions, the Province of Vicenza and the Municipality of Thiene and the generous contribution of the Veneto Region, presents the second edition of its International School, which will take place  in Villa Fabris (Thiene) from September 3rd to 5th, 2025. This year’s programme, themed ‘Resilient Communities: Strengthening Local Democracy in Times of Change’, will explore how to reinforce local democracies in the face of today’s global challenges.”

The objective of the International School is to build trust in institutions by recognising various threats to democracy, and to create an environment in which it is possible to balance global and local decision-making processes. These challenges are also faced by using new tools, particularly in the fields of AI and technology. By understanding these new instruments, it is possible to create the starting point for a new, sustainable, and more ethical democratic system.

The programme offers a balance of theory and practical application, providing participants with the knowledge, tools, and strategies to enhance democratic institutions at the local level. Through expert-led sessions, interactive lectures, and role-playing exercises, participants will explore key issues like democratic resilience, the role of digital tools in governance, and how to foster transparency and citizen engagement.


September 3, 2025

The first day will begin with the Opening Session and Institutional Welcome, where local and regional leaders, together with representatives of European organisations, will introduce the central theme of democratic resilience. Then it will continue with a Keynote Panel on populism and democracy under pressure, exploring how contemporary challenges are reshaping democratic life, with Professor Paolo Graziano from the University of Padua and Professor Dino Piovan as high level speakers. After an interactive lecture on Populism, Polarisation and Institutional Trust, held by Patrick Molinoz, Former President of the CIVEX commission of the European Committee of the Regions and Vice-President of the Burgundy-Franche Comté Region (France), Nataša Vučković, President of ALDA and President of Center for Democracy Foundation and Cana Tülüş Türk, PhD, Senior Specialist at Istanbul Policy Center and a lecturer in Comparative Politics at Okan and Medipol Universities, the attention will shifts to practice and participation. In two World Café discussions focused on participatory decision-making, facilitated by experts from Avventura Urbana, participants are invited to reflect on how communities can build and sustain resilient democracies.

The day will come to a closure with a guided tour of the wonderful city of Thiene.

September 4, 2025

The focus of the second day will be directed towards  governance and innovation. The morning will open with a session on multilateralism and local democracy, followed by a lecture examining the collaboration between the private sector and civil society in shaping local governance by Researcher and Lecturer Valbona Karakaci from the University of Shkodra, and PhD Bernd Steinman from HELVETAS. It will be followed by an interactive panel that considers the role of digital transformation in strengthening democratic institutions, exploring both opportunities and risks, with Kirsi Verkka, Development Manager of the City of Helsinki and Samet Keskin, Director of the Data and Technology Center and Marmara Municipalities Union (and ALDA Advisory Board member).

After lunch, participants will join a fireside chat on artificial intelligence, democracy, and the future of citizen participation. Afterwards, they will take part in a role-play exercise to design a digital democracy engagement tool, with Denys Tkachov, International and European project developer and Kirsi Verkka.

The end of the day will be dedicated to the exploration of another wonderful city located in the Veneto region, Schio.

September 5, 2025

The final day will open with a keynote speech addressing the wider regional perspectivemade by Clara Volintiru, Regional Director of The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation (BST) (German Marshall Fund), followed by a panel on democratic challenges and responses in the enlargement process. This session will highlight lessons from across Europe and its neighbourhood, and the role of institutions in safeguarding democracy during times of transition. It will be moderated by ALDA’s Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida and the high level speakers will be Senida Mesi, Former Deputy Prime Minister of Albania and Teona Macharashvili, Co-founder Caucasus Open Space and Clara Volintiru. Then, the participants will engage in a two-part simulation exercise on crisis response and institutional resilience, designed and facilitated by CRISP – Crisis Simulation for Peace e.V. specialists in creating simulation games, interactive trainings, and digital civic‐education tools to support non‐violent conflict transformation and participatory learning.

The three-day event will end with a closing ceremony, where certifications to the participants will be given.


This year’s International School will welcome around thirty participants from all over Europe and beyond, each bringing their own stories, ideas, and experiences. Over the three days, they will share perspectives, exchange good practices, and build connections that can easily turn into lasting friendships and collaborations. More than just a programme, the School will be a space for learning together, celebrating community, and imagining and creating stronger, more resilient democracies.


In recent years, Greece has become a hub on Europe’s migration pathway – not only with the short-term issue of reception but with the long-term issue of integration. The AMIL Project (Alliance of Multi-stakeholders for Migrants’ Integration and Labor) is meeting the challenge through an ambitious, collective effort that engages public institutions, civil society, and above all, the private sector.

At its heart lies a straightforward but powerful idea: sustainable integration requires effort on both sides of the jobs equation. Migrants need to be helped to gain access to the labor market, and employers need to be helped to create diverse, inclusive workplaces. AMIL bridges this gap by using a two-pronged strategy that couples employer engagement with individualized migrant support.

Training the Private Sector: From Good Intentions to Inclusive Action

The majority of Greek businesses would like to employ third-country nationals (TCNs) but lack the day-to-day-down-to-earth practical tools with which to do so. AMIL fills this void with focused, interactive training for private sector players – particularly HR specialists, team leaders, and recruitment managers.

They’re not theoretical seminars; they are practical, practical, and applicable in the moment. Through actual examples, participants work through obstacles such as:

  • Working through elaborate legal structures with regard to work permits and residence rights.
  • Encountering language issues both in the workplace and during induction.
  • Fostering diversity-sensitive but non-tokenistic recruitment processes.
  • Intercultural interactions and avoiding discrimination at work.

Through these sessions, AMIL not only raises awareness but also competence. They depart with tangible strategies and materials, frequently industry-specific (i.e., hospitality, agriculture, manufacturing), and many say they feel more confident in hiring and managing migrant workers. One of the participants, a regional HR director of a multinational food production corporation, stated: “We had the will, but now we have the map. AMIL took us from interest to action.”

Supporting Migrants: Personalised Paths to Work

While businesses are being prepared to embrace diverse talent, AMIL is also getting to work on the ground with migrants – meeting them where they are, both literally and metaphorically.

The programme starts with an individual assessment of the history, experience, and career aspirations of each migrant. This is not an intake – it’s a counseling session that ends up with a personalised action plan. According to the result, participants may be referred to:

  • Administrative and legal assistance with documentation and qualification recognition.
  • Career training courses aligned with the market demand.
  • Greek language training for occupational skills, targeting occupation-specific vocabulary and workplace communications.
  • Apprenticeships, internships, or direct placement into the workforce.
  • Administrative and legal assistance with documentation and qualification recognition.

Where AMIL differs is in its people-centric focus. The migrants are not treated as recipients, but as co-authors of their own existence. 


Be it a one-off nurse from Syria or a welder from Pakistan, the programme is tailored to suit their requirements – and vice versa.

Language training is a foundation of this assistance – not by virtue of separate lessons, but as an organic part of living conditions. Students practice work interviews, negotiate working-life dialogue, and learn skills in standing up for themselves at work. The outcome is an enhanced prepared and competent workforce.Looking ahead, ALDA will coordinate a series of in-person training sessions and international webinars, designed to strengthen stakeholders’ capacities and offer hands-on strategies for inclusive migrant labour integration. These activities will also serve to reinforce the AMIL Community of Interest (CoI)—a collaborative platform that brings together EU stakeholders committed to sustainable and effective integration practices.

The true genius of AMIL is its manner of harmonising action on each side of the labour market. Migrants are being empowered with the skills and confidence to pursue quality employment, whilst employers are being set up in turn to receive and retain them. This “dual-track” strategy creates a synergy that is incredibly potent. For instance, when a local hotel group visited the inclusion training of AMIL, they were able to directly match with a number of job-ready migrants whom the programme had referred them to. The outcome?

Successful recruitment with employer-assisted and facilitated onboarding, as well as high retention and satisfaction rates. In a nation like Greece – where economic renewal, aging populations, and labour deficiencies intersect – this model is not only on time. It’s necessary. It bridges demand and supply in ways that create more inclusive economies and alleviate social tensions through work and inclusion.


AMIL is not a lone operator. It achieves success through a modus operandi of networking, coordination with municipalities, NGOs, business organisations, and vocational training centers. The collaborations ensure that the assistance is systematic, long term, and local.

By multi-stakeholder workshops and working groups, AMIL also fosters space for co-design and dialogue. Private sector businesses input, civil society organisations scan the brakes, and government officials explore how to scale best practices. This type of ecosystem ensures that integration is no single actor’s duty – but a collective effort.

What is being seen in Greece with the AMIL Project is more than a national project – it is an example with the potential to be a pan-European model. Amid a period in which migration can so readily be politicised, AMIL presents a realistic, positive, and reproducible example. One based not on ideology, but on cooperation, effective tools, and shared gain.

The lessons are evident:

  • Integration is not inevitable; it needs investment and thoughtful planning.
  • Public-private partnership is not elective, but transformative.
  • Migrants bring more than needs – they bring potential, experience, and energy.

At this moment of European introspection on the intricacy of migration, the AMIL Project sets a persuasive vision of making inclusion a reality – through community action, response-driven contextualism, and a commitment to dignity for all. 

The AMIL Project brings to mind that integration is a two-way street – a collaborative journey. Empowering migrants and supporting employers simultaneously, AMIL is building bridges not just to work, but to belonging, dignity, and social cohesion.
In an increasingly migration-shaped world, the question isn’t who we integrate – but how. AMIL reminds us that, if we do so with care, inclusively and in partnership, the outcome is not only a more resilient workforce – but a more resilient society.

Find out more about the project here.