Day 2 – May 13
The second day of the ALDA General Assembly and Festival 2026, “Local Democracy that Delivers”, officially opened with the Ordinary General Assembly of ALDA. The Assembly represents a key moment for the Association and an important opportunity to collectively reflect on the future of local democracy in Europe and beyond.
The session kicked-off with welcoming remarks from Nataša Vučković, President of ALDA, Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Secretary General, and Mario Fava, President of the Local Councils’ Association Malta and co-organiser of the event. ALDA President introduced the Manifesto for a Local Democracy that Delivers, a strategic and political document reaffirming the importance of local governance, citizen participation, and democratic resilience in an increasingly complex global context.
The opening session also featured high-level institutional contributions, including a video message from Glenn Micallef, Maltese Commissioner responsible for intergenerational fairness, youth, culture and sport alongside speeches by Patrick Molinoz, Vice-President of the Region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté – Member of the European Committee of the Regions and Konstantinos Koukas, Vice-President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and Rapporteur on the New Democratic Pact for Europe at the Council of Europe. Their interventions highlighted the essential role played by local authorities and civil society organisations in safeguarding democratic values, fostering participation, and responding to today’s societal challenges.
As highlighted by Konstantinos Koukas:
The link between the Congress and ALDA is both historic and strong. The Congress supported the creation of the first Local Democracy Agency in 1993, laying the foundations for a network dedicated to rebuilding trust and fostering democratic governance at local level. This founding vision remains highly relevant today.
He further stressed the importance of democratic innovation in strengthening citizens’ trust in institutions:
Democratic innovation is not an abstract concept. It is needed to bring governance closer to citizens, make it more responsive, and build trust. This is exactly what ALDA has been promoting for years. Through its network of Local Democracy Agencies, ALDA has supported participatory governance, civic engagement, and cooperation between local authorities and civil society.
Throughout the morning, ALDA members reviewed and approved the organisation’s institutional and financial documents, including the Minutes of the 2025 General Assembly, the 2025 Activity Report, the Treasurer’s Report, and the Programme and Budget for 2026. A video presentation showcased key achievements and activities carried out throughout 2025 across ALDA’s network, regional hubs, and thematic hubs, reflecting the association’s continued growth and impact in promoting local democracy and citizen participation across Europe and neighbouring regions.
Particular attention was devoted to the implementation of ALDA’s 2024–2028 Strategy, presented by Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA. The presentation outlined the organisation’s strategic priorities for the coming years, with a focus on democratic resilience, youth engagement, inclusive governance, civic participation, and strengthening cooperation between local authorities and civil society ecosystems.
The Extraordinary General Assembly followed the Ordinary one, and addressed amendments to ALDA’s Statute, reinforcing the Association’s governance framework and supporting its continued evolution as a growing international network.
One of the most significant moments of the Assembly was the approval of the Manifesto for a Local Democracy that Delivers, reaffirming ALDA’s collective commitment to democracy, participation, inclusiveness, and multilevel cooperation. The document emphasises that democracy must deliver tangible results for citizens and that local governance remains one of the most effective levels for rebuilding trust between institutions and communities.
The event also marked the official signature of membership with UAROR – Association of Regional Councils and Districts of Ukraine, represented by its President Tetiana Yehorova-Lutsenko. This important step further strengthens ALDA’s longstanding commitment to supporting democratic resilience, decentralisation, and local governance in Ukraine.
The Assembly concluded with the delivery of membership certificates to new members joining the ALDA network, further expanding a community that today counts more than 300 members across over 45 countries.
Through this General Assembly, ALDA once again reaffirmed its role as a key actor promoting local democracy, citizen participation, and cooperation between local authorities and civil society, at a time when democratic values require renewed commitment and collective action.