Strasbourg (France), 1 April 2026 – ALDA has signed a new Memorandum of Co-operation with the Secretariat of the Council of Europe, further consolidating its partnership with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, the political assembly that established ALDA in 1999 and today represents 130.000 local and regional authorities across all 46 member States.
The agreement renews the framework signed on 5 June 2002, marking a significant step in a long-standing relationship dedicated to strengthening local and regional democracy in Europe and beyond.
Grounded in a shared commitment to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, the Memorandum sets out a common objective: to foster citizen participation, civic engagement, and responsible governance at the local and regional levels, ensuring that democratic principles are translated into tangible action.
“We think that the local level is the place where you live democracy in concrete terms. Through the activities of the Congress and ours, the local space is a place of resilience. We think this is where democracy as a slogan can be implemented, through a true and trustworthy dialogue with the public institutions.”
affirms Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Secretary General.
The Memorandum provides a structured framework for cooperation, including reciprocal participation in meetings, co-organisation of events, joint analytical work, coordinated fundraising initiatives, communication activities, and the exchange of expertise.
Through this renewed partnership, ALDA reaffirms its mission to advance participatory democracy across Europe and its neighbourhood, strengthening the role of local and regional authorities as essential actors in democratic life.
© 2026 Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe