Malta – 12 May 2026
Yesterday marked the vibrant opening of the ALDA General Assembly and Festival 2026. Under the overarching theme of “Local Democracy that Delivers”, more than 200 delegates, experts, and local administrators from over 28 countries gathered at MICAS, Malta. The event kicks off three days of debate and participation that will shape perspectives on local democracy across Europe and the world. From the very outset, the assembly has demonstrated that “being together” is not merely a choice, but a strategic necessity for building resilient communities.
Shared Experiences: Housing and Gender Inclusion
The morning sessions addressed the fundamental rights that underpin stable societies. The Territorial and Local Development Hub delved into the housing crisis, shifting the focus from simple “affordability” to the broader concept of “livability.”
“People do not always aim to own, but they aim to live in a lively, vibrant, safe, and healthy place,” noted Matthew Zerafa, CEO at the Malta Housing Authority and member of the Housing Advisory Board of the EU Commission, highlighting that housing serves as the gateway to all other rights. This dialogue was guided by Rebecca Marconi, Project Manager at ALDA and further enriched by the expertise of Daniela Ciaffi, TeLD Hub co-chair and Vice-President of Labsus; Mikel Berra, Project Officer for Digital Metropolis at Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona; Mihai Cebotar and Bogdan Cazacu of Primăria Municipiului Chișinău; Daniela Patti, Managing Director of Eutropian; and Siro Ciarimboli, Research Collaborator at the Istituto per la Ricerca Sociale (IRS).
Simultaneously, the Gender, Inclusion, and Human Rights Hub broke down the “invisible barriers” within institutions through a dynamic workshop format that encouraged peer-to-peer exchange. Participants explored practical toolkits for equity, reinforcing the message that inclusion must be embedded across every department. This session featured key insights from representatives of the Diputaciò de Barcelona, alongside Camilla Vedovato, Dorothee Fischer, Marzia Cescon, and Sara Afendi.
Migration, Youth, and Resilience: from apathy to empowerment
In the afternoon, the Migration Hub championed a rights-based approach where local authorities act as the primary engines of integration. The discussion featured Geraldine Guille from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), Jordi Cuadras of the Fons Catala for Cooperation and Development (FCCD), Dr Cristiana Di Pietro from LUMSA University, Palina Brodzik, Director of the Free Belarus Centre, and Mohammed Mustafa from ALDA. “Migration governance works best when grounded locally and built on a multi-stakeholder approach,” Cuadras emphasised.
In the Youth Empowerment & Education Hub, the tone was one of urgent transformation. While Katica Janeva, ALDA Coordinator for the Western Balkans, warned of the dangers of institutional apathy in that region, voices from Yuliya Ralko of the Belarusian National Youth Council “RADA” and Giulia Sostero, Project Manager at ALDA for the ASWAT Hub, highlighted how young people are innovating even in exile or under crisis. They demanded a seat at the table not as a symbolic gesture, but as genuine partners.
A powerful highlight was the Ukraine Hub, which reframed the war-torn nation not just as a recipient of aid, but as a source of innovation. Ukrainian partners presented practical governance adaptations developed under fire, offering inspiration for European municipalities on how to maintain services and democratic integrity during extreme crises.
Eco-anxiety and Collaboration Opportunities
A significant portion of the day at MICAS was dedicated to the psychological and social impact of the environmental shift. The session explored eco-anxiety and how to prevent it from turning into “climate paralysis,” noting that 93% of EU citizens now view the climate crisis as a serious threat. To combat this, Lizzy Catherine Galiazzo of ALDA Italia introduced the project “Let’s change the air, not the planet,” funded by the Italian Buddhist Union (UBI), which uses art and performance to engage youth. Carlotta Segre of the European Buddhist Union (EBU) presented the Eco Dharma Network and its upcoming 2027 retreat, while Francesca Lippi of the Gozone Association explained the Living Lab Model, a co-design approach that builds community resilience by reconnecting people with nature.The day also featured a specialised session on “Unlocking Opportunities,” focusing on the practicalities of funding and strategic partnerships. This session was guided by Elena Riboldi, Membership Officer; Maddalena Alberti, ALDA Governing Board Member and Chair of the Migration Hub; Maria Vittoria Traforti, Director and Deputy Secretary General Assistant; Denys Tkachov, Member of the ALDA Scientific Committee; and Lianne Cassar, Executive Secretary of LCA.
Strengthening the Democracy Shield
In a dedicated and detailed session on Local Democracy Resilience, a high-level panel examined how local governments can withstand modern threats. Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA, closed the thematic sessions by introducing the concept of the “Democracy Shield.” She stated that “the local level is the place where we can have less polarisation… there is a civic dimension to the democracy shield,” framing local proximity as the ultimate defence against disinformation and external interference.
The discussion featured a prestigious panel including Mrs Shandana Mohmand from the Institute for Development Studies (UK), Mr Etienne Soulat of the German Marshall Fund, and Mr Sergio Arredondo, Secretary General of FLACMA. They were joined by Mr Aliou Gning, Mayor of the Municipality of Sandiara in Senegal; Mr Martin Muehleck from the European Commission’s Ukraine team; Mr Taras Dobrivskyi, Executive Director of the All-Ukrainian Association of Local Governments; Mr Arije Antinori, an expert on radicalisation and AI; and Mrs Dzenana Dedic, Delegate of the Local Democracy Agency Mostar.
Looking Ahead Day 1 proved that the ALDA network is ready to deliver. As the Festival continues, the focus remains on a democracy that doesn’t just promise, but acts and delivers.
Stay tuned for more updates!