ALDA working on youth E-participation: First partner meeting of the project YouthMetre in Berlin
How to engage young people in shaping youth policies at local level via innovative ICT tools? This is the challenging objective of the forward looking project YouthMetre, funded by the Erasmus+ programme.
YouthMetre will be an innovative approach to close the gap between youth and local institutions by collecting the perceived needs of youth in key policy areas and providing guidelines to public institutions that help address them.
The partners reunited in Berlin on 28-29 January to plan the implementation process of the project. Aldo Xhani, Coordinator of the Citizenship programme, brought in ALDA’s expertise in promoting community approaches in policy making at local level. The event was an occasion, in particular, to revise and plan deliverables and milestones and define key components such as communication/dissemination and monitoring/evaluation.
The project, expected to finish in December 2017, will be a key instrument of ALDA’s Youth strategy. The priority of our action is to provide adequate knowledge, competences and skills to young people in order to train them for the labour market and to increase their possibilities to find a good job; raise youngsters’ awareness about local and global issues as well as stimulate their civic participation and social engagement through the promotion of activism and volunteering.
How to engage young people in shaping youth policies at local level via innovative ICT tools? This is the challenging objective of the forward looking project YouthMetre, funded by the Erasmus+ programme.
YouthMetre will be an innovative approach to close the gap between youth and local institutions by collecting the perceived needs of youth in key policy areas and providing guidelines to public institutions that help address them.
The partners reunited in Berlin on 28-29 January to plan the implementation process of the project. Aldo Xhani, Coordinator of the Citizenship programme, brought in ALDA’s expertise in promoting community approaches in policy making at local level. The event was an occasion, in particular, to revise and plan deliverables and milestones and define key components such as communication/dissemination and monitoring/evaluation.
The project, expected to finish in December 2017, will be a key instrument of ALDA’s Youth strategy. The priority of our action is to provide adequate knowledge, competences and skills to young people in order to train them for the labour market and to increase their possibilities to find a good job; raise youngsters’ awareness about local and global issues as well as stimulate their civic participation and social engagement through the promotion of activism and volunteering.
National training in the framework of LADDER project in Novara (Italy)
Mattia Brazzale, ALDA assistant to the Secretary General’s office, attended as speaker to the national training of LADDER held on 25th – 26th January 2016, in the provincial council room (Palazzo Natta) of the Province of Novara (Italy).
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The training was organised by TECLA, which is one of ALDA members and LADDER co-applicants; many participants took part to the training and they were all representatives of local authorities as well as public officials. The training was opened by the official speech of Mr Matteo Besozzi, President of the Province of Novara; among the other speakers Mr Mario Battello (Director General of TECLA), Mr Daniele Carpita (Expert in decentralised cooperation and projects evaluation), Mrs Elena Apollonio (Head of international relations and territorial cooperation of the Metropolitan City of Turin), Mr Andrea Micconi (Director of COP – Consorzio ONG Piemontesi), and Mr. Federico Daneo (Director of the Piedmont Centre for African Studies).
The two-days event aimed at delivering a training for representatives of local and regional authorities as well as of civil society organisation on DEAR methodology, in order to give them the instrument to act as multipliers and fundamental actors for change.
Mattia Brazzale, ALDA assistant to the Secretary General’s office, attended as speaker to the national training of LADDER held on 25th – 26th January 2016, in the provincial council room (Palazzo Natta) of the Province of Novara (Italy).
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The training was organised by TECLA, which is one of ALDA members and LADDER co-applicants; many participants took part to the training and they were all representatives of local authorities as well as public officials. The training was opened by the official speech of Mr Matteo Besozzi, President of the Province of Novara; among the other speakers Mr Mario Battello (Director General of TECLA), Mr Daniele Carpita (Expert in decentralised cooperation and projects evaluation), Mrs Elena Apollonio (Head of international relations and territorial cooperation of the Metropolitan City of Turin), Mr Andrea Micconi (Director of COP – Consorzio ONG Piemontesi), and Mr. Federico Daneo (Director of the Piedmont Centre for African Studies).
The two-days event aimed at delivering a training for representatives of local and regional authorities as well as of civil society organisation on DEAR methodology, in order to give them the instrument to act as multipliers and fundamental actors for change.
ALDA at EPD Board meeting
The Secretary General of ALDA, Antonella Valmorbida, took part in her first meeting as Board Member of European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) on 13 of January.
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The meeting was particularly important, since it marked the existence of EPD as a new Belgian NGO, and launched a new programme of activities corresponding to the new needs of Democracy Assistance in the EU and in the world. The participation of ALDA is relevant for introducing the Local Democracy dimension in EPD work. Joint activities are now planned for 2016.
“I am convinced that EPD will be a fantastic partner for ALDA – and it has already shown to be so – for supporting our mission to foster local democracy and local governance. We’ll put a great deal of energy and efforts to work together with the other Board members and other partners, in order to achieve our common goals. I am enthusiastic for being part as a Board member of EPD and being involved in such a great endeavour”, said Mrs. Valmorbida.
The Secretary General of ALDA, Antonella Valmorbida, took part in her first meeting as Board Member of European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) on 13 of January.
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The meeting was particularly important, since it marked the existence of EPD as a new Belgian NGO, and launched a new programme of activities corresponding to the new needs of Democracy Assistance in the EU and in the world. The participation of ALDA is relevant for introducing the Local Democracy dimension in EPD work. Joint activities are now planned for 2016.
“I am convinced that EPD will be a fantastic partner for ALDA – and it has already shown to be so – for supporting our mission to foster local democracy and local governance. We’ll put a great deal of energy and efforts to work together with the other Board members and other partners, in order to achieve our common goals. I am enthusiastic for being part as a Board member of EPD and being involved in such a great endeavour”, said Mrs. Valmorbida.
ALDA wishes you a fruitful 2016 – Statement by our President Oriano Otočan
Dear members and friends,
ALDA is glad to wish you a happy, inspiring, and fruitful 2016!
In 2015 we worked hard and had several important successes – among those, the opening of the Local Democracy Agency Dnipropetrovsk, in Ukraine; the relaunch of the LDA in Vlora, Albania; the strengthening of our activities in the Mediterranean area, as well as our strong involvement in the European Year for Development.
Major challenges are on our plate in 2016, in particular the launch of the Local Democracy Agencies in Tunisia and Moldova. We are confident that our cooperation with members and partners, as well as the credibility gained by ALDA over the past years, will support our work towards these ambitious goals.
As soon as possible, we will communicate you the date of the next General Assembly. This year it will be held in Paris, and it will elect the new Governing Board of ALDA. We count to see you all on that occasion!
In order to be timely informed about all the activities of ALDA, we invite you to regularly consult our social media channels and website. The strength of our network lies also in its dissemination potential – keep us informed with your initiatives, and monitor ours!
Thank you for your long-lasting cooperation and trust, we look forward to working with you in 2016 and beyond!
Best regards,
Oriano Otočan
ALDA،
Dear members and friends,
ALDA is glad to wish you a happy, inspiring, and fruitful 2016!
In 2015 we worked hard and had several important successes – among those, the opening of the Local Democracy Agency Dnipropetrovsk, in Ukraine; the relaunch of the LDA in Vlora, Albania; the strengthening of our activities in the Mediterranean area, as well as our strong involvement in the European Year for Development.
Major challenges are on our plate in 2016, in particular the launch of the Local Democracy Agencies in Tunisia and Moldova. We are confident that our cooperation with members and partners, as well as the credibility gained by ALDA over the past years, will support our work towards these ambitious goals.
As soon as possible, we will communicate you the date of the next General Assembly. This year it will be held in Paris, and it will elect the new Governing Board of ALDA. We count to see you all on that occasion!
In order to be timely informed about all the activities of ALDA, we invite you to regularly consult our social media channels and website. The strength of our network lies also in its dissemination potential – keep us informed with your initiatives, and monitor ours!
Thank you for your long-lasting cooperation and trust, we look forward to working with you in 2016 and beyond!
Best regards,
Oriano Otočan
ALDA،
ALDA Bureau and Governing Board Meetings in Zavidovici on 29 January
The meeting of ALDA’s Bureau and ALDA’s Governing Board is being held on Friday 29th January, in Zavidovici (Bosnia-Herzegovina).
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This is the first meeting of the GB in 2016: the Board gathers together the representatives and the delegates of ALDA members, elected in 2012 in Udine (Italy) . The Board discussion focuses firstly, on the organisation of the next General Assembly, which will take place in spring 2016 and during which the new Governing Board members will be elected. Besides, the GB members are discussing about further internal financial and administrative issues.
Moreover, the Governing Board meeting represents the possibility to link this institutional momentum with the strengthening of our presence in Western Balkans, especially in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The governing board meeting is open by the Mayor of the City of Zavidovici, where we implement several activities, thanks to our Local Democracy Agency located there.
The meeting of ALDA’s Bureau and ALDA’s Governing Board is being held on Friday 29th January, in Zavidovici (Bosnia-Herzegovina).
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This is the first meeting of the GB in 2016: the Board gathers together the representatives and the delegates of ALDA members, elected in 2012 in Udine (Italy) . The Board discussion focuses firstly, on the organisation of the next General Assembly, which will take place in spring 2016 and during which the new Governing Board members will be elected. Besides, the GB members are discussing about further internal financial and administrative issues.
Moreover, the Governing Board meeting represents the possibility to link this institutional momentum with the strengthening of our presence in Western Balkans, especially in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The governing board meeting is open by the Mayor of the City of Zavidovici, where we implement several activities, thanks to our Local Democracy Agency located there.
"Balkan regional platform" - Enabling youth participation dialogue for the year to come
The first year of the “Balkan regional platform for youth participation and dialogue” project is coming to an end. Coordinated by ALDA, and implemented by the seven LDAs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo, together with the ALDA Skopje Office from Macedonia, this project aimed on increasing awareness on youth participation, youth activism and the possibilities for young people to create and influence the policies closely related to them.
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The main focus of the Balkan regional platform was to tackle the questions of youth policy and dialogue in the region, by creating a sustainable cooperation network for the public authorities and civil society, both on local and regional level.
Twelve months later, after the implementation of various activities on different level and with different stakeholders, the partners of the project have achieved their goals of the year one. Protecting the fundamental right of participation, they will continue to work on the promotion of social and economic inclusion of age groups that risk marginalisation and in particular youngsters. This is a challenge not only for the young people in general, but also for the “adult” and experienced local organisations working hand in hand with the local communities in order to facilitate this process.
The partners have truly learned a lot during this first year. In the very beginning the Platform of CSOs partnered with the local authorities. Then the eight teams of Youth Engagement Workers were created in each community. They worked hand in hand with their organisations, reinforced their knowledge and were equal with their peers. Their ideas were heard, they took photographs, they filmed videos, and met the local government in their countries. They also shared their experiences among their fellow workers and in their communities.
The partnership of the LDAs who already had strong professional (and personal) relations was reinforced. They created the Network, they created partnership strategies and they worked on the better understanding of what youth participation involves in the Balkans, and how it can be implemented. They worked on developing mechanisms and tools for each respective country in order to improve and at times even establish the youth participation.
Looking at the accomplished objectives for this year, the partners of the platform are focusing the lessons learned for this first year. The capacity building of youth is a long term engagement and process. In that process the Local authorities are crucial stakeholder in the public policies. The civil society can also contribute in bridging and engaging more stakeholders and encourage the active participation of youngsters.
The project Balkan Regional Platform for youth participation and dialogue was created with financial support from EC within IPA Civil Society Facility – Regional networks. The project is coordinated by ALDA and locally implemented by 7 Local Democracy Agencies from Mostar, Zavidovici, Prijedor (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Subotica and Knjazevac (Serbia), Niksic (Montenegro), Peja (Kosovo) and ALDA Skopje (Macedonia). For more information please visit the official site of the Balkan Regional Platform for youth participation and dialogue.
The first year of the “Balkan regional platform for youth participation and dialogue” project is coming to an end. Coordinated by ALDA, and implemented by the seven LDAs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo, together with the ALDA Skopje Office from Macedonia, this project aimed on increasing awareness on youth participation, youth activism and the possibilities for young people to create and influence the policies closely related to them.
***
The main focus of the Balkan regional platform was to tackle the questions of youth policy and dialogue in the region, by creating a sustainable cooperation network for the public authorities and civil society, both on local and regional level.
Twelve months later, after the implementation of various activities on different level and with different stakeholders, the partners of the project have achieved their goals of the year one. Protecting the fundamental right of participation, they will continue to work on the promotion of social and economic inclusion of age groups that risk marginalisation and in particular youngsters. This is a challenge not only for the young people in general, but also for the “adult” and experienced local organisations working hand in hand with the local communities in order to facilitate this process.
The partners have truly learned a lot during this first year. In the very beginning the Platform of CSOs partnered with the local authorities. Then the eight teams of Youth Engagement Workers were created in each community. They worked hand in hand with their organisations, reinforced their knowledge and were equal with their peers. Their ideas were heard, they took photographs, they filmed videos, and met the local government in their countries. They also shared their experiences among their fellow workers and in their communities.
The partnership of the LDAs who already had strong professional (and personal) relations was reinforced. They created the Network, they created partnership strategies and they worked on the better understanding of what youth participation involves in the Balkans, and how it can be implemented. They worked on developing mechanisms and tools for each respective country in order to improve and at times even establish the youth participation.
Looking at the accomplished objectives for this year, the partners of the platform are focusing the lessons learned for this first year. The capacity building of youth is a long term engagement and process. In that process the Local authorities are crucial stakeholder in the public policies. The civil society can also contribute in bridging and engaging more stakeholders and encourage the active participation of youngsters.
The project Balkan Regional Platform for youth participation and dialogue was created with financial support from EC within IPA Civil Society Facility – Regional networks. The project is coordinated by ALDA and locally implemented by 7 Local Democracy Agencies from Mostar, Zavidovici, Prijedor (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Subotica and Knjazevac (Serbia), Niksic (Montenegro), Peja (Kosovo) and ALDA Skopje (Macedonia). For more information please visit the official site of the Balkan Regional Platform for youth participation and dialogue.
ALDA at ARLEM assembly in Cyprus
On 18 – 19 January, Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA, and Anne-Laure Joedicke, Project Manager for the MENA region, were invited to Nicosia, Cyprus, in the framework of the seventh plenary session of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM).
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On 18 January, the Municipality of Nicosia organised a study visit in order to present, among other projects, the existing cooperation between the Turkish part of Nicosia and the Cyprian one (as Nicosia is the last capital in the world to be divided). The visit was followed by an official dinner.
The plenary session was held on 19 January and started with opening statements by the ARLEM co-presidents: Mr Markka Markkula, President of the European Committee of the Regions, and Mr Hani Adbelmasih Al-Hayek, Mayor of Beit Sahour (Palestine).
Then, ARLEM members adopted the agenda of the plenary session and ARLEM thematic reports 2015, i.e.: “Employment and territorial development in the Mediterranean region” and “A sustainable urban agenda for the Mediterranean region”.
The adoption was followed by presentations and questions on the issue of managing migration in the Mediterranean and a special session on “Local authorities for stabilisation and territorial development in Libya – tools for decentralised cooperation”.
After lunch, the participants had the opportunity to reflect on the revision of the European Neighbourhood policy, before debating and adopting the ARLEM action plan and priorities for 2016. ALDA is glad to announce that ARLEM members adopted the joint event on decentralization to be organized in cooperation with ARLEM in Tunisia and foreseen in the second part of 2016.
This plenary session ended with a working session on “Local and Regional authorities and civil society organisations: partners for territorial development in the Mediterranean region” facilitated by Antonella Valmorbida. Mrs Valmorbida seized the opportunity to present the successful work of Local Democracy Agencies and the project of opening a new LDA in Tunisia.
Around 180 participants from both sides of the Mediterranean attended the event. They were ARLEM members, members of the European Committee of the Regions, ministries and members of national parliaments, coming from European Institutions, Union for the Mediterranean and other international institutions, embassies, local and regional authorities, the Nicosia Municipality, etc.
On 18 – 19 January, Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA, and Anne-Laure Joedicke, Project Manager for the MENA region, were invited to Nicosia, Cyprus, in the framework of the seventh plenary session of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM).
***
On 18 January, the Municipality of Nicosia organised a study visit in order to present, among other projects, the existing cooperation between the Turkish part of Nicosia and the Cyprian one (as Nicosia is the last capital in the world to be divided). The visit was followed by an official dinner.
The plenary session was held on 19 January and started with opening statements by the ARLEM co-presidents: Mr Markka Markkula, President of the European Committee of the Regions, and Mr Hani Adbelmasih Al-Hayek, Mayor of Beit Sahour (Palestine).
Then, ARLEM members adopted the agenda of the plenary session and ARLEM thematic reports 2015, i.e.: “Employment and territorial development in the Mediterranean region” and “A sustainable urban agenda for the Mediterranean region”.
The adoption was followed by presentations and questions on the issue of managing migration in the Mediterranean and a special session on “Local authorities for stabilisation and territorial development in Libya – tools for decentralised cooperation”.
After lunch, the participants had the opportunity to reflect on the revision of the European Neighbourhood policy, before debating and adopting the ARLEM action plan and priorities for 2016. ALDA is glad to announce that ARLEM members adopted the joint event on decentralization to be organized in cooperation with ARLEM in Tunisia and foreseen in the second part of 2016.
This plenary session ended with a working session on “Local and Regional authorities and civil society organisations: partners for territorial development in the Mediterranean region” facilitated by Antonella Valmorbida. Mrs Valmorbida seized the opportunity to present the successful work of Local Democracy Agencies and the project of opening a new LDA in Tunisia.
Around 180 participants from both sides of the Mediterranean attended the event. They were ARLEM members, members of the European Committee of the Regions, ministries and members of national parliaments, coming from European Institutions, Union for the Mediterranean and other international institutions, embassies, local and regional authorities, the Nicosia Municipality, etc.
Statement of the Vice-President of ALDA, Alessandro Perelli, on last events in Tunisia
“Europe has to intensify its efforts to support Tunisian youth” stated the Vice President of ALDA Alessandro Perelli, Coordinator of the working group on Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.
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“The important efforts of the Council of Europe and of the European Union towards the southern Neighbourhood countries have to continue and increase. The recent struggles associated to the protests against unemployment in Tunisia, which brought to reinstating the curfew, are the signal that the country is the target of those who work against the achievements in terms of democracy and development following the Jasmine Revolution.
In Tunisia, a crucial battle for Europe and European values is being fought. ALDA will play its role by working towards the opening of a Local Democracy Agency, which could support promoting democratic rights in Tunisia” concluded Perelli.
روابط مفيدة:
“Europe has to intensify its efforts to support Tunisian youth” stated the Vice President of ALDA Alessandro Perelli, Coordinator of the working group on Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.
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“The important efforts of the Council of Europe and of the European Union towards the southern Neighbourhood countries have to continue and increase. The recent struggles associated to the protests against unemployment in Tunisia, which brought to reinstating the curfew, are the signal that the country is the target of those who work against the achievements in terms of democracy and development following the Jasmine Revolution.
In Tunisia, a crucial battle for Europe and European values is being fought. ALDA will play its role by working towards the opening of a Local Democracy Agency, which could support promoting democratic rights in Tunisia” concluded Perelli.
روابط مفيدة:
Third Steering Committee LADDER project: the new challenges for 2016
On 14th January 2016, the 3rd Steering Committee of the LADDER Project took place online, gathering the co-applicants and other associates of the project.
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This conference call allowed the consortium to get updated on the project’s implementation state of play, share information and ensure a collective awareness of the activities implemented in 2015. It finally led to a brainstorm & exchange on upcoming activities for 2016 and also the Monitoring & Evaluation strategy of the project. Next updates will be made available on the website of the project: www.ladder-project.eu.
On 14th January 2016, the 3rd Steering Committee of the LADDER Project took place online, gathering the co-applicants and other associates of the project.
***
This conference call allowed the consortium to get updated on the project’s implementation state of play, share information and ensure a collective awareness of the activities implemented in 2015. It finally led to a brainstorm & exchange on upcoming activities for 2016 and also the Monitoring & Evaluation strategy of the project. Next updates will be made available on the website of the project: www.ladder-project.eu.