الشهر: السنة المالية

The civil society and the cooperation with institutions are fundamental to reconstruct Ukraine. On the first anniversary of the Russian invasion, ALDA organised a dedicated event in Gdansk (Poland), entitled “LDA Mariupol partners meeting”, to present the work of the Local Democracy Agency Mariupol, while discussing activities and future collaboration with new partners from EU countries.

“ALDA is working to create new LDAs in Ukraine; advanced discussions are underway regarding the establishment of LDAs in Vinnitsa, Kharkiv, Odessa, Mykolaiv”- stated ملتزمين جدًا بالتحدث عن – الأمين العام of the Association.

The same commitment to support the initiatives of the LDA was also echoed by Monika Chabior – Deputy Mayor of Gdansk. Besides, Ms. Chabior expressed both the will of the city to be engaged within youth projects – be they exchange programme, and Erasmus plus; and the newly implemented initiatives targeting the integration of Ukrainian inhabitants. Moreover, the city of Etterbeek (Belgium) and Distric 11 in Barcelona, invited to the meeting, were of like mind in engaging with LDA Mariupol.

The urgency to support the local community, previously mentioned by the LDA partners, was further stressed by Vadym Boychenko, Mayor of Mariupol, who not only shared the suffer and pain of the people of Mariupol, but also the importance of international support in the rebuilding and returning processes. Hence, the coordinated actions of international CSOs and networks around the above-mentioned phases is vital and crucial. This is also why the Vice-Rector of Mariupol University, Tetyana Marena, is in favour of further cooperation for the development of the LDA Mariupol project, thus further strengthening the bond between the Agency and the University, the latter hosting itself the premises of the LDA.

What emerged quite clearly during the meeting, was the necessity of providing مخصصة humanitarian aid to Ukraine, as emphasised by the speech of Olga Pikula – Member of Mariupol City Council, introducing the “Ya Mariupol” project, which has currently 17 offices across the country and carries out activities to support Mariupol residents on issues such as humanitarian aid, job search, psychological and medical support. Similarly, Oleksandra Kulichenko, representing LDA Mariupol, provided an overview on the initiatives implemented in support to city residents.

Overall, the meeting in Gdansk marked a fruitful moment for the further collaboration of different stakeholders with the LDA Mariupol, while stressing the importance of local communities in being resilient in war time. There is a need to restart locally for the reconstruction of the Country.

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Local Democracy Agency Mariupol was established in December 2017 and focuses on dialogue between local authorities and civil society, public participation in decision-making on local development issues, participatory budgeting, support for the decentralization process and the creation of united territorial communities. Partners: NGO “Mariupol Development Fund” (Lead Partner); Mariupol City Council (Ukraine); City of Gdansk (Poland); Akmene District Municipality (Lithuania)

The first result of the ReCAP project has been successfully completed!

In the framework of the Project Result 1, the final report elaborated by the project partner, Solidaridad Sin Fronteras, with the contribution of all partners, aims to draw a picture of the post pandemic local contexts addressed, collecting the specific needs of young people from the point of view of professionals working with youth. The report is now available in English and it will soon be accessible in other 7 languages. 

Through desk research and a detailed questionnaire, the ten project partners have investigated the social issues that the pandemic caused or worsened on young people. After having finalised it, the questionnaire was distributed among professionals working with youth and other relevant stakeholders from November 2022 to January 2023. 

The research involved 124 professionals working with vulnerable young people, with the following distribution: Bulgaria (25), France (22), Italy (21), Romania (19), Portugal (18), Spain (10) and Greece (9). Most of them are women (69%) between 25 and 34 years old. In a previous phase, partners identified the stakeholders to address the questionnaire, in order to cover the main areas where stakeholders working with vulnerable youngsters can be found: municipal youth centres, educational centres, social work services, labour orientation services, security office, health centre, and others. According to data, the sector where the survey has been implemented the most is the educational sector, so it is over-represented and this has to be taken into account when looking at the overall results. The young population groups with whom these professionals work most often are: girls (39,67%), youth not in employment, education or training “NEET” (38,02%), youth with migrant background (33,88%), minorities (29,75%), youth from the LGBTIAQ+ community, youth with disabilities (3,30%) and minors in the penal system (1,65%). 

Despite the disparities among the countries, some similarities can be found. The research shows that professionals working with youth are concerned about the negative effects of COVID-19 pandemic on psychological health and emotional well-being, and they pointed out the effects on socialisation, cultural life, studies and training. Results show that young people’s relationships within all the spheres of their lives have worsened, especially with the educational environment, with themselves and with the local community. 

Overall, the national results highlight that the services provision is now higher than before the pandemic, especially in Bulgaria and Greece, but with the exception of Italy. It is a general optimistic result that shows that the local services have probably adapted to the urgency of needs, and that highlights the resilience of the educational and social sector professionals. Young people seem to visit the services more often than before the pandemic, and they mostly need psychological and emotional health support and educational support. According to professionals, the use of psychological support is the most relevant tool to work with youngsters nowadays. 

Moreover, the study reveals that most professionals consider artistic and cultural tools useful and motivating for youngsters, which is certainly an optimistic outcome that will ensure a positive uptake of the ReCAP project future tools.

Read the Report (هنا). 👈

تم عقد اجتماع 2030 Youth Vision project has officially started!

On January 12 & 13, 2023, the Kick-Off Meeting of the project took place in Lousada (Portugal), where the consortium was kindly hosted by the Municipality of Lousada.

The first transnational partner meeting represented a great opportunity for the six partners to get to know each other and work on the next steps of the project.

Different challenges are faced by young people in the context of globalisation (demographic and climate changes, artificial intelligence, democratic disaffection or pandemics etc.) and very often they are left out from participatory processes at all levels.

2030 Youth Vision project, based on the wide experience of project partners on youth participation in civic and democratic life, aims to increase the active participation of young people, with a focus on those belonging to disadvantaged groups, in the co-production of local policies for the achievement of أهداف التنمية المستدامة.

It is of great importance that the voice of youth is effectively considered in the process and that young people are protagonists in the achievement of these goals.

During this two-days meeting, the consortium discussed the organisational, management and financial aspects of the 2030 Youth Vision project, as well as the communication and dissemination strategy to be implemented.

This Kick-Off meeting has been a great opportunity to lay the foundation of the project and build a strong partnership.

The great international adventure of CAMELOT  project (Cities And Metropolis in Europe Laboring Onward Together) ended on Thursday 16 February at Palazzo Isimbardi, the institutional headquarter of the Metropolitan City of Milan.

“Today we’re concluding this project, which has been able to promote eight events and lots of local activities, despite the pandemics” – stated Mr. Purcaro,  General Director and Secretary of the Metropolitan City of Milan.  “CAMELOT has favoured the cooperation between active citizens and public bodies” – he continued “in the process of building a metropolitan European identity”.

Hence, the added value of this project lays on the networking activities implemented among partners, in terms of  exchanging experiences and good practices on the management of European funds, and improving the correct use of the latter. Thus, accessing fundings at EU level is a valuable way to support local bodies (Metropolitan Cities in this case) to empower citizens and improve their living conditions also in marginalised neighbourhoods.

Specifics and details of the targeted areas are available on the لموقع الالكتروني للمشروع, which collects all the results and events achieved and implemented within the 36 months-length of the project itself. In addition, in order to encourage citizens’ awareness and interest in this crucial topic, the outputs of the project are available online in different languages.

Overall, this final event contributed to achieve the aim of the project: encourage democratic and civic participation of citizens at a European level, while creating a network of Metropolitan Cities and fostering sharing of good practices and knowledge on European funds.

***
The project has been developed in the framework of, and financed by, the Europe for Citizens Programme 2014-2020.  Details: 148.680 euro available, 36 months of work, 9 European partners and 500 people involved

“What protections and assistance does democracy, in its most direct form, require to survive and thrive?"

This will be the question that experts, Organisations and Associations, promoters of direct democracy worldwide, will try to answer during the  “2023 Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy”,  which will take place in Mexico City from February 27, until March 4, 2023. 

This year’s Global Forum represents a great opportunity for Mexico and Latin America, not only for the importance and weight of the topics discussed, but also because it will be the first one held in the Western Hemisphere after more than 10 years. 

Organised by a consortium led by the Independent Electoral Institute, the Forum will analyse how the new and innovative constitution of the city-state will impact democracy globally. In addition, it will dig into the situation of direct democracy in Mexico and Latin America, exploring its promises and perils. 

The Global Forum will also examine, through the intervention of various speakers, the infrastructure required for a strong democracy, discussing concrete opportunities for protecting and expanding democracy worldwide. 

ألدا, being committed to the promotion of democracy و citizen participation since its establishment, will take part in the event together with its member Labsus, the Laboratory for Subsidiarity, represented by its vice-president, Daniela Ciaffi, to bring an additional value given from the expertise of the latter in the field of democratic processes. 

Labsus’ aim, in a nutshell, is to educate citizens about the opportunities at their disposal to contribute in giving a solution to issues of common interest, together with public administration. 

With a Panel titled “Mechanisms for citizen participation in key sectors (health, security, construction and food)” which will take place on Friday, March 3, 2023, ألدا و Labsusجنبًا إلى جنب مع IDDECO Internacional,  will contribute to the discussion by hosting a session on the tools that citizens can use to participate in the democratic dialogue. 

An active, responsible و participatory citizenship is the key for a long-lasting democratic system. 

***

Discover (هنا) the six-days long programme!  

Find out more about the Global Forum (هنا).

التركيز على المبادرة الرئيسية: تعزيز وكالات الديمقراطية المحلية في أوكرانيا #westandwithukraine

لا ينبغي ترك أحد خلف الركب ، خاصة في ظل ظروف الحرب. يعتبر دور المجتمع المدني والسلطات المحلية في بناء السلام وإعادة الإعمار الكفاح ضد الفظائع بسبب الغزو الروسي أمر أساسي. المؤسسات ، في نفس الوقت ، يجب أن تعمل المؤسسات أيضا بالتعاون مع بعضهم البعض ومع ممثلي المجتمعات المحلية لمزيد من المرونة خلال هذه الفترة في هذه الحرب. 

تعمل ALDA بالضبط لتحقيق هذا الهدف: ربط المؤسسات ومنظمات المجتمع المدني معًا لإنشاء شبكة من أصحاب المصلحة الذين سيعيدون بناء أوكرانيا تدريجيا. وضمن الاستفادة من المعرفة العميقة بالمجتمع الأوكراني ، ومن المبادرات التي تم تنفيذها بالفعل مع كل من LDA Dnipro و LDA Mariupol ، خلال آخر مهمة إلى أوكرانيا.التقت السيدة فالموربيدا - الأمين العام لـ ALDA ؛ والسيد كويكا - منسق الشراكة الشرقية والسيد أوستروفسكي ، المسؤول عن تطوير LDAs في أوكرانيا مع الاطراف المتداخلة الذين شاركوا معهم في خلق مسار لإعادة الإعمار والصمود في أوكرانيا.

"قمنا بزيارة بوتشا ، وأبدى عمدة المدينة ، السيد فيدوروك ، رغبته في أن يصبح عضوًا في ALDA" ، صرحت السيدة فالموربيدا.

علاوة على ذلك ، سمحت البعثة لوفد ALDA بإعادة الاتصال بالسيدة Lomakina - ممثلة LDA Mariupol , وبقية الاطراف المتداخلة مثل ببرنامج الأمم المتحدة الإنمائي (UNDP). كان الأخير من بين المروجين الرئيسيين للتدريبات التي تم تطويرها ضمن برنامج "منصة الإدارة الرشيدة وحماية البيئة" * والتي قدمتها السيدة فالموربيدا في عام 2021.

إن العلاقة مع مدينة ماريوبول عميقة وطويلة ومثرية للغاية لدرجة أن جامعة ماريوبول الحكومية بدأت أيضًا اجراءات العضوية في ALDA. وقد تمت زيارة الجامعة خلال مهمة فبراير وهي موجودة بسبب الحرب في كييف بسبب الحرب ، وهي تقدم الدعم للطلاب و تستضيف أيضًا LDA نفسها. وهذا الشكل من التضامن يجعل الجمعية متحمسة بشدة لتعاونها مع السلطات والجامعات المحلية الأوكرانية. كما أتيحت الفرصة للفريق للقاء عمدة ماريوبول ، فاديم بويتشينكو مرة أخرى.

بالإضافة إلى ذلك ، التقى وفد ALDA بالسيد سيرجي تشيرنوف ، , رئيس الرابطة الأوكرانية لمجالس المقاطعات والإقليمية الذين ناقشوا معه:

• أنشطة ALDA في أوكرانيا وتحديد الأولويات في تقديم المساعدة للحكومة الذاتية المحلية الأوكرانية ؛
• خارطة طريق التعاون في إشراك الحكومات المحلية في دول الاتحاد الأوروبي لدعم أوكرانيا ؛
• احتمالات فتح مكاتب تمثيلية لـ ALDA في خاركيف ومناطق أخرى من أوكرانيا

أخيرًا ، عُقدت اجتماعات حاسمة في السفارات البولندية والإيطالية والفرنسية لتمثيل متسامني أوكرانيا ، وفي الوقت نفسه ، المساهمة في التعاون مع المؤسسات الحكومية.

واختتم الأمين العام لـ ALDA "نحن تحالف عالمي للسلطات المحلية والمجتمع المدني لدعم الحكم المحلي الجيد ونحن نقف إلى جانب أوكرانيا" ، مشيرًا إلى الالتزام اللامتناهي لجمعية أوكرانيا من أجل السلام والديمقراطية. "

يتجلى الالتزام هذا الأسبوع من خلال تنظيم اجتماع شركاء LDA Mariupol في غدانسك (بولندا) في 24 فبراير 2022. تدعو ALDA المزيد من الشركاء للانضمام إلى المبادرة:

• نداء لل LDAs في أوكرانيا
• مبادرات ALDA لأوكرانيا

___________________

* برنامج ممول من قبل برنامج الأمم المتحدة الإنمائي في أوكرانيا

🇦🇲 Read the news in Armenian

🇬🇪 Read the news in Georgian

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🇺🇦 Read the news in Ukrainian

From the 1st to the 4th of February 2023 the 6 partners of the Grey4Green project met in Aarhus, the second biggest city of Denmark at the Fo-Aarhus premises.

The two days were fruitful and much was on the table including the training course on active ageing and nature conservation to be held in Cyprus in May 2023. 

In particular, on the 2nd of February the consortium welcomed members from Ældre Sagen NGO and  Bedsteforældrenes Klimaaktion National Movement for an exchange on best practices and initiatives running all over Denmark for climate change and justice.

It was an excellent opportunity to get to know local Danish realities and exchange experiences on nature conservation and fighting climate change, topics dear to the Grey4Green Project.

In Aarhus the partners were also able to visit the Botanical Gardens, the Aarhus green oasis, one of the many impressive green areas in the city.

A lot of activities lie ahead and ALDA is counting on involving more and more volunteers and stakeholders to get the most out of this project to promote active aging in nature conservation.

Next steps? The Handbook for Senior Volunteers in Nature finalisation, the Training course on active ageing and nature conservation to be held in Cyprus and the third Transnational Project Meeting in Nikosia the 11 and 12 of May 2023.

Register to the Q&A Webinar on 1 March 2023

ALDA, in the context of the Operating Grant of the CERV programme –  will support participatory actions in the field of sustainability. Don’t miss your chance to participate, as at least 16 EU BASED ALDA MEMBERS will be funded!

With this call for proposals ALDA will fund actions that support citizens and groups of citizens in their initiatives aimed at improving their local context, building bridges with local authorities in order to make the change real.

🔸Who can be a beneficiary?

The beneficiary must be a EU Based Member of ALDA (by the beginning of 2023) and a legal entity, in the form of a Non-profit organization, Civil Society Organisation, Association, Local Authority, Public Body.

🔸What is the main objective of the call of proposal?

The call for proposals will fund different organizations developing their own projects at the local level, widening public knowledge, awareness and interest about the EU key policies and strategies. In particular the thematic focus of the regranted actions should have a clear link to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and/or the European Green Deal. 

The regranted initiatives are expected to capitalize their results thanks to their close connection to ALDA key activities و ALDA Thematic Hubs:

• Environment and Climate, 
• Community Engagement,
•  Gender Inclusion & Human Rights,
• Youth, 
• Migration.  

🔸Which is the thematic focus of the Actions?
The thematic focus of the re-granted actions should fall under one or more of the following SDGs:

🔸How much is the grant?

The contribution from the sub granting scheme will cover 80% of the total eligible costs of the total budget for the activity. The Beneficiary must provide 20% of co-financing. 

The grants awarded will be:

Group A) 5 grants for submitted proposals with a budget of 10.000,00 EUR  (Maximum Funding 8.000 Eur – Minimum Co Funding 2.000 Eur ),
Group B) 6 grants for submitted proposals with a budget of 15.000,00 EUR, (Maximum Funding 12.000 Eur – Minimum Co-funding 3000 Eur)
Group C) 5 grants for submitted proposals with a budget of 20.000,00 EUR  (Maximum Funding 16.000 Eur – Minimum Co-funding 4000 Eur) 

🔸Where can the project be implemented?

Activities must take place in the EU

🔸How to apply?

Read the full call for proposals to have all the  information about the call and how to apply! The call will be open from February 15th to April 17th at 10:00 CET. Here is the link to send your application.

The applicants will receive support by ALDA team during the proposal writing process. Any question can be sent to this email address.

Do not miss our Q&A Webinar on March 1st from at 14:00 CET

📌 Useful material and links:

• Call for Proposal
• Form for sending applications
• Annex I – Declaration of Honour
• Annex II – Budget
• Overview of the form (PLEASE NOTE: APPLICATION ONLY VIA GOOGLE FORM)

[Call published on 15 February 2023]

Representatives of the Turkish Municipality of Edremit visited the وكالة الديمقراطية المحلية في موستار today in order to learn more about its work.

After the Memorandum of Understanding was signed with our umbrella association, ALDA, Edremit Municipality is in the phase of establishing the first LDA on the territory of Turkey. Through that process, they were given the opportunity to visit one of the existing LDAs.

The Edremit Municipality delegation included the director for human resources and education, Mr. Tamer Acar, who is also the Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Edermit and head of the Office for Foreign Affairs, and the Eurodesk Info Point at the Directorate for Human Resources and Education, Mrs. Elisa Falcini. In the City Hall, the delegation was received by the chief advisor of the City of Mostar, Ms. Radmila Komadina and expert advisor for international relations, Ms. Sanela Demirović.

On this occasion, Mr. Acar emphasized that he hopes that LDA Edremit and LDA Mostar will achieve cooperation through joint projects in the future. He also mentioned the possibility of cooperation between the Municipality of Edremit and the City of Mostar in areas of mutual importance.

Director of LDA Mostar, Ms. Dzenana Dedic emphasized the readiness of LDA Mostar to provide continuous support to the newly formed member of the LDA/ALDA family with its experience and examples of practice gained within the 18 years of activity.

The delegation of Edremit Municipality rounded off their visit with a tourist tour of the city of Mostar, organized by LDA Mostar.

مر زمن طويل منذ 17 ديسمبر 1999 عندما تم تسجيل ALDA رسميًا كجمعية غير ربحية تهدف إلى دعم وتنسيق شبكة وكالات الديمقراطية المحلية (LDAs).

في ذلك الوقت ، كانت ALDA - رابطة وكالات الديمقراطية المحلية (كان هذا هو الاختصار الأصلي) منظمة صغيرة جدًا مقرها ستراسبورغ ، ولها مكتب صغير آخر في فيتشنزا (إيطاليا). من هناك ، بدأ فريق صغير ولكنه متحمس للغاية العمل من أجل تطوير LDAs وجمعية ALDA نفسها: لقد كان تحديًا كبيرًا واجهناه من الصفر.

نتيجة لذلك ، بعد 23 عامًا ، أثبتت ALDA أنها قد واجهت التحدي ، خطوة بخطوة لتصبح الرابطة الأوروبية الواسعة والمعترف بها كما هي اليوم.

بمرور الوقت ، نمت ALDA ليس فقط في الأنشطة والشركاء ، حيث تحولت من 5 مشاريع و 5 أعضاء في عام 1999 إلى 90 مشروعًا قائمًا حاليًا وشبكة تتكون من 300 عضو.

بل قامت ALDA أيضا بإجراء تغييرات متسقة من وجهة نظر هيكلية:

• من مكتبين بالكاد ، لدى ALDA اليوم فريق تشغيلي موجود في 6 مكاتب في جميع أنحاء أوروبا وفي الجوار ؛
• من 5 LDAs في غرب البلقان ، وصلنا إلى 16 LDAs و 3 OPs تغطي مناطق جغرافية جديدة ، مثل القوقاز والشراكة الشرقية والشرق الأوسط وأفريقيا وتركيا ؛
• في عام 2017 ، أسست ALDA شركة ALDA + Srl Benefit Corporation ، وهي شركة المزايا المملوكة حصريًا لـ ALDA والتي تهدف إلى الاستفادة من خبرة ALDA بطريقة مسؤولة ومستدامة وشفافة لدعم مهمة ALDA نفسها.

على الرغم من كل هذه النجاحات والمعالم ، تجد ALDA نفسها في عملية مستمرة من النمو والتحسين ، من أجل عمل أكثر فعالية لدعم المجتمعات المحلية في جميع أنحاء العالم ، وتعزيز الحكم الرشيد ومشاركة المواطنين.

لهذا السبب ، من بين أحدث التحديات التي تواجه ALDA أن تصبح أكثر "محلية" ، وإنشاء روابط أعمق ويكون لها تأثير أقوى داخل المجتمع الذي يقع مقر ALDA ومكاتبها فيه.

في هذا السياق ، ينطلق عام 2023 بأخبار رائعة ، وهي التسجيل الرسمي لـ ALDA في إيطاليا ، في فيتشنزا: يمثل هذا الحدث إنشاء ALDA Italia Aps (جمعية ALDA الإيطالية للترويج الاجتماعي) ، كفرع مسجل محليًا لـ ALDA.

إن إضفاء الطابع الرسمي على الوجود والشرعية القانونية لـ ALDA Italy سيمكننا ، ALDA ، من الحصول على نطاق أوسع من الإجراءات التي ستتيح القيام بأنشطة أكثر استهدافًا واتساقًا ، لتصبح جهات فاعلة حقيقية للتغيير المحلي.

بشكل عام ، فإن التقدم الذي أحرزته ALDA في السنوات الـ 23 الماضية ، أو يجب أن نبدأ في الحساب حتى قبل ذلك ، والعودة إلى تأسيس أول LDAs في البلقان في عام 1993 ، هو أكثر من "جمعية تنمو وتتوسع في إِقلِيم". لقد كانت عملية تطوير وتمايز حقيقية ، حيث استخدمت ALDA جميع وسائلها لتنفيذ مهمتها بأكثر الطرق كفاءة ، مع نطاق متزايد باستمرار. مع مرور الوقت ، يكون الهدف هو تسجيل جميع مكاتب ALDA محليًا ، والتعمق أكثر في البعد المحلي لجميع المدن التي نتواجد فيها.

في الواقع ، أصبحت مكاتب ALDA ، ALDA + ، شبكة LDAs و ALDA Italy ، حقائق مستقلة ولكنها مترابطة ، تعمل معًا لنفس المهمة ... كمجموعة!

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