Brussels, 13–15 October 2025
The European Week of Regions and Cities 2025 once again brought together thousands of policymakers, local representatives and civil society actors to discuss how to make Europe’s regions stronger, more sustainable, and more democratic.
Throughout the three-day event, ALDA actively contributed to discussions, workshops and networking sessions, reinforcing its long-standing mission to promote local democracy, citizen participation and inclusive territorial development.
Exploring Digital Education for Rural Resilience
Within the thematic track “Cities Building Tomorrow”, ALDA’s Digital & Innovation Hub hosted the session “Digital Education for Rural Resilience: Tools, Stories and Strategies from Across Europe”.
Bringing together policymakers, educators and community leaders, the workshop explored how digital skills and innovation can bridge the rural-urban divide and empower smaller communities to thrive in the digital decade.
This initiative reflected ALDA’s ongoing commitment to digital inclusion and to ensuring that no community is left behind in Europe’s digital transformation.
👉 Learn more about ALDA’s Digital & Innovation Hub here.
From Housing to Participation: Local Democracy in Practice
Another highlight was the session dedicated to housing and community participation, where Maite Aldaz, Project Manager at ALDA, shared insights on how inclusive housing policies can foster stronger civic engagement and social cohesion at the local level.
Her contribution emphasised the importance of co-creation between citizens and local authorities in addressing complex urban challenges — a principle at the heart of ALDA’s approach to good governance.
“From digital inclusion to participatory housing, ALDA’s contribution to the European Week of Regions and Cities demonstrated that democracy grows stronger when communities lead the change”
Promoting Cooperation and Cultural Heritage
In the same week, ALDA President Nataša Vučković participated in the European Heritage Hub Forum, held as part of the EWRC framework. Her intervention in the panel “The Role of Local Authorities – Democracy, Sustainable Tourism and Solidarity” underlined how safeguarding cultural heritage is deeply linked to democratic governance and community resilience.
👉 Read more about ALDA’s participation here.
Meanwhile, the week also featured the signature ceremony marking the accession of the Region of Rhineland-Palatinate (Germany) as a new partner of the LDA Vinnytsia Region (Ukraine) — a milestone moment for European cooperation and solidarity within ALDA’s network.
👉 Discover the partnership here.
A Strong Presence in the Exhibition Area
Beyond the sessions, ALDA’s stand at the EWRC exhibition served as a dynamic meeting point for members, partners and new stakeholders. The stand showcased the Association’s wide network of Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs) and its numerous EU-funded projects fostering participation, environmental sustainability, and local development.
The visibility achieved through this direct interaction reinforced ALDA’s central role as a facilitator between local authorities, civil society, and European institutions.
Looking Ahead
As the 2025 edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities came to a close, ALDA reaffirmed its dedication to building bridges between territories and citizens — ensuring that democratic participation remains at the core of Europe’s sustainable future.
👉 Learn more about the European Week of Regions and Cities on the official EWRC website.
