ALDA coordinates and supports the network of 15 Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs) in their activities. Initiated by the Council of Europe in the early ‘90s, the LDAs represent a unique and successful experiment of democratic support, with full engagement of local governments and civil society organisations from Europe and the neighboring countries. 

The LDAs are locally-based organisations, funded and supported by both local partners and international associates with a long-term joint programme providing financial and political support to fulfil their mandate and to accompany local democracy and civil society empowerment. Indeed, partnership-building is a crucial aspect for each LDA, as their work is based on the innovative method of multilateral decentralised cooperation. The LDAs are also operational in the field of city diplomacy. 

مع انضمام كرواتيا إلى الاتحاد الأوروبي في يوليو 2013 ، أصبحت وكالات الديمقراطية المحلية الثلاث السابقة في البلاد شركاء تشغيليين (OPs) لـ ALDA.

On a yearly basis,  the LDAs receive from ALDA’s Governing Board* , the label of the LDA after assessment of their report of activities*  actions plans, partnership support and sustainability. 

In 2019, the LDAs of the Balkans together with ALDA have created the Balkan Network for Local Democracy*  operating at the regional level for European integration, decentralisation and good local governance. 

The LDAs are located in the Western Balkans and in the East and South Neighborhood of Europe. The Strategy of ALDA 2021-2024*   wants to open the geographic scope of the Agencies with a potential scouting in other parts of the world in need of support to decentralization and citizens engagement (see  European Support To Local Democracy* ) 

The development of the LDAs programme in 2021 is looking at the sub-Saharan Africa, Lebanon, Algeria and Turkey.

For any interest in the Local Democracy Agencies programme and inquiries about new LDAs’ opportunities, please contact alda@aldaintranet.org