ASWAT – Africa, SouthWest Asia and Türkiye

The ASWAT Regional Hub – representing Africa, SouthWest Asia (Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan), and Türkiye – encompasses a wide and diverse geographical area. This region is shaped by a mosaic of political systems and socio-economic and environmental challenges. In this context, supporting local democracy is not only essential—it is transformative.

At the same time, ASWAT is a region of inspiring innovation, with civil society organisations and local authorities developing vibrant participatory practices. ALDA’s mission is to connect, share, and capitalise on these experiences—building bridges across countries and cultures to strengthen communities locally and globally.

Given the region’s proximity to the European Union and its strategic importance in Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, ALDA actively engages in multi-level partnerships to foster exchange, dialogue, and decentralised cooperation.

ASWAT stands for Africa, SouthWest Asia and Türkiye, reflecting ALDA’s commitment to inclusivity and accurate regional representation.

• Africa: Covers the entire continent.
• SouthWest Asia: Chosen over “Middle East” to embrace a decolonised, respectful view.
• Türkiye: Acknowledges the country’s official name and unique role.

🗣️ In Arabic, “Aswaat” means “voices,” symbolising ALDA’s mission to amplify diverse perspectives.

This name marks ALDA’s shift from Eurocentric terms to a more inclusive and respectful approach.

Read more: 🔗 From MEA to ASWAT: A New Name for a New Perspective

Regional Strategy

The ASWAT Strategy (2024–2028) is shaped by the realities of the territories and enriched by the contributions of our network of members and Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs). With staff based in Senegal, Tunisia, Turkey, Italy and France, we ensure proximity, responsiveness, and relevance.

Mission

To foster resilient, inclusive, and participatory local democracies by connecting actors across sectors, building capacities at all levels of governance, promoting citizen engagement, and encouraging decentralised cooperation as a tool for sustainable development and peace.