Balkan Regional Platform for Youth Participation and Dialogue: GET INFORMED!
Since the creation of the Balkan Regional Platform for Youth Participation in 2015, the Network has implemented numerous youth activities, exchanges and initiatives. Moreover, the Platform became a right place for information sharing on all questions related to youth participation in the Balkans! Jump in the game and get informed through our website, Newsletter and Facebook page!
Our new youth-friendly website is rich with information on current youth initiatives, links to recent calls, programs, publications and other relevant information concerning youth. The web site strives to bring the readers closer to the platform but it also represents a channel of communication for young people who want to write on youth issues.
In order to get all this engaging information first hand, subscribe to our Newsletter and get to know the team and communities behind the Balkan youth platform. This newsletter is written and designed by the youth workers that act within the Platform, being published with credits to LDA partners in the project.
Finally, our Facebook page will get you closer to instant information on our daily activities and will keep you updated on interesting youth opportunities on daily bases. Making our Facebook page a frequent topic on your news feed will keep you informed with the latest possibilities all over Europe.
The Balkan Platform for Youth Participation is coordinated by ALDA, together with 8 LDAs from 5 Balkan countries: Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. The Platform regroups our work on empowering youth and influencing youth policies dialogue on local level. The project is funded by EC under the IPA Civil Society Facility programme 2014.
Since the creation of the Balkan Regional Platform for Youth Participation in 2015, the Network has implemented numerous youth activities, exchanges and initiatives. Moreover, the Platform became a right place for information sharing on all questions related to youth participation in the Balkans! Jump in the game and get informed through our website, Newsletter and Facebook page!
Our new youth-friendly website is rich with information on current youth initiatives, links to recent calls, programs, publications and other relevant information concerning youth. The web site strives to bring the readers closer to the platform but it also represents a channel of communication for young people who want to write on youth issues.
In order to get all this engaging information first hand, subscribe to our Newsletter and get to know the team and communities behind the Balkan youth platform. This newsletter is written and designed by the youth workers that act within the Platform, being published with credits to LDA partners in the project.
Finally, our Facebook page will get you closer to instant information on our daily activities and will keep you updated on interesting youth opportunities on daily bases. Making our Facebook page a frequent topic on your news feed will keep you informed with the latest possibilities all over Europe.
The Balkan Platform for Youth Participation is coordinated by ALDA, together with 8 LDAs from 5 Balkan countries: Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. The Platform regroups our work on empowering youth and influencing youth policies dialogue on local level. The project is funded by EC under the IPA Civil Society Facility programme 2014.
Conference on decentralization and social cohesion in Tunisia
On 11th June 2015, the International Conference on Decentralisation and social cohesion took place in Tunis. The event was organised by PASC – Programme d’Appui à la Société Civile – and CFAD, in collaboration with ATERDAL – L’Association Tunisienne d’études et récherches en démocratie et affaires locales, ALDA – the European Association for Local Democracy – and with the support of Club de Madrid. ALDA was represented by its Med coordinator Anne-Laure Joedicke, the head of its office in Skopje Ivana Dimitrovska, the Communication support Elena Debonis, and brought in the expertise in decentralisation of Murat Daoudov, President of the Middle-East Development Network and professor at the Marmara University of Istanbul.
After the welcoming words, the floor was given to Mr José Rodriguez Zapatero, Former Prime Ministry of Spain, who discussed the transition process which Tunisia is facing in the framework of its democratisation process. Mr Zapatero focused on the importance of having a future of freedom, rights and progress, stressing the importance of the Tunisian constitution as solution and model, which thanks to its originality and functionality will lead to cohesion. He also mentioned the terroristic attack of the 18th March: “There is no policy in terrorism. There is only violence and destruction. No religion can justify violence” he said. And he also added: “ The international community and the European Union must support the Tunisian process of democratisation. Tunisia is our hope among the Arabic countries”.
Mr Zapatero indicated Spain as example of the most decentralised country: “After 40 years of dictatorship, during 10 years we leaded a democratisation process, motivated by the value of plurality. Centralisation and decentralisation are very interesting issues also for Spain. Thanks to the political, social and economic consensus, you will succeed in this transition. But keep always in mind that you have to move step by step”.
He added that it’s essential to have a more participative democratisation: also the smallest and poorest villages have the right to participate to social and political life. And interregional solidarity plays a fundamental role: in Spain solidarity has the same value in both rich and poor regions. Furthermore, he added the importance of the involvement of women in political issues.
Among the speakers:
• Mr. Imed Abdeljaoued, Director of PASC, who introduced the programme, its objectives and challenges, giving an overview of the work they are leading.
• Mr Jean-Luc Boeuf, territorial expert and professor of history and finances of communities, who delivered a presentation on the fundamental elements that influence the success of decentralisation, such as the State, the Finance, the Right and the Progress.
• Mr Lotfi Tarchouna, President of ATERDAL, delivered a speech on changes given by the Tunisian constitution of 27th January 2014, focusing on same details for better understand how the Tunisian system is organised on local level.
• Mr Murat Daoudov, President of the Middle-East Development Network and lecturer at the Marmara University of Istanbul, made an overview of how territories in Turkey and France are organised, highlighted the criteria of definition of an optimal size of territorial governments, and gave examples of successful metropolisation process in Turkey and its impact on cities like Gaziantep.
• Mr Thomas Fiegle, Researcher, brought his experience on federalism in Germany, while Mr Mohamed Lazhar Mazigh had a speech on Tunisian Constitution.
The event was a milestone for debating and reflecting on the challenges ahead of Tunisia and all stakeholders involved in the process of decentralisation. ALDA keeps working in the country with local and international partners to promote good governance and citizen participation at the local level, and ongoing is the preparatory work to launch the future Local Democracy Agency Tunisia.
Please find here a video
On 11th June 2015, the International Conference on Decentralisation and social cohesion took place in Tunis. The event was organised by PASC – Programme d’Appui à la Société Civile – and CFAD, in collaboration with ATERDAL – L’Association Tunisienne d’études et récherches en démocratie et affaires locales, ALDA – the European Association for Local Democracy – and with the support of Club de Madrid. ALDA was represented by its Med coordinator Anne-Laure Joedicke, the head of its office in Skopje Ivana Dimitrovska, the Communication support Elena Debonis, and brought in the expertise in decentralisation of Murat Daoudov, President of the Middle-East Development Network and professor at the Marmara University of Istanbul.
After the welcoming words, the floor was given to Mr José Rodriguez Zapatero, Former Prime Ministry of Spain, who discussed the transition process which Tunisia is facing in the framework of its democratisation process. Mr Zapatero focused on the importance of having a future of freedom, rights and progress, stressing the importance of the Tunisian constitution as solution and model, which thanks to its originality and functionality will lead to cohesion. He also mentioned the terroristic attack of the 18th March: “There is no policy in terrorism. There is only violence and destruction. No religion can justify violence” he said. And he also added: “ The international community and the European Union must support the Tunisian process of democratisation. Tunisia is our hope among the Arabic countries”.
Mr Zapatero indicated Spain as example of the most decentralised country: “After 40 years of dictatorship, during 10 years we leaded a democratisation process, motivated by the value of plurality. Centralisation and decentralisation are very interesting issues also for Spain. Thanks to the political, social and economic consensus, you will succeed in this transition. But keep always in mind that you have to move step by step”.
He added that it’s essential to have a more participative democratisation: also the smallest and poorest villages have the right to participate to social and political life. And interregional solidarity plays a fundamental role: in Spain solidarity has the same value in both rich and poor regions. Furthermore, he added the importance of the involvement of women in political issues.
Among the speakers:
• Mr. Imed Abdeljaoued, Director of PASC, who introduced the programme, its objectives and challenges, giving an overview of the work they are leading.
• Mr Jean-Luc Boeuf, territorial expert and professor of history and finances of communities, who delivered a presentation on the fundamental elements that influence the success of decentralisation, such as the State, the Finance, the Right and the Progress.
• Mr Lotfi Tarchouna, President of ATERDAL, delivered a speech on changes given by the Tunisian constitution of 27th January 2014, focusing on same details for better understand how the Tunisian system is organised on local level.
• Mr Murat Daoudov, President of the Middle-East Development Network and lecturer at the Marmara University of Istanbul, made an overview of how territories in Turkey and France are organised, highlighted the criteria of definition of an optimal size of territorial governments, and gave examples of successful metropolisation process in Turkey and its impact on cities like Gaziantep.
• Mr Thomas Fiegle, Researcher, brought his experience on federalism in Germany, while Mr Mohamed Lazhar Mazigh had a speech on Tunisian Constitution.
The event was a milestone for debating and reflecting on the challenges ahead of Tunisia and all stakeholders involved in the process of decentralisation. ALDA keeps working in the country with local and international partners to promote good governance and citizen participation at the local level, and ongoing is the preparatory work to launch the future Local Democracy Agency Tunisia.
Please find here a video
The President of the Region Lower Normandy on an official visit in Macedonia
On the 25th and the 26th of April 2015, M. Laurent Beauvais, the President of the Region Lower Normandy, France was on an official visit in Macedonia to celebrate 10 years of cooperation between the two territories.
This anniversary was also an occasion for the inauguration of the new office and enlarged team of ALDA Skopje, in charge of the programme for decentralized cooperation between Lower Normandy and Macedonia and other regional and European projects.
The office was inaugurated by the President Laurent Beauvais alongside with the Mayor of the city of Skopje, Koce Trajanovski, the French Ambassador in Macedonia, Ms Laurence Auer, the State Secretary of local self-government Ms Biljana Cvetanovska Gugoska. The Macedonian members and partners of ALDA participated in the event.
The President Beauvais also visited the city Ohrid as well as the French cemetery from World War One in the city of Bitola. He met Mayors and representatives of Ohrid, Bitola, Novaci and other partners of the project.
This visit was an important stepping stone for the cooperation between Lower Normandy and Macedonia as well as for the office of ALDA Skopje. This tribute on the 10th anniversary of the cooperation indicates an incentive to continue on with bigger challenges in the future.
On the 25th and the 26th of April 2015, M. Laurent Beauvais, the President of the Region Lower Normandy, France was on an official visit in Macedonia to celebrate 10 years of cooperation between the two territories.
This anniversary was also an occasion for the inauguration of the new office and enlarged team of ALDA Skopje, in charge of the programme for decentralized cooperation between Lower Normandy and Macedonia and other regional and European projects.
The office was inaugurated by the President Laurent Beauvais alongside with the Mayor of the city of Skopje, Koce Trajanovski, the French Ambassador in Macedonia, Ms Laurence Auer, the State Secretary of local self-government Ms Biljana Cvetanovska Gugoska. The Macedonian members and partners of ALDA participated in the event.
The President Beauvais also visited the city Ohrid as well as the French cemetery from World War One in the city of Bitola. He met Mayors and representatives of Ohrid, Bitola, Novaci and other partners of the project.
This visit was an important stepping stone for the cooperation between Lower Normandy and Macedonia as well as for the office of ALDA Skopje. This tribute on the 10th anniversary of the cooperation indicates an incentive to continue on with bigger challenges in the future.
Appel à participer pour les acteurs de jeunesse français
Opportunité pour les acteurs de jeunesse français: cours de formation sur la gestion des projets KA1 et KA2 dans le cadre du programme Erasmus +, 14 – 21 Février 2015 à Recoaro Terme, Italie.
***
Le projet ”Are youth visible?” approuvé par la Commission européenne dans le cadre du programme Erasmus + est une initiative lancée par un partenariat regroupant onze organisations de différents pays en Europe actives dans le domaine de la jeunesse.
L’objectif général du séminaire est de fournir un espace et une opportunité pour les travailleurs de jeunesse et les jeunes leaders pour échanger et acquérir une majeure connaissance sur les méthodes, les outils et les techniques de visibilité, de dissemination et d’exploitation des projets jeunesse soutenus par le programme Erasmus +.
Le cours sera aussi une opportunité pour tous les travailleurs de jeunesse, responsables de jeunesse et chefs de projet venant des 11 pays partenaires de développer une majeure connaissance sur les projets financés par les mesures KA1 et KA2 du programme Erasmus+. Les participants seront invités à développer ensemble des nouveaux projets en utilisant les outils, les techniques et les méthodes de visibilité, de diffusion et d’exploitation acquis pendant le cours.
Le cours de formation réunira des participants provenant de l’Italie, la Hongrie, la Bulgarie, l’Arménie, la Géorgie, la Finlande, la France, la Turquie, la Bélarusse, la Croatie, l’Espagne et le Portugal.
Pour participer à l’activité, veuillez remplir et envoyer le formulaire en pièce jointe à M. Aldo Xhani (aldo.xhani@aldaintranet.org) et Mme Biljana Zasova en mettant en copie M. Francesco Coscione (francesco.coscione@aldaintranet.org) La date limite pour envoyer les candidatures est le 15 Janvier 2015 au plus tard.
La sélection se fera sur la base du principe “premier arrivé, premier servi”. Par conséquent, nous vous suggérons de vous enregistrer dès que possible.
[Photo by Sharefaith from Pexels]
Opportunité pour les acteurs de jeunesse français: cours de formation sur la gestion des projets KA1 et KA2 dans le cadre du programme Erasmus +, 14 – 21 Février 2015 à Recoaro Terme, Italie.
***
Le projet ”Are youth visible?” approuvé par la Commission européenne dans le cadre du programme Erasmus + est une initiative lancée par un partenariat regroupant onze organisations de différents pays en Europe actives dans le domaine de la jeunesse.
L’objectif général du séminaire est de fournir un espace et une opportunité pour les travailleurs de jeunesse et les jeunes leaders pour échanger et acquérir une majeure connaissance sur les méthodes, les outils et les techniques de visibilité, de dissemination et d’exploitation des projets jeunesse soutenus par le programme Erasmus +.
Le cours sera aussi une opportunité pour tous les travailleurs de jeunesse, responsables de jeunesse et chefs de projet venant des 11 pays partenaires de développer une majeure connaissance sur les projets financés par les mesures KA1 et KA2 du programme Erasmus+. Les participants seront invités à développer ensemble des nouveaux projets en utilisant les outils, les techniques et les méthodes de visibilité, de diffusion et d’exploitation acquis pendant le cours.
Le cours de formation réunira des participants provenant de l’Italie, la Hongrie, la Bulgarie, l’Arménie, la Géorgie, la Finlande, la France, la Turquie, la Bélarusse, la Croatie, l’Espagne et le Portugal.
Pour participer à l’activité, veuillez remplir et envoyer le formulaire en pièce jointe à M. Aldo Xhani (aldo.xhani@aldaintranet.org) et Mme Biljana Zasova en mettant en copie M. Francesco Coscione (francesco.coscione@aldaintranet.org) La date limite pour envoyer les candidatures est le 15 Janvier 2015 au plus tard.
La sélection se fera sur la base du principe “premier arrivé, premier servi”. Par conséquent, nous vous suggérons de vous enregistrer dès que possible.
French-German Dialogue: Living in European Border Regions
ALDA was present at the recent conference, taking place from 13th until 16th September, on the challenges and opportunities of political participation in border regions. Its main purpose was to highlight the fact that the daily lives of citizens and the consequences of political decisions do not stop at borders. The event was organised by the Europäische Akademie (European Academy) based in Otzenhausen which celebrates its 60th year of promoting European unification this year and was held in this small, German town close to neighbouring France.
It offered a forum for exchange of information and experience for 30 citizens politically active in civil society, who deal with cross-border issues at different levels and use various institutional and non-formal tools and instruments of political participation. ALDA was represented by Biljana Zasova, Senior Programmes Co-ordinator for ALDA’s Strasbourg office who gave a presentation on the Eurodistrict of Strasbourg-Ortenau.
The objective of the conference was to systematise challenges related to living in a border region and to propose possible solutions on the basis of practical experience, which could result in the joint development of projects in the future. Challenges, concrete approaches to solutions and projects were presented at a public event at the end of the three-day workshop and critically discussed at a round-table with scientists, decision-makers and the general public.
Moreover, there was a wide range of guest speakers who are experts on the topics being discussed including Inga Wachsmann from the Fondation Charles Léopold Meyer, an organisation which conducts research aimed at improving social development and Frédéric Joureau, Consul general of the French Republic in Saarland, Saarbrucken along with many other contributors.
ALDA was present at the recent conference, taking place from 13th until 16th September, on the challenges and opportunities of political participation in border regions. Its main purpose was to highlight the fact that the daily lives of citizens and the consequences of political decisions do not stop at borders. The event was organised by the Europäische Akademie (European Academy) based in Otzenhausen which celebrates its 60th year of promoting European unification this year and was held in this small, German town close to neighbouring France.
It offered a forum for exchange of information and experience for 30 citizens politically active in civil society, who deal with cross-border issues at different levels and use various institutional and non-formal tools and instruments of political participation. ALDA was represented by Biljana Zasova, Senior Programmes Co-ordinator for ALDA’s Strasbourg office who gave a presentation on the Eurodistrict of Strasbourg-Ortenau.
The objective of the conference was to systematise challenges related to living in a border region and to propose possible solutions on the basis of practical experience, which could result in the joint development of projects in the future. Challenges, concrete approaches to solutions and projects were presented at a public event at the end of the three-day workshop and critically discussed at a round-table with scientists, decision-makers and the general public.
Moreover, there was a wide range of guest speakers who are experts on the topics being discussed including Inga Wachsmann from the Fondation Charles Léopold Meyer, an organisation which conducts research aimed at improving social development and Frédéric Joureau, Consul general of the French Republic in Saarland, Saarbrucken along with many other contributors.
Artist from Lower-Normandy in residence on Kokino, Macedonia
During the month of October, Fleur Helluin, young visual artist from the region of Lower-Normandy, France, participated to an artist-in-residence programme in Macedonia. Fleur Helluin was working on a project in Kokino, a Bronze Age archaeological site which is an ancient observatory. During her residence in Macedonia, Fleur started to draw and to catch some sounds. An exhibition of her work should take place in Skopje and in region of Lower-Normandy in 2014.
Mobility and culture are central in the projects of the decentralized cooperation between Region of Lower-Normandy and the Republic of Macedonia. Fleur Helluin had the opportunity to cooperate with Lokomotiva – Centre for new initiatives in Arts and Culture, the exhibition centre Osten as well as with the French cultural Institute of Skopje.
This residence was financially support by the French Institute of Paris in collaboration with the Regional council of Lower-Normandy. Another project of Residence in Macedonia for an artist from Region of Lower-Normandy is planed for 2014. Alexis Debœuf will be welcomed for residence by Lokomotiva and the Cultural Centre from Bitola.
Copyright: Ana Lazarevska
During the month of October, Fleur Helluin, young visual artist from the region of Lower-Normandy, France, participated to an artist-in-residence programme in Macedonia. Fleur Helluin was working on a project in Kokino, a Bronze Age archaeological site which is an ancient observatory. During her residence in Macedonia, Fleur started to draw and to catch some sounds. An exhibition of her work should take place in Skopje and in region of Lower-Normandy in 2014.
Mobility and culture are central in the projects of the decentralized cooperation between Region of Lower-Normandy and the Republic of Macedonia. Fleur Helluin had the opportunity to cooperate with Lokomotiva – Centre for new initiatives in Arts and Culture, the exhibition centre Osten as well as with the French cultural Institute of Skopje.
This residence was financially support by the French Institute of Paris in collaboration with the Regional council of Lower-Normandy. Another project of Residence in Macedonia for an artist from Region of Lower-Normandy is planed for 2014. Alexis Debœuf will be welcomed for residence by Lokomotiva and the Cultural Centre from Bitola.
Copyright: Ana Lazarevska
LDA Kosovo marked its first anniversary with a conference on the "Right of Education"
Local Democracy Agency of Kosovo with the support of Regional Centre of OSCE in Peja/Pec and “Associazione Tretino con I Balkani”, organized a Conference for its first anniversary.
The conference “The right of education; an opportunity for community Development” was part of the project “Fostering parentally responsibility in preventing school dropouts” implemented by LDA Kosovo with the Support of OSCE and ATB.
Attended the conference experts from Municipalities of Peja/Pec, Klina and Gjakova, representatives of civil society organization, school directors and community representatives.
They discussed the challenges and difficulties they are fazing in fighting school dropouts.
The school attendance is in fact one of the main reasons of concern for the communities in this area and needs to be tackled through the involvement of the parents, by fostering their engagement and making them aware of the importance of primary education and of the current Kosovo legislation. In addition, more municipal engagement is also required to address such a complex phenomenon.
OSCE Regional center in Peja/Pec with the support of LDA Kosovo and ATB, will support the municipal director of education in drafting an action plan fighting school dropout issue.
This action plane aims to be addopted by the Assembly of Municipality of Peja.
Local Democracy Agency of Kosovo with the support of Regional Centre of OSCE in Peja/Pec and “Associazione Tretino con I Balkani”, organized a Conference for its first anniversary.
The conference “The right of education; an opportunity for community Development” was part of the project “Fostering parentally responsibility in preventing school dropouts” implemented by LDA Kosovo with the Support of OSCE and ATB.
Attended the conference experts from Municipalities of Peja/Pec, Klina and Gjakova, representatives of civil society organization, school directors and community representatives.
They discussed the challenges and difficulties they are fazing in fighting school dropouts.
The school attendance is in fact one of the main reasons of concern for the communities in this area and needs to be tackled through the involvement of the parents, by fostering their engagement and making them aware of the importance of primary education and of the current Kosovo legislation. In addition, more municipal engagement is also required to address such a complex phenomenon.
OSCE Regional center in Peja/Pec with the support of LDA Kosovo and ATB, will support the municipal director of education in drafting an action plan fighting school dropout issue.
This action plane aims to be addopted by the Assembly of Municipality of Peja.
First International meeting of Citizens' Panel of Goal project
In the project GOAL : Granting Opportunities for Active Learning, groups of citizens from six European countries discuss the issue of migration in Europe from the point of view of those directly concerned: migrants. The first international meeting of these “citizens’ panels” will take place this weekend in Kastoria (Greece), in a region particularly concerned by migrational flows, on June 17 – 18- 19, 2011. The representatives of the panels will discuss the interim results of the debates in their groups and current European migration issues. The meeting will be concluded by the drafting of recommendations.
Immigration and immigrants’ participation represent vivid issues at the EU level and particularly affect citizen’s daily life in the addressed countries (Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Romania). The project GOAL (Granting Opportunities for Active Learning) aims at promoting citizens participation and addressing migration as an “opportunity”. Participants will debate in groups of citizens meeting regularly (panels). They can debate, collect individual and collective opinions, formulate their views and draft them in the form of recommendations for policy makers at the European level in the field of migration. These panels will be implemented on local level. In a mid-term and a final international meeting, the panels compare and deepen their discussions. The recommendations elaborated by the participants will be given to policy makers and published.
The partners of the project are civil society organizations, local and regional authorities and associations of local authorities coming from old and new EU Member States and pre-accession countries, where migration (immigration and emigration) represents one of the most vivid issues on the national and European agenda.
The results of the discussion will soon be available on the website of ALDA.
In the project GOAL : Granting Opportunities for Active Learning, groups of citizens from six European countries discuss the issue of migration in Europe from the point of view of those directly concerned: migrants. The first international meeting of these “citizens’ panels” will take place this weekend in Kastoria (Greece), in a region particularly concerned by migrational flows, on June 17 – 18- 19, 2011. The representatives of the panels will discuss the interim results of the debates in their groups and current European migration issues. The meeting will be concluded by the drafting of recommendations.
Immigration and immigrants’ participation represent vivid issues at the EU level and particularly affect citizen’s daily life in the addressed countries (Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Romania). The project GOAL (Granting Opportunities for Active Learning) aims at promoting citizens participation and addressing migration as an “opportunity”. Participants will debate in groups of citizens meeting regularly (panels). They can debate, collect individual and collective opinions, formulate their views and draft them in the form of recommendations for policy makers at the European level in the field of migration. These panels will be implemented on local level. In a mid-term and a final international meeting, the panels compare and deepen their discussions. The recommendations elaborated by the participants will be given to policy makers and published.
The partners of the project are civil society organizations, local and regional authorities and associations of local authorities coming from old and new EU Member States and pre-accession countries, where migration (immigration and emigration) represents one of the most vivid issues on the national and European agenda.
The results of the discussion will soon be available on the website of ALDA.