Eastern Partnership
Strengthening democratic engagement and cross-border collaboration in the Eastern Partnership region
ALDA’s Eastern Partnership (EaP) Hub covers Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. While the political and operational landscape in this region remains volatile, ALDA maintains an active presence in Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, and continues to engage closely with the Belarusian community in exile.
This region is marked by intersecting and persistent challenges:
- Political instability and armed conflict
- Democratic backsliding
- Human rights violations
- Shrinking civic space
In such a climate, promoting local democracy and citizen participation becomes both urgent and essential. ALDA’s commitment in the region is rooted in its mission to foster democratic resilience, empower communities, and support grassroots initiatives, even in unpredictable or high-risk contexts.
ALDA takes a bottom-up, context-sensitive approach in the Eastern Partnership region, working with local authorities, CSOs, and grassroots actors to strengthen participatory governance. Believing that sustainable change starts locally, we focus on inclusive dialogue, capacity building, and civic empowerment.
We foster citizen engagement, promote transparent governance, support local initiatives, and advocate for democratic values nationally and internationally. By creating spaces for participation and encouraging democratic innovation, we help build resilient local structures that can drive positive change, withstand external pressures, and navigate political uncertainty. Our adaptive, long-term approach is rooted in trust, consistency, and strong partnerships.
OUR REGION AT A GLANCE
8
LDAs
5
Projects
41
members
Regional Strategy
In a region marked by rapid political shifts and persistent challenges, ALDA’s strategy for the Eastern Partnership and Central Asia is designed to be both responsive and resilient. While risks evolve and opportunities emerge, ALDA’s mission remains unwavering: to promote local democracy, citizen participation, and inclusive governance.
Building on over 30 years of experience, ALDA combines proven methodologies with localised, flexible approaches. Each country’s unique socio-political context informs our actions, which prioritise long-term partnerships, grassroots engagement, and the empowerment of civil society, especially in fragile or repressive environments.
Strategic Pillars
Our work in the region is structured around four core pillars:
Strengthening Local Democracy
Working closely with Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs) and local partners todeepen participatory governance and civic engagement.
Supporting Democratic Resilience
Providing targeted support in fragile contexts—such as Belarus and Georgia—where repression, conflict, or shrinking civic space threaten democratic actors.
Fostering EU Alignment from the Ground Up
Encouraging European integration and alignment through community-basedinitiatives and people-to-people cooperation.
Advancing Inclusive Governance
Promoting multi-stakeholder collaboration, facilitating advocacy and knowledge exchange, and building networks that reinforce democratic values.
Mission and Values
ALDA’s mission in the Eastern Partnership is to foster local democracy, participatory governance, and community resilience through inclusive and lasting partnerships with civil society and local authorities.
This mission is grounded in a set of core values that guide our actions across the region:
- Democracy and Human Rights – Upholding the fundamental rights and freedoms of all individuals.
- Local Ownership and Participation – Ensuring that communities lead and shape their own democratic development.
- Solidarity and Inclusion – Promoting social cohesion and giving voice to marginalised groups.
- Resilience and Adaptability – Responding effectively to complex and changing environments.
- Accountability and Transparency – Building trust through open, responsible, and ethical practices.
Together, these values inform a strategy that is both principled and pragmatic—capable of
adapting to shifting realities while staying anchored in ALDA’s long-standing commitment to
democratic progress.
Projects in action
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The BRIDGE to the CoE
Building Resilience and Independence for Democratic Governance and Engagement with the Council of Europe
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MICAD
Metropolitan Inclusivity in Climate And Digital Transitions
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INSPIRED Moldova
The project aims to empower Moldovan civil society to actively shape national policies and play a leading role in the country’s integration into the European Union
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U LEAD
Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs): Instrument for Cooperation, Community Cohesion, and Development in Ukraine
