Presentation of the Position Paper – Local Democratic Resilience and the Global Gateway Initiative

On 9 December 2025, ALDA will host the public presentation of its new position paper “Local Democratic Resilience and the Global Gateway Initiative: Synergies and Opportunities”, at the Deputació de Barcelona Office in Brussels. The event, organised within the DG INTPA / Cities and Regions for International Partnership Forum 2025, will bring together representatives from EU institutions, local authorities, civil-society organisations, and international partners to reflect on how local democratic resilience can be strengthened in the context of global transformations.

The position paper outlines ALDA’s vision for reinforcing democratic governance at local level, drawing on experiences from regions including Africa, the Caucasus, the Mediterranean, and Central America. It highlights how investments under the EU’s Global Gateway Initiative can be more impactful when paired with strong local participation, inclusive planning, and multi-level governance.

The event will feature:

• Presentation of the Position Paper by Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Secretary General

• Interventions and feedback from:

  • Octaví de la Varga Mas, Deputació de Barcelona and ALDA Governing Board

  • Bachir Kanouté, Secretary General of OIDP Africa (online)

  • Giulia Sostero, Head of ALDA’s ASWAT Unit

• Open exchange with participants

• Networking buffet

Discussions will explore concrete pathways for aligning democratic resilience with global investment strategies, strengthening cooperation across continents, and ensuring that local communities have the tools, capacities, and autonomy needed to drive sustainable development.

For background on the EU’s Global Gateway, see the official European Commission page.

WHERE? Deputació de Barcelona Office, Av. des Arts 3–4–5, Brussels, Belgium

WHEN? 9 December 2025 – 17:30–19:00