The Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award, an annual tribute to outstanding contributions in local and regional governance, has reached its pinnacle as the nominations for the 2023 edition closed on December 4, 2023.

Following the conclusion of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union on December 31, 2023, Belgium took the helm from January 1 to June 30, 2024, under the motto ‘Protect. Strengthen. Prepare.’

More than 650 participants, 36 nationalities and almost 70 speakers took part in the European LEADER Congress which took place on 18 and 19 December 2023, in Brussels (Belgium). ALDA, represented by Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Secretary General and Mr. Adrien Licha, Coordinator of the Secretariat of the Association, participated in the Congress discussing rural development in Europe and the needs and challenges of local communities in the context of the upcoming European elections.

In a testament to its commitment to fostering resilient, inclusive, and sustainable communities, ALDA is spearheading the establishment of LDA Kharkiv (Ukraine). 

The recent International Conference “A Wider European Community: The Importance of Local Governance, A roadmap for the Western Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine on the road for EU accession” was held in Skopje, North Macedonia, on October 19 and 20, 2023. 

On 15th November 2023, LDA Kosovo organised a conference in the Municipality of Peja (Kosovo), centred around the European Label of Governance Excellence Programme, funded by the Council of Europe, and marking the 30 years of Local Democracy Agencies in the Western Balkans.