“Restoring trust in democracy requires bold thinking, strong institutions, and the involvement of all citizens – especially at the local level.” With these words, Gunn Marit Helgesen, Vice-President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, delivered the opening speech at ALDA’s General Assembly on 12 July 2025. Taking place at Europa Experience – David Sassoli in Rome, the session officially launched the afternoon’s programme, immediately following participants’ arrival and registration.
The Congress and ALDA share a long-standing partnership, dating back to the early 1990s. “One could even call the Congress the ‘cradle’ of ALDA,” she said, referring to the establishment of the first Local Democracy Agency (LDA) in Subotica, Serbia, in 1993. Since then, the cooperation has deepened significantly, with ALDA becoming an Institutional Partner of the Congress in 2018. Today, this relationship continues to reinforce shared values and advance citizen participation and good governance at the local level.
In her speech, Ms Helgesen addressed current threats to democratic systems in Europe, quoting the Council of Europe Secretary General’s 2025 report Towards a New Democratic Pact. The report outlines a concerning landscape marked by shrinking civic space, disinformation, constraints on protests, and threats to judicial independence. She highlighted the urgent need to address these issues with a sense of collective responsibility and long-term vision. “It is time to rethink, innovate, and reinforce democracy, not reinvent it,” she stated, urging for a redefinition of democratic engagement, especially for younger generations.
The Council of Europe has therefore launched a process towards a New Democratic Pact for Europe, aimed at revitalising public trust and institutional legitimacy. Through innovation, technology, and inclusive dialogue, the Pact seeks to strengthen democratic foundations and reinforce the role of citizens as active agents in governance. ALDA’s grassroots work and extensive network make it a key player in this process.
“Local democracy is our first line of defence – and ALDA is one of its strongest champions.”
The Vice-President emphasised that democratic resilience begins at the local level. She commended ALDA’s efforts in engaging citizens directly, creating spaces for dialogue, and promoting participatory approaches that go beyond mere consultation. In this regard, the current context in Ukraine was presented as a concrete example of ALDA’s impact. Following its advisory role on the revision of Ukraine’s 2014 Decentralisation Concept, the Congress, in partnership with ALDA, is now supporting a new wave of regional consultations across the country. These aim to update a framework that has proven to be one of the most successful reforms in Ukraine’s recent history, while preparing the ground for future EU integration.
This cooperation builds on ALDA’s long-standing presence and active support to Ukrainian communities, including through its network of LDAs and numerous EU-funded projects. To explore more about ALDA’s ongoing work in Ukraine, visit the dedicated section.
Ms Helgesen also marked the 40th anniversary of the European Charter on Local Self-Government, a landmark treaty that continues to guide the work of local and regional authorities across the continent. She called on all stakeholders to recommit to the principles of subsidiarity, transparency, and accountability that form the basis of the Charter, and that ALDA has embodied since its creation.
The speech concluded with a strong appeal to unity and action. “Let’s deepen our cooperation to further strengthen citizen participation, promote good and accountable governance at the local level, and ensure that democracy is practiced in every city and region across our continent,” she said. Her words were met with warm applause from the Assembly, setting the tone for an afternoon of intense discussion, exchange, and strategic vision for the future of local democracy in Europe and beyond.
ALDA is proud to continue this journey in close cooperation with the Council of Europe’s Congress, reaffirming its mission to protect democratic values and enable citizens to take the lead in shaping their communities.🔗 Learn more about the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
