LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN EUROPE: ALDA AND UNPD STUDY VISIT FOR TURKISH CIVIL SERVANTS IN UK (20th-27th of February)
A delegation of elected representatives, staff from local authorities and professional managers from Turkey, participated from the 20th to the 27th of February 2011 at the study visit in England “Local Governments in Europe: responsibilities, competencies and management”, organized by ALDA and UNDP.
The visit sought an interactive approach of the relation between European Union’s Local Authorities and Turkish ones providing to the Turkish participants a view over the local administrative framework of EU countries.
The aim of the project was to train the civil servants and engage them into a critic, positive dialogue with several European local and regional authorities thus strengthening their capacity to implement the administrative reform and a new legislation.
The activity designed was that of a study tour to England (Birmingham-Wolverhampton-South Staffordshire District-Bristol-London) enabling the participants to gain a first experience of European best practices in local self-government through meetings with their European counterparts and seminars on specific topics. Through this project, eight Turkish selected local authorities were subject to increase their capacity and vision in terms of knowledge and good practices. The Turkish local Authorities involved are: Trabzon Special Provincial Administration, ?anliurfa Special Provincial Administration, Nazilli District Municipality, Bandirma District Municipality, Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality, Polatli District Municipality, Nilufer District Municipality.
More specifically, United Kingdom International Study Tour was planned to support activities on improvement of land development and planning services in local government and support simplification of approval processes of construction and occupancy licences.
The project was characterized by field visits to Municipalities (Birmingham and Wolverhampton City Councils) with ranging scales, relevant institutions in planning and licenses (the Royal Town Planning Institute, RTPI and the Local Authorities Building Controllers, LABC) and on site observations. In addition to this, trainers from different EU member countries (Sweden with SALAR, France with AFCCRE and Italy with IPRES) delivered presentations on their national systems.
The first day of the study tour began with a field visit to Birmingham City Council and, especially with the welcoming of Mrs.AntonellaValmorbida, ALDA Director, and the Deputy Lord Mayor of the city, Councillor Michael Wilkes. After the introductory meeting, Sir Albert Bore, representative of LGA- Local Governments Authorities and former President of the Committee of the Regions, delivered a presentation on “Local Government Relationship and Involvement with the European Union”. The delegation was hosted by Wolverhampton City Council and it was welcomed by Cllr Roger Lawrence, member of ALDA’s Bureau.
A delegation of elected representatives, staff from local authorities and professional managers from Turkey, participated from the 20th to the 27th of February 2011 at the study visit in England “Local Governments in Europe: responsibilities, competencies and management”, organized by ALDA and UNDP.
The visit sought an interactive approach of the relation between European Union’s Local Authorities and Turkish ones providing to the Turkish participants a view over the local administrative framework of EU countries.
The aim of the project was to train the civil servants and engage them into a critic, positive dialogue with several European local and regional authorities thus strengthening their capacity to implement the administrative reform and a new legislation.
The activity designed was that of a study tour to England (Birmingham-Wolverhampton-South Staffordshire District-Bristol-London) enabling the participants to gain a first experience of European best practices in local self-government through meetings with their European counterparts and seminars on specific topics. Through this project, eight Turkish selected local authorities were subject to increase their capacity and vision in terms of knowledge and good practices. The Turkish local Authorities involved are: Trabzon Special Provincial Administration, ?anliurfa Special Provincial Administration, Nazilli District Municipality, Bandirma District Municipality, Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality, Polatli District Municipality, Nilufer District Municipality.
More specifically, United Kingdom International Study Tour was planned to support activities on improvement of land development and planning services in local government and support simplification of approval processes of construction and occupancy licences.
The project was characterized by field visits to Municipalities (Birmingham and Wolverhampton City Councils) with ranging scales, relevant institutions in planning and licenses (the Royal Town Planning Institute, RTPI and the Local Authorities Building Controllers, LABC) and on site observations. In addition to this, trainers from different EU member countries (Sweden with SALAR, France with AFCCRE and Italy with IPRES) delivered presentations on their national systems.
The first day of the study tour began with a field visit to Birmingham City Council and, especially with the welcoming of Mrs.AntonellaValmorbida, ALDA Director, and the Deputy Lord Mayor of the city, Councillor Michael Wilkes. After the introductory meeting, Sir Albert Bore, representative of LGA- Local Governments Authorities and former President of the Committee of the Regions, delivered a presentation on “Local Government Relationship and Involvement with the European Union”. The delegation was hosted by Wolverhampton City Council and it was welcomed by Cllr Roger Lawrence, member of ALDA’s Bureau.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE EUROPEAN POLICY MAKERS FROM THE CONCLUSION OF THE E-PANELS PROJECT
An Europecloser to its citizens and able to ensure them real opportunitiesto improve their life.
This is the need stressed by the participants to the project E-Panesl, promoted by ALDA.
In all the discussions implemented on the differentnational forums and on the final conference, that was held in Zagreb (HR) is possible to extrapolatesome really interesting recommendations forthe European policy makers.
Download the final publication here (pdf)
First of all, in most of the forums was highlighted theneed to bring the EU institutions more closer to the citizensthrough a better dissemination of the informationabout EU, European citizen rights and opportunities forits citizens.
Programmes addressingyouth and youth unemployment, moving resources from the military expenses tokey sectorsas education, industry and agriculture, strengthen minoritiesrights and to respect ethnic and religious groups, more educational and mobilityopportunities for youths in order to improve their skill to facethe difficult situation of the labour market, protectingthe environment, are the main needs expressed.
The project “e-panels: fostering citizens’ participationand volunteering in a wider Europe” was designed to addressthe issue of bridging the gap between citizens andthe European Union in an innovative way. Bringing theEU closer to the citizens is one of the biggest challengesthe EU is facing today. The need to promote and explainthe “European project” to citizens, but also to involvethem in its definition itself, is well understood by thepartners of this project.
The project tried to foster citizens’ participation andinteraction between citizens’ and EU institutions throughdebates about how to improve citizen participation, witha focus on tools or processes such as ICT tools and theprocess of volunteering. e-panels aimed at producing
opinions and recommendations on these issues in orderto collect and submit them to EU institutions. The preciseaim of creating e-panels was to enable the citizens fromEU countries, but also from candidates countries, to bedirectly involved and to participate.
Partner of this project wereMaison de l’Europe (FR), FIB, Fundacion Insula Barataria (SP), AEP, Association for European Partnership (BG), Local Democracy Agency Osijek (HR), Local Democracy Agency Sisak (HR), “Studiorum”,� Center for Regional Policy Research andCooperation (MK),“Horizont”, NGO (AL).
An Europecloser to its citizens and able to ensure them real opportunitiesto improve their life.
This is the need stressed by the participants to the project E-Panesl, promoted by ALDA.
In all the discussions implemented on the differentnational forums and on the final conference, that was held in Zagreb (HR) is possible to extrapolatesome really interesting recommendations forthe European policy makers.
Download the final publication here (pdf)
First of all, in most of the forums was highlighted theneed to bring the EU institutions more closer to the citizensthrough a better dissemination of the informationabout EU, European citizen rights and opportunities forits citizens.
Programmes addressingyouth and youth unemployment, moving resources from the military expenses tokey sectorsas education, industry and agriculture, strengthen minoritiesrights and to respect ethnic and religious groups, more educational and mobilityopportunities for youths in order to improve their skill to facethe difficult situation of the labour market, protectingthe environment, are the main needs expressed.
The project “e-panels: fostering citizens’ participationand volunteering in a wider Europe” was designed to addressthe issue of bridging the gap between citizens andthe European Union in an innovative way. Bringing theEU closer to the citizens is one of the biggest challengesthe EU is facing today. The need to promote and explainthe “European project” to citizens, but also to involvethem in its definition itself, is well understood by thepartners of this project.
The project tried to foster citizens’ participation andinteraction between citizens’ and EU institutions throughdebates about how to improve citizen participation, witha focus on tools or processes such as ICT tools and theprocess of volunteering. e-panels aimed at producing
opinions and recommendations on these issues in orderto collect and submit them to EU institutions. The preciseaim of creating e-panels was to enable the citizens fromEU countries, but also from candidates countries, to bedirectly involved and to participate.
Partner of this project wereMaison de l’Europe (FR), FIB, Fundacion Insula Barataria (SP), AEP, Association for European Partnership (BG), Local Democracy Agency Osijek (HR), Local Democracy Agency Sisak (HR), “Studiorum”,� Center for Regional Policy Research andCooperation (MK),“Horizont”, NGO (AL).
MEETING ALDA - UNION OF MUNICIPALITIES OF MARMARA (TR)
The Union of Municipalities of Marmara, around Istanbul, is certainly one of the most active association of municipalities in Turkey.
They participate actively in the international and European activities, in particular thanks to the commitment and dynamic engagement of the Director, Mr Murat Daoudov, whom Mrs Antonella Valmorbida, Director of ALDA, visited on the 12th of February 2011.
ALDA and the Union of Marmara already cooperate together in the framework of activities of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. The Union is also member and Vice President of the network of NALAS, the Network of the Association of Local Authorities from South Eastern Europe.
Recently, the Union of Municipalities participated in the partners’ search for LDA Kosovo launched by ALDA, and the city of Yalova, from the Marmara Region, participates actively as partner of the Agency and hosted the partner meeting in February.
Considering that the Union is interested to have activities and twining initiatives, mostly in the Balkans and Southern Caucasus, there is a great potentiality for cooperation.
The Union of Municipalities of the Region of Marmara is currently following the process for joining ALDA in 2011.
MEETING ALDA – UNIONE DEI COMUNI DI MARMARA (TR)
L’Unione dei Comuni di Marmara, regione circostante Istanbul, è certamente una delle più attive associazioni di comuni in Turchia.
Partecipa attivamente alle attività internazionali ed europee, in particolare grazie all’impegno e coinvolgimento dinamico del direttore, Murat Daoudov, che la Direttrice di ALDA, Antonella Valmorbida, ha incontrato lo scorso febbraio.
ALDA e l’Unione dei Comuni di Marmara già collaborano nel quadro delle attività del Congresso dei poteri locali e regionali. L’Unione è anche membro e vicepresidente della rete di NALAS, la Rete dell’Associazione degli Enti locali dell’Europa sud-orientale.
Recentemente, l’Unione dei Comuni ha partecipato alla ricerca dei partner per l’ADL del Kosovo, lanciata da ALDA, e la città di Yalova, che è nella Regione di Marmara, partecipa attivamente come partner dell’Agenzia e ha ospitato la riunione dei partner lo scorso febbraio.
Considerando che l’Unione è interessata a sviluppare attività e le iniziative di gemellaggio, soprattutto nei Balcani e nel Caucaso del sud, vi è una grande potenzialità per la cooperazione.
L’Unione dei Comuni della regione di Marmara sta attualmente seguendo il processo per l’adesione ALDA nel 2011.
RENCONTRE ENTRE L’ALDA ET L’UNION DES MUNICIPALITÉS DE MARMARA (Turquie)
L’Union des municipalités de Marmara, proche d’Istanbul est sans aucun doute l’une des associations de municipalités la plus active en Turquie. Elle participe activement aux activités internationales et européennes, en particulier grâce à l’engagement et à la participation dynamique de son Directeur, M. Murat Daoudov, à qui Mme Antonella Valmorbida, Directrice de l’ALDA, a rendu visite le 12 février 2011.
L’ALDA et l’Union de Marmara ont déjà coopéré dans le cadre des activités du Congrès des pouvoirs locaux et régionaux. L’Union est également membre et vice-présidente du réseau NALAS, (le Réseau de l’Association des autorités locales d’Europe du Sud Est.)
Récemment, l’Union des municipalités a participé à la recherche de partenaires pour l’ADL du Kosovo lancé par l’ALDA et la ville de Yalova, située dans la région de Marmara. Cette ville participe activement en tant que partenaire de l’Agence et a accueilli la réunion des partenaires en février.Etant donné que l’Union est intéressée par des activités et des initiatives de jumelage, principalement dans le Caucase du Sud et les Balkans, il y a là une grande potentialité de coopération.L’Union des municipalités de la région de Marmara suit actuellement un processus en vue d’adhérer à l’ALDA courant 2011.
ВСТРЕЧА АССОЦИАЦИИ ALDA И СОЮЗА МУНИЦИПАЛИТЕТОВ МРАМОРНОГО РЕГИОНА (ТУРЦИЯ)
Союз муниципалитетов Мраморного региона, расположенного вокруг Стамбула, конечно же, является наиболее активной ассоциацией муниципалитетов в Турции.
Он активно участвует в международных и европейских мероприятиях, в частности, благодаря готовности и энергичной вовлеченности г-на Мурата Даудова (Murat Daoudov), Директора, которого 12 февраля 2011 года посетила г-жа Антонелла Вальморбида, Директор Ассоциации ALDA.
Ассоциация ALDA и Союз муниципалитетов Мраморного региона уже сотрудничают в рамках мероприятий Конгресса местных и региональных органов власти. Союз также является членом и Вице-президентом сети NALAS, сети Ассоциации местных органов власти из Юго-Восточной Европы.
Недавно Союз муниципалитетов участвовал в поиске партнеров для агентств местной демократии в Косово, развернутом Ассоциацией ALDA, город Ялова из Мраморного региона активно участвует как партнер агентства и в феврале принимает собрание партнеров.
Учитывая, что Союз заинтересован в проведении мероприятий и инициатив городов-побратимов, в основном, на Балканах и Южном Кавказе, существуют большие потенциальные возможности для сотрудничества.
Союз муниципалитетов Мраморного региона в настоящее время продолжает процесс присоединения к Ассоциации ALDA в 2011 году.
The Union of Municipalities of Marmara, around Istanbul, is certainly one of the most active association of municipalities in Turkey.
They participate actively in the international and European activities, in particular thanks to the commitment and dynamic engagement of the Director, Mr Murat Daoudov, whom Mrs Antonella Valmorbida, Director of ALDA, visited on the 12th of February 2011.
ALDA and the Union of Marmara already cooperate together in the framework of activities of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. The Union is also member and Vice President of the network of NALAS, the Network of the Association of Local Authorities from South Eastern Europe.
Recently, the Union of Municipalities participated in the partners’ search for LDA Kosovo launched by ALDA, and the city of Yalova, from the Marmara Region, participates actively as partner of the Agency and hosted the partner meeting in February.
Considering that the Union is interested to have activities and twining initiatives, mostly in the Balkans and Southern Caucasus, there is a great potentiality for cooperation.
The Union of Municipalities of the Region of Marmara is currently following the process for joining ALDA in 2011.
MEETING ALDA – UNIONE DEI COMUNI DI MARMARA (TR)
L’Unione dei Comuni di Marmara, regione circostante Istanbul, è certamente una delle più attive associazioni di comuni in Turchia.
Partecipa attivamente alle attività internazionali ed europee, in particolare grazie all’impegno e coinvolgimento dinamico del direttore, Murat Daoudov, che la Direttrice di ALDA, Antonella Valmorbida, ha incontrato lo scorso febbraio.
ALDA e l’Unione dei Comuni di Marmara già collaborano nel quadro delle attività del Congresso dei poteri locali e regionali. L’Unione è anche membro e vicepresidente della rete di NALAS, la Rete dell’Associazione degli Enti locali dell’Europa sud-orientale.
Recentemente, l’Unione dei Comuni ha partecipato alla ricerca dei partner per l’ADL del Kosovo, lanciata da ALDA, e la città di Yalova, che è nella Regione di Marmara, partecipa attivamente come partner dell’Agenzia e ha ospitato la riunione dei partner lo scorso febbraio.
Considerando che l’Unione è interessata a sviluppare attività e le iniziative di gemellaggio, soprattutto nei Balcani e nel Caucaso del sud, vi è una grande potenzialità per la cooperazione.
L’Unione dei Comuni della regione di Marmara sta attualmente seguendo il processo per l’adesione ALDA nel 2011.
RENCONTRE ENTRE L’ALDA ET L’UNION DES MUNICIPALITÉS DE MARMARA (Turquie)
L’Union des municipalités de Marmara, proche d’Istanbul est sans aucun doute l’une des associations de municipalités la plus active en Turquie. Elle participe activement aux activités internationales et européennes, en particulier grâce à l’engagement et à la participation dynamique de son Directeur, M. Murat Daoudov, à qui Mme Antonella Valmorbida, Directrice de l’ALDA, a rendu visite le 12 février 2011.
L’ALDA et l’Union de Marmara ont déjà coopéré dans le cadre des activités du Congrès des pouvoirs locaux et régionaux. L’Union est également membre et vice-présidente du réseau NALAS, (le Réseau de l’Association des autorités locales d’Europe du Sud Est.)
Récemment, l’Union des municipalités a participé à la recherche de partenaires pour l’ADL du Kosovo lancé par l’ALDA et la ville de Yalova, située dans la région de Marmara. Cette ville participe activement en tant que partenaire de l’Agence et a accueilli la réunion des partenaires en février.Etant donné que l’Union est intéressée par des activités et des initiatives de jumelage, principalement dans le Caucase du Sud et les Balkans, il y a là une grande potentialité de coopération.L’Union des municipalités de la région de Marmara suit actuellement un processus en vue d’adhérer à l’ALDA courant 2011.
ВСТРЕЧА АССОЦИАЦИИ ALDA И СОЮЗА МУНИЦИПАЛИТЕТОВ МРАМОРНОГО РЕГИОНА (ТУРЦИЯ)
Союз муниципалитетов Мраморного региона, расположенного вокруг Стамбула, конечно же, является наиболее активной ассоциацией муниципалитетов в Турции.
Он активно участвует в международных и европейских мероприятиях, в частности, благодаря готовности и энергичной вовлеченности г-на Мурата Даудова (Murat Daoudov), Директора, которого 12 февраля 2011 года посетила г-жа Антонелла Вальморбида, Директор Ассоциации ALDA.
Ассоциация ALDA и Союз муниципалитетов Мраморного региона уже сотрудничают в рамках мероприятий Конгресса местных и региональных органов власти. Союз также является членом и Вице-президентом сети NALAS, сети Ассоциации местных органов власти из Юго-Восточной Европы.
Недавно Союз муниципалитетов участвовал в поиске партнеров для агентств местной демократии в Косово, развернутом Ассоциацией ALDA, город Ялова из Мраморного региона активно участвует как партнер агентства и в феврале принимает собрание партнеров.
Учитывая, что Союз заинтересован в проведении мероприятий и инициатив городов-побратимов, в основном, на Балканах и Южном Кавказе, существуют большие потенциальные возможности для сотрудничества.
Союз муниципалитетов Мраморного региона в настоящее время продолжает процесс присоединения к Ассоциации ALDA в 2011 году.
Cooperation between Lower Normandy and Macedonia Inventory of Cultural Heritage - new component of the cooperation 23-25 February 2011, Veles, Macedonia
Starting this week The National Association of Towns and Regions of Art and History and tows with protected areas will visit their partner The Association of historical and artistic cities of the Republic of Macedonia to discuss the basis of their future cooperation in the field of Inventory of Cultural Heritage.
The visit begins with welcoming meeting between the Mayor of Veles Municipality, Mr. Goran Petrov, and the French four-member delegation, headed by the Director of The National Association, Ms. Marylize Ortize. The three-day study visit will continue with many office and field activities with architects from several Macedonian cities, such as: Krusevo, Kumanovo, Kavadarci, Kratovo, Stip and Berovo.
The activities will end with on 25 of February with a Presentation of methodology for architectonic heritage inventory in local communities. The Presentation will be held in the municipality building in Veles, at noon. The large number of official guests and participants of the presentation will learn about the importance of inventory for strengthening the municipal capacities and protect the architectonic heritage rendering it in service of tourism.
This visit is part of the Project for Decentralized Cooperation between Lower Normandy and Macedonia, in the component 3 – Inventory of Cultural Heritage. The project is coordinated by the Association of local democracy agencies (ALDA).
For further information please consult the webpage of the Cooperation http://crbn-mk.courriers.info/ or contact Ivana Dimitrovska ivana.dimitrovska@aldaintranet.org.
Starting this week The National Association of Towns and Regions of Art and History and tows with protected areas will visit their partner The Association of historical and artistic cities of the Republic of Macedonia to discuss the basis of their future cooperation in the field of Inventory of Cultural Heritage.
The visit begins with welcoming meeting between the Mayor of Veles Municipality, Mr. Goran Petrov, and the French four-member delegation, headed by the Director of The National Association, Ms. Marylize Ortize. The three-day study visit will continue with many office and field activities with architects from several Macedonian cities, such as: Krusevo, Kumanovo, Kavadarci, Kratovo, Stip and Berovo.
The activities will end with on 25 of February with a Presentation of methodology for architectonic heritage inventory in local communities. The Presentation will be held in the municipality building in Veles, at noon. The large number of official guests and participants of the presentation will learn about the importance of inventory for strengthening the municipal capacities and protect the architectonic heritage rendering it in service of tourism.
This visit is part of the Project for Decentralized Cooperation between Lower Normandy and Macedonia, in the component 3 – Inventory of Cultural Heritage. The project is coordinated by the Association of local democracy agencies (ALDA).
For further information please consult the webpage of the Cooperation http://crbn-mk.courriers.info/ or contact Ivana Dimitrovska ivana.dimitrovska@aldaintranet.org.
NEXPO Fair in Sarajevo, the participation of ALDA and the Local Democracy Agencies
The next 10th and 11th of March will take place in Sarajevo “NEXPO 2011” , the first Local Government Fair including participants from South Eastern Europe. ALDA is actively involved in the programme of this event with a stand and the participation of its President, Per Vinther, in the first panel on Good Governance and EU Integration (see http://nexpo.nalas.eu/).
The stand will mostly present the last activities of ALDA on local governance and citizens participation as well as the activities of the Local Democracy Agencies from Mostar, Prijedor and Zavidovici.
“NEXPO 2011” is organized by NALAS, network of associations of local authorities of South East Europe, and more than 1,000 people will be participating, representatives from local municipalities, associations and international organizations.
The next 10th and 11th of March will take place in Sarajevo “NEXPO 2011” , the first Local Government Fair including participants from South Eastern Europe. ALDA is actively involved in the programme of this event with a stand and the participation of its President, Per Vinther, in the first panel on Good Governance and EU Integration (see http://nexpo.nalas.eu/).
The stand will mostly present the last activities of ALDA on local governance and citizens participation as well as the activities of the Local Democracy Agencies from Mostar, Prijedor and Zavidovici.
“NEXPO 2011” is organized by NALAS, network of associations of local authorities of South East Europe, and more than 1,000 people will be participating, representatives from local municipalities, associations and international organizations.
“THE WESTERN BALKANS’ EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE: THE CONTRIBUTION OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES” AFCCRE Conference in Paris, 18th and 19th February 20/02/2011
A clear definition and extension of the competences of local authorities, appropriate local and regional financial means and autonomy, improvement of governance through increased transparence and participation and strengthening of capacities for public services.
These are the four central needs of local authorities in the Western Balkans indicated by Keith Withmore, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, in his conclusion speech of the conference on the European perspective of the Western Balkans and the contribution of local and regional authorities that took place in Paris, in the French Senate, on 18th and 19th of February.
Mr Keith Whitmore underlined also the involvement of the Congress in the Balkans (citing explicitly the LDAs and their existence since 1993 and ALDA’s work).
The conference united representatives of local authorities and other stakeholders of European decentralised cooperation. It was an excellent occasion for French local authorities and authorities from the Western Balkans to meet and exchange their views on the strategies and priorities of European integration.
A central point of reflection was the role of local authorities’ international cooperation in the integration process. Further subjects discussed included the role of good local governance and public local policy for European integration.
The pause of enlargement is a chance to rethink the relationship between the EU and the Western Balkans, underlined the debate, and the governments in the Balkans have to act now, and at the same time, the EU has to speed up the accession procedures and propose viable political solution to problems such as the Kosovo issue. Many participants also demanded a greater implication of local authorities in the accession process.
Per Vinther, President of ALDA, was present at the conference and informed about its activities in decentralised cooperation in one of the workshops. The project of decentralised cooperation between Lower Normandy and the Republic of Macedonia was at the centre of attention.
The conference was organised by the French Association of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (AFCCRE) in cooperation with the municipality of Dijon and the Community of Greater Dijon.
A clear definition and extension of the competences of local authorities, appropriate local and regional financial means and autonomy, improvement of governance through increased transparence and participation and strengthening of capacities for public services.
These are the four central needs of local authorities in the Western Balkans indicated by Keith Withmore, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, in his conclusion speech of the conference on the European perspective of the Western Balkans and the contribution of local and regional authorities that took place in Paris, in the French Senate, on 18th and 19th of February.
Mr Keith Whitmore underlined also the involvement of the Congress in the Balkans (citing explicitly the LDAs and their existence since 1993 and ALDA’s work).
The conference united representatives of local authorities and other stakeholders of European decentralised cooperation. It was an excellent occasion for French local authorities and authorities from the Western Balkans to meet and exchange their views on the strategies and priorities of European integration.
A central point of reflection was the role of local authorities’ international cooperation in the integration process. Further subjects discussed included the role of good local governance and public local policy for European integration.
The pause of enlargement is a chance to rethink the relationship between the EU and the Western Balkans, underlined the debate, and the governments in the Balkans have to act now, and at the same time, the EU has to speed up the accession procedures and propose viable political solution to problems such as the Kosovo issue. Many participants also demanded a greater implication of local authorities in the accession process.
Per Vinther, President of ALDA, was present at the conference and informed about its activities in decentralised cooperation in one of the workshops. The project of decentralised cooperation between Lower Normandy and the Republic of Macedonia was at the centre of attention.
The conference was organised by the French Association of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (AFCCRE) in cooperation with the municipality of Dijon and the Community of Greater Dijon.
Kreativnost i inovacije u aktivnostima bratimljenja gradova u Europi i jugoistočnoj Europi
Publikacija - Kreativnost i inovacije u bratimljenju gradova u Europi i jugoistočnoj Europi - rezultati projekta
Publikacija - Kreativnost i inovacije u bratimljenju gradova u Europi i jugoistočnoj Europi - rezultati projekta
REINFORCEMENT OF THE AGRICULTURE COOPERATION THROUGH AFDI’S STUDY VISIT TO MACEDONIA (16-26 February 2011)
In the framework of the Project for decentralized cooperation BN/MK, FFRM (Farmers’ Federation of Macedonia) and AFDI (francuski Farmers for international development) are organizing a working visit of the French delegation in Macedonia.
The planned activities for this period, as a part of the project implemented between FFRM and AFDI, will involve visits to the Macedonian farmers, in order to create and develop future trainings and practices.
The representatives from Lower Normandy, Mr. Richard Demuynick and Mr. Jean Louis Loir will spend ten days in several locations in Macedonia, in the period of 16 to 26 of February. They will visit the farmers and the cooperatives aiming to define the pilot groups of farmers that will cooperate in the future.
During their stay, the delegation will visit the Mayor of Berovo and the manufacturers of dairy products, as well as the sheep breeders in this region. Berovo is the first farmers’ focus group, followed by the cooperative of apple growers from Resen, along with the scheduled meeting with the Mayor of Resen. In the region of Western Macedonia, the delegation will meet another group of dairy manufacturers, but also a group of cereal manufacturers from the Polog region.
During the Prilep visit, on February 24, AFDI will perform a lecture focused on “Global Market Conditions for cereals – price, supply, demand”. The expected number of participants is around 50, mostly cereal manufactures with mill industry capacities from this region.
The Federation will close this working study in Skopje hosting a Balkan conference for “Cooperative Associations”. The conference participants, including the AFDI delegation, will discuss the possibilities for creating cooperative associations. This type of joining can be a foundation for the increase of farming profit in Macedonia and neighboring countries, such as Albania, Bulgaria, Kosovo…
The cooperation between FFRM and AFDI is component “6 – agriculture” of the Project for decentralized cooperation between Republic of Macedonia and the Region of Lower Normandy, France. This project is coordinated by the Association of local democracy agencies (ALDA).
For further information please consult the webpage of the Cooperation http://crbn-mk.courriers.info/ or contact Ivana Dimitrovska ivana.dimitrovska@aldaintranet.org.
In the framework of the Project for decentralized cooperation BN/MK, FFRM (Farmers’ Federation of Macedonia) and AFDI (francuski Farmers for international development) are organizing a working visit of the French delegation in Macedonia.
The planned activities for this period, as a part of the project implemented between FFRM and AFDI, will involve visits to the Macedonian farmers, in order to create and develop future trainings and practices.
The representatives from Lower Normandy, Mr. Richard Demuynick and Mr. Jean Louis Loir will spend ten days in several locations in Macedonia, in the period of 16 to 26 of February. They will visit the farmers and the cooperatives aiming to define the pilot groups of farmers that will cooperate in the future.
During their stay, the delegation will visit the Mayor of Berovo and the manufacturers of dairy products, as well as the sheep breeders in this region. Berovo is the first farmers’ focus group, followed by the cooperative of apple growers from Resen, along with the scheduled meeting with the Mayor of Resen. In the region of Western Macedonia, the delegation will meet another group of dairy manufacturers, but also a group of cereal manufacturers from the Polog region.
During the Prilep visit, on February 24, AFDI will perform a lecture focused on “Global Market Conditions for cereals – price, supply, demand”. The expected number of participants is around 50, mostly cereal manufactures with mill industry capacities from this region.
The Federation will close this working study in Skopje hosting a Balkan conference for “Cooperative Associations”. The conference participants, including the AFDI delegation, will discuss the possibilities for creating cooperative associations. This type of joining can be a foundation for the increase of farming profit in Macedonia and neighboring countries, such as Albania, Bulgaria, Kosovo…
The cooperation between FFRM and AFDI is component “6 – agriculture” of the Project for decentralized cooperation between Republic of Macedonia and the Region of Lower Normandy, France. This project is coordinated by the Association of local democracy agencies (ALDA).
For further information please consult the webpage of the Cooperation http://crbn-mk.courriers.info/ or contact Ivana Dimitrovska ivana.dimitrovska@aldaintranet.org.
ALDA IS SEARCHING FOR 2 VOLUNTEERS
ALDA is preparing a proposal for the “Youth in Action. Action 2 – European Voluntary Service” whose deadline is the 15th of February. The proposal (entitled “VOICE”) consists of group exchanges of volunteers between several European Structures and South Eastern Europe organizations.
ALDA holds an accreditation as Coordinating and Sending organization inside the European Voluntary service (EVS). It will coordinate “VOICE” and send volunteers towards two of the project’s partners.
ALDA’s staff would like to select 2 volunteers that will be sent as EVS, one in Serbia (city of Nis) for a period of 6 months, one in the Republic of Macedonia (city of Prilep) for a period of 9 months.
The starting period of the exchange should be beginning 2012.
ALDA is preparing a proposal for the “Youth in Action. Action 2 – European Voluntary Service” whose deadline is the 15th of February. The proposal (entitled “VOICE”) consists of group exchanges of volunteers between several European Structures and South Eastern Europe organizations.
ALDA holds an accreditation as Coordinating and Sending organization inside the European Voluntary service (EVS). It will coordinate “VOICE” and send volunteers towards two of the project’s partners.
ALDA’s staff would like to select 2 volunteers that will be sent as EVS, one in Serbia (city of Nis) for a period of 6 months, one in the Republic of Macedonia (city of Prilep) for a period of 9 months.
The starting period of the exchange should be beginning 2012.