“DECENTRALISATION, DEVELOPMENT, DEMOCRACY - INNOVATING FOR A EUROPE IN 3D”. THE CADIZ DECLARATION ADOPTED BY CEMR GENERAL ASSEMBLY (Càdiz, E, 26 – 28 September 2012)
From the 26th to the 28th of September took place the General Assembly (Etats Généraux) of the CEMR-CCRE (Council of European Municipalities and Regions) in Cadiz (Spain).
It focused on Innovation 3D : democracy, decentralisation, development. ALDA participated with the presence of the Director, Antonella Valmorbida.
Around 600 participants from all over Europe attended the debates and the workshop focused on how to address the different crisis affecting us these days, seen from the point of view of the cities: economy and financial stability, strengthening of Europe, sustainable development, gender equality.
Mayors, leaders, elected members and representatives of European local governments, cities, intermediate authorities and regions, have adopted the Cádiz Declaration, on the occasion of this 25h CEMR General Assembly.
The declaration entitled “Decentralisation, Development, Democracy – Innovating for a Europe in 3D” proposes a new approach to development that relies on European territories able to create the conditions for new growth – growth that is more sustainable and able to create jobs.
“Europe in 3D” means, first, the emergence of a Europe that believes that collaboration among political, economic and social actors is the key to recovery. Decentralisation, Democracy and Development are the three dimensions on which a renewed and strengthened common voice of the entire EU must be expressed”.
Many participants were also member of the ALDA and LDA’s network and it was the opportunity to focus on new projects and ideas to support local democracy, local governance and citizens participation.
From the 26th to the 28th of September took place the General Assembly (Etats Généraux) of the CEMR-CCRE (Council of European Municipalities and Regions) in Cadiz (Spain).
It focused on Innovation 3D : democracy, decentralisation, development. ALDA participated with the presence of the Director, Antonella Valmorbida.
Around 600 participants from all over Europe attended the debates and the workshop focused on how to address the different crisis affecting us these days, seen from the point of view of the cities: economy and financial stability, strengthening of Europe, sustainable development, gender equality.
Mayors, leaders, elected members and representatives of European local governments, cities, intermediate authorities and regions, have adopted the Cádiz Declaration, on the occasion of this 25h CEMR General Assembly.
The declaration entitled “Decentralisation, Development, Democracy – Innovating for a Europe in 3D” proposes a new approach to development that relies on European territories able to create the conditions for new growth – growth that is more sustainable and able to create jobs.
“Europe in 3D” means, first, the emergence of a Europe that believes that collaboration among political, economic and social actors is the key to recovery. Decentralisation, Democracy and Development are the three dimensions on which a renewed and strengthened common voice of the entire EU must be expressed”.
Many participants were also member of the ALDA and LDA’s network and it was the opportunity to focus on new projects and ideas to support local democracy, local governance and citizens participation.
TRAINING PROGRAMME “INTEGRITY OF CIVIL SERVANTS IN IN PRE-ACCESSION COUNTRIES” ORGANISED BY THE HAGUE ACCADEMY (18 - 28 November 2012, The Hague, NL)
The Hague Academy for local governance is organising a new training course in the field of ethics & integrity, to support the transition process in eight candidate EU-countries (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey), commissioned by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Europe Department (DEU).
Target groups of the training (18 – 28 November, 2012) are civil servants dealing with this subject at different government levels. Participation is fully funded by the Dutch government. Deadline for application is 14 October. Apply through www.asser.nl/matrapatrol.
This training is intended for senior civil servants (experts and policy makers) involved in designing, implementing and enforcing policies for integrity of civil servants in their respective countries, with good speaking and writing capabilities in English.
Each fellowship, provided by the Netherlands Government, will cover the cost of international travel (economy), board and lodging in The Hague, visa and insurance, tuition fees, lecture materials, field trips and excursions.
Training venue will be The Hague Academy for Local Governance, The Hague, The Netherlands.
The aim of this programme is to aid institutional capacity building in the fields of Rule of Law within the government in the target countries. Another objective is the creation of transnational networks, to promote the exchange of knowledge and future collaboration between the participants.
The training will offer a combination of theory and lectures, skills development and field trips.
This training programme aims to stimulate, support and contribute to the efficient implementation of the EU Acquis in the area of ‘rule of law’ and to strengthen relations between the Netherlands and the target countries by sharing the necessary knowledge and skills with policy advisors, members of the judiciary and other civil servants.
The Copenhagen criteria for accessing the European Union require stable government institutions that guarantee democracy, rule of law and human rights. Policies to promote the integrity of civil servants will support candidate EU-countries in their efforts to meet these criteria. Not only will integrity policies promote the stability, transparancy and accountability of their institutions, they are also an important condition for economic growth.
For more information: http://thehagueacademy.com/, info@thehagueacademy.com, or +31 70 3738 695.
The Hague Academy for local governance is organising a new training course in the field of ethics & integrity, to support the transition process in eight candidate EU-countries (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey), commissioned by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Europe Department (DEU).
Target groups of the training (18 – 28 November, 2012) are civil servants dealing with this subject at different government levels. Participation is fully funded by the Dutch government. Deadline for application is 14 October. Apply through www.asser.nl/matrapatrol.
This training is intended for senior civil servants (experts and policy makers) involved in designing, implementing and enforcing policies for integrity of civil servants in their respective countries, with good speaking and writing capabilities in English.
Each fellowship, provided by the Netherlands Government, will cover the cost of international travel (economy), board and lodging in The Hague, visa and insurance, tuition fees, lecture materials, field trips and excursions.
Training venue will be The Hague Academy for Local Governance, The Hague, The Netherlands.
The aim of this programme is to aid institutional capacity building in the fields of Rule of Law within the government in the target countries. Another objective is the creation of transnational networks, to promote the exchange of knowledge and future collaboration between the participants.
The training will offer a combination of theory and lectures, skills development and field trips.
This training programme aims to stimulate, support and contribute to the efficient implementation of the EU Acquis in the area of ‘rule of law’ and to strengthen relations between the Netherlands and the target countries by sharing the necessary knowledge and skills with policy advisors, members of the judiciary and other civil servants.
The Copenhagen criteria for accessing the European Union require stable government institutions that guarantee democracy, rule of law and human rights. Policies to promote the integrity of civil servants will support candidate EU-countries in their efforts to meet these criteria. Not only will integrity policies promote the stability, transparancy and accountability of their institutions, they are also an important condition for economic growth.
For more information: http://thehagueacademy.com/, info@thehagueacademy.com, or +31 70 3738 695.
FINAL CONFERENCE OF THE “PEOPLE ORGANISE PREVENTION OF WATER OVERFLOW (POPOWO) PROJECT HELD IN MOSTAR
Association for entrepreneurship and business LiNK from Mostar, Local democracy agency (LDA) Mostar and Centre for development of Herzegovina (CRH) from Trebinje organised a Final Conference of “People Organise Prevention of Water Overflow” Project in Hotel Ero in Mostar.
Municipalities of Trebinje, Ljubinje, Ravno and Čapljina as well as representatives of Elektroprivreda (Electricity company) Republike Srpske, Hydro Power plant Trebišnjica, Elektroprivreda HZ H-B, Agency for the Trebišnjica River waters’ basin, Agency for the Adriatic waters’ basin and representatives of non-governmental organisations and the entrepreneurs who were the beneficiaries of the Project, took wider involvement in the Project.
Speaking of the Project, Mr Andrija Šimunović, Mayor of Ravno Municipality, said that every initiative, including this present one, represents something that would encourage resolution of pressing problems on the territory of Popovo polje, that is to say, municipalities that gravitate towards it.
“The main problem in the entire system, in the sense of flooding of Popovo polje and its surfaces, is the lack of co-ordination between the competent institutions, in this case, lack of co-ordination between competent agencies, and with that, competent electricity companies. The highest responsibility for this issue rests with those that manage the water, and in this case, that is Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske via its Hydro Power plant. I believe that the solution to this problem is harmonisation of work of the whole system through competent agencies, and with that harmonisation of work of hydro- energy facilities, which are part of both electricity companies”, said Mr Šimunović.
The Project is jointly implemented by the mentioned organisations, in the total value of € 114.200. The European Union secured 89,62% through the line for democratisation and human rights EIDHR, while the Norwegian Embassy in BiH provided the reminder of 10,38% of the total project value.
Association for entrepreneurship and business LiNK from Mostar, Local democracy agency (LDA) Mostar and Centre for development of Herzegovina (CRH) from Trebinje organised a Final Conference of “People Organise Prevention of Water Overflow” Project in Hotel Ero in Mostar.
Municipalities of Trebinje, Ljubinje, Ravno and Čapljina as well as representatives of Elektroprivreda (Electricity company) Republike Srpske, Hydro Power plant Trebišnjica, Elektroprivreda HZ H-B, Agency for the Trebišnjica River waters’ basin, Agency for the Adriatic waters’ basin and representatives of non-governmental organisations and the entrepreneurs who were the beneficiaries of the Project, took wider involvement in the Project.
Speaking of the Project, Mr Andrija Šimunović, Mayor of Ravno Municipality, said that every initiative, including this present one, represents something that would encourage resolution of pressing problems on the territory of Popovo polje, that is to say, municipalities that gravitate towards it.
“The main problem in the entire system, in the sense of flooding of Popovo polje and its surfaces, is the lack of co-ordination between the competent institutions, in this case, lack of co-ordination between competent agencies, and with that, competent electricity companies. The highest responsibility for this issue rests with those that manage the water, and in this case, that is Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske via its Hydro Power plant. I believe that the solution to this problem is harmonisation of work of the whole system through competent agencies, and with that harmonisation of work of hydro- energy facilities, which are part of both electricity companies”, said Mr Šimunović.
The Project is jointly implemented by the mentioned organisations, in the total value of € 114.200. The European Union secured 89,62% through the line for democratisation and human rights EIDHR, while the Norwegian Embassy in BiH provided the reminder of 10,38% of the total project value.
MEETING IN PULA BETWEEN ALDA PRESIDENT, ORIANO OTOČAN, PAUL VANDOREN, HEAD OF EC DELEGATION TO CROATIA, AND ITALIAN AMBASSADOR TO CROATIA, MRS. EMANUELA D’ALESSANDRO
As part of the celebration of the European Day of Languages that was held in Pula on Wendesday, 26th September, numerous ambassadors visited the Region of Istria, among them the Head of Delegation of the European Commission to the Republic of Croatia, Paul Vandoren and the Italian Ambassador in Zagreb Emanuela D’Alessandro.
President of ALDA and Head of the Department of the international cooperation and EU integration Oriano Otočan had the opportunity to present the activities of ALDA to Mr. Vandoren and Mrs. D’Alessandro, especially in the context of the ALDA’s participation in the programme Europe for Citizens.
Mr. Otočan has introduced the ALDA network that operates in the area of southeast Europe, and among other things deals with the promotion of European values, civic participation and Local Development, and has a role in the European integration processes in the defined area. He also highlighted the importance of the network of Local Democracy Agencies in the context of the future EU enlargement in the South-Eastern Europe after the Croatian accession in EU, as well as he talked about a possible future role of the tree Croatian LDAs after the accession to the EU.
As part of the celebration of the European Day of Languages that was held in Pula on Wendesday, 26th September, numerous ambassadors visited the Region of Istria, among them the Head of Delegation of the European Commission to the Republic of Croatia, Paul Vandoren and the Italian Ambassador in Zagreb Emanuela D’Alessandro.
President of ALDA and Head of the Department of the international cooperation and EU integration Oriano Otočan had the opportunity to present the activities of ALDA to Mr. Vandoren and Mrs. D’Alessandro, especially in the context of the ALDA’s participation in the programme Europe for Citizens.
Mr. Otočan has introduced the ALDA network that operates in the area of southeast Europe, and among other things deals with the promotion of European values, civic participation and Local Development, and has a role in the European integration processes in the defined area. He also highlighted the importance of the network of Local Democracy Agencies in the context of the future EU enlargement in the South-Eastern Europe after the Croatian accession in EU, as well as he talked about a possible future role of the tree Croatian LDAs after the accession to the EU.
A PUBLIC TRIBUNE WITH CANDIDATES MAYOR OF KONIJC MUNICIPALITY WAS ORGANIZED BY LDA MOSTAR
LDA, Local democracy agency, Mostar organised a Public tribune with candidates for the position of Konjic Municipality Mayor on 27 September 2012 in the Wooden Hall of the Community Centre.
Public tribune was organised within the “Monitoring of public services on local level – citizens and local authorities together to better services“ Project.
Results of the survey on citizen satisfaction with sixteen public services, implemented in Municipality of Konjic by Local democracy agency (LDA) Mostar, which were based (results) on surveying overall 681 household on the territory of all 18 Local communities of Konjic Municipality, were the subject of the discussion at the Public tribune.
Mr Emir Bubalo (SDA), Mr Mirsad Ljeljak (SDP), Mr Mesud Džajić (SBB) and Mr Emir Omerović instead of Mrs Evelina Macić (SPR BiH) participated in the Public tribune.
The lowest rated utilities in Konjic were the quality and price of central heating, maintenance of green surfaces and parks, availability and location of children’s playgrounds, public lighting and social protection, and were the basis for the discussion of the candidates.
However, other questions were posed such as, why there is no local or inter-city bus station in the town, no playgrounds, not a single public toilette, why schools outside the town centre are poorly equipped, insufficient investments into sports and sports facilities…
The main objective of this Public tribune was that the matter of volume and quality of public services, based on the results of the implemented survey, becomes one of the central issues of the election campaign for the 2012 Municipal Elections.
“Monitoring of public services on local level – citizens and local authorities to better services” Project has been initiated and financially supported by the Open Society Fund BiH.
Agencija lokalne demokratije Mostar je dana 27. septembra 2012. godine organizirala Javnu tribinu sa kandidatima za načelnika u Općini Konjic u Drvenoj sali Društvenog doma.
Javna tribina je organizirana u sklopu projekta „Monitoring javnih usluga na lokalnom nivou – građani i lokalna vlast zajedno do boljih usluga“.
Rezultati istraživanja o zadovoljstvu građana sa šesnaest javnih usluga, koje je u Općini Konjic implementirala Agencija lokalne demokratije (LDA) Mostar, a koji se temelje na sprovedenom anketiranju kojim je obuhvaćeno ukupno 681 domaćinstvo (građana/ki) sa područja svih 18 Mjesnih zajednica Općine Konjic, bili su predmetom diskusije na Javnoj tribini.
Na tribini su učestvovali Emir Bubalo (SDA), Mirsad Ljeljak (SDP), Mesud Džajić (SBB) i Emir Omerović umjesto kandidatkinje Eveline Macić (SPR-Stranka pravde i razvoja BiH).
Najlošije ocijenjene komunalne usluge u Konjicu su kvalitet i cijena centralnog grijanja, održavanje zelenih površina i parkova, raspoloživost i lokacija dječijih igrališta, javna rasvjeta i socijalna zaštita, što je bila osnova za razgovor kandidata.
Međutim, postavljana su i druga pitanja, kao npr. zašto grad nema lokalne ni međugradske autobuske stanice, nema igrališta za djecu, ni jednog javnog toaleta, loša opremljenost škola na terenu, nedovoljna ulaganja u sport i sportske objekte…
Osnovni cilj ove Javne tribine bio je da pitanje obima i kvaliteta javnih usluga postane jedno od centralnih pitanja izborne kampanje za lokalne izbore 2012. godine, polazeći od rezultata sprovedenog istraživanja.
Projekat „Monitoring javnih usluga na lokalnom nivou – građani i lokalna vlast zajedno do boljih usluga“ je iniciran i finansijski podrzan od strane Fonda otvoreno drustvo Bosne i Hercegovine.
LDA, Local democracy agency, Mostar organised a Public tribune with candidates for the position of Konjic Municipality Mayor on 27 September 2012 in the Wooden Hall of the Community Centre.
Public tribune was organised within the “Monitoring of public services on local level – citizens and local authorities together to better services“ Project.
Results of the survey on citizen satisfaction with sixteen public services, implemented in Municipality of Konjic by Local democracy agency (LDA) Mostar, which were based (results) on surveying overall 681 household on the territory of all 18 Local communities of Konjic Municipality, were the subject of the discussion at the Public tribune.
Mr Emir Bubalo (SDA), Mr Mirsad Ljeljak (SDP), Mr Mesud Džajić (SBB) and Mr Emir Omerović instead of Mrs Evelina Macić (SPR BiH) participated in the Public tribune.
The lowest rated utilities in Konjic were the quality and price of central heating, maintenance of green surfaces and parks, availability and location of children’s playgrounds, public lighting and social protection, and were the basis for the discussion of the candidates.
However, other questions were posed such as, why there is no local or inter-city bus station in the town, no playgrounds, not a single public toilette, why schools outside the town centre are poorly equipped, insufficient investments into sports and sports facilities…
The main objective of this Public tribune was that the matter of volume and quality of public services, based on the results of the implemented survey, becomes one of the central issues of the election campaign for the 2012 Municipal Elections.
“Monitoring of public services on local level – citizens and local authorities to better services” Project has been initiated and financially supported by the Open Society Fund BiH.
Agencija lokalne demokratije Mostar je dana 27. septembra 2012. godine organizirala Javnu tribinu sa kandidatima za načelnika u Općini Konjic u Drvenoj sali Društvenog doma.
Javna tribina je organizirana u sklopu projekta „Monitoring javnih usluga na lokalnom nivou – građani i lokalna vlast zajedno do boljih usluga“.
Rezultati istraživanja o zadovoljstvu građana sa šesnaest javnih usluga, koje je u Općini Konjic implementirala Agencija lokalne demokratije (LDA) Mostar, a koji se temelje na sprovedenom anketiranju kojim je obuhvaćeno ukupno 681 domaćinstvo (građana/ki) sa područja svih 18 Mjesnih zajednica Općine Konjic, bili su predmetom diskusije na Javnoj tribini.
Na tribini su učestvovali Emir Bubalo (SDA), Mirsad Ljeljak (SDP), Mesud Džajić (SBB) i Emir Omerović umjesto kandidatkinje Eveline Macić (SPR-Stranka pravde i razvoja BiH).
Najlošije ocijenjene komunalne usluge u Konjicu su kvalitet i cijena centralnog grijanja, održavanje zelenih površina i parkova, raspoloživost i lokacija dječijih igrališta, javna rasvjeta i socijalna zaštita, što je bila osnova za razgovor kandidata.
Međutim, postavljana su i druga pitanja, kao npr. zašto grad nema lokalne ni međugradske autobuske stanice, nema igrališta za djecu, ni jednog javnog toaleta, loša opremljenost škola na terenu, nedovoljna ulaganja u sport i sportske objekte…
Osnovni cilj ove Javne tribine bio je da pitanje obima i kvaliteta javnih usluga postane jedno od centralnih pitanja izborne kampanje za lokalne izbore 2012. godine, polazeći od rezultata sprovedenog istraživanja.
Projekat „Monitoring javnih usluga na lokalnom nivou – građani i lokalna vlast zajedno do boljih usluga“ je iniciran i finansijski podrzan od strane Fonda otvoreno drustvo Bosne i Hercegovine.
VOLUNTEERING, A TOOL FOR PROMOTING COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY & ENGAGEMENT. 10TH VIT LOCAL EVENT IN WOLVERHAMPTON (UK) 18 - 19 October 2012
On 18th and 19th October, Wolverhampton City Council will organise, in Wolverhampton (England) a workshop, which focus on “Volunteers, Voluntary Organisations and Localism – Promoting community sustainability & engagement”
This workshop will be the 10th local event organised within the framework of the project Very Important Twinning, Volunteering in Town (VIT), in which ALDA is the lead partner.
The VIT project seeks to promote volunteering in various European cities, raising debates on questions of active citizenship and participation. A series of conferences and workshops are being organised to enable delegates to reflect upon how active citizenship can improve governance across Europe. Through these debates good practice will be identified and shared by local, regional and international participants.
The conference in Wolverhampton will be delivered by the City Council in partnership with H.M. Governments Cabinet Office, the University of Wolverhampton and key Voluntary Sector Partners in the City.
Participation in the conference/workshops is for free, but all participants need to book by sending an e-mail by 16 October at the very latest.
For more information please contact Kuldip Khela by email kuldip.khela@wolverhampton.gov.uk
On 18th and 19th October, Wolverhampton City Council will organise, in Wolverhampton (England) a workshop, which focus on “Volunteers, Voluntary Organisations and Localism – Promoting community sustainability & engagement”
This workshop will be the 10th local event organised within the framework of the project Very Important Twinning, Volunteering in Town (VIT), in which ALDA is the lead partner.
The VIT project seeks to promote volunteering in various European cities, raising debates on questions of active citizenship and participation. A series of conferences and workshops are being organised to enable delegates to reflect upon how active citizenship can improve governance across Europe. Through these debates good practice will be identified and shared by local, regional and international participants.
The conference in Wolverhampton will be delivered by the City Council in partnership with H.M. Governments Cabinet Office, the University of Wolverhampton and key Voluntary Sector Partners in the City.
Participation in the conference/workshops is for free, but all participants need to book by sending an e-mail by 16 October at the very latest.
For more information please contact Kuldip Khela by email kuldip.khela@wolverhampton.gov.uk
FORTHCOMING TRAINING ON STRUCTURAL FUNDS TO THE ISTRIAN COMMUNITY: ALDA AND THE REGION FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA COMBINE THEIR EXPERTISE
Next 27th and 28th September ALDA will organize in Pula, Croatia, the third and last part of the training on EU funds, foreseen in the frame of the THINK.EU project, funded by Europe for Citizens programme.
The Foundation Istria, lead applicant of the project, will host the event.
Addressed to officials in the region of Istria, representatives of NGOs and the business community, this training will focus on indirect funding of the European Union, also known as Structural Funds. Croatia will officially become a member of the European Union on the 1st July 2013. It will benefit, starting from this date, of 687.5 million euro (for the solely 2013) of which a large part will be Structural Funds.
This training is therefore of crucial importance in such a particular historical moment.
In order to provide a high – quality training, ALDA will valorize the long-term experience in the structural funds of the Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and will involve officials with solid experience in various aspects, i.e. planning, financial management, territorial cooperation.
The officers involved will be: Roberto Piccini, 1st level controls on structural funds, Simonetta Micheli, regional service for Communitarian programmes, Raffaella Viviani, Brussels office.
ALDA will participate with its staff from the Resource and Development unit: the coordinator Marco Boaria, and Anna Ditta, project officer.
The training will represent a fundamental opportunity for all the target groups involved to learn on how to use the conspicuous funds that Croatia will receive soon. On the other side, it will also be the occasion for exchange and partnership between Italian and Croatian institutions and CSOs, with a view to future cooperation and mutual growth, thanks to new and greater financial opportunities provided by the European Union to its new Member State.
In this frame is therefore interesting to mention that Oriano Otocan, director of the International Relations Department of the Istria Region, is the new President of ALDA since June 2012.
A new impetus for ALDA’s activities and the opportunity for Croatian region to be actively involved in a really European network.
Next 27th and 28th September ALDA will organize in Pula, Croatia, the third and last part of the training on EU funds, foreseen in the frame of the THINK.EU project, funded by Europe for Citizens programme.
The Foundation Istria, lead applicant of the project, will host the event.
Addressed to officials in the region of Istria, representatives of NGOs and the business community, this training will focus on indirect funding of the European Union, also known as Structural Funds. Croatia will officially become a member of the European Union on the 1st July 2013. It will benefit, starting from this date, of 687.5 million euro (for the solely 2013) of which a large part will be Structural Funds.
This training is therefore of crucial importance in such a particular historical moment.
In order to provide a high – quality training, ALDA will valorize the long-term experience in the structural funds of the Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and will involve officials with solid experience in various aspects, i.e. planning, financial management, territorial cooperation.
The officers involved will be: Roberto Piccini, 1st level controls on structural funds, Simonetta Micheli, regional service for Communitarian programmes, Raffaella Viviani, Brussels office.
ALDA will participate with its staff from the Resource and Development unit: the coordinator Marco Boaria, and Anna Ditta, project officer.
The training will represent a fundamental opportunity for all the target groups involved to learn on how to use the conspicuous funds that Croatia will receive soon. On the other side, it will also be the occasion for exchange and partnership between Italian and Croatian institutions and CSOs, with a view to future cooperation and mutual growth, thanks to new and greater financial opportunities provided by the European Union to its new Member State.
In this frame is therefore interesting to mention that Oriano Otocan, director of the International Relations Department of the Istria Region, is the new President of ALDA since June 2012.
A new impetus for ALDA’s activities and the opportunity for Croatian region to be actively involved in a really European network.
“FISCAL DECENTRALISATION KEY POINT FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN EAP COUNTRIES TO GAIN MORE POWER” STRESSED DAVID TUMANYAN (LGPAR) AT THE CIVEX MEETING
On 24 September 2012 Mr David Tumanyan, Representative of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum Subgroup on Local government and Public Administration Reform (LGPAR) held a presentation talking about Fiscal Decentralisation in Eastern Partnership countries. The presentation took place as part of the Committee of the Region’s CIVEX committee meeting.
Mr. Tumanyan explained that in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine the governance system is very centralised and presented the figures for the share of the local budget’s part of the national budget, which is under the EU average in all six Eastern Partnership countries. Mr. Tumanyan stressed that the key point for Local Authorities to gain more power would be through fiscal decentralization.
The paper on Fiscal Decentralisation that the LGPAR presented at CORLEAP’s annual meeting on September 17 in Chisinau was also presented to all the members of CIVEX.
The LGPAR is coordinated by ALDA.
The LGPAR document on Fiscal Decentralisation can be downloaded ovdje.
On 24 September 2012 Mr David Tumanyan, Representative of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum Subgroup on Local government and Public Administration Reform (LGPAR) held a presentation talking about Fiscal Decentralisation in Eastern Partnership countries. The presentation took place as part of the Committee of the Region’s CIVEX committee meeting.
Mr. Tumanyan explained that in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine the governance system is very centralised and presented the figures for the share of the local budget’s part of the national budget, which is under the EU average in all six Eastern Partnership countries. Mr. Tumanyan stressed that the key point for Local Authorities to gain more power would be through fiscal decentralization.
The paper on Fiscal Decentralisation that the LGPAR presented at CORLEAP’s annual meeting on September 17 in Chisinau was also presented to all the members of CIVEX.
The LGPAR is coordinated by ALDA.
The LGPAR document on Fiscal Decentralisation can be downloaded ovdje.
“THE EUROPEAN AND OUR AFFAIRS“, NEW ALDA AND LDA ZAVIDOVICI PROJECT ON EU ENLARGEMENT PROCESS
ALDA, in cooperation with LDA Zavidovici, is starting a realisation of a new project, titled „The European and Our Affairs“. The project is funded by the Delegation of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a part of IPA 2011 – Information and Communication Programme.
The activites will be located at municipalities Zavidovici and Zepce, and the subject who will benefit from his project include the local civil society, citizen groups, local community members, local media and public at large.
Some of the project objectives would be helping to raise awareness on EU enlargement process and pre-accession assistance aimed to support the reform process at local level in Bosnia and Herzegovina; to improve public understanding of the benefits of EU integration; to promote tangible results of EU pre-accession assistance; to help reinforce the role of civil society in the public dialogue on EU accession agenda and to strenghten the local ownership over the reform and EU integration process.
The main activities of the project include an opening conference on the topic „EU integration – a dialogue for the future“ in Zavidovići, two training seminars for CSO-s and local authorities on EU integration and pre-accession assistance; a training seminar for local media titled „EU Integration: prejudices and myth-buster“, and a Youth for EU campaign including a EU quiz in secondary schools and EU Ambassadors’ visits.
Through these activities, it is expected to achieve improved public awareness and knowledge of actual benefits of EU integration, increased information provision about the effects of EU funded projects, improved outreach and information dissemination on EU integration issues, increased number of cross-sectoral partnerships and issue based networking for underpinning reform process, and improved public dialogue for common understanding of EU values.
The first scheduled activity of the project is the opening conference which will be held on October 10th 2012 in Zavidovici.
ALDA, in cooperation with LDA Zavidovici, is starting a realisation of a new project, titled „The European and Our Affairs“. The project is funded by the Delegation of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a part of IPA 2011 – Information and Communication Programme.
The activites will be located at municipalities Zavidovici and Zepce, and the subject who will benefit from his project include the local civil society, citizen groups, local community members, local media and public at large.
Some of the project objectives would be helping to raise awareness on EU enlargement process and pre-accession assistance aimed to support the reform process at local level in Bosnia and Herzegovina; to improve public understanding of the benefits of EU integration; to promote tangible results of EU pre-accession assistance; to help reinforce the role of civil society in the public dialogue on EU accession agenda and to strenghten the local ownership over the reform and EU integration process.
The main activities of the project include an opening conference on the topic „EU integration – a dialogue for the future“ in Zavidovići, two training seminars for CSO-s and local authorities on EU integration and pre-accession assistance; a training seminar for local media titled „EU Integration: prejudices and myth-buster“, and a Youth for EU campaign including a EU quiz in secondary schools and EU Ambassadors’ visits.
Through these activities, it is expected to achieve improved public awareness and knowledge of actual benefits of EU integration, increased information provision about the effects of EU funded projects, improved outreach and information dissemination on EU integration issues, increased number of cross-sectoral partnerships and issue based networking for underpinning reform process, and improved public dialogue for common understanding of EU values.
The first scheduled activity of the project is the opening conference which will be held on October 10th 2012 in Zavidovici.
DECENTRALISED COOPERATION BETWEEN LOWER NORMANDY AND MACEDONIA: PARTNERS HAVE SET THE OBJECTIVES FOR THE NEXT STEP
The final Upravni odbor of the Lower Normandy and Macedonia programme was held from 19th to 22nd September 2012 in Port-en-Bessin in the region of Lower Normandy. As a coordinator of the cooperation for five years, ALDA reaffirmed its active contribution by organising the event and by facilitating its interactive sessions.
Mrs Biljana Zasova, Project Co-ordinator, and Mr Marco Boaria, Resource and Development Unit Co-ordinator, faciliated interactive sessions and led discussions with the stakeholders. Mrs Antonella Valmorbida, Director, attended the sessions and provided new directions of thinking. She also held several meetings with stakeholders in the Region.
Ms Annie Anne, Regional Councillor, recently appointed Vice-President in charge of International Policy and Mr Rijat Azemi, representative from the Macedonian Ministry of Local-Self Government as well as Mr Pascal Gallet, Cooperation Attaché at the French Embassy in Skopje and representative of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed their active political support for the forthcoming years. Mr Alexandre Follot, Director of European Affairs and International Relations Department, Ms Sabine Guichet-Lebailly, Head of International cooperation and Mobility Service contributed to help the stakeholders define strategies for the future course of the programme.
For three days, the project partners worked hard in order to set the objectives for the next phase of the programme and to identify the obstacles and problems. They discussed about the transition towards the new three-year programme as well. The partners presented the activities of the previous year, described the difficulties they faced throughout the year and formulated action plans for the further development of their specific activities.
All stakeholders jointly agreed that the exchanges of opinions and practices will further remain the focal point of the project. The principles of reciprocity, balance and solidarity will be applied in each activity so that positive results can be achieved. The stakeholders will have recourse to the method of territorial approach for development so as to fulfil the overall objectives of the programme.
Throughout the working days, the essential objectives emerged, such as to strive for transversal activities, to reinforce the institutional cooperation, to improve the programme visibility and to act in favour of rapprochement of the activities of the components with those of the towns.
In the end, the partners expressed their appreciation for the joint work and the efforts made to conceive the activities and to pave the way for successful achievement of the pursued objectives.
The final Upravni odbor of the Lower Normandy and Macedonia programme was held from 19th to 22nd September 2012 in Port-en-Bessin in the region of Lower Normandy. As a coordinator of the cooperation for five years, ALDA reaffirmed its active contribution by organising the event and by facilitating its interactive sessions.
Mrs Biljana Zasova, Project Co-ordinator, and Mr Marco Boaria, Resource and Development Unit Co-ordinator, faciliated interactive sessions and led discussions with the stakeholders. Mrs Antonella Valmorbida, Director, attended the sessions and provided new directions of thinking. She also held several meetings with stakeholders in the Region.
Ms Annie Anne, Regional Councillor, recently appointed Vice-President in charge of International Policy and Mr Rijat Azemi, representative from the Macedonian Ministry of Local-Self Government as well as Mr Pascal Gallet, Cooperation Attaché at the French Embassy in Skopje and representative of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed their active political support for the forthcoming years. Mr Alexandre Follot, Director of European Affairs and International Relations Department, Ms Sabine Guichet-Lebailly, Head of International cooperation and Mobility Service contributed to help the stakeholders define strategies for the future course of the programme.
For three days, the project partners worked hard in order to set the objectives for the next phase of the programme and to identify the obstacles and problems. They discussed about the transition towards the new three-year programme as well. The partners presented the activities of the previous year, described the difficulties they faced throughout the year and formulated action plans for the further development of their specific activities.
All stakeholders jointly agreed that the exchanges of opinions and practices will further remain the focal point of the project. The principles of reciprocity, balance and solidarity will be applied in each activity so that positive results can be achieved. The stakeholders will have recourse to the method of territorial approach for development so as to fulfil the overall objectives of the programme.
Throughout the working days, the essential objectives emerged, such as to strive for transversal activities, to reinforce the institutional cooperation, to improve the programme visibility and to act in favour of rapprochement of the activities of the components with those of the towns.
In the end, the partners expressed their appreciation for the joint work and the efforts made to conceive the activities and to pave the way for successful achievement of the pursued objectives.