Enroll in ALDA Summer School on “EUROPE, PARTICIPATION, REMEMBRANCE”

Are you interested in active European citizenship and European commemoration? Take part in ALDA’s summer school on Europe, participation and remembrance, from Monday 1st to Saturday 6th September 2014, in Asiago (Vicenza), Italy.

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The 4-day activities, addressed to students, people working for NGOs, and representatives of local authorities, will deepen your knowledge on the programme ‘Europe for Citizens’ and its priorities. The school is organized during the centenary of World War I in the meaningful settings of Asiago and Rovereto, Italian territories strongly connected to war as much as to peace.

" programme will cover a variety of topics, in particular:

  • European history and challenges
  • Elements of Project Cycle Management (PCM)
  • Master class on the programme ‘Europe for Citizens’ 2014-2020
  • Visits and activities inspiring project ideas in Asiago, linked to WWI
  • Visit and meeting in Rovereto with the ‘Fondazione Opera Campana dei Caduti’, worldwide known for its Peace Bell.

For registrations and further information, please contact Marko Boaria, Resource and Development Unit Coordinator of ALDA Office in Vicenza (Italy) – Email: marco.boaria@aldaintranet.org – Tel: +39 0444 54 01 46

Deadline for registrations: 25 July.

Cost: starting from 1,150 € including accommodation, board, visits, materials, activities, trainings, local transfers (travel costs to Asiago and from Rovereto not included), and 6-month trial of ALDA services for non-members.

ALDA members will enjoy 10% discount.

100 years since World War I: What we do not talk about, it does not exist – What we do not remember, we repeat it!

Are you interested in active European citizenship and European commemoration? Take part in ALDA’s summer school on Europe, participation and remembrance, from Monday 1st to Saturday 6th September 2014, in Asiago (Vicenza), Italy.

***

The 4-day activities, addressed to students, people working for NGOs, and representatives of local authorities, will deepen your knowledge on the programme ‘Europe for Citizens’ and its priorities. The school is organized during the centenary of World War I in the meaningful settings of Asiago and Rovereto, Italian territories strongly connected to war as much as to peace.

" programme will cover a variety of topics, in particular:

  • European history and challenges
  • Elements of Project Cycle Management (PCM)
  • Master class on the programme ‘Europe for Citizens’ 2014-2020
  • Visits and activities inspiring project ideas in Asiago, linked to WWI
  • Visit and meeting in Rovereto with the ‘Fondazione Opera Campana dei Caduti’, worldwide known for its Peace Bell.

For registrations and further information, please contact Marko Boaria, Resource and Development Unit Coordinator of ALDA Office in Vicenza (Italy) – Email: marco.boaria@aldaintranet.org – Tel: +39 0444 54 01 46

Deadline for registrations: 25 July.

Cost: starting from 1,150 € including accommodation, board, visits, materials, activities, trainings, local transfers (travel costs to Asiago and from Rovereto not included), and 6-month trial of ALDA services for non-members.

ALDA members will enjoy 10% discount.

100 years since World War I: What we do not talk about, it does not exist – What we do not remember, we repeat it!

po admin

Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine signed the Association Agreement with the EU - Paving the way for local democracy and participation

The European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA) joins Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine in celebrating today’s signature by these countries of the Association Agreements and provisions on Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas with the EU. These agreements mark the beginning of a much closer relationship with the European Union – in terms of political association, economic integration but hopefully also people-to-people contacts and civil society links. Friday’s signatures represent the culmination of great reform efforts undertaken by Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine in the context of the Eastern Partnership – also in supporting the development of civil society and transparent decision-making.

ALDA has been working in the Eastern Partnership region since the mid-2000s to support local democracy, citizens’ participation in local decision-making and effective cooperation between local authorities and Civil Society Organizations. These are the values widely shared by the European Union too. In fulfilling the Association Agreements and pursuing further integration of Eastern Partnership countries with the EU, good governance and human rights should remain a priority.

Only two days ago, ALDA held a partner meeting for the establishment of the future Local Democracy Agency (LDA) in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, which would represent the third one in the Eastern Partnership – together with the LDA Armenia, in Gyumri, and the LDA Georgia, in Kutaisi. On that occasion, Volodymyr Peregudov, Deputy Chairman of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council, called for the agency to be set operational soon in order to open a dialogue between citizens and authorities. This piece of news does not only represent a key step in the relationships between the three countries and the EU, but also a concrete act in paving the way for local democracy and active citizens participation.

Antonella Valmorbida
Secretary General of ALDA

The European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA) joins Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine in celebrating today’s signature by these countries of the Association Agreements and provisions on Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas with the EU. These agreements mark the beginning of a much closer relationship with the European Union – in terms of political association, economic integration but hopefully also people-to-people contacts and civil society links. Friday’s signatures represent the culmination of great reform efforts undertaken by Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine in the context of the Eastern Partnership – also in supporting the development of civil society and transparent decision-making.

ALDA has been working in the Eastern Partnership region since the mid-2000s to support local democracy, citizens’ participation in local decision-making and effective cooperation between local authorities and Civil Society Organizations. These are the values widely shared by the European Union too. In fulfilling the Association Agreements and pursuing further integration of Eastern Partnership countries with the EU, good governance and human rights should remain a priority.

Only two days ago, ALDA held a partner meeting for the establishment of the future Local Democracy Agency (LDA) in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, which would represent the third one in the Eastern Partnership – together with the LDA Armenia, in Gyumri, and the LDA Georgia, in Kutaisi. On that occasion, Volodymyr Peregudov, Deputy Chairman of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council, called for the agency to be set operational soon in order to open a dialogue between citizens and authorities. This piece of news does not only represent a key step in the relationships between the three countries and the EU, but also a concrete act in paving the way for local democracy and active citizens participation.

Antonella Valmorbida
Secretary General of ALDA

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Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine signed the Association Agreement with the EU - Paving the way for local democracy and participation

The European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA) joins Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine in celebrating today’s signature by these countries of the Association Agreements and provisions on Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas with the EU.

These agreements mark the beginning of a much closer relationship with the European Union – in terms of political association, economic integration but hopefully also people-to-people contacts and civil society links. Today’s signatures represent the culmination of great reform efforts undertaken by Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine in the context of the Eastern Partnership – also in supporting the development of civil society and transparent decision-making

Pročitajte cijelu izjavu

The European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA) joins Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine in celebrating today’s signature by these countries of the Association Agreements and provisions on Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas with the EU.

These agreements mark the beginning of a much closer relationship with the European Union – in terms of political association, economic integration but hopefully also people-to-people contacts and civil society links. Today’s signatures represent the culmination of great reform efforts undertaken by Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine in the context of the Eastern Partnership – also in supporting the development of civil society and transparent decision-making.

Pročitajte cijelu izjavu

po admin

The Local Democracy Agency in Dnipropetrovsk is needed more than ever

The Governing Board Member of ALDA, M. Lucio Gregoretti from Monfalcone, and the Secretary General, Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida, took part in a preparatory meeting for the establishment of the LDA Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine.

The meeting, held in Akmeme (Lithuania) and funded within the programme Working Together for Development (WTD), gave the possibilities to the partners from Europe and Ukraine to exchange views on possibilities of cooperation and to identify new partnership.

Volodymyr Peregudov, Deputy Chairman of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council, called for the setting up of the Agency: “This initiative is necessary more than ever and we need to open a dialogue between citizens and authorities. Risks of further difficulties could emerge if we do not open and clarify the dialogue”. Mrs Tatyana Kudina from UNDP Ukraine also gave the opportunity to the partners to understand the possibilities of cooperation with their on going Community Development programme.

The programme UNDP Art – with the presence of Mr Francesco Bicciato, connected from Brussels – was also introduced as a key partner for this initiative, moving its first steps in Ukraine.
The meeting was hosted by the city of Akmene and its Mayor, Vitalijus Mitrofanovas, gave a brilliant introduction to the debate and understanding of how the cooperation with Ukraine could be meaningful for them, having gone through such a difficult transition in the last years.
The LDA Ukraine includes the support and partnership of the Lower Silesia (Poland). The action plan identified a possible development of the Agency in Autumn 2014.

The Governing Board Member of ALDA, M. Lucio Gregoretti from Monfalcone, and the Secretary General, Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida, took part in a preparatory meeting for the establishment of the LDA Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine.

The meeting, held in Akmeme (Lithuania) and funded within the programme Working Together for Development (WTD), gave the possibilities to the partners from Europe and Ukraine to exchange views on possibilities of cooperation and to identify new partnership.

Volodymyr Peregudov, Deputy Chairman of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council, called for the setting up of the Agency: “This initiative is necessary more than ever and we need to open a dialogue between citizens and authorities. Risks of further difficulties could emerge if we do not open and clarify the dialogue”. Mrs Tatyana Kudina from UNDP Ukraine also gave the opportunity to the partners to understand the possibilities of cooperation with their on going Community Development programme.

The programme UNDP Art – with the presence of Mr Francesco Bicciato, connected from Brussels – was also introduced as a key partner for this initiative, moving its first steps in Ukraine.
The meeting was hosted by the city of Akmene and its Mayor, Vitalijus Mitrofanovas, gave a brilliant introduction to the debate and understanding of how the cooperation with Ukraine could be meaningful for them, having gone through such a difficult transition in the last years.
The LDA Ukraine includes the support and partnership of the Lower Silesia (Poland). The action plan identified a possible development of the Agency in Autumn 2014.

po admin

ALDA at the Conference of NGOs: the Code of Good Practice for Civil Participation on the agenda

ALDA took part in a few meetings during the Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations to the Council of Europe.

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On 24th June, Antonella Valmorbida animated the Joint reflection group between the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and the INGOs Conference on the Code of Good Practice. On 25th June, ALDA was represented by Biljana Zasova in the thematic debate on How to enhance civil dialogue? The contribution of the Conference of INGOs to an enabling environment for NGOs in Eastern Europe(.pdf).

ALDA took part in a few meetings during the Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations to the Council of Europe.

***

On 24th June, Antonella Valmorbida animated the Joint reflection group between the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and the INGOs Conference on the Code of Good Practice. On 25th June, ALDA was represented by Biljana Zasova in the thematic debate on How to enhance civil dialogue? The contribution of the Conference of INGOs to an enabling environment for NGOs in Eastern Europe(.pdf).

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ALDA at the Meeting of Working Group 1 “Democracy, Human Rights, Good Governance & Stability” of the Civil Society Forum of the Eastern Partnership

In its capacity of the coordinator of the Subgroup on Public Administration Reform and Local Self-government (LGPAR), ALDA contributed to the annual meeting of the Working Group 1 “Democracy, Human Rights, Good Governance & Stability” of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum held in Brussels on on 17 June 2014.
The meeting discussed the future of the EU support to civil society to the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries region and provided a good opportunity for local civil society organizations from the region to have a dialogue with the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS). Speakers included Mr Richard Tibbels, Head of Division for the Eastern Partnership, Regional Cooperation and OSCE at the EEAS, Sintija Bernava from DONUM ANIMUS, Latvia, Lasha Tugushi from the European initiative Liberal Academy Tbilisi and other local NGOs from the six EaP countries.
Mr Tibbels highlighted four key areas that EU should work on in preparation of the 2015 Riga summit:
1. Effective implementation of the Association Agreements;
2. Differentiation of the Eastern Partnership countries by different stages of transition, with three countries opting for full political association and economic agenda (Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia);
3. Communication to get correct messages across as to what the EaP really means;
4. The factor of Russia: the EaP does not exist in vacuum. The EU response to Russia should be guided by clear red lines (e.g. on Crimea) and targeted sanctions but at the same time EU should try to undertake the dialogue with Russia.
Ms Carmen Falkenberg, Head of Sector, in the Unit for Regional Programmes Neighbourhood East at the European Commission’s DG DEVCO, stressed the importance of supporting business and professional organizations and encouraged more CSO participation in Platform and Panel meetings.
The second part of the meeting broke out in sub-groups to discuss the activities and action plans of each of the sub-group. Some of the main action points identified for the LGPAR subgroup for the next year are: Public Administration Reform, decentralization, citizen’s participation in local decision-making, participation in civil service reform, continued cooperation with the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities (CORLEAP) and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, follow up on the implementation EU Municipal Flagship Initiative, engagement in consultations of UN Localising Post 2015 and preparation of the Index of fiscal decentralization in the six EaP countries .

In its capacity of the coordinator of the Subgroup on Public Administration Reform and Local Self-government (LGPAR), ALDA contributed to the annual meeting of the Working Group 1 “Democracy, Human Rights, Good Governance & Stability” of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum held in Brussels on on 17 June 2014.
The meeting discussed the future of the EU support to civil society to the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries region and provided a good opportunity for local civil society organizations from the region to have a dialogue with the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS). Speakers included Mr Richard Tibbels, Head of Division for the Eastern Partnership, Regional Cooperation and OSCE at the EEAS, Sintija Bernava from DONUM ANIMUS, Latvia, Lasha Tugushi from the European initiative Liberal Academy Tbilisi and other local NGOs from the six EaP countries.
Mr Tibbels highlighted four key areas that EU should work on in preparation of the 2015 Riga summit:
1. Effective implementation of the Association Agreements;
2. Differentiation of the Eastern Partnership countries by different stages of transition, with three countries opting for full political association and economic agenda (Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia);
3. Communication to get correct messages across as to what the EaP really means;
4. The factor of Russia: the EaP does not exist in vacuum. The EU response to Russia should be guided by clear red lines (e.g. on Crimea) and targeted sanctions but at the same time EU should try to undertake the dialogue with Russia.
Ms Carmen Falkenberg, Head of Sector, in the Unit for Regional Programmes Neighbourhood East at the European Commission’s DG DEVCO, stressed the importance of supporting business and professional organizations and encouraged more CSO participation in Platform and Panel meetings.
The second part of the meeting broke out in sub-groups to discuss the activities and action plans of each of the sub-group. Some of the main action points identified for the LGPAR subgroup for the next year are: Public Administration Reform, decentralization, citizen’s participation in local decision-making, participation in civil service reform, continued cooperation with the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities (CORLEAP) and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, follow up on the implementation EU Municipal Flagship Initiative, engagement in consultations of UN Localising Post 2015 and preparation of the Index of fiscal decentralization in the six EaP countries .

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ALDA and PAJ at the Training of Trainers in Italy

Last week, the second activity of LEADERS project took place in Recoaro Terme, Italy, with the hospitality of Studio Progetto, the project’s lead partner and main organiser.

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Studio Progetto invited the LEADERS partners from Ecuador, India, Nepal, Senegal, Hungary and France for a five-day training of trainers in leadership, participation, networking and sustainable development. The Tanzian partner could not take part to the event.

Aged from 13 to 50 year-old the participants had numerous activities to exercice their capacities in linking the needs of their communities to the possibilities that public and private partnerships could offer to build a sustainable human habitat and thus impact on the global environment. In this perspective, they were trained as multipliers to pass the message to other persons in peer-to-peer contacts or by coordinating activities on topics of local concern.

These participants will return to their countries and regions, where they will initiate local active groups involving other young people (from July until November 2014). Those local groups will then identify the local needs and develop ideas for grassroots activities with an environmental character. They will then implement those activities in schools, local gatherings and associations where they will raise the understanding of other youth on these specific issues in their region/city/community.

To conclude the project, a final conference will take place in Senegal in November 2014 bringing the partners and participants together to strengthen the youth network and stimulate intercultural learning and tolerance. The participants will present their grassroots projects focusing on environmental sustainability, highlighting the green skills developed by the participants and their ideas for other projects and activities locally as well as globally.

ALDA had the opportunity to link with the Parlement Alsacien des Jeunes to the Regional Council of Alsace and brought two participants who will in return transfer their knowledge to the peers in this regional youth council. We identifed a few opportunities to act in the future at regional and local level and bring other interested particpants in the last activity in Senegal.

LEADERS aims at developing a global partnership of organizations working with young people interested in environmentally friendly societies and capable to act locally to enable a better environment and life for all. This project works on enabling young people to acquire skills and enhance their employability, but also promotes a better intercultural understanding among youth in the world.

A steering committee took place on Friday morning in order to plan the furture activities and foresee a follow-up to this world wide pilot project. Biljana Zasova, Head of Programme Implementation and project manager for LEADERS has attended the meeting as well as the training of trainers. Marco Boaria and Anna Ditta intervened as trainers in leadership and participation.

Last week, the second activity of LEADERS project took place in Recoaro Terme, Italy, with the hospitality of Studio Progetto, the project’s lead partner and main organiser.

***

Studio Progetto invited the LEADERS partners from Ecuador, India, Nepal, Senegal, Hungary and France for a five-day training of trainers in leadership, participation, networking and sustainable development. The Tanzian partner could not take part to the event.

Aged from 13 to 50 year-old the participants had numerous activities to exercice their capacities in linking the needs of their communities to the possibilities that public and private partnerships could offer to build a sustainable human habitat and thus impact on the global environment. In this perspective, they were trained as multipliers to pass the message to other persons in peer-to-peer contacts or by coordinating activities on topics of local concern.

These participants will return to their countries and regions, where they will initiate local active groups involving other young people (from July until November 2014). Those local groups will then identify the local needs and develop ideas for grassroots activities with an environmental character. They will then implement those activities in schools, local gatherings and associations where they will raise the understanding of other youth on these specific issues in their region/city/community.

To conclude the project, a final conference will take place in Senegal in November 2014 bringing the partners and participants together to strengthen the youth network and stimulate intercultural learning and tolerance. The participants will present their grassroots projects focusing on environmental sustainability, highlighting the green skills developed by the participants and their ideas for other projects and activities locally as well as globally.

ALDA had the opportunity to link with the Parlement Alsacien des Jeunes to the Regional Council of Alsace and brought two participants who will in return transfer their knowledge to the peers in this regional youth council. We identifed a few opportunities to act in the future at regional and local level and bring other interested particpants in the last activity in Senegal.

LEADERS aims at developing a global partnership of organizations working with young people interested in environmentally friendly societies and capable to act locally to enable a better environment and life for all. This project works on enabling young people to acquire skills and enhance their employability, but also promotes a better intercultural understanding among youth in the world.

A steering committee took place on Friday morning in order to plan the furture activities and foresee a follow-up to this world wide pilot project. Biljana Zasova, Head of Programme Implementation and project manager for LEADERS has attended the meeting as well as the training of trainers. Marco Boaria and Anna Ditta intervened as trainers in leadership and participation.

po admin

Giovanni Moro between democracy and active citizenship

On Friday 17 June, at 5.30 p.m., the presentation of Giovanni Moro’s book was held at the Apindustria Confimi Vicenza conference room.

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“Active Citizenship and Quality of Democracy” is the title of Giovanni Moro’s book, presented by Marco Almagisti, Professor of Political Science at the University of Padua, and Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA.

During the presentation of the book, the three speakers have reported their experiences in the context of their activities, focusing on the themes of active citizenship, democracy, participation, humanity, good governance, giving practical examples drawn from their work and life experience.

The interventions of the audience have been very useful to compare and deepen some aspects, thus giving life to a deeply constructive debate at local, national and European level.

On Friday 17 June, at 5.30 p.m., the presentation of Giovanni Moro’s book was held at the Apindustria Confimi Vicenza conference room.

***

“Active Citizenship and Quality of Democracy” is the title of Giovanni Moro’s book, presented by Marco Almagisti, Professor of Political Science at the University of Padua, and Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA.

During the presentation of the book, the three speakers have reported their experiences in the context of their activities, focusing on the themes of active citizenship, democracy, participation, humanity, good governance, giving practical examples drawn from their work and life experience.

The interventions of the audience have been very useful to compare and deepen some aspects, thus giving life to a deeply constructive debate at local, national and European level.

po admin

Veneto Council: intergroup for the 'new' Europe is born

In Venice, on June 17, 2014, a special session of the Veneto Council was held “open” to MEPs, European movements and representatives of the Italian government.

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A document was also drafted for a “constituent semester” to be entrusted to the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi next July 8, on the occasion of the first European summit of the Italian Presidency of the Union scheduled in Venice.

These are the first initiatives put in the pipeline by the Council “intergroup”, established today at Palazzo Ferro-Fini. “Ten councillors of the different political forces have already joined the initiative, which will have to accompany and give strength to the European reform process borrowing similar experiences of inter-party collaboration already started in the European and Italian Parliaments and in the Regional Council of Piedmont” announces Franco Bonfante, vice-president of the Regional Council and pro tempore coordinator of the new political body. “Veneto and its Regional Council are ready to contribute to the semester of Italian presidency of the Union with observations, indications and proposals, in order to change the European institutions from inside and take in a convinced way the way of the political union and not only monetary and financial union”.

They have so far joined the intergroup, in addition to Bonfante, the Councillor Maria Luisa Coppola, who represents the Veneto in the Committee of the Regions in Brussels, the chairmen of the Statute Committee Carlo Alberto Tesserin and for Community Relations Nereo Laroni (both NCD), the councilors of the PD Giuseppe Berlato Sella, Roberto Fasoli, Stefano Fracasso and Sergio Reolon, the group leaders Antonino Pipitone (Italy of Values) and Stefano Peraro (Udc).

The working map of the intergroup is represented by resolution 60 approved by the Regional Council on October 30 last, which summarizes the Venetian proposals for “the new democratic Europe” (president of the Union directly elected by the Europarliament, European Commission with effective functions of European government, a single foreign minister, European army, central bank with issuing powers).

To support the political work of the ten councillors (“but others will be added soon”, hopes Bonfante) “the European Federalist Movement, with 3 thousand members in Italy and nine sections in Veneto” explain Giorgio Anselmi, Aldo Bianchin and Matteo Roncarà, respectively director of the newspaper “L’unità europea”, president and secretary of the MFE in Veneto, which keeps alive the message and ideals of Altiero Spinelli, the Italian politician who most contributed to founding a united Europe.

“Veneto has always expressed a strong and convinced adhesion to the idea of a united Europe” adds Tesserin “as witnessed by our regional statute and the qualified initiatives of public awareness and dialogue with the European institutions undertaken since the 1980s until today. In this political phase marked by Euroscepticism, we must work within the institutions to reform Europe in a federal sense. The six months of the Italian presidency must be the six months of political reforms, to be supported and supported from below, with the maximum institutional and participatory commitment”.

In Venice, on June 17, 2014, a special session of the Veneto Council was held “open” to MEPs, European movements and representatives of the Italian government.

***

A document was also drafted for a “constituent semester” to be entrusted to the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi next July 8, on the occasion of the first European summit of the Italian Presidency of the Union scheduled in Venice.

These are the first initiatives put in the pipeline by the Council “intergroup”, established today at Palazzo Ferro-Fini. “Ten councillors of the different political forces have already joined the initiative, which will have to accompany and give strength to the European reform process borrowing similar experiences of inter-party collaboration already started in the European and Italian Parliaments and in the Regional Council of Piedmont” announces Franco Bonfante, vice-president of the Regional Council and pro tempore coordinator of the new political body. “Veneto and its Regional Council are ready to contribute to the semester of Italian presidency of the Union with observations, indications and proposals, in order to change the European institutions from inside and take in a convinced way the way of the political union and not only monetary and financial union”.

They have so far joined the intergroup, in addition to Bonfante, the Councillor Maria Luisa Coppola, who represents the Veneto in the Committee of the Regions in Brussels, the chairmen of the Statute Committee Carlo Alberto Tesserin and for Community Relations Nereo Laroni (both NCD), the councilors of the PD Giuseppe Berlato Sella, Roberto Fasoli, Stefano Fracasso and Sergio Reolon, the group leaders Antonino Pipitone (Italy of Values) and Stefano Peraro (Udc).

The working map of the intergroup is represented by resolution 60 approved by the Regional Council on October 30 last, which summarizes the Venetian proposals for “the new democratic Europe” (president of the Union directly elected by the Europarliament, European Commission with effective functions of European government, a single foreign minister, European army, central bank with issuing powers).

To support the political work of the ten councillors (“but others will be added soon”, hopes Bonfante) “the European Federalist Movement, with 3 thousand members in Italy and nine sections in Veneto” explain Giorgio Anselmi, Aldo Bianchin and Matteo Roncarà, respectively director of the newspaper “L’unità europea”, president and secretary of the MFE in Veneto, which keeps alive the message and ideals of Altiero Spinelli, the Italian politician who most contributed to founding a united Europe.

“Veneto has always expressed a strong and convinced adhesion to the idea of a united Europe” adds Tesserin “as witnessed by our regional statute and the qualified initiatives of public awareness and dialogue with the European institutions undertaken since the 1980s until today. In this political phase marked by Euroscepticism, we must work within the institutions to reform Europe in a federal sense. The six months of the Italian presidency must be the six months of political reforms, to be supported and supported from below, with the maximum institutional and participatory commitment”.

po admin

Third Training seminar and Local Round Table held in Ulcinj

On 16-17 June 2014, the third training seminar for local NGOs and local authorities in Ulcinj gathered some twenty participants representing diverse NGOs and citizen associations and local elected/appointed councilors was held in the town hall of Ulcinj municipality.

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It was organized in close co-operation with the municipal Office for international co-operation and projects. Mr. Arsllan Hajdinaga, Head of Office and Mr. Ardijan Mavric, vice-chairperson of the Municipal Assembly were the guest speakers addressing the participants during the training and the follow-up round table. Participants in both activities were local NGO-s engaged in local community development, women’s associations, youth and children’s rights groups, environment and cultural heritage protection groups, municipal elected and appointed councillors, and the local media.

Organisation of the training, preparation of the programme and agenda as well as delivery of the training was jointly implemented by ALDA regional programme coordinator and LDA Niksic Delegate. The main objectives were to introduce the participants with the EU standards and principles of democratic governance at local level with specific focus on the Council of Europe’s Code of good practice for civil participation in decision making process. During a series of interactive workshops, the trainees created a list of locally implemented practice – mechanisms and approaches for effective communication, consultation and civil participation in decision making at local level. Overview of good practice included experience in communication between LG and NGOs, while the most vivid debate was taking place regarding the public consultation mechanisms – public debate on criteria for financing the associations and for adoption of the municipal budget.

The second day of the training was dedicated to the trainees’ presentations of experience in working with the local self-government and creation of the recommendations to be adopted for improving the participation and accountability in public policy making, considering the fact that the municipal Strategy of economic development in Ulcinj has not been adopted yet. Having this in mind, the representatives of NGOs present in the training agreed to continue working together for advocating public consultation in preparatory phase of adopting the Strategy, while additional NGO workshop will be held so as to define potential sustainable mechanisms (including municipal officer for co-operation with NGOs) that would help enhance the situation as regards consultation and participation in decision making process.

Two organisations “SOS Ulcinj” and NGO “Djeca Crne Gore”,  – the sub-grantees within the ongoing project took up the role in facilitating the process so as to help develop good local practice in promoting civil dialogue and participation of diverse sections of local society in policy/decision making process. As agreed, the next training seminar on PCM skills for the sub-grantees and the local NGO workshop to promote introducing new local practice in public consultation/participation will be held in Ulcinj, between 10-12 September 2014.

On 16-17 June 2014, the third training seminar for local NGOs and local authorities in Ulcinj gathered some twenty participants representing diverse NGOs and citizen associations and local elected/appointed councilors was held in the town hall of Ulcinj municipality.

***

It was organized in close co-operation with the municipal Office for international co-operation and projects. Mr. Arsllan Hajdinaga, Head of Office and Mr. Ardijan Mavric, vice-chairperson of the Municipal Assembly were the guest speakers addressing the participants during the training and the follow-up round table. Participants in both activities were local NGO-s engaged in local community development, women’s associations, youth and children’s rights groups, environment and cultural heritage protection groups, municipal elected and appointed councillors, and the local media.

Organisation of the training, preparation of the programme and agenda as well as delivery of the training was jointly implemented by ALDA regional programme coordinator and LDA Niksic Delegate. The main objectives were to introduce the participants with the EU standards and principles of democratic governance at local level with specific focus on the Council of Europe’s Code of good practice for civil participation in decision making process. During a series of interactive workshops, the trainees created a list of locally implemented practice – mechanisms and approaches for effective communication, consultation and civil participation in decision making at local level. Overview of good practice included experience in communication between LG and NGOs, while the most vivid debate was taking place regarding the public consultation mechanisms – public debate on criteria for financing the associations and for adoption of the municipal budget.

The second day of the training was dedicated to the trainees’ presentations of experience in working with the local self-government and creation of the recommendations to be adopted for improving the participation and accountability in public policy making, considering the fact that the municipal Strategy of economic development in Ulcinj has not been adopted yet. Having this in mind, the representatives of NGOs present in the training agreed to continue working together for advocating public consultation in preparatory phase of adopting the Strategy, while additional NGO workshop will be held so as to define potential sustainable mechanisms (including municipal officer for co-operation with NGOs) that would help enhance the situation as regards consultation and participation in decision making process.

Two organisations “SOS Ulcinj” and NGO “Djeca Crne Gore”,  – the sub-grantees within the ongoing project took up the role in facilitating the process so as to help develop good local practice in promoting civil dialogue and participation of diverse sections of local society in policy/decision making process. As agreed, the next training seminar on PCM skills for the sub-grantees and the local NGO workshop to promote introducing new local practice in public consultation/participation will be held in Ulcinj, between 10-12 September 2014.

po admin