Europe for Citizens Programme: Albania among the participating countries

Following the latest news from the European Commission, ALDA welcomes Albania’s participation in the programme “Europe for Citizens”. The agreement between Albania and the European Commission was signed on 26th February 2015 in Brussels.

The main target of the programme “Europe for Citizens” is to contribute to citizens’ understanding of the EU, as well as its history and diversity, to promote European citizenship and facilitate conditions for civic and democratic participation at EU level. Furthermore, it will inspire the democratic and civic participation of citizens at EU level, by developing their understanding of the EU policy making-process, and motivate interest and involvement in EU policy making.

Please read the news item on the EACEA website

Following the latest news from the European Commission, ALDA welcomes Albania’s participation in the programme “Europe for Citizens”. The agreement between Albania and the European Commission was signed on 26th February 2015 in Brussels.

The main target of the programme “Europe for Citizens” is to contribute to citizens’ understanding of the EU, as well as its history and diversity, to promote European citizenship and facilitate conditions for civic and democratic participation at EU level. Furthermore, it will inspire the democratic and civic participation of citizens at EU level, by developing their understanding of the EU policy making-process, and motivate interest and involvement in EU policy making.

Please read the news item on the EACEA website


Civil society as central element for the future of Europe: ALDA interviews Mrs. Elsa Fornero

In the light of recent events happening in Europe, Mr. Mattia Brazzale, Assistant of ALDA’s Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida, interviewed Mrs. Elsa Fornero, former Italian Minister of Labor. The interview focused on the Greek crisis and the issue of migration, as a big challenges which Europe and the European Union are facing now.

Mrs. Fornero stressed the importance of education and of raising citizens‘awareness on the current issues that European Union is dealing with during this period. The role of civil society in dealing with these issues is indeed very important. According to her, the current situation in Europe represents an opportunity for the innovation and renovation of not only our economical, but also political life. She emphasized that the reforms are question of improving our current life and that they should be perceived as an investment for better future and that the civil society is the key element to achieve it.
Regarding migration issues, Mrs. Fornero affirmed that we can’t close our eyes and borders, although many people express their fear concerning this issue. She stressed that action and activation of civil society is very important because it helps to fill the gaps between the political sphere, citizens and ongoing issues, whether it is a Greek crisis or migration issues. “… civil society is a central element in building a more effective, efficient and more solidarity European Union” she said.
Please, listen to entire interview with Mrs. Fornero

In the light of recent events happening in Europe, Mr. Mattia Brazzale, Assistant of ALDA’s Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida, interviewed Mrs. Elsa Fornero, former Italian Minister of Labor. The interview focused on the Greek crisis and the issue of migration, as a big challenges which Europe and the European Union are facing now.

Mrs. Fornero stressed the importance of education and of raising citizens‘awareness on the current issues that European Union is dealing with during this period. The role of civil society in dealing with these issues is indeed very important. According to her, the current situation in Europe represents an opportunity for the innovation and renovation of not only our economical, but also political life. She emphasized that the reforms are question of improving our current life and that they should be perceived as an investment for better future and that the civil society is the key element to achieve it.
Regarding migration issues, Mrs. Fornero affirmed that we can’t close our eyes and borders, although many people express their fear concerning this issue. She stressed that action and activation of civil society is very important because it helps to fill the gaps between the political sphere, citizens and ongoing issues, whether it is a Greek crisis or migration issues. “… civil society is a central element in building a more effective, efficient and more solidarity European Union” she said.
Please, listen to entire interview with Mrs. Fornero


“Urban Synapse” Summer School MOSTAR 2015

29th July – 5th August, Music School, Musalla Square

Urban synapse MOSTAR 2015 is the name of the summer school for students of architecture that will be organized in period from 29th of July to 5th of August, held in Mostar. Participants are students of architectural faculty of undergraduate and postgraduate studies of the University of Tokyo, Vienna, Sarajevo, Mostar and Ljubljana. The organizer of the Summer School is Center for Architecture, Dialogue and Art ADA Mostar that was officially established in April 2015, within Local Democracy Agency – LDA Mostar, after several years of intensive work on the creation of an independent platform for dialogue for all citizens and participants in the process of creating public spaces and facilities.

Synapse is a place of communication between two neurons. This is where the signal is transmitted from one neuron to another. Applying this concept we suggest that the Center for Architecture, Art and Dialogue – ADA is place of communication where all interested citizens, visitors, enthusiasts can come and be part of the story, contributing within the process of reading and building the city itself.

Location predicted for ADA center is in the central zone of Mostar.

The working sessions of the Summer School will be held in the area of the Music School in Musala Square, where students will have the opportunity to work with and attend the public lectures by renowned speakers:

29.07.2015. 19:00 to 20:00 – The living area of Tokyo – another Tokyo, prof. Darko Radovic

31.07.2015. 19:00 to 20:30 – The creative milieu, urban requalification, prof. Davis Boontharm

– Meet the life and beloved city – the place of urban resistance, prof. Darko Radovic

02.08.2015. 19:00 to 20:00 – Emergency architecture, architect Amir Vuk Zec

An important part of the Summer School is the Public Lecture “Time and Material”, by the eminent architect Professor KENGO KUMA from Tokyo, one of the world’s most famous architects, that will be organized at the Croatian House of Herceg Stjepan Kosača on 3rd of August starting at 6:00pm, in the presence of a large number of guests, and local and international officials. After the lecture, concert of young musicians from Mostar will play for guests.

Participants are 25 students from Universities of Mostar, Sarajevo, Tokyo, Vienna, Zagreb and Belgrade.

Please find more information about Summer school on architecture-dialog-art

29th July – 5th August, Music School, Musalla Square

Urban synapse MOSTAR 2015 is the name of the summer school for students of architecture that will be organized in period from 29th of July to 5th of August, held in Mostar. Participants are students of architectural faculty of undergraduate and postgraduate studies of the University of Tokyo, Vienna, Sarajevo, Mostar and Ljubljana. The organizer of the Summer School is Center for Architecture, Dialogue and Art ADA Mostar that was officially established in April 2015, within Local Democracy Agency – LDA Mostar, after several years of intensive work on the creation of an independent platform for dialogue for all citizens and participants in the process of creating public spaces and facilities.

Synapse is a place of communication between two neurons. This is where the signal is transmitted from one neuron to another. Applying this concept we suggest that the Center for Architecture, Art and Dialogue – ADA is place of communication where all interested citizens, visitors, enthusiasts can come and be part of the story, contributing within the process of reading and building the city itself.

Location predicted for ADA center is in the central zone of Mostar.

The working sessions of the Summer School will be held in the area of the Music School in Musala Square, where students will have the opportunity to work with and attend the public lectures by renowned speakers:

29.07.2015. 19:00 to 20:00 – The living area of Tokyo – another Tokyo, prof. Darko Radovic

31.07.2015. 19:00 to 20:30 – The creative milieu, urban requalification, prof. Davis Boontharm

– Meet the life and beloved city – the place of urban resistance, prof. Darko Radovic

02.08.2015. 19:00 to 20:00 – Emergency architecture, architect Amir Vuk Zec

An important part of the Summer School is the Public Lecture “Time and Material”, by the eminent architect Professor KENGO KUMA from Tokyo, one of the world’s most famous architects, that will be organized at the Croatian House of Herceg Stjepan Kosača on 3rd of August starting at 6:00pm, in the presence of a large number of guests, and local and international officials. After the lecture, concert of young musicians from Mostar will play for guests.

Participants are 25 students from Universities of Mostar, Sarajevo, Tokyo, Vienna, Zagreb and Belgrade.

Please find more information about Summer school on architecture-dialog-art


Boosting youth entrepreneurship through solidarity economy

ALDA is in Sheffield, UK, from 28-29 July, represented by Aldo Xhani, Coordinator of the Citizenship programme, to discuss effective methodologies to promote youth entrepreneurship by integrating the model of solidarity economy into educational materials for youngsters and youth workers. The discussions are taking place within the framework of the partner meeting of the project PATHS – Youth for Solidarity Economy and Entrepreneurship in Europe.

Partner organisations from France, Spain, UK, Greece and Portugal are now analysing national legislative frameworks in the countries involved as well as opportunities, general resources, training and financial resources and networks related to solidarity economy that could be applied to promote youth entrepreneurship in Europe. Best practices are being showcased as the outcome of the mapping process developed in the first part of the project.

PATHS represents a key tool within ALDA’s youth programme in order to contribute to the promotion of social, economic, cultural and professional growth of the new generations of European citizens, strongly affected by the ongoing economic crisis. The project is a strategic partnership between European organizations which are active in the field of education, training and youth, designed to promote cooperation and innovation in young social entrepreneurship.

ALDA is in Sheffield, UK, from 28-29 July, represented by Aldo Xhani, Coordinator of the Citizenship programme, to discuss effective methodologies to promote youth entrepreneurship by integrating the model of solidarity economy into educational materials for youngsters and youth workers. The discussions are taking place within the framework of the partner meeting of the project PATHS – Youth for Solidarity Economy and Entrepreneurship in Europe.

Partner organisations from France, Spain, UK, Greece and Portugal are now analysing national legislative frameworks in the countries involved as well as opportunities, general resources, training and financial resources and networks related to solidarity economy that could be applied to promote youth entrepreneurship in Europe. Best practices are being showcased as the outcome of the mapping process developed in the first part of the project.

PATHS represents a key tool within ALDA’s youth programme in order to contribute to the promotion of social, economic, cultural and professional growth of the new generations of European citizens, strongly affected by the ongoing economic crisis. The project is a strategic partnership between European organizations which are active in the field of education, training and youth, designed to promote cooperation and innovation in young social entrepreneurship.


TOPSA PATRAS Vodič za socijalnu ekonomiju i završno izvješće

Vodič za socijalne zadruge i socijalnu ekonomiju TOPSA PATRAS i završno izvješće o istraživanju socijalnih poduzeća u Italiji

izvješćeVodič

Vodič za socijalne zadruge i socijalnu ekonomiju TOPSA PATRAS i završno izvješće o istraživanju socijalnih poduzeća u Italiji

izvješćeVodič

Second training of LADDER project in Zagreb, Croatia: Development Education & Awareness Raising in the spotlight

On 22nd – 24th July 2015, the second training of LADDER project on DEAR (Development Education & Awareness Raising) took place in Zagreb, Croatia, after the great success of the first one, organized in Donegal, Ireland, last week.

More than 50 participants are attending the 3-days training, organized by ALDA, in close collaboration with the Croatian Association of Counties, and delivered by the Hague Academy for Local Governance, both partners of LADDER project.

The event was opened with the speeches by Mr Nikos Gamouras, LADDER Project Manager, Ms Anne-Laure Joedicke, Project Manager and responsible of MENA Region, Mrs Emmely Benschop and Mr Lars Burema, representatives of the Hague Academy and trainers, and Mrs Sanja Bošnjak, member of Steering Committee of LADDER and representative of Croatian Association of Counties.

The objective of the first day of training was to present DEAR concept to the participants, its methodology and its connection with the local authorities, as well as to widen the knowledge of participants about development education and global citizenship. The training was delivered using the methods of active participation and involvement of participants, such as working groups, discussions, brain storming, icebreaking activities and energizers. The second day of training started with the presentation on “Local projects in Croatia related to DEAR” by Lana Jurman from Centre for Peace Studies. Then the participants were introduced to the DEAR strategy and worked together on the base of the 9-step DEAR strategy coming up with very interesting outcomes. The third day of the training culminated with a specific “Training of Trainers” (ToT) dedicated to a specific category of LADDER partners. The participants of this particular session gained the skills in the field of delivering trainings on DEAR, allowing them to deliver trainings on DEAR in their respective countries on national and local level. Finally, all participants received the certificates from The Hague Academy confirming their training on DEAR.

Please, find here more information about LADDER project

LADDER project website

Read the news published in website the Croatian Association of Counties 

Please, read the news about LADDER training in Zagreb on the website of Poslovni Dnevnik

Please, see the reportage about LADDER training in Zagreb by Jabuka TV

Please, see the photogallery of the training

On 22nd – 24th July 2015, the second training of LADDER project on DEAR (Development Education & Awareness Raising) took place in Zagreb, Croatia, after the great success of the first one, organized in Donegal, Ireland, last week.

More than 50 participants are attending the 3-days training, organized by ALDA, in close collaboration with the Croatian Association of Counties, and delivered by the Hague Academy for Local Governance, both partners of LADDER project.

The event was opened with the speeches by Mr Nikos Gamouras, LADDER Project Manager, Ms Anne-Laure Joedicke, Project Manager and responsible of MENA Region, Mrs Emmely Benschop and Mr Lars Burema, representatives of the Hague Academy and trainers, and Mrs Sanja Bošnjak, member of Steering Committee of LADDER and representative of Croatian Association of Counties.

The objective of the first day of training was to present DEAR concept to the participants, its methodology and its connection with the local authorities, as well as to widen the knowledge of participants about development education and global citizenship. The training was delivered using the methods of active participation and involvement of participants, such as working groups, discussions, brain storming, icebreaking activities and energizers. The second day of training started with the presentation on “Local projects in Croatia related to DEAR” by Lana Jurman from Centre for Peace Studies. Then the participants were introduced to the DEAR strategy and worked together on the base of the 9-step DEAR strategy coming up with very interesting outcomes. The third day of the training culminated with a specific “Training of Trainers” (ToT) dedicated to a specific category of LADDER partners. The participants of this particular session gained the skills in the field of delivering trainings on DEAR, allowing them to deliver trainings on DEAR in their respective countries on national and local level. Finally, all participants received the certificates from The Hague Academy confirming their training on DEAR.

Please, find here more information about LADDER project

LADDER project website

Read the news published in website the Croatian Association of Counties 

Please, read the news about LADDER training in Zagreb on the website of Poslovni Dnevnik

Please, see the reportage about LADDER training in Zagreb by Jabuka TV

Please, see the photogallery of the training


Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA, interviewed by Radio 24: active citizenship & environmental protection at the core of WE NET project

On the 25th July, ALDA Secretary General, Antonella Valmorbida, was interviewed on project WE NET – Working for Environmentally Educated Towns during the radio broadcast “L’altra Europa” (The Other Europe) on Radio 24, the official radio of the Italian economic newspaper “Il sole 24 ore”.

The aim of the project, which is funded by Europe for Citizens Programme, is to educate and raise people’s awareness on environmental protection and on the adoption of appropriate behaviours, which would not only prevent pollution and degradation of cities, but also stimulate concrete economic and business actions towards sustainable development, in line with the priorities of European Year of Development 2015. The project, led by the Municipality of Thiene together with ALDA, will include both international events and territorial initiatives, which will actively engage citizens and schools through knock-on activities.

The interview also represented the occasion to present the work and framework in which ALDA works. “Our aim is to develop an attitude towards active participation, because active local participation creates a sense of responsibility. […] Our focus is on local activism, meaning that all the citizens should have the possibility to work for their own communities”, affirmed our Secretary General, Antonella Valmorbida.

Please find here the podcast of the interview.

On the 25th July, ALDA Secretary General, Antonella Valmorbida, was interviewed on project WE NET – Working for Environmentally Educated Towns during the radio broadcast “L’altra Europa” (The Other Europe) on Radio 24, the official radio of the Italian economic newspaper “Il sole 24 ore”.

The aim of the project, which is funded by Europe for Citizens Programme, is to educate and raise people’s awareness on environmental protection and on the adoption of appropriate behaviours, which would not only prevent pollution and degradation of cities, but also stimulate concrete economic and business actions towards sustainable development, in line with the priorities of European Year of Development 2015. The project, led by the Municipality of Thiene together with ALDA, will include both international events and territorial initiatives, which will actively engage citizens and schools through knock-on activities.

The interview also represented the occasion to present the work and framework in which ALDA works. “Our aim is to develop an attitude towards active participation, because active local participation creates a sense of responsibility. […] Our focus is on local activism, meaning that all the citizens should have the possibility to work for their own communities”, affirmed our Secretary General, Antonella Valmorbida.

Please find here the podcast of the interview.


Akteri decentralizirane suradnje

Publikacija Akteri decentralizirane suradnje. Lokalne vlasti i OCD koje rade zajedno

Objavljivanje

Publikacija Akteri decentralizirane suradnje. Lokalne vlasti i OCD koje rade zajedno

Objavljivanje

Research on youth participation in the Balkan Region: Take part in a survey!

As part of the Balkan Platform for youth participation and dialogue, ALDA with 8 LDAs from 5 Balkan countries is conducting a research related to youth issues in the Balkan region. The research is planned in form of comparative study designed to establish the position on youth living in smaller communities.

The research has the purpose to analyse the national legislatives concerning youth, but also the needs, position and opportunities of the youngsters living in these communities, with special focus on the possibilities for youth participation. The collection of information will be further subject to comparative analysis among the the 5 Balkan countries in which this research is conducted. The final results are going to be presented at the Youth Democracy Forum in Subotica in September and further used as support for influencing national and local youth-related policies.

Part of the research is the online survey that will provide an observation towards youth-related issues in local communities. Young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo are invited to fill out this questionnaire. It is available online until 6 August. The survey can be fulfilled in one of the four languages: Albanian, Bosnian, Macedonian and Serbian. This is a chance to make young people’s opinion count!

As part of the Balkan Platform for youth participation and dialogue, ALDA with 8 LDAs from 5 Balkan countries is conducting a research related to youth issues in the Balkan region. The research is planned in form of comparative study designed to establish the position on youth living in smaller communities.

The research has the purpose to analyse the national legislatives concerning youth, but also the needs, position and opportunities of the youngsters living in these communities, with special focus on the possibilities for youth participation. The collection of information will be further subject to comparative analysis among the the 5 Balkan countries in which this research is conducted. The final results are going to be presented at the Youth Democracy Forum in Subotica in September and further used as support for influencing national and local youth-related policies.

Part of the research is the online survey that will provide an observation towards youth-related issues in local communities. Young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo are invited to fill out this questionnaire. It is available online until 6 August. The survey can be fulfilled in one of the four languages: Albanian, Bosnian, Macedonian and Serbian. This is a chance to make young people’s opinion count!


Busy summer for LADDER - Trainings in Ireland and Croatia this July

Within the LADDER project, 45 and 58 participants from different countries, members of the 26 co-applicants and 20 associates, participated this summer to 2 Trainings delivered by the Hague Academy for Local Governance (LADDER co-applicant) on the DEAR concept (Development Education and Awareness Raising).

The first training held in Donegal (Ireland), from the 15th to the 17th of July, allowed the participants to enhance and deepen their knowledge on development issues, develop their understanding on the DEAR concept and work together to create a DEAR strategy. The training contained, among other, a set of activities to be adapted and used within their own constituency and/or organization. On the 3rd day of the training, a specific “Training of Trainers” (ToT) session was provided for a specific category of LADDER partners. They are in charge of delivering similar training at national and local level back in their countries. During that session, the participants were introduced in the world of trainers, and gained valuable skills for delivering trainings on DEAR. By training multipliers to act as drivers for change, starting from the local level, LADDER project supports the implementation of the post-2015 agenda (and the “to-be-adopted” SDGs) at local level, both in the EU and the European Neighborhood! Our actions at local level have an impact at the global level. The training in Ireland was organized in close collaboration with Donegal County.

The second training was held from 22nd until 24th of July, in Croatia (Zagreb). The participants followed a similar training, on Development Education, learning how to share their knowledge. It was organized in close collaboration with the Croatian Association of Counties.

DEAR stands for Development Education & Awareness Raising, which is a programme of the EU development policy. The DEAR concept is at the heart of the LADDER project, aiming at raising the awareness of citizens on global issues and promoting their engagement for development and poverty eradication, working with LAs & CSOs and enhancing their role of multipliers for change at local level.

Follow the project on the official website
Please see the photogallery of the training in Donegal 
Please see the photogallery of the training in Zagreb

Within the LADDER project, 45 and 58 participants from different countries, members of the 26 co-applicants and 20 associates, participated this summer to 2 Trainings delivered by the Hague Academy for Local Governance (LADDER co-applicant) on the DEAR concept (Development Education and Awareness Raising).

The first training held in Donegal (Ireland), from the 15th to the 17th of July, allowed the participants to enhance and deepen their knowledge on development issues, develop their understanding on the DEAR concept and work together to create a DEAR strategy. The training contained, among other, a set of activities to be adapted and used within their own constituency and/or organization. On the 3rd day of the training, a specific “Training of Trainers” (ToT) session was provided for a specific category of LADDER partners. They are in charge of delivering similar training at national and local level back in their countries. During that session, the participants were introduced in the world of trainers, and gained valuable skills for delivering trainings on DEAR. By training multipliers to act as drivers for change, starting from the local level, LADDER project supports the implementation of the post-2015 agenda (and the “to-be-adopted” SDGs) at local level, both in the EU and the European Neighborhood! Our actions at local level have an impact at the global level. The training in Ireland was organized in close collaboration with Donegal County.

The second training was held from 22nd until 24th of July, in Croatia (Zagreb). The participants followed a similar training, on Development Education, learning how to share their knowledge. It was organized in close collaboration with the Croatian Association of Counties.

DEAR stands for Development Education & Awareness Raising, which is a programme of the EU development policy. The DEAR concept is at the heart of the LADDER project, aiming at raising the awareness of citizens on global issues and promoting their engagement for development and poverty eradication, working with LAs & CSOs and enhancing their role of multipliers for change at local level.

Follow the project on the official website
Please see the photogallery of the training in Donegal 
Please see the photogallery of the training in Zagreb