Balkan Youth and Mobility: This is what the new research tells us
New regional research titled “Youth Mobility in the Western Balkans – the Present Challenges and Future Perspectives” brings into light improvements, but also the problems that Balkan youngsters are facing when it comes to mobility, employment and education. The research was realized during 2016 and it involved young people from 5 different Balkan countries: Serbia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.
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This publication is a result of an extensive field research work carried out by the team of experts, youth workers and the project partner LDA steam members within the Balkan Regional Platform for Youth Participation and Dialogue. Field research, focus group meetings, field and online surveys were conducted in around thirty smaller local communities across the region.
Balkan Regional Platform for Youth Participation and Dialogue is a project designed to contribute to structuring regional thematic cooperation and coordination between civil society and public authorities in the Western Balkan countries primarily aimed to improve environment for youth activism and participation.
This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the European Association for Local Democracy – ALDA and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.
Please find the publication, together with the conclusions and recommendations below.
Link utili:
Youth Mobility in the Western Balkans: Present challenges and future perspectives
New regional research titled “Youth Mobility in the Western Balkans – the Present Challenges and Future Perspectives” brings into light improvements, but also the problems that Balkan youngsters are facing when it comes to mobility, employment and education. The research was realized during 2016 and it involved young people from 5 different Balkan countries: Serbia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.
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This publication is a result of an extensive field research work carried out by the team of experts, youth workers and the project partner LDA steam members within the Balkan Regional Platform for Youth Participation and Dialogue. Field research, focus group meetings, field and online surveys were conducted in around thirty smaller local communities across the region.
Balkan Regional Platform for Youth Participation and Dialogue is a project designed to contribute to structuring regional thematic cooperation and coordination between civil society and public authorities in the Western Balkan countries primarily aimed to improve environment for youth activism and participation.
This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the European Association for Local Democracy – ALDA and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.
Please find the publication, together with the conclusions and recommendations below.
Link utili:
Youth Mobility in the Western Balkans: Present challenges and future perspectives
The added value of participation in local sustainable energy policies
The partners of the Project ENLARGE launched their first dissemination action last 20th of June, in the city of Mestre, as a moment to present some of the key outcomes reached by the project in its first phase of implementation.
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The event was organised in the framework of the EU Sustainable Energy Week, led by the Association NordEstSudOvest, and it was an opportunity to discuss with more than 50 stakeholders (local authorities, civil society associations, experts, academics, ordinary citizens, etc.) from all across Veneto Region the added value of participatory processes in the co-design and co-creation of sustainable energy policies.
ALDA was represented by Marco Boaria, Head of Resources and Development Unit, who showcased ALDA’s experience in promoting communities’ development through stronger citizen participation mechanisms. The event offered the opportunity to debate and exchange experience and good practice related to models of participatory governance in the field of sustainable energy and strongly contributed to the mapping action within ENLARGE.
ENLARGE is a two-year project funded by the Horizon 2020 programme aiming at at exploring existing models of participatory governance in the field of sustainable energy and, in particular, their legitimacy, effectiveness, sustainability and success mechanisms, by drawing together theoretical knowledge and on-the-ground experiences. The key outcome will be the production of an interactive knowledge tool to raise awareness among public administrators about different alternative participatory approaches, methodologies and tools, and the potential consequences of these alternative scenarios based on concrete experiences and pragmatic examples.
Link utili:
Read more about ENLARGE project
The partners of the Project ENLARGE launched their first dissemination action last 20th of June, in the city of Mestre, as a moment to present some of the key outcomes reached by the project in its first phase of implementation.
***
The event was organised in the framework of the EU Sustainable Energy Week, led by the Association NordEstSudOvest, and it was an opportunity to discuss with more than 50 stakeholders (local authorities, civil society associations, experts, academics, ordinary citizens, etc.) from all across Veneto Region the added value of participatory processes in the co-design and co-creation of sustainable energy policies.
ALDA was represented by Marco Boaria, Head of Resources and Development Unit, who showcased ALDA’s experience in promoting communities’ development through stronger citizen participation mechanisms. The event offered the opportunity to debate and exchange experience and good practice related to models of participatory governance in the field of sustainable energy and strongly contributed to the mapping action within ENLARGE.
ENLARGE is a two-year project funded by the Horizon 2020 programme aiming at at exploring existing models of participatory governance in the field of sustainable energy and, in particular, their legitimacy, effectiveness, sustainability and success mechanisms, by drawing together theoretical knowledge and on-the-ground experiences. The key outcome will be the production of an interactive knowledge tool to raise awareness among public administrators about different alternative participatory approaches, methodologies and tools, and the potential consequences of these alternative scenarios based on concrete experiences and pragmatic examples.
Link utili:
Read more about ENLARGE project
Final event of project CHOICE – Paving the way to European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018
The final event of the two-year EU funded project “CHOICE – Cultural Heritage: Opportunity for Improving Civic Engagement” was held on 6 June at the Committee of the Regions, in Brussels.
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The event was organized by ALDA with the support of the network European cities and regions for culture – LIKE. President of ALDA, Oriano Otočan, opened the meeting, stating that projects on culture strongly impact on local development across Europe, especially in less wealthy areas. “Through this project ALDA continues to contribute to social and economic local development, coupling it with civic participation. Being ALDA particularly result oriented, I wish you to strengthen cooperation and develop further projects together” concluded Otočan.
Sinziana Poiana, Civil Society Policy Officer – Neighbourhood East, confirmed the support of the European Commission toward the issue of preservation of cultural heritage, and recognized the need to find the missing part in the communication between civil society and the government.Partners from four countries in the Eastern Partnership (Armenia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova) presented the results and impact of the project in their countries. CHOICE mobilized a significant number of people who believe that cultural heritage needs protection; our mini projects have influenced local communities by involving different local and national stakeholders. From the Rock festival in the depressed, post-industrial city of Vanadzor in Armenia, to digitalization of cultural heritage in Ukraine; from forming a “mythopoetic” perception of the town and its historical centre among the residents of Oshmyany in Belarus to the Crossroads of Cultures Through the Lenses of Young Photographers from Moldova and Armenia, participants of the meeting had observed the whole variety of results of the project.
As a matter of fact, in each of the countries part of the project, CHOICE became an acronym for the protection of cultural heritage and empowerment of local communities. Our main achievement is the network created, and its human capital – more than 30 projects, involving more than 50 organizations and hundreds of people. Active citizens living in the communities hosting cultural heritage sites and items are now trained to protect them, and to spread their knowledge.
On the policy level, our project achieved to be the bridge between governments and communities. Policy papers created in the frame of the project are examples of inclusive work of experts, community leaders and policy makers.
The meeting was also the occasion to discuss issues related to policies of the EU and Eastern Partnership countries. Among the panellists Margaux Rouchet from LIKE – Network of European cities and regions for culture, Tim Williams of the Eastern Partnership Culture and Creativity program, and Jozef Van Waeyenberge, Director of Europa Nostra Belgium, together with experts from the countries involved – Vera Erhan from Moldova, Zoryana Rybchynska from Ukraine, and Mikhal Anempadzistau from Belarus. Speakers highlighted the crucial role of local authorities for the protection of cultural heritage, since work with local communities makes the heritage understandable and accessible to people. Local authorities should therefore also play a major role in policy dialogue. In this sense, the project CHOICE became an example of community mobilization through cultural heritage, and its actions can be replicated in other countries.
Panel discussions were followed by the exhibition – handcraft from Armenia, ceramics from Moldova, photos and many other materials from Ukraine and Belarus, colourfully showcasing the results of project CHOICE.
Next year, 2018 will be the European Year of Cultural Heritage. “Our cultural heritage is more than the memory of our past; it is the key to our future. A European Year of Cultural Heritage will be an opportunity to raise awareness on the social and economic importance of cultural heritage and to promote European excellence in the sector” stated EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Tibor Navracsics. We believe that our project CHOICE anticipated this process and was it a preparatory phase, and that it will further stimulate discussion and exchange.
All partners of CHOICE will continue working to support cultural heritage in enlarged Europe. It was a long and enriching journey together, and we wish it will develop further joint initiatives!
The final event of the two-year EU funded project “CHOICE – Cultural Heritage: Opportunity for Improving Civic Engagement” was held on 6 June at the Committee of the Regions, in Brussels.
***
The event was organized by ALDA with the support of the network European cities and regions for culture – LIKE. President of ALDA, Oriano Otočan, opened the meeting, stating that projects on culture strongly impact on local development across Europe, especially in less wealthy areas. “Through this project ALDA continues to contribute to social and economic local development, coupling it with civic participation. Being ALDA particularly result oriented, I wish you to strengthen cooperation and develop further projects together” concluded Otočan.
Sinziana Poiana, Civil Society Policy Officer – Neighbourhood East, confirmed the support of the European Commission toward the issue of preservation of cultural heritage, and recognized the need to find the missing part in the communication between civil society and the government.Partners from four countries in the Eastern partnership (Armenia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova) presented the results and impact of the project in their countries. CHOICE mobilized a significant number of people who believe that cultural heritage needs protection; our mini projects have influenced local communities by involving different local and national stakeholders. From the Rock festival in the depressed, post-industrial city of Vanadzor in Armenia, to digitalization of cultural heritage in Ukraine; from forming a “mythopoetic” perception of the town and its historical centre among the residents of Oshmyany in Belarus, to the Crossroads of Cultures Through the Lenses of Young Photographers from Moldova and Armenia, participants of the meeting had observed the whole variety of results of the project.
As a matter of fact, in each of the countries part of the project, CHOICE became an acronym for protection of cultural heritage and empowerment of local communities. Our main achievement is the network created, and its human capital – more than 30 projects, involving more than 50 organizations and hundreds of people. Active citizens living in the communities hosting cultural heritage sites and items are now trained to protect them, and to spread their knowledge.
On the policy level, our project achieved to be the bridge between governments and communities. Policy papers created in the frame of the project are examples of inclusive work of experts, community leaders and policy makers.
The meeting was also the occasion to discuss issues related to policies of the EU and Eastern Partnership countries. Among the panellists Margaux Rouchet from LIKE – Network of European cities and regions for culture, Tim Williams of the Eastern Partnership Culture and Creativity program, and Jozef Van Waeyenberge, Director of Europa Nostra Belgium, together with experts from the countries involved – Vera Erhan from Moldova, Zoryana Rybchynska from Ukraine, and Mikhal Anempadzistau from Belarus. Speakers highlighted the crucial role of local authorities for the protection of cultural heritage, since work with local communities makes the heritage understandable and accessible to people. Local authorities should therefore also play a major role in policy dialogue. In this sense, the project CHOICE became an example of community mobilization through cultural heritage, and its actions can be replicated in other countries.
Panel discussions were followed by the exhibition – handcraft from Armenia, ceramics from Moldova, photos and many other materials from Ukraine and Belarus, colourfully showcasing the results of project CHOICE.
Next year, 2018 will be the European Year of Cultural Heritage. “Our cultural heritage is more than the memory of our past; it is the key to our future. A European Year of Cultural Heritage will be an opportunity to raise awareness on the social and economic importance of cultural heritage and to promote European excellence in the sector” stated EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Tibor Navracsics. We believe that our project CHOICE anticipated this process and was it preparatory phase, and that it will further stimulate discussion and exchange.
All partners of CHOICE will continue working to support cultural heritage in the enlarged Europe. It was a long and enriching journey together, and we wish it will develop further joint initiatives!
EPD and the World Bank event ‘Governance, Development and Democracy’ - Antonella Valmorbida among the speakers
The diversity advantage: transfer of knowledge on migrants’ integration
Ten different local communities from wider Europe exchanged knowledge, experience, and good practice on migrants’ integration last 7 June in Venice, Italy, within the framework of the 3-day international activity “Reframing urban cohesion in European cities”, the second transnational step of the project URGENT.
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URGENT, Urban ReGeneration, European Network of Towns, is a 2-year project funded by the programme Europe for Citizens, that aims at improving social cohesion in local communities by promoting migrants’ integration through the development of urban policies fostering intercultural dialogue and the use of common spaces.
The event was an occasion to exchange creative solutions to bring positive change at the local level. Local authorities, civil society associations, academics, and ordinary citizens shared their expertise while acknowledging the need of acting through multi-stakeholder approaches in order to put into network resources and knowledge that already exist in all communities.
International and local stakeholders had an opportunity to deeply exchange in the framework of the public seminar held on 7 June. The opening session was moderated by Laura Fregolent, IUAV University of Venice, with the contributions of Véronique Daugent, Head of Culture Unit of UNESCO Regional Bureau for Sciences and Culture in Europe Luisella Pavan-Woolfe, Head of Office, Council of Europe Programme Office in Venice, Giuseppe Aiello, Representative of Veneto Region, and Aldo Xhani, ALDA European Citizenship programmes Coordinator, who stressed the need to work on the governance model as a fundamental element to successfully promote migrants‘ integration in our communities.
An interesting view on the migration issue from the other side of the world was given by Josefina Perez Espino, from RECFronteras, who joined the conference to bring in similarities and differences between the US-Mexico and European migration process. Under the moderation of Elena Ostanel, SSIIM UNESCO Chair of IUAV University of Venice, the second panel benefitted from the contributions of Marcello Balbo, Director of SSIIM UNESCO Chair, IUAV University of Venice, Lorna Muscat, Representative of SOS Malta and Chair of the Migration Path of LADDER project, and Francesca Lionetti, Representative of the Intercultural Cities Programme of the Council of Europe.
The last session, chaired by Giovanna Marconi, SSIIM UNESCO Chair from IUAV University of Venice, was dedicated to showcasing concrete local policies labelled as good practice. Natalia Maramotti, Councillor for Security, Culture of Legality, and Historic City of Reggio Emilia Municipality, Gianfranco Bonesso, Representative of Venice Municipality, Jean-François Maljean, Project Manager of the Municipality of Etterbeek (Belgium), and Alexander Van Leuven, Project Officer in charge of Positive Identity and Society Education from the Municipality of Mechelen (Belgium) presented key successful examples.
Link utili:
Read more about URGENT project
Video of interviews
Ten different local communities from wider Europe exchanged knowledge, experience, and good practice on migrants’ integration last 7 June in Venice, Italy, within the framework of the 3-day international activity “Reframing urban cohesion in European cities”, the second transnational step of the project URGENT.
***
URGENT, Urban ReGeneration, European Network of Towns, is a 2-year project funded by the programme Europe for Citizens, that aims at improving social cohesion in local communities by promoting migrants’ integration through the development of urban policies fostering intercultural dialogue and the use of common spaces.
The event was an occasion to exchange creative solutions to bring positive change at the local level. Local authorities, civil society associations, academics, and ordinary citizens shared their expertise while acknowledging the need of acting through multi-stakeholder approaches in order to put into network resources and knowledge that already exist in all communities.
International and local stakeholders had an opportunity to deeply exchange in the framework of the public seminar held on 7 June. The opening session was moderated by Laura Fregolent, IUAV University of Venice, with the contributions of Véronique Daugent, Head of Culture Unit of UNESCO Regional Bureau for Sciences and Culture in Europe Luisella Pavan-Woolfe, Head of Office, Council of Europe Programme Office in Venice, Giuseppe Aiello, Representative of Veneto Region, and Aldo Xhani, ALDA European Citizenship programmes Coordinator, who stressed the need to work on the governance model as a fundamental element to successfully promote migrants‘ integration in our communities.
An interesting view on the migration issue from the other side of the world was given by Josefina Perez Espino, from RECFronteras, who joined the conference to bring in similarities and differences between the US-Mexico and European migration process. Under the moderation of Elena Ostanel, SSIIM UNESCO Chair of IUAV University of Venice, the second panel benefitted from the contributions of Marcello Balbo, Director of SSIIM UNESCO Chair, IUAV University of Venice, Lorna Muscat, Representative of SOS Malta and Chair of the Migration Path of LADDER project, and Francesca Lionetti, Representative of the Intercultural Cities Programme of the Council of Europe.
The last session, chaired by Giovanna Marconi, SSIIM UNESCO Chair from IUAV University of Venice, was dedicated to showcasing concrete local policies labelled as good practice. Natalia Maramotti, Councillor for Security, Culture of Legality, and Historic City of Reggio Emilia Municipality, Gianfranco Bonesso, Representative of Venice Municipality, Jean-François Maljean, Project Manager of the Municipality of Etterbeek (Belgium), and Alexander Van Leuven, Project Officer in charge of Positive Identity and Society Education from the Municipality of Mechelen (Belgium) presented key successful examples.
Link utili:
Read more about URGENT project
Video of interviews
"Civil society involvement in local decision-making at the local level" event in Cimișlia
The event, which will take place on June 23rd 2017 in Cimișlia, is organised by the Agency of Local Democracy Moldova, in collaboration with the European Association for Local Democracy – ALDA and Nation Endowment for Democracy.
The event, which will take place on June 23rd 2017 in Cimișlia, is organised by the Agency of Local Democracy Moldova, in collaboration with the European Association for Local Democracy – ALDA and Nation Endowment for Democracy.
A whole city turning into theatre stage: Caravan Next at Holstebro Festuge
ALDA Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida new President of EPD
The Secretary General of ALDA, Antonella Valmorbida, was elected new President of EPD – European Partnership for Democracy. Since 2016, she has been sitting in the Board of Directors.
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The Annual General Meeting of European Partnership for Democracy – EPD took place in Brussels on 6 June. On the agenda were the election of the new Board of Directors of the organization, as well as several strategic choices for the upcoming years. The Secretary General of ALDA, Antonella Valmorbida, was elected new President of EPD. Since 2016, she has been sitting in the Board of Directors.
“I feel proud and honoured of the decision of the Board to elect me as President of EPD. Our Association represents the strongest community of practitioners in Europe with all the facets of democracy support, from local democracy to parliaments, from research to electoral support” said Mrs. Valmorbida.
“I see my role as a leader of EPD’s community mostly as an animator of all these experiences and programmes, to maximize the impact of our work supporting democracy. We need to make the difference and reaffirm, day after day, that democracy and Human rights are essential values of Europe, within our borders and beyond. Together with all the Board Members, I shall continue working on the important and fundamental path followed by our outgoing President, Hans Bruning (former Executive Director of NIMD) and of course, with the support of our Secretariat and the Executive Director, Ken Godfrey” she concluded.
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The European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) is a non-profit organisation supporting democracy worldwide. It comprises fourteen European civil and political society organisations from eleven EU Member States present in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.
Located at the heart of the EU district in Brussels, EPD has established itself as a key player on EU democracy support, both vis-à-vis the EU Institutions and the member states, as well as the wider democracy support community.
Useful resources:
The Secretary General of ALDA, Antonella Valmorbida, was elected new President of EPD – European Partnership for Democracy. Since 2016, she has been sitting in the Board of Directors.
***
The Annual General Meeting of European Partnership for Democracy – EPD took place in Brussels on 6 June. On the agenda were the election of the new Board of Directors of the organization, as well as several strategic choices for the upcoming years. The Secretary General of ALDA, Antonella Valmorbida, was elected new President of EPD. Since 2016, she has been sitting in the Board of Directors.
“I feel proud and honoured of the decision of the Board to elect me as President of EPD. Our Association represents the strongest community of practitioners in Europe with all the facets of democracy support, from local democracy to parliaments, from research to electoral support” said Mrs. Valmorbida.
“I see my role as a leader of EPD’s community mostly as an animator of all these experiences and programmes, to maximize the impact of our work supporting democracy. We need to make the difference and reaffirm, day after day, that democracy and Human rights are essential values of Europe, within our borders and beyond. Together with all the Board Members, I shall continue working on the important and fundamental path followed by our outgoing President, Hans Bruning (former Executive Director of NIMD) and of course, with the support of our Secretariat and the Executive Director, Ken Godfrey” she concluded.
***
The European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) is a non-profit organisation supporting democracy worldwide. It comprises fourteen European civil and political society organisations from eleven EU Member States present in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.
Located at the heart of the EU district in Brussels, EPD has established itself as a key player on EU democracy support, both vis-à-vis the EU Institutions and the member states, as well as the wider democracy support community.
Useful resources:
Open call for applications for local youth initiatives in Macedonia
European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA) Skopje invites formal and informal youth groups/ operating in the territory of municipality of Centar and Kavadarci to submit applications for local youth initiatives.
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European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA) Skopje invites formal and informal youth groups/ operating in the territory of municipality of Centar and Kavadarci to submit applications for local youth initiatives that will contribute to:
- Strengthened capacities of youth (informal groups and youth CSOs) for active citizenship and participation in the life of their communities, and particularly in cultural participation processes;
- Increased youth access to culture and usage of creative tools, especially youth with fewer opportunities;
- Increased focus of public authorities in local community on the needs of youth and establishment of greater multi-sectorial cooperation in fostering youth participation;
Informative sessions and online Q&A will be organized additionally. Check the fan-page of ALDA Skopje for additional information.
The deadline for applying is 5th July 2017.
European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA) Skopje invites formal and informal youth groups/ operating in the territory of municipality of Centar and Kavadarci to submit applications for local youth initiatives.
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European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA) Skopje invites formal and informal youth groups/ operating in the territory of municipality of Centar and Kavadarci to submit applications for local youth initiatives that will contribute to:
- Strengthened capacities of youth (informal groups and youth CSOs) for active citizenship and participation in the life of their communities, and particularly in cultural participation processes;
- Increased youth access to culture and usage of creative tools, especially youth with fewer opportunities;
- Increased focus of public authorities in local community on the needs of youth and establishment of greater multi-sectorial cooperation in fostering youth participation;
Informative sessions and online Q&A will be organized additionally. Check the fan-page of ALDA Skopje for additional information.
The deadline for applying is 5th July 2017.