For over two decades, ALDA has been working to promote citizen participation and good local governance in Europe and beyond. Rooted in the conviction that democracy is best strengthened through dialogue and proximity, ALDA has developed a network of partnerships that span continents and contexts—from post-conflict reconstruction to civic innovation in fragile or repressive environments.

This handbook gathers stories from some of those contexts. From the wartime cities of Ukraine to youth-led initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa, from Eastern Partnership countries navigating democratic pressure, to European institutions supporting solidarity across borders—each contribution reflects a specific moment where democratic values were not only defended, but put into practice.