CLIMART-D. Art for Democracy in Climate Action responds to the challenge of bridging civic participation and climate action, by promoting the creation and transnational circulation of contemporary artworks produced by young European artists exploring the question “Why do we need democracy for climate action?”. Through interdisciplinary artistic capsules, participants will use co-creation, dialogue, and mentorship to develop works that reflect democratic values such as inclusion, equality, and shared responsibility. These creations will be presented in interactive and participatory exhibitions that aim not only to showcase art, but also to open public dialogue and foster civic reflection through artistic experience.
Activities will take place in three partner countries (Germany, Italy, and Portugal), including workshops, training sessions, co-creation moments, and a series of physical and online exhibitions. The goal is to enhance the role of art as a tool for critical reflection and active participation on issues of environmental sustainability and social justice.
OBJECTIVES
To empower young European artists to collaboratively create interdisciplinary artworks.
To build artistic, democratic, and environmental literacy through training, mentorship, and structured reflection
To foster international mobility and dialogue through public participatory exhibitions and digital platforms.
To support inclusive artistic practices by integrating Deep Democracy methods and hybrid (online & offline) collaboration tools.
Republic of Moldova.Eight civil society organisations have been selected to receive grants under the European Union-funded INSPIRED Moldova project, marking a significant step towards strengthening local cooperation and promoting sustainable civic engagement across the country.
Following a competitive call for proposals, the selected organisations will translate knowledge and experience into concrete, community-driven actions, implementing innovative initiatives aimed at enhancing local development and fostering dialogue between civil society and public authorities.
With support coordinated by ALDA, these initiatives will contribute to strengthening mechanisms for public consultation and dialogue between civil society and local authorities. In doing so, they aim to promote more inclusive, transparent, and participatory policymaking processes, while increasing civic engagement, particularly among underrepresented groups.
A key component of the project is the exchange of European best practices. Through a series of international study visits in Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Czechia, and Italy, participating organisations will gain first-hand insights into innovative approaches to local governance.
These exchanges will facilitate the transfer of knowledge and support the alignment of local practices with European standards, fostering sustainable and effective governance models.
The selected organisations have been recognised for their strong commitment to promoting democratic values and applying European best practices at the local level. Their projects are expected to contribute to building more resilient communities, where citizens are actively involved in shaping public policies and local development processes.
INSPIRED Moldova, running from 2024 to 2027, aims to create a more enabling environment for civil society in the Republic of Moldova. By empowering civil society organisations to actively participate in political dialogue at local, national, and digital levels, the project supports the country’s broader democratic development and European integration path.
Building on the momentum of Moldova’s EU accession process, the initiative facilitates dialogue on the conditions necessary for a thriving civil society, as well as on the reforms linked to accession negotiations. Through targeted capacity-building, the project strengthens the role of CSOs as key actors in democratic governance, enabling them to act as catalysts for inclusive and participatory decision-making.
Particular attention is given to the involvement of underrepresented groups and women, ensuring that diverse voices are included in policy discussions. In this way, INSPIRED Moldova contributes not only to improving governance processes, but also to reinforcing democratic resilience and social cohesion.
By supporting civil society and supporting meaningful dialogue, INSPIRED Moldova plays a key role in advancing inclusive governance and accelerating the country’s path towards European integration.
Varna, Bulgaria – 26–27 March 2026. The city of Varna became a dynamic hub of multistakeholder dialogue, hosting an international and action-oriented event within the framework of the FOSTER project. The two-day meeting focused on how to transform urban spaces into greener, more inclusive environments that respond to the needs of all inhabitants.
Designed as a participatory and collaborative process, the event aimed to co-create concrete proposals for the transformation of urban areas into vibrant, accessible green spaces. Organised by the hosting partner UBBSLA, the initiative brought together project partners alongside local authorities, civil society representatives, and urban practitioners. Through a simulated multistakeholder roundtable, participants explored the specific urban challenges faced by Varna and jointly identified solutions to enhance the quality of life across its neighbourhoods.
This inclusive approach promoted meaningful dialogue between diverse actors, enabling participants to engage directly with different perspectives. The discussions went beyond problem identification, focusing on the development of practical and actionable recommendations for policies and practices. These contributions will feed into the city’s Green City Action Plan, supporting the long-term objectives outlined in Varna’s Green Urban Transition Plan 2030.
Within the broader framework of the FOSTER project, the Varna Local Path plays a key role in advancing governance approaches that can better anticipate and respond to climate-related challenges at the local level. Since the project’s launch in September 2024, partners have been working to strengthen capacities in strategic foresight while promoting inclusive, multistakeholder co-design processes.
In the case of Varna, this work builds upon a comprehensive needs assessment, which identified key priorities such as improving overall quality of life, expanding green infrastructure, and ensuring accessibility for all citizens.
At the same time, several structural challenges were highlighted, including high urban density, underutilised public spaces, and limited availability of green areas.
A particularly impactful moment of the event was the guided study visit across the city. This field-based activity allowed participants to experience firsthand the architectural and infrastructural barriers that limit mobility. These challenges affect not only persons with disabilities, but also elderly citizens, parents with strollers, and individuals facing temporary mobility constraints. By grounding discussions in real-life conditions, the visit underscored the importance of accessibility as a central component of urban sustainability.
Building on these observations, participants collaboratively developed proposals for immediate actions, practical interventions, and long-term policy measures aimed at improving accessibility and inclusiveness in Varna’s urban green spaces. The process highlighted how inclusive urban planning is essential to ensuring that environmental transitions benefit all members of society.
The event concluded with a dedicated session among project partners, focusing on the final phase of the FOSTER project. Following a plenary exchange on the outcomes of the Local Paths, participants engaged in a peer-learning session to share feedback, insights, and lessons learned across different contexts.
Looking ahead, partners initiated discussions on upcoming project milestones, including the online dissemination event scheduled for 9 June 2026 and the final conference, which will take place in Vienna on 17 September 2026. Both events will be organised by Foster Europe, with further details to be shared in the coming weeks.
By fostering collaboration, strategic foresight, and inclusive dialogue, the FOSTER project continues to support cities like Varna in shaping greener, more resilient, and accessible urban futures.
Strasbourg (France), 1 April 2026 – ALDA has signed a new Memorandum of Co-operation with the Secretariat of the Council of Europe, further consolidating its partnership with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, the political assembly that established ALDA in 1999 and today represents 130.000 local and regional authorities across all 46 member States.
The agreement renews the framework signed on 5 June 2002, marking a significant step in a long-standing relationship dedicated to strengthening local and regional democracy in Europe and beyond. Grounded in a shared commitment to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, the Memorandum sets out a common objective: to foster citizen participation, civic engagement, and responsible governance at the local and regional levels, ensuring that democratic principles are translated into tangible action.
“We think that the local level is the place where you live democracy in concrete terms. Through the activities of the Congress and ours, the local space is a place of resilience. We think this is where democracy as a slogan can be implemented, through a true and trustworthy dialogue with the public institutions.”
The Memorandum provides a structured framework for cooperation, including reciprocal participation in meetings, co-organisation of events, joint analytical work, coordinated fundraising initiatives, communication activities, and the exchange of expertise.
Through this renewed partnership, ALDA reaffirms its mission to advance participatory democracy across Europe and its neighbourhood, strengthening the role of local and regional authorities as essential actors in democratic life.
Strasbourg (France), 2 April 2026 – The LDA Kharkiv Partner Meeting brought together European and Ukrainian stakeholders in a hybrid format, marking a significant step forward in reinforcing decentralised cooperation and supporting Ukraine’s recovery. The meeting provided a strategic platform to consolidate partnerships, align priorities, and advance the operational development of the Local Democracy Agency (LDA) Kharkiv.
At a critical moment for Ukraine, the discussion reaffirmed the central role of decentralised cooperation in promoting and supporting resilience, strengthening local governance, and ensuring that recovery efforts are grounded in the needs of communities. Participants shared a common commitment to supporting the Kharkiv region through concrete, coordinated, and long-term actions.
A clear vision for LDA Kharkiv
A key highlight of the meeting was the formal introduction of Valentyna Smachylo as the newly appointed delegate of LDA Kharkiv. Presenting her strategic vision, she outlined a forward-looking and operational approach to positioning the LDA as a practical hub for local development and international cooperation.
Her vision places strong emphasis on supporting municipalities, civil society organisations, and local communities across the Kharkiv region through project development, capacity-building, and international partnerships. Key priorities include reinforcing participatory governance, enhancing community resilience, and supporting vulnerable groups affected by the war.
Importantly, she stressed the need to rapidly consolidate the LDA from an institutional perspective, ensuring it becomes fully operational and capable of engaging effectively with international partners.
The meeting was further enriched by the contribution of Tetiana Yehorova-Lutsenko, President of UAROR and Chair of the Kharkiv Regional Council, who reaffirmed the strong commitment of regional authorities to the LDA initiative. She highlighted both the challenges faced by the Kharkiv region and its remarkable resilience, underlining the importance of sustained cooperation with ALDA and international partners.
This perspective was echoed by Maksym Kolinko, representing the Kharkiv Regional Council, who confirmed the Council’s readiness to actively support all initiatives related to LDA Kharkiv, reinforcing the robust institutional backing behind the project.
Violeta Moskalu, President of PromoUkraine, contributed a valuable perspective on the importance of academic cooperation, youth exchanges, and university partnerships. She emphasised that these dimensions are essential for fostering long-term resilience and supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction beyond immediate recovery needs.
From coordination to action
The discussion also featured contributions from Marcello Raimondi and Luis Vanella, representing the European Action for Nonviolent Peace Movement (MEAN), who presented ongoing initiatives in support of Ukraine. Their work combines humanitarian assistance with peacebuilding actions, promoting nonviolent engagement and strengthening connections with local communities.
Across all interventions, a clear message emerged: the need to move swiftly from coordination to concrete action on the ground. In this context, LDA Kharkiv is expected to play a pivotal role not only as a platform for dialogue, but as an operational actor capable of delivering tangible support to communities.
Communication and visibility were also identified as key priorities, essential to building trust at the local level and expanding international partnerships.
ALDA expresses its sincere gratitude to all partners for their active participation and continued commitment. Special thanks are extended to the Grand Est Region for hosting the meeting in Strasbourg, and to Christian Debève, President of the International Relations Commission, for his valuable support and engagement.
With strong institutional backing, a committed network of partners, and a clear strategic direction, LDA Kharkiv is now entering a crucial phase of implementation. The shared objective remains clear: to deliver concrete, lasting impact for communities across the region and contribute to a more resilient, democratic, and cohesive Ukraine.
From 19 to 21 March 2026, the Circular Design Alliance (CiD) project—of which ALDA is a partner—organised the symposium “What Goes Around Comes Around” in Vilnius. The event took place at the National Gallery of Art and other venues across the city.
The event brought together a global network of architects, urban planners, researchers, and cultural practitioners to address the transition towards a circular built environment. By bringing critical discourse in urbanism and architecture into dialogue with artistic practice, the event approached circular design not only as a strategy of material reuse, but as a transformative framework for rethinking value, labour, energy, and continuity over time.
The conference explored practices that foreground time as a foundational concern of design, work with existing structures, cultivate regenerative approaches, and seek to repair relationships between architecture, territory, and society.
The first day opened with a workshop and discussion titled “How Continuous Education Can Enable Circular Construction”.During the session, participants reflected on the current challenges faced by circular design practitioners. Partners of the Circular Design Alliance (CiD) project presented the outcomes of the Continuous Education Programmes implemented over recent months.
These discussions enabled participants to exchange experiences, identify existing gaps in professional training, and explore how continuous education can better support architects, designers, and construction professionals in adopting circular practices. The session also emphasised the importance of strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange to accelerate the transition towards more sustainable and circular built environments.
On the second day, the conference continued at the National Gallery of Art with keynote presentations on circular architecture and urban transformation.
The session “Planning for Long-Term Transformation” explored how circular design principles can guide sustainable urban development and the future of the built environment. Speakers shared perspectives from architectural practice, urban governance, and spatial research, highlighting the need to integrate circular thinking into long-term planning processes. The discussion stressed the importance of designing adaptable buildings, promoting material reuse, and aligning architectural innovation with supportive urban policies
The second session, “Matters of Time,” further explored how temporal perspectives influence architectural design, building lifecycles, and material use. Through practical examples, speakers illustrated practical strategies such as building transformation, adaptive reuse, and material recovery. These approaches demonstrate how extending the lifespan of buildings and embedding flexibility into design can significantly reduce environmental impact while preserving cultural and material value.
In the closing keynote,“It’s About Time: The Architecture of Change,” Saskia Van Stein, Artistic and Managing Director of the International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam, reflected on the role of architecture in addressing contemporary environmental and societal challenges. She highlighted the need to move beyond short-term thinking and embrace systemic change in how buildings are designed, used, and transformed over time.
Alongside the conference, the National Gallery of Art hosted the exhibition “Invisible Labour” which will remain open until 19 of April 2026.
The symposium highlighted the growing momentum behind circular approaches in architecture and urban development, reaffirming the importance of collaboration, continuous education, and innovation in shaping more sustainable and resilient built environments.
In this context, the Circular Design Alliance (CiD) project exemplifies circular design in practice by fostering collaboration, continuous education, and knowledge exchange among architects, researchers, and cultural institutions. Initiatives such as this symposium demonstrate the project’s commitment to strengthening expertise and building the networks needed to advance circular practices across the built environment.
Period:
01/01/2026 - 31/12/2027
Countries involved:
Austria Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Croatia France Greece Italy North Macedonia
Bridging Beliefs brings together local authorities, religious associations, CSOs, and citizens from nine European countries to strengthen democratic participation and social cohesion through structured interfaith and interconvictional dialogue. At a time when religious intolerance and societal polarisation pose growing challenges across Europe, the project creates sustainable, inclusive spaces where faith-based perspectives can engage constructively with civic life and local governance. Through capacity-building, non-formal education, and transnational exchange of best practices, Bridging Beliefs equips religious communities and institutions alike with practical tools and methodologies to make interfaith and intercultural dialogue a meaningful and lasting part of democratic decision-making.Ultimately, the project envisions a replicable European model where religious and cultural diversity is embraced as a source of strength — contributing to more cohesive, peaceful, and democratic societies.
OBJECTIVES
Overall Objective: To foster peace education, democratic engagement and social inclusion by enhancing structured interreligious and interconvictional dialogue at the local and European levels.
Specific Objectives:
To increase the opportunities for representation and meaningful participation of religious and convictional communities in European societies.
To facilitate continuous, structured, and meaningful dialogue between religious communities and local authorities.
To raise public awareness and promote civic engagement on the value of interfaith dialogue, religious freedom, and pluralism as essential elements for social harmony.
Santa Croce del Sannio (Benevento), 22 marzo 2026 – Una mattinata di teatro e approfondimenti ha animato il borgo sannita in occasione della Giornata Mondiale dell’Acqua 2026, quest’anno dedicata al legame tra accesso alle risorse idriche e disuguaglianze di genere.
L’iniziativa “Giornata Mondiale dell’Acqua 2026: prospettive di genere dal Sannio”, promossa da Paese dell’Acqua APS in collaborazione con ALDA Italia APS, ha richiamato istituzioni, arte, cittadinanza, esperte ed esperti in un confronto che ha intrecciato dimensione locale e scenari globali.
La giornata è iniziata con la rappresentazione teatrale“Alla fontana. Piccola commedia d’acqua e di paese”, messa in scena presso la Fontana monumentale di Piazza Mercato dall’Associazione Giuseppe Maria Galanti APS. Un momento evocativo, capace di restituire il valore storico e sociale della raccolta dell’acqua, un tempo occasione privilegiata di incontro tra le donne.
A seguire, il Teatro Don Angelo Zeoli ha ospitato il convegno pubblico moderato dalla giornalista di LabTv Maresa Calzone. Dopo i saluti istituzionali del vicesindaco Andrea Sodano, il convegno ha preso il via con una serie di interventi che hanno approfondito il rapporto tra acqua e genere.
Georgia Tramacere, deputata al Parlamento europeo, ha offerto una lettura europea del tema, arricchita da esperienze concrete maturate a livello locale durante il suo incarico da vicesindaca ad Aradeo, nel Leccese. A seguire, Martina Rogato, consulente in sostenibilità e parità di genere, ha sottolineato come a livello globale le crisi idriche gravino soprattutto su donne e ragazze, impegnate nella raccolta dell’acqua, con ripercussioni su tempo, sicurezza e istruzione.
Di grande rilievo anche l’intervento di Libera Esposito, professoressa associata di geologia applicata all’Università degli Studi del Sannio, che ha proposto una lettura storica del rapporto tra donne e acqua, dalle leggende antiche alle scienziate e leader moderne. Carmine Finelli, vicepresidente dell’Associazione Paese dell’Acqua APS, ha poi spiegato come il diritto all’accesso all’acqua e ai servizi igienico-sanitari sia sancito a livello internazionale e risulti fondamentale per la parità di genere.
Momento significativo della giornata è stato l’annuncio ufficiale della prossima apertura del Centro di interpretazione delle acque dell’Alto Tammaro. Situato presso Palazzo Vitelli a Santa Croce del Sannio, il centro mira a valorizzare il patrimonio idrico del territorio, inserendosi nel più ampio progetto “Tracce”.
L’evento rientra nell’ambito del Progetto locale di rigenerazione culturale e sociale “Tracce”promosso dal Comune di Santa Croce del Sannio e dal Comune di Circello finanziato con la Misura PNRR M1C3 – Intervento 2.1 – Attrattività dei borghi storici. Un’iniziativa che conferma come anche piccoli centri come Santa Croce del Sannio possano inserirsi nel dibattito internazionale su risorse idriche e giustizia di genere.
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From September 2025 to March 2026, the project “Towards a Local Democracy Agency (LDA) Belarus in Exile” advanced a structured, multi-sited consultation process across Wrocław, Vilnius, and Kraków, culminating in Warsaw at the Strategic Foresight Conference for Belarus on 27–28 March. Co-organised within the framework of the Beehive Consortium, the conference marked a key moment in rethinking Belarus’s democratic trajectory in a context of prolonged political crisis, regional insecurity, and sustained civic displacement.
The two-day conference led by the Belarus Beehive 2.0 programme (funded by the European Commission) in cooperation with ALDA (supported by the German Marshall Fund), provided a high-level platform for Belarusian and international experts, policymakers, and civil society leaders to explore long-term scenarios for democratic transformation.
Exile as a structural reality, not a temporary condition
In the policy dialogue panel “Belarus in Transition: Civic Resilience, Integration, and Local Democracy – Challenges & Perspectives”, the Secretary General of ALDA stressed a fundamental shift in approach:
“Belarusian exile can no longer be treated as a temporary emergency, but as a structural reality requiring long-term democratic investment!”
Building on field consultations with Belarusian communities in Poland and Lithuania, the intervention underscored a clear message emerging from the project: the transition from emergency support to sustainable democratic infrastructure is now imperative.
European institutions already provide significant instruments to support civil society, including funding schemes and mobility mechanisms, however, the discussion highlighted a persistent gap – the local translation of these tools into accessible, participatory mechanisms at municipal level.
In this context, ALDA’s Local Democracy Agency model was presented as a practical bridge between institutions, municipalities, and civic actors. By connecting diaspora and exiled Belarusian communities with local authorities and transforming funding into participatory governance processes, LDAs aim to move beyond assistance frameworks towards active democratic co-production.
Working group: local governance in practice
The conference also included a dedicated working group addressing practical dimensions of participation and governance. In Working Group 1 on Sub-national Governance & Exile Engagement organised by ALDA, Belarusian participants engaged directly with municipal representatives from Gdańsk, Wrocław, and Kraków, as well as with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.
Polish local authorities expressed readiness to further develop engagement mechanisms with Belarusian communities, particularly in areas of civic participation and local integration frameworks. The exchange reinforced the importance of municipal-level cooperation as a cornerstone of effective inclusion policies.
Integration, participation, and the limits of current systems
Findings from six months of consultations with Belarusian communities under the “Towards a Local Democracy Agency (LDA) Belarus in Exile” project revealed a persistent structural gap between a strong willingness to integrate and institutional readiness to include.
administrative instability limiting long-term access to housing, banking, and planning;
underutilisation of skills due to unresolved diploma recognition issues;
information gaps regarding access to local participation mechanisms.
Beyond these structural issues, the consultations also highlighted growing risks of social isolation, emotional fatigue, and fragmented support structures within exile communities.
Drawing on ALDA’s experience coordinating a network of 19 Local Democracy Agencies, the only conclusion we can draw is that integration without participation is not sustainable.
Two priority pathways were identified to address this gap. First, the need for co-creation mechanisms between municipalities and Belarusian civil society actors in designing integration policies. Second, the establishment of structured civic spaces capable of enabling sustained participation in local governance processes.
The proposed Local Democracy Agency Belarus in Exile was presented during the Warsaw event as such a platform, serving simultaneously as a coordination mechanism, a capacity-building instrument, and a bridge towards future democratic governance in Belarus. As emphasised in the discussion, Belarusian communities in exile represent not only a group requiring support, but a strategic civic resource. Investing in their capacities is an investment in both the future democratic Belarus and the broader resilience of European democratic systems.
Building on the findings of the project “Towards a Local Democracy Agency Belarus in Exile”, which served as a preparatory phase for the establishment of the LDA Belarus in Exile initiative, ALDA will continue to work closely with interested Belarusian, Polish, and other international partners to advance the initiative and strengthen democratic practice for Belarusians at the local level.
The proposed Local Democracy Agency Belarus in Exile seeks to respond to this need by transforming fragmented initiatives into coordinated action, and by reframing exile from a condition of isolation into a space of preparation for democratic renewal.
In this sense, the Warsaw Strategic Foresight Conference for Belarus marked not only a moment of reflection, but also a step towards the gradual institutionalisation of a new model of engagement – one in which local democracy is both a lived practice in the present and a strategic horizon for a future democratic Belarus.
Period:
01/01/2026 - 31/12/2027
Countries involved:
Bosnia and Herzegovina Croatia Italy Kosovo* North Macedonia Portugal
FAIR GAME tackles women’s disengagement in sports by building a network of local authorities and associations to promote gender equality and access to sports. It addresses barriers like stereotypes, social norms, limited infrastructure, and unequal domestic work. Partners engage communities, provide training on gender mainstreaming, exchange best practices, and test pilot actions to boost female participation. Policy co-design with local stakeholders ensures long-term impact and lasting change.
On 26 March 2026, the University of Granada hosted the final conference of the HATEDEMICS project, with more than 100 delegates from all over Europe attending. They included NGO employees, fact-checkers, researchers, public officials, and young activists – people who deal with hate speech and disinformation on a daily basis on different levels and contexts, and they all brought the same questions and motivations.
The event officially marked the end of two years of EU-funded work carried out in six Member States of the EU – Italy, France, Poland, Malta, Spain, and Estonia. Two years of building structured frameworks to detect and analyse harmful content, developing AI-based tools to assess hate speech and disinformation risks, crafting human-validated counter-narratives, and designing training resources grounded in EU values – all of it tested in real contexts and with real communities.
Yet, for those in the room, “end” was perhaps the last word that came to mind. Online hate speech and disinformation are notabstract policy issues. On the contrary, they determine the results of elections, silence minorities, and radicalise young people, and they’re getting worse: AI-generated content is spreading faster than ever before, while fact-checking capabilities are diminishing in an online world in which two-thirds of the global population is now connected, two opposite trends evolving simultaneously.
HATEDEMICS has always been about getting tools and frameworks into the right hands, not just creating them
The programme moved between reflection, success stories, and hands-on experience. The day started with a keynote from the Council of Europe, followed by two panel discussions that brought the kind of honesty that rarely makes it into official reports – the first on how the Hatedemics journey went from research to action, the second one on how to build a safer digital public sphere. Participants then heard the presentation of the HATEDEMICS Platform, a tool suite that brings together the expertise of all project partners, followed by the impact stories shared by practitioners from across the consortium.
The afternoon took on a different energy, turning the day into an interactive and participatory workshop where people worked with the tools directly and thought collectively about how to adapt them to their own realities. After a presentation of the Educational Toolkit and its contents, the platform was then tested by the participants. The workshop was designed for both students and experts, so that it could reach and train a wider audience. But the most important moments were the ones in between – the side conversations, the practitioners from different countries realising they were facing the same challenges, the young activists who came in skeptical and left with something they could actually use.
HATEDEMICS has always been about getting tools and frameworks into the right hands, not just creating them and the handover took place during the conference. This project ended, but not the fight against hate speech and disinformation.
If you want to know more about all the work carried out, check out the project website, or follow us on social media!
Peja, Kosovo* – 25 March 2026. The city of Peja hosted the international conference of the EU-funded project #FairGame: Gender-equal Access to Movement and Exercise. Organised by the Municipality of Peja and LDA Kosovo, the event brought together local authorities, European partners, and sports professionals to address one of the most pressing challenges in sport today: women’s participation and equality.
Opening the conference, Xhenet Syka, Director of Culture, Youth and Sport at the Municipality of Peja, welcomed participants and outlined the objectives of the #FairGame project, focusing on removing barriers to women’s participation in sport while fostering European cooperation.
The first panel, “Local Challenges & Barriers to Women’s Participation in Sport”, highlighted cultural, social, and structural obstacles faced by women in Kosovo and beyond. Speakers included Ardita Bala, Executive Director of the Women Wellness Center / Safe House; Armenda Filipaj, founder of Women’s Football Club Prishtina, who presented the establishment of Peja’s first women’s football team; and Erina Berisha, a Kosovan basketball player. The discussion emphasised the role of local institutions and encouraged an interactive exchange with participants. It also marked the official announcement of the creation of the first women’s football club in Peja.
The second panel, “European Perspectives on Gender Equality in Sport: Policies, Practices and Cooperation”, broadened the discussion to the European level. Maurizio Camin, member of ALDA’s Governing Board, stressed that European values must evolve from coexistence to co-creation, highlighting resilience and community-building as key elements.
“It is time to change the modalities of co-existence… We need to rediscover the feminine point of view… In order to change the paradigm, we need to start from schools and include gender in education from a young age.”
Katica Janeva, Director of ALDA Balkans, emphasised the importance of dialogue and mutual learning:
“Openness and dialogue are essential. Projects supported through broader programmes create valuable opportunities to exchange practices, understand progress, and move forward together.”
Roberto Sani, City Councillor at the Municipality of Trento, underlined that the persistence of the gender gap in 2026 remains unacceptable, calling for stronger inspiration from younger generations.
The panel explored EU priorities under the CERV Programme, shared best practices from across Europe, and reinforced the importance of cross-border cooperation in advancing gender equality in sport.
In the afternoon, participants visited the National Judo Centre in Peja, celebrating the legacy of Olympic champion Majlinda Kelmendi. Her achievements continue to inspire women and girls in sport. Participants met with athletes and technical staff, gaining insight into how role models can reshape perceptions and create new opportunities.
By bringing together local and European perspectives, Peja positioned itself as a platform for dialogue on gender equality in sport. The conference combined policy discussion with cultural exchange, reinforcing the idea that sport is not only about competition but also about inclusion, inspiration, and shared values.
This event was organised within the framework of the project #FairGame: Gender-equal Access to Movement and Exercise.
On March 27, ALDA Winter School 2026 took place at Hotel Trettenero in Recoaro Terme, bringing together local administrators, legal experts, civil society activists, and water management professionals for an afternoon of free, open training on one of the most pressing challenges of our time: water as a common good.
Under the title “Acqua come bene comune: democrazia locale e partecipazione dei cittadini per la tutela delle risorse idriche”, the event explored how local communities can move from environmental awareness to concrete collective action in the governance of water resources. The session was held under the patronage of the Comune di Recoaro Terme, the Provincia di Vicenza, and the Unione Montana Pasubio Piccole Dolomiti.
From awareness to action: a multi-stakeholder dialogue
The heart of the afternoon was the panel “Dalla consapevolezza all’azione: comunità e governance dell’acqua”, which brought together three speakers with complementary perspectives: legal, civic, and operational, creating a rich and grounded dialogue between territories, experts, and local communities.
Claudia Marcolungo, environmental law scholar at the University of Padova, opened the discussion by addressing the legal and institutional framework around water rights. She highlighted the complexity of overlapping regulatory layers – international, national, and European – and the challenges this creates for effective protection. Recognising water as a human right, she argued, requires both legal courage and cultural openness: a right that belongs to people regardless of citizenship or institutional recognition, but one that is still difficult to enforce within formal legal systems. Marcolungo also stressed the structural rigidities that affect environmental governance in Italy, where competences are shared across multiple levels, the state, regions, provinces, municipalities, and technical bodies such as river basin authorities, often leading to fragmentation. When it comes to EU directives, the risk lies not just in transposition gaps, but in losing sight of key principles during implementation. What is needed is clarity, resources, and the political courage to act.
Anna Maria Panarotto, representative of the Mamme NO PFAS movement, brought a very powerful testimony. The movement was born from five mothers determined to understand the contamination of their land by PFAS, highly persistent chemical compounds, and to protect not only their own children, but entire communities. Their story is one of civic persistence: studying the science, keeping public attention alive, and refusing to accept filtered water as a substitute for accountability. Panarotto described the indifference they still encounter as the greatest obstacle, alongside the difficulty of reaching national ministries and industry bodies. Yet she was equally clear about what makes civic engagement meaningful: the willingness to engage in calm, mature, non-violent dialogue: “it happened, and we want it never to happen again”. Participation has a cost, she acknowledged, but so does silence.
Paolo Ronco, Head of Research and Innovation at Viacqua SpA, provided a concrete picture of the water situation in the Vicenza-Veneto area. Despite abundant rainfall, the region is experiencing near-chronic water stress: aquifer levels have dropped significantly over recent decades, soil impermeabilisation prevents groundwater recharge, and the area ranks among the world’s highest per-capita water consumers, particularly in food production. Ronco introduced the Svolta Blu initiative, a governance and financing model designed to mobilise non-public resources for water efficiency through a local credit system that connects producers and buyers of environmental credits at the Vicenza-Veneto scale. The message was clear: public funding alone is insufficient, and new models of shared governance are essential.
The session also featured a presentation by Debora Visentin from Viacqua SpA on the Contratto di Fiume Retrone, a voluntary strategic planning instrument that integrates multiple territorial plans across governance levels. By bringing together institutional actors, technical bodies, and third-sector stakeholders, the River Contract aims to rebuild what was described as a “hydraulic society”, a community that is aware of its water resources and collectively committed to caring for its territory.
What truly made a difference on this occasion was the encounter between different perspectives and the mutual enrichment this brought to all parties involved, a testament to how networking is the very foundation of local democracy and participation in the common good.
Looking ahead: the launch of ALDA Winter School 2027
The closing session of the day marked an exciting moment for ALDA’s training programme: the official launch of the ALDA Winter School 2027. The announcement confirmed the continuation of this formative series dedicated to local democracy and civic participation, a flagship initiative that sits at the intersection of ALDA’s work on green and sustainable territories and its broader mission of promoting active citizenship across Europe.
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On 4 March 2026, ALDA, in cooperation with the University of Novi Sad and At Clave, successfully organised the third citizen engagement workshop within the framework of the EU-funded FIC-FIGHTERS project. This initiative aims to improve the management of phosphogypsum (PG) stacks through sustainable waste management practices, promoting circular economy principles across Europe and beyond.
The event, entitled “Voices for Change: Exploring Solutions for the PG Stack in Prahovo”, marked another important step in strengthening participatory approaches and local democracy in environmental governance.
The Prahovo Case Study
The phosphogypsum stack in Prahovo, Serbia, represents one of the six case studies of the FIC-FIGHTERS project. Located along the banks of the Danube River, Prahovo is a small industrial town characterised by its proximity to a significant industrial complex.
The PG stack, situated near the river, raises several environmental concerns among local residents. These include potential water contamination, pollution of surrounding agricultural land, and airborne dust affecting air quality. Such challenges have a direct impact on both the ecosystem and the daily lives of the community.
The workshop gathered 15 local citizens, creating a safe and inclusive space for dialogue.
Participants were encouraged to share their experiences and perspectives on how the PG stack affects their territory, while also contributing to the co-creation of possible future scenarios.
The workshop demonstrated the essential role of citizen participation in shaping sustainable and inclusive environmental solutions. Through guided discussions and technical insights, participants engaged in a constructive exchange that combined local knowledge with expert input.
Several critical issues emerged during the discussions:
Environmental pollution affecting agricultural land, the waters of the Danube River, and air quality due to PG dust
Social and economic impacts on the local community and neighbouring areas
Insufficient monitoring and control of industrial activities by local authorities
Limited transparency and inadequate communication regarding the risks associated with the PG stack
These concerns underline the need for stronger governance mechanisms and improved communication between stakeholders.
Future Scenarios and Citizens’ Expectations
Participants expressed a shared vision for a healthier environment and a more sustainable future for their community. Key expectations included:
Enhanced citizen involvement in environmental decision-making processes
Revitalisation of affected areas through sustainable practices
Greater confidence in the potential reuse of phosphogypsum within a circular economy framework
The workshop highlighted a strong willingness among citizens to actively contribute to shaping local solutions.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Participants welcomed the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions on an issue directly impacting their lives. The high level of awareness and engagement demonstrated the importance of inclusive platforms for dialogue and knowledge exchange.
Looking ahead, the next workshop will take place in Kutina, Croatia, in May 2026, focusing on another phosphogypsum case study. With a comprehensive agenda of activities, the FIC-FIGHTERS project continues to strengthen local democracy and participatory processes.
ALDA remains committed to fostering citizen engagement and supporting communities in addressing environmental challenges through collaborative and sustainable approaches.
The 2026 ALDA General Assembly and Festival will take place on May 12, 13, and 14 in Malta, at MICAS (Malta International Contemporary Art Space), kindly hosted by the Local Councils’ Association.
This year’s theme, Local Democracy that Delivers, is an invitation to take stock of what already exists and what is needed to further strengthen local participation and its impact on every citizen’s life.
On the one side, the General Assembly is a central moment in ALDA’s associative life: a key opportunity for democratic deliberation, collective guidance, and the definition of the Association’s strategic priorities.
Held in parallel sessions, the Festival will bring together civil society organisations, local authorities, institutional partners and stakeholders committed to strengthening democratic systems at the local level. The programme spans three days of in-depth sessions and exchanges across the thematic hubs at the heart of ALDA’s work, such as Migration, Environment, and Youth, alongside a Study Visit and the launch of the Centre of Expertise, ALDA’s new platform for building a connected and informed network of stakeholders. The full programme will be available very soon.
Registration is now open!
Use this link to register for the General Assembly and this link to register for the Festival sessions.
EUDEM addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing democracy across the European Union, including democratic backsliding, growing social polarisation, declining trust in institutions, and youth disenchantment with political processes. Across several Member States, civic space is shrinking while citizens increasingly feel disconnected from decision-making mechanisms that directly affect their lives.
The project responds to the need for stronger democratic resilience by creating participatory spaces where citizens, civil society organisations, community leaders, and policymakers can engage in open and structured dialogue. By combining in-situ national events with European-wide online actions, EUDEM bridges local experiences with transnational reflection, fostering mutual learning and cross-border cooperation.
To tackle these challenges, EUDEM develops inclusive participatory methodologies, capacity-building sessions, and innovative digital tools — including an AI-supported survey instrument — to broaden engagement and ensure diverse voices are heard. Through facilitated dialogue, sensemaking processes, and harvest events, the project distils collective insights into practical recommendations, contributing to a more resilient, inclusive, and responsive European democracy.
OBJECTIVES
The primary goal of EUDEM is to strengthen democratic resilience across Europe by fostering inclusive participation, cross-sector collaboration, and structured dialogue between citizens, civil society organisations, and policymakers.
Identify and address challenges related to democratic backsliding, social polarisation, declining trust in institutions, and youth disengagement from democratic processes.
Create participatory spaces at local and European levels that enable meaningful civic engagement and encourage active citizenship across diverse communities.
Develop and implement innovative deliberative methodologies and digital tools, including AI-supported survey instruments, to broaden participation and ensure more inclusive democratic processes.
Build capacity among citizens, community leaders, and civil society actors by equipping them with practical skills for participatory democracy and policy engagement.
Facilitate transnational exchange and mutual learning among partners to compare democratic contexts, share practices, and co-create forward-looking recommendations for EU democratic governance.
Generate evidence-based insights through sensemaking and harvest events, contributing to innovative policymaking and a more resilient and responsive European Union.
On 17 March 2026, Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Secretary General, participated in the thirtieth anniversary of the establishment of the Executive Secretariat of the Central European Initiative (CEI), held in Trieste (Italy). The event marked a significant milestone, celebrating three decades of regional cooperation among the 17 CEI Member States under the motto “Turning Policy into Action” and highlighting CEI’s sustained commitment to fostering dialogue, cohesion, and stability across Central Europe.
During the anniversary, ALDA extended its congratulations to CEI, recognising its fundamental role in promoting regional cooperation, stability, and inclusion. The celebration also emphasised the strong alignment between the two organisations in terms of mission, values, and long-term objectives, reflecting a well-established partnership built on mutual trust and a shared vision for a more democratic and cohesive Europe. This collaboration is already visible in concrete joint initiatives, including the upcoming Local Democracy School in Skopje (North Macedonia), which aims to enhance capacity-building and support sustainable local impact.
The event offered an excellent opportunity to strengthen institutional relations. ALDA engaged with several key representatives, including Mrs. Jessica Acquavita, Vice President of the Region of Istria, highlighting the importance of cross-border dialogue and regional partnerships in advancing democratic governance.
Looking ahead, ALDA reaffirmed its commitment to deepening cooperation across Central Europe and promoting shared democratic values. The partnership with CEI continues to demonstrate the value of local-level collaboration in generating sustainable impact, enhancing participation, resilience, and inclusive development. With new initiatives on the horizon, ALDA remains dedicated to advancing joint efforts toward a more cohesive, democratic, and engaged European space.
ALDA warmly congratulates the Central European Initiative on its 30th anniversary and looks forward to many more years of fruitful cooperation and shared achievements.
Between 24 and 26 February 2026, Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA, conducted an institutional mission to Ukraine, reaffirming the organisation’s long-term commitment to strengthening local democracy and supporting the country’s recovery as well as discussing the strategy for 2026.
Taking place on the fourth anniversary of the brutal full-scale Russian invasion, the mission carried strong symbolic and political significance. It underscored the importance of sustained international engagement and reinforced ALDA’s role as a structured and reliable actor in Ukraine’s democratic resilience. The visit aimed to consolidate existing cooperation frameworks, advance the strategic development of Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs), and ensure coherence and continuity across ongoing and future initiatives.
Throughout the mission, ALDA engaged with institutional representatives and civil society actors to align priorities for 2026 and gather operational insights to inform implementation.
The positive feedback received in Rivne, confirmed the relevance of ALDA’s approach and the added value of its locally rooted yet internationally connected model.
The first day focused on Kyiv’s institutional and civil society landscape. Discussions with U-LEAD with Europe confirmed the continuation of cooperation and explored strategic synergies. A working session with NGOs and international partners further strengthened coordination efforts. Exchanges with representatives from Ternopil highlighted ongoing civil society mobilisation, while discussions regarding Slavutych advanced the structured exploration of a potential LDA. Representatives of MEAN also confirmed their readiness to contribute to LDA Kharkiv and in other cities of Ukraine where they are also operational.
Meetings with the All-Ukrainian Association and the Ukrainian Association of District and Regional Councils (UAROR) expanded reflections on the geographical scope of future LDA development, including eastern regions and potential engagement in other cities (in particular in front regions) and regions. A dedicated exchange with the Independent Civic Network of Press Clubs of Ukraine (Ukrainian Press Club Association) shed light on the challenges faced by local journalists, reaffirming the importance of protecting independent media as a pillar of democratic resilience.
On the second day, institutional dialogue continued in Kyiv. Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, Oleksii Riabykin, expressed clear interest in supporting ALDA’s initiatives. Meetings with the Italian and French Ambassadors reaffirmed both countries’ structured commitment to Ukraine’s recovery and the interest in working with ALDA and its members.
Operational discussions with LDA delegates advanced recruitment and training plans, with upcoming capacity-building activities focusing on advocacy, partnership governance and project management. Exchanges with Team4EU identified potential complementarities in areas such as support to internally displaced persons and energy resilience.
The final day was dedicated to Rivne, where ALDA assessed local priorities and the strategic conditions for establishing a new LDA. The Regional Council presented its development focus on social services and key economic sectors, including wood and textiles. The discussions confirmed a strong alignment between local priorities and ALDA’s methodology. Preparatory steps now include the development of an action plan and detailed project fiche for LDA Rivne, alongside structured engagement with European municipalities.
The mission reaffirmed ALDA’s role as a committed and strategic partner in Ukraine, strengthening structured local engagement and contributing to the country’s democratic resilience and long-term reconstruction through sustained, coordinated and values-based action.
