Speech of Mrs Antonella Valmorbida, Co- Chair of the Steering Committee of Civil Society Forum for Eastern Partnership and Director of the Association of the Local Democracy Agencies at the first session of the CORLEAP conference in Poznan, on 8th September 2011

Dear President Bresso,
Dear Commissioner Fule,
Distinguished participants from Eastern Partnership Countries and from the EU
I would like to thank you on behalf of all my colleagues to have invited the Civil Society Forum for Eastern Partnership to be permanent observer of the just born CORLEAP. I will today take the floor as Co- chair of the Steering Committee of the Forum and Director of the Association of the Local Democracy Agencies. Together with me is. Mr. George Toklikishvili, from The Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia, who is leading the Sub Group on Administrative Reform of the WG 1 of the CSF for Eastern Partnership. The Sub group produced the document (please download here), which is included in your folders today. I seize opportunity to wish to this initiative all possible success, because that would mean that also for us, CSF, we would achieve part of our objectives.
The Civil Society Forum for Eastern Partnership – gathering 250 NGOs – was established in 2009 with the aim to involve civil society from Partnership Countries and from the EU in the Eastern Partnership. Our role is to make the Civil Society voice heard but and to produce a change for democracy and good governance in Partnership countries. Despite some – expected – difficulties, the very high commitments and the strength of the NGOs involved, through Working Groups and National Platforms, are now brining results and we prove to BE PRESENT, with a coordinated action in participation, definition of policies, monitoring and implementation.
Let me report now the main elements of the Paper presented to you today.
The CSF welcomes the inclusion of local and regional authorities in the implementation of Eastern Partnership. This initiative will enhance dialogue between all stakeholders participating in the reforms in the countries ensuring that more consistent and consensus-based steps are taken.
Development of the local democracy is both fundamental and difficult for the EaP Countries. The legacy from the past and elements of centralised governance remain dominant. Certainly, traditions of self-government exacerbate the problem, and the lack of public discussions hinders better understanding of the principles of self-governance in wider society.
Which are some of the Challenges and Needs

1. The administrative reforms at regional level are not on the policy agenda in most of the EaP countries and they do not have a strategy for the development of local self-government
2. despite the ratification of the European Charter on Local Self Government, the provisions are – even more the practice – often inconsistent with the Charter
3. in several countries, local executive authorities are not accountable to the elected councils
4. there is an evident issue as for the discrepancy between the competences and the resources of the local governments and a low independence of the local budget from the national level.
5. Underdeveloped property basis of self-government is also a matter o concern
6. Citizens’ participation at the local level, even if mentioned in the legal provisions, is rarely “effective” and “real”.
7. Qualification and continuity in civil servants service remain problematic
8. Often transborder cooperation has only a declarative character
9. in many countries, the actual power is concentrated in the hands of the executive branch which is mainly accountable to national countries
10. The lack of democratic participation and centralised decision making hinder efficient and transparent allocation of resources
11. The regional and local self-governments present overlapping competencies, with a consequent overspending of resources

Taking into consideration the recent study findings on the needs of public administration reform in EaP countries, conducted by the PAR subgroup the CSF considers it necessary to evoke recommendations delivered to the various stakeholders in 2009-2010 and present the following points

A) To the Committee of Regions:
Basically, to keep high the topics of the real existence and functioning of local and regional authorities in the agenda of the Eastern Partnership. and to make sure they are included among the criteria of conditionality to progress on the Partnership
To call for clear delineation of functions among various government levels and their provision with adequate resources as required by the principle of subsidiarity;
To ensure monitoring of the implementation of the relevant legislation of member countries through close cooperation with the Council of Europe and in particular the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in accordance with principles and in the spirit of the European Charter; To encourage the self-governing units to join Innovations and Good Governance Strategy of the Council of Europe .

As for the CoR versus Civil Society:

• To ensure strong political support in the issues of decentralisation and the involvement of civil society in the process;
• To encourage launching of common projects for good local administration and active local citizens in support of CSF and its participant organisations;
• To consider civil society as one of its main partner in consultations while developing policy and opinions;
• To ensure the involvement of civil society organisations as constant CSF observers (and financial support of their participation) at CIVEX commission meetings;

AND :

• To call on Belarus to join the European Charter of Local Self-Government;
• To call on Azerbaijan to grant the status of municipality to the capital city of Baku

B) To Local Governments:

• To be actively engaged in the implementation of Eastern Partnership;
• To take active part in the implementation of public administration reforms going on in their respective countries at local and regional levels;
• To strengthen cooperation with civil organisations in order to ensure implementation of citizen-oriented policies and enhance their independence from national government;
• To join Innovations and Good Governance Strategy of the Council of Europe and the introduction of its principles;

Mrs Bresso, we are certainly – already from now – accepting the active cooperation that you earlier proposed to establish with the Civil Society Forum . We are also working hard to bring an added value in the objectives of the Eastern Partnership rather NOW than in a too long term perspective . Our experience says that it possible to have an immediate impact on the life of citizens through a joint action with local governments, which could be less entangled in national political dynamics and closer to the day to day needs of people.
Let me add another hint after hearing your contribution this morning. You correctly quote the important role of the CoR and the Congress of the Council of Europe as observers of the Local and Regional elections. Would it be possible to think that our role of observers in the Corleap could be extended to participate as well in these observatory missions, as CSF representatives ? Our view certainly would add to the understanding of the situation.
You also referred to the contribution of President Barroso in the Wihite Book on multilevel governance. Let’s remind us all as well that the multilevel governance – which is certainly a modern answer to many of the political, social, economic and environmental issues of these years – can only exist with a vivid, complex and strong civil society.

Thank you for your attention,
Antonella Valmorbida

Co- Chair of the Steering Committee of Civil Society Forum for Eastern Partnership
Director of the Association of the Local Democracy Agencies

Macedonian and French stakeholders will meet in Ohrid from 12 to 15 September in order to discuss the programme for decentralised cooperation between the Region Lower Normandy and Republic of North Macedonia. This annual meeting will be an opportunity for all participants to share their results and experiences regarding the year four of the cooperation and also to share their ideas about future activities.
During these three working days, the stakeholders and experts in different areas will analyse all activities per each component in order to identify the opportunities and challenges for the year 2012. Partners will state their experiences and give new ideas to enter in the fourth year of cooperation that will be more dynamic and progressive.
Stakeholders will also debate on the priorities of the cooperation such as: regional development and support for the municipal capacities, networking with other Balkan countries, but also, inclusion of minorities in the activities in order to encourage equality and promote the protection of human rights.
The Director of European Affairs and International Relations of the Lower Normandy Region, Mr. Alexandre FOLLOT, and the Head of Cultural Department and Cooperation of the Embassy of France in Macedonia, Mr. Jean-Yves LAVOIR, will open this Steering Committee and share their impressions with the participants.
The Programme for decentralised cooperation between the Region Lower Normandy and Republic of North Macedonia is coordinated by the Association of Local Democracy Agencies (ALDA).

The Coalition of Youth Organizations SEGA in cooperation with House of Europe of Caen (France), in Strumica organised a seminar on “European priorities and local youth needs in the youth field” on August 19 and 20.
In this seminar the European youth priorities, national youth research needs in North Macedonia implemented by the Coalition SEGA, EU documents related to youth and European programs for funding youth projects were presented.
At the seminar representatives of the municipalities that had previously adopted local youth strategies (Project of SEGA): Tetovo, Prilep, Stip, Veles, Kavadarci, Strumica, Kisela Voda, Ilinden, representatives from the Agency for Youth and Sport, Councils of youth from Stip, Kavadarci, Strumica, Vardar planning region and representatives from Lower Normandy – France participated.
“At the seminar, participants shown great interest and they identified youth problems, and gave possible proposals for youth projects that can be financed by the European Programme for Youth (Youth in action).” – said the executive director of SEGA, Zoran Ilieski.
The seminar contributed towards good cooperation between the participants in exchanging experiences and acquiring knowledge in the European priorities in the youth field and the need of the developing youth policies.
This activity of the Coalition SEGA is part of the action “Youth, Education, Local and European citizenship” under the “Project for decentralised cooperation between North Macedonia and the region of Lower Normandy – France”, managed by the Association for Local Democracy Agencies (ALDA) and implemented by the Coalition of youth organisations SEGA and the House of Europe of Caen – France. The project is coordinated by the Association of local democracy agencies (ALDA). For further information please consult the webpage of the Cooperation http://crbn-mk.courriers.info/

The National Association of Towns and Regions of Art and History and tows with protected areas in cooperation with the Regional Council of Lower-Normandy, will organise a regional conference in order to discuss the tools for protection and development of the heritage on September 6 in Caen.

The conference aims to propose inventory policies for the urban heritage management in France (and Macedonia) and provide tools for practical working. Participants will also discuss the implementation of protected areas and governance, and the associated legal and financial leverage.
The participants will stimulate more ideas and useful insights on the transformation of zones, towns and regions with protected areas. Macedonian delegation from the Association of historical and artistic cities of the Republic of Macedonia will be present at this meeting and give insights on the matter.

This interregional “Training-Reflection” day, organised as a part of the component 3 (Inventory of Cultural Heritage), within the Project for Decentralised Cooperation between Lower Normandy and Macedonia, will gather elected officials and technicians of local regions of Lower Normandy, Upper Normandy, Center, Bretagne and Pays de Loire.
The project is coordinated by the Association of Local Democracy Agencies (ALDA). For further information please consult the webpage of the Cooperation http://crbn-mk.courriers.info

A position paper on needs of Public Administration Reform al local and regional level en EaP Countries has been approved by the PA subgroup of the Working Group 1 of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum.
The document will be presented at the occasion of the first session of the CORLEAP, the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities of the Eastern Partnership and the EU, organised by the CoR, Committee of the Region of the European Union that will take place in Poznań (Adam Mickiewicz University Grand Hall – 8th of September 2011).
“The CSF –is written in the Position Paper- welcomes the inclusion of local and regional authorities in the implementation of Eastern Partnership and the establishment of annual conference (CORLEAP) with this
aim. This initiative will enhance dialogue between all stakeholders participating in the reforms in the countries ensuring that more consistent and consensus-based steps are taken”.
The document analyses challenges and needs for Local self‐government Reforms and for carrying out administrative reforms on regional level, and concludes with an appeals to the Committee of Region and to Local Governments.
The CORLEAP, an annual conference organised by the CoR, and chaired by its president, would provide an input to the work of the CoR in the field of Eastern Partnership, including the CoR’s contribution to the EaP Platforms. It could gather 36 regional/local representatives (18 of which represent local and regional authorities from the Partner Countries, and 18 the CoR).

Download the CORLEAP meeting programme here

UniCredit Foundation, in collaboration with the European Network of Civil Society Leaders Euclid Network and Project Ahead has launched an international competition entitled “Social Innovation for Naples”, targeting social innovators from across the world with the aim of offering innovative solutions to six problems encountered in the city of Naples.
The competition is open until 10 August 2011. For further information visit the webpage: http://www.euclidnetwork.eu/pages/en/european-social-innovation-for-naples-2011-.html

ALDA invites the LDAs and its member to participate to this very interesting challenge of innovative ideas on good local government.
The six challenges are:
1) Turning a confiscated villa into a financially sustainable Social Business – together with “Libera”
2) Making an abandoned Roman bath accessible and sustainable – together with GAN, Gruppo Archeologico Napoletano
3) Creating a sustainable business plan for a volunteering organisation – together with Associazione Gioco, Immagini e Parole
4) Creating a sustainable business model for a non profit organisation that works with school dropouts – together with Maestri di Strada
5) Creating an innovative new method for inclusion of the young Roma population – together with Caritas Naples
6) Creating an innovative new method for recycling textiles sustainably – together with Ambiente Solidale

For each of these fields of intervention, an international panel of judges will select a winner who will receive a grant of €10,000 from UniCredit Foundation, and who, together with the local non profit organisation, will turn the idea into a concrete programme, drawing up an executive project and a business plan.
The second phase of the initiative will consist of the assessment and possible implementation of the most effective projects.

Young participants from Croatia, France, Italy, Malta, the Republic of North Macedonia and Romania took part in the summer school “Get involved. Participate for Europe and your Town”. After presentations, workshops and visits to different institutions, they left Strasbourg for their hometowns on Saturday – spreading the message of European cooperation to their communities.

The summer school was part of ALDA’s project INTACT. It familiarised the participants with the concepts of youth involvement and democracy on local and European level. Moreover, it also gave them the opportunity to learn about project management and creating youth participation projects themselves.Participants were actively involved in activities and discussions and it was their contribution that made the event a success.
Activities included presentations given by representatives of the Municipality of Strasbourg, the Council of Europe and the Director of the Association of Local Democracy Agencies. Working groups on European values and democratic principles were organised. The summer school was an important occasion to deepen these topics and share opinions.Although each participant expressed his or her own ideas, there was a common feeling about the most important values for the whole group. This agreement on basic principles can be considered a first achievement of building European identity.

A simulation of European Parliament work was also organised to make participants more familiar with EU institutions and to put into practice the knowledge gained in the workshop on EU institutions.
To top the programme off, two visits were organised. The first one led the participants to the European Parliament, where the MEP Rainer Wieland received them warmly. They then and one at the Council of Europe where François Friederich held a lesson about democratic principles and a presentation of the role that the Council has in this field.
The Summer School concluded with a workshop about Project Management.This was a useful opportunity for participants to learn how create their own projects. They also developed ideas about how to improve active citizenship and encourage young people to become more active both locally and at EU level.
The project INTACT is co-funded by the European Commission in the framework of the “Europe for Citizens” programme. ALDA wishes to thank the Municipality of Strasbourg and the Crédit Mutuel for their generous support.

On July 13 and 14 a preparatory partner meeting for LDA Armenia took place in Yerevan to discuss the establishment of an LDA in Armenia. The participants in the meeting were among others Region Rhône Alpes, Regional Administration of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Union of Communities of Armenia, Urban Foundation for sustainable development and CISP Italy. Furthermore Mr. Nersisyan mayor of Ijevan, Mr. Manukyan, Vice Mayor of Gyumri, Ministry of Territorial Administration in Armenia, Counterpart International and GIZ also participated in the meeting.
The future partners of the LDA decided that LDA Armenia will be hosted by Gyumri municipality with a satellite office in Ijevan. Gyumri is the second largest city in Armenia and was selected since it will provide a good basis to allow the LDA to work on a national level. Furthermore the vibrant civil society in Gyumri and the possibilities to improve the situation for cooperation between civil society and local authorities were stressed as important factors. In addition to this, Gyumri is also linked with Kutaisi which provides a strong basis for developing the cooperation with Kutaisi city and LDA Georgia, which is located in Kutaisi.

The LDA will work to improve local democracy and involvement of citizens and NGOs in the work of local authorities. It is important to ensure that the LDA is independent of the local authorities in Gyumri and to ensure that it can work on a national level. The LDA will aim to serve as a bridge between Europe and Armenia and will bring Armenian practice to Europe and European experience to Armenia – and at the same time operate as a link between Local Authorities and NGOs in Armenia. Finally the LDA will also work to ensure cross border cooperation in South Caucasus and will work to promote peace and understanding in the South Caucasus region.
The meeting confirmed Region Rhône Alpes as lead partner for the LDA, while Regional Administration of Friuli Venezia Giulia, CISP Italy, Union of Communities of Armenia, Ijevan and Gyumri will be partners of the LDA. There will be a further process during the coming months to involve more international partners and to select national and local Armenian NGOs to be partners of the LDA.

The partners at the meeting confirmed October 27 as the official day for the opening ceremony of LDA Armenia in Gyumri and will work to initiate the selection of a delegate and registration of the LDA as a Foundation before that date.
The LDA will be located in the right wing of the building (see photo) which hosts other public associations and NGOs in Gyumri.

For further information please contact peter.sondergaard@aldaintranet.org
Background document on the LDA in Armenia here.

The first Steering Group Meeting of the Project Civil Society in Action for Partnership and Dialogue was held in Mostar on 5th July and hosted by the partner organisation Local Democracy Agency Mostar. Introductory information on the project background and preparatory phase was prepared by Stanka Parac, ALDA Southeast Regional Programme Coordinator, DzenanaDedic Delegate of LDA Mostar and MajaVejzovic, LDA Mostar Project Coordinator.

Eight NGO – partner organisations included from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia were present to discuss the activity plan proposed, the contents of the local awareness raising actions, the capacity building programme envisaged in the year one and to design the thematic framework of the opening conference scheduled for the beginning of October in Tuzla considering the recent developments and surveys conducted as regards the municipal co-operation agreements with civil society organisations. The conference coordinated by the partner organisation Citizens’ Forum Tuzla will serve as the launch event of the two year project aiming to reinforce the role of civil society organisations in building partnerships with public sector with particular focus on the areas of local development strategies, antidiscrimination policies, gender equality, youth and environment protection. Further to this, the conference will help determine the modality and methods of local awareness raising actions and CSO-s capacity building in support to increased citizen participation at local level which will be organised in cities of Tuzla, Zavidovici and Prijedor during the first year of the project.
In order to achieve the objectives set with particular regard to strengthening the issue based networking at local level, it was decided to establish two working groups which will become operational after the launching conference for CSO and LA capacity building and for monitoring the adoption/implementation of the municipal co-operation agreements whose members will be proposed/recruited by the partner organisations.
Partners in the action also agreed on establishing the communication procedures and close collaboration in information dissemination through existing CSO networks. Necessary administrative decisions were adopted in order to fulfil the requirements of the contracting procedures of the action taking place in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During the next four weeks, the project first visibility and promotion products will be designed (logo and leaflet) and the preparatory activities for the launching conference in Tuzla initiated.
Partners in the project with substantial expertise in CSO networking and promoting citizen participation: LDA Mostar, LDA Zavidovici, Citizens’ Forum Tuzla, DON Prijedor, Democratic Centre Bihac, Centre for local development Breza, LDA Osijek and LDA Subotica.

President of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, is the new Vicepresident of ALDA.
The long lasting member of ALDA was elected by the Assembly of ALDA members, that took place in Bydgoszcz (9th of July).
Mr. Renzo Tondo (President of the Region) is represented by Alessandro Perelli in the Assembly and in the Governing Board of ALDA.

The Friuli Venezia Giulia Region is lead partner of the LDA of Niksic in Montenegro and partner of the LDA of Verteneglio-Brtonigla, in Croatia (Istria Region).
This election was proposed by the Governing Board for the involvement of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region in ALDA and in all its programmes, projects and objectives.
The representative of Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, will be vicepresident until the next General Assembly of ALDA that will be probably held in that Region in 2012.

On July 13 and 14 a preparatory partner meeting for LDA Armenia took place in Yerevan to discuss the establishment of an LDA in Armenia. The participants in the meeting were among others Region Rhône Alpes, Regional Administration of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Union of Communities of Armenia, Urban Foundation for sustainable development and CISP Italy. Furthermore Mr. Nersisyan mayor of Ijevan, Mr. Manukyan, Vice Mayor of Gyumri, Ministry of Territorial Administration in Armenia, Counterpart International and GIZ also participated in the meeting.
The future partners of the LDA decided that LDA Armenia will be hosted by Gyumri municipality with a satellite office in Ijevan. Gyumri is the second largest city in Armenia and was selected since it will provide a good basis to allow the LDA to work on a national level. Furthermore the vibrant civil society in Gyumri and the possibilities to improve the situation for cooperation between civil society and local authorities were stressed as important factors. In addition to this, Gyumri is also linked with Kutaisi which provides a strong basis for developing the cooperation with Kutaisi city and LDA Georgia, which is located in Kutaisi.
The LDA will work to improve local democracy and involvement of citizens and NGOs in the work of local authorities. It is important to ensure that the LDA is independent of the local authorities in Gyumri and to ensure that it can work on a national level. The LDA will aim to serve as a bridge between Europe and Armenia and will bring Armenian practice to Europe and European experience to Armenia – and at the same time operate as a link between Local Authorities and NGOs in Armenia. Finally the LDA will also work to ensure cross border cooperation in South Caucasus and will work to promote peace and understanding in the South Caucasus region.
The meeting confirmed Region Rhône Alpes as lead partner for the LDA, while Regional Administration of Friuli Venezia Giulia, CISP Italy, Union of Communities of Armenia, Ijevan and Gyumri will be partners of the LDA. There will be a further process during the coming months to involve more international partners and to select national and local Armenian NGOs to be partners of the LDA.
The partners at the meeting confirmed October 27 as the official day for the opening ceremony of LDA Armenia in Gyumri and will work to initiate the selection of a delegate and registration of the LDA as a Foundation before that date.
The LDA will be located in the right wing of the building (see photo) which hosts other public associations and NGOs in Gyumri.

ALDA General Assembly 2011 took place in Bydgoszcz (9th July 2011), the day after the important International Conference on “Volunteering for Democracy”.
ALDA members approved all the documents presented at the end of a challenging year for the Association.

“After the achievements of the first ten years of existence – stated Mr.Keith Whitmore, President of the Congress of the Council of Europe in his speech – the Association has become an important player in local democracy-building and a genuine driving force behind cross-border co-operation at both local and regional level – not only in South-East Europe but also increasingly in South Caucasus and the rest of the Eastern Partnership countries. And let’s not forget the crucial role played by ALDA in promoting the entry of South-East European countries in the European Union, and preparing the ground at local level for their future integration”.

ALDA and the Local Democracy Agencies, since their creation, have been actively promoting democracy and respect for human and minority rights in the countries of South Eastern Europe and of Southern Caucasus.
Some of these countries are at the threshold of the European Union, though there are a number of challenges to be tackled before that step will be carried out.