ALDA’s Secretary General, Antonella Valmorbida, took part in the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Global Summit, held in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, from 6 to 10 October 2025.

In her speech, delivered on October 8, she underlined the central role of local democracy in building resilient and inclusive communities:

We represent more than 300 members — local authorities and civil society organisations from Europe, the Neighbourhood, and beyond — all united by one mission: to strengthen local democracy through the empowerment of local governments and citizens alike.

Strong local democracy means strong communities. It means giving local authorities the powers, competences, and resources they need. But it also means enabling citizens to engage, to participate, and to become full counterparts in shaping local policies.

She stressed how local governance serves as a laboratory for innovation, enabling co-creation between citizens and institutions and opening spaces where women, youth, and underrepresented groups can contribute meaningfully to democratic life.

Local democracy is not just a level of governance — it is where trust, participation, and democracy itself begin.

Discover more about the event here.