DECENTRALISED COOPERATION LOWER NORMANDY / MACEDONIA - STEERING COMMITTEE FOR THE MACEDONIAN PARTNERS IN VELES (MK). April 03, 2012

The Steering Committee for the Macedonian partners in the Decentralised cooperation project between Lower Normandy and Macedonia will be held in the Municipality of Veles on April 03 thanks to the invitation of the Mayor of Veles.
The Municipality of Veles recently hosted the conference on Cultural Heritage, held in Component 3 in the cooperation.
This steering committee, like every year, will be an excellent opportunity to discuss the difficulties and obstacles encountered during the first half of the current year of activities. The participants will also exchange on upcoming events and reflect on planned objectives.
Mrs. Nadège Lécluse, Head of international cooperation and mobility division in the Regional Council of Lower Normandy, will present the conclusions from the Steering Committee for the French partners, held in Caen on the March 20, 2012.
The Steering Committee allows defining the progress of all axes and partnerships in the cooperation at mid-year.
The Programme for decentralised cooperation between the Region Lower Normandy and Republic of Macedonia is coordinated by the Association of Local Democracy Agencies (ALDA).

The Steering Committee for the Macedonian partners in the Decentralised cooperation project between Lower Normandy and Macedonia will be held in the Municipality of Veles on April 03 thanks to the invitation of the Mayor of Veles.
The Municipality of Veles recently hosted the conference on Cultural Heritage, held in Component 3 in the cooperation.
This steering committee, like every year, will be an excellent opportunity to discuss the difficulties and obstacles encountered during the first half of the current year of activities. The participants will also exchange on upcoming events and reflect on planned objectives.
Mrs. Nadège Lécluse, Head of international cooperation and mobility division in the Regional Council of Lower Normandy, will present the conclusions from the Steering Committee for the French partners, held in Caen on the March 20, 2012.
The Steering Committee allows defining the progress of all axes and partnerships in the cooperation at mid-year.
The Programme for decentralised cooperation between the Region Lower Normandy and Republic of Macedonia is coordinated by the Association of Local Democracy Agencies (ALDA).
STEERING COMMITTEE FOR FRENCH PARTNERS IN THE DECENTRALISED COOPERATION - LOWER NORMANDY / MACEDONIA. March 20, Caen (Lower Normandy)
The Steering Committee for French partners was held in the capital of the Lower Normandy Region, Caen, on the March 20, 2012 in the Regional Council of Lower Normandy.
Mrs. Sabine Guichet-Lebailly, Head of department in the Regional Council of Lower Normandy opened this meeting, emphasizing the importance of the cooperation for the development of the Region, as well as for Macedonia.
Following the agenda of this meeting, French partners had the opportunity to understand better the Macedonian multi-ethnic society through the presentation on the interethnic relations, presented by Mrs. Biljana Zasova, General Coordinator of the decentralised cooperation.
French partners exchanged their ideas and impressions on the administrative and finance issues, as well as on the passed and following activities. This was an opportunity to present the political mission in Macedonia planned for July, when M. Laurent Beauvais, the President of the Region Lower Normandy, will meet the new Macedonian Minister for Local Government and discuss the renewing of the agreements of the decentralised cooperation.
Mrs. Nadège Lécluse, Head of international cooperation and mobility division in the Regional Council of Lower Normandy, underlined the importance of the internal and external communication and announced new website and logo for the cooperation.
The Steering Committee for Macedonian partners will be held on the April 4, 2012 in Veles.
The Programme for decentralised cooperation between the Region Lower Normandy and Republic of Macedonia is coordinated by ALDA.
For more information on planned activities please consult the Action Plan 2011- 2012 in французских, and
Macedonian, and the latest edition of the e-newsletter in французских, а также
Macedonian.
The Steering Committee for French partners was held in the capital of the Lower Normandy Region, Caen, on the March 20, 2012 in the Regional Council of Lower Normandy.
Mrs. Sabine Guichet-Lebailly, Head of department in the Regional Council of Lower Normandy opened this meeting, emphasizing the importance of the cooperation for the development of the Region, as well as for Macedonia.
Following the agenda of this meeting, French partners had the opportunity to understand better the Macedonian multi-ethnic society through the presentation on the interethnic relations, presented by Mrs. Biljana Zasova, General Coordinator of the decentralised cooperation.
French partners exchanged their ideas and impressions on the administrative and finance issues, as well as on the passed and following activities. This was an opportunity to present the political mission in Macedonia planned for July, when M. Laurent Beauvais, the President of the Region Lower Normandy, will meet the new Macedonian Minister for Local Government and discuss the renewing of the agreements of the decentralised cooperation.
Mrs. Nadège Lécluse, Head of international cooperation and mobility division in the Regional Council of Lower Normandy, underlined the importance of the internal and external communication and announced new website and logo for the cooperation.
The Steering Committee for Macedonian partners will be held on the April 4, 2012 in Veles.
The Programme for decentralised cooperation between the Region Lower Normandy and Republic of Macedonia is coordinated by ALDA.
For more information on planned activities please consult the Action Plan 2011- 2012 in французских, and
Macedonian, and the latest edition of the e-newsletter in французских, а также
Macedonian.
Working Together for Development
The project “Working Together for Development”, or WTD, represents an outstanding opportunity for the Association of Local Democracy Agencies and its network to continue working towards the promotion of local democracy, good local governance, respect for human rights and rule of law, as highlighted in the European Commission document “Increasing the Impact of EU Development Policy: an Agenda for Change”. These same principles have guided the actions of our Association since the very beginning, when facing the difficulties in the Balkans in the ‘90s, and they have continued to be the core aim when we enlarged our action to the European neighbourhood countries, working closely with Non-State Actors
The project “Working Together for Development”, or WTD, represents an outstanding opportunity for the Association of Local Democracy Agencies and its network to continue working towards the promotion of local democracy, good local governance, respect for human rights and rule of law, as highlighted in the European Commission document “Increasing the Impact of EU Development Policy: an Agenda for Change”. These same principles have guided the actions of our Association since the very beginning, when facing the difficulties in the Balkans in the ‘90s, and they have continued to be the core aim when we enlarged our action to the European neighbourhood countries, working closely with Non-State Actors
NALAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING IN PRISHTINA (29-30 March 2012)
The Seventh NALAS General Assembly Meeting will take place in Prishtina, on 29th and 30th March 2012. The event is organized in cooperation between NALAS and Association of Kosovo Municipalities.
Alda will be represented at the meeting by Ivana Dimitrovska, head of the Alda Office in Skopje.
One of the main topics to discus in Prishtina will be the state of fiscal decentralization in South East Europe as an indicator for the overall decentralisation process which is of high importance for the EU accession process of NALAS member countries.
Also, all the NALAS past, current and future Presidents will contribute the roundtable aiming to creation of NALAS 2020 Vision.
In addition, mayors from SEE, delegates of NALAS General Assembly, will present their most successful municipal projects of 2011 which contributed to improving decentralisation in different municipal function areas.
NALAS is a network of associations of local authorities of South East Europe. The Network brings together 15 Associations which represent roughly 4000 local authorities, directly elected by more than 80 million citizens of this region. The NALAS Secretariat, based in Skopje, is responsible for the overall coordination and the implementation of the activities.
NALAS was created in 2001 following the first Forum of Cities and Regions of South-East Europe (Skopje, November 2000), organised by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. The Network was established under the auspices of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe (Working Table 1) and the Council of Europe. During the first years, NALAS functioned as an informal organisation with regular meetings, seminars and training programmes. In July 2005 NALAS became an officially registered association with its seat in Strasbourg. The NALAS Secretariat was established in March 2007.
The Seventh NALAS General Assembly Meeting will take place in Prishtina, on 29th and 30th March 2012. The event is organized in cooperation between NALAS and Association of Kosovo Municipalities.
Alda will be represented at the meeting by Ivana Dimitrovska, head of the Alda Office in Skopje.
One of the main topics to discus in Prishtina will be the state of fiscal decentralization in South East Europe as an indicator for the overall decentralisation process which is of high importance for the EU accession process of NALAS member countries.
Also, all the NALAS past, current and future Presidents will contribute the roundtable aiming to creation of NALAS 2020 Vision.
In addition, mayors from SEE, delegates of NALAS General Assembly, will present their most successful municipal projects of 2011 which contributed to improving decentralisation in different municipal function areas.
NALAS is a network of associations of local authorities of South East Europe. The Network brings together 15 Associations which represent roughly 4000 local authorities, directly elected by more than 80 million citizens of this region. The NALAS Secretariat, based in Skopje, is responsible for the overall coordination and the implementation of the activities.
NALAS was created in 2001 following the first Forum of Cities and Regions of South-East Europe (Skopje, November 2000), organised by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. The Network was established under the auspices of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe (Working Table 1) and the Council of Europe. During the first years, NALAS functioned as an informal organisation with regular meetings, seminars and training programmes. In July 2005 NALAS became an officially registered association with its seat in Strasbourg. The NALAS Secretariat was established in March 2007.
MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT: ALDA AT THE REGIONAL CONFERENCE EC-UN FOR NORTH AFRICA. Tunis 27 28 March 2012
ALDA will take part in the Regional conference for North Africa organised by the EC-UN Joint Initiative on Migration and Development on 27 and 28 March 2012 in Tunis.
ALDA will present its experience in its project Capalise Migrant Capacities with the main objective to maximize the development impact of migration by addressing the problem of brain waste and de-skilling of prospective migrants and returnees in order to transform it in brain gain.
The project has been conceived also in order to strengthen the links and the dialogue among Algerian migrants in Italy and France and migrant associations and local authorities in Algeria in the field of migration issues. The project has achieved these goals by providing coherent pre-departure orientation, by encouraging highly skilled Algerian emigrants in France and Italy to contribute to the socio-economic development of Algeria and by facilitating the professional reintegration of returnees and prospective migrants.
Please find below the background document drafted by the organisers.
ALDA will take part in the Regional conference for North Africa organised by the EC-UN Joint Initiative on Migration and Development on 27 and 28 March 2012 in Tunis.
ALDA will present its experience in its project Capalise Migrant Capacities with the main objective to maximize the development impact of migration by addressing the problem of brain waste and de-skilling of prospective migrants and returnees in order to transform it in brain gain.
The project has been conceived also in order to strengthen the links and the dialogue among Algerian migrants in Italy and France and migrant associations and local authorities in Algeria in the field of migration issues. The project has achieved these goals by providing coherent pre-departure orientation, by encouraging highly skilled Algerian emigrants in France and Italy to contribute to the socio-economic development of Algeria and by facilitating the professional reintegration of returnees and prospective migrants.
Please find below the background document drafted by the organisers.
THE TIC-TAC PROJECT IS ON THE MOVE: TRAINING SESSION IN BRUSSELS.(29-30 March)
Partners of the project TIC-TAC will meet each other during a two-days training session which will be held in Brussels on 29th and 30th March 2012.
The main aim of the training session is to strengthen the capacities and knowledges of the personnel working as Project Managers in our partner organizations in the perspective of an improved quality of our work.
The most expected result to be achieved is the definition of a common method for high-quality project drafting and implementation in the Europe for Citizens Programme based on good practices of partners and of quality elements they will define together.
The training session will be hosted in the Liaison Office of Friuli Venezia Giulia Region in Brussels.
TIC-TAC (Training, Information, Cooperation – Towards Active Citizenship) aims at promoting all the measures of the Europe for Citizens programme and at strengthening the participation of the potential programme’s stakeholders through the creation of a platform for the establishment of long lasting partnership reaching a significant number of different stakeholders (Association of LA, CSOs, LAs, citizens).
The partnership is composed of 22 organizations such as Associations of LA, of LA, NGOs, other local actors, both private and public. Media will also be involved.
For more information, please contact: Marine Henry, ALDA Project Manager Active Citizenship
(marine.henry@aldaintranet.org; +33 (0)3 90 21 45 93).
Partners of the project TIC-TAC will meet each other during a two-days training session which will be held in Brussels on 29th and 30th March 2012.
The main aim of the training session is to strengthen the capacities and knowledges of the personnel working as Project Managers in our partner organizations in the perspective of an improved quality of our work.
The most expected result to be achieved is the definition of a common method for high-quality project drafting and implementation in the Europe for Citizens Programme based on good practices of partners and of quality elements they will define together.
The training session will be hosted in the Liaison Office of Friuli Venezia Giulia Region in Brussels.
TIC-TAC (Training, Information, Cooperation – Towards Active Citizenship) aims at promoting all the measures of the Europe for Citizens programme and at strengthening the participation of the potential programme’s stakeholders through the creation of a platform for the establishment of long lasting partnership reaching a significant number of different stakeholders (Association of LA, CSOs, LAs, citizens).
The partnership is composed of 22 organizations such as Associations of LA, of LA, NGOs, other local actors, both private and public. Media will also be involved.
For more information, please contact: Marine Henry, ALDA Project Manager Active Citizenship
(marine.henry@aldaintranet.org; +33 (0)3 90 21 45 93).
CIVIL TRUST BUILDING PROJECT WELCOMES CANDIDATE STATUS OF SERBIA
The partners of the Civil Trust Building project, in a press release, expressed their congratulations to the political leaders on their decision and the positive steps taken by Serbia to reach candidate status.
The European Council has granted candidate statues to Serbia at its meeting on 1-2 March
2012 which paves the way to start negotiations for EU membership.
“This positive development reaffirms the commitment of societies of the Western
Balkans to European integration in general and the prospect of European Union membership
in particular”, is written in the press release.
The partners of the Civil Trust Building project, in a press release, expressed their congratulations to the political leaders on their decision and the positive steps taken by Serbia to reach candidate status.
The European Council has granted candidate statues to Serbia at its meeting on 1-2 March
2012 which paves the way to start negotiations for EU membership.
“This positive development reaffirms the commitment of societies of the Western
Balkans to European integration in general and the prospect of European Union membership
in particular”, is written in the press release.
ALDA at the Copenhagen Summit
ALDA at the Copenhagen Summit of the Committee of the Regions, on 22-23 March 2012.
MEETING BETWEEN ALDA PRESIDENT, PER VINTHER, AND RAJKO GOLUBOVIC, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNION OF MUNICIPALITIES OF MONTENEGRO. Niksic, 23rd March 2012
On Friday 23rd March 2012, ALDA President, Mr. Per Vinther, had a meeting with the Secretary General of the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro, Mr. Rajko Golubovic.
Attended the meeting also Mr. Kerim Međedović, executive director of the Local Democracy Agency in Montenegro.
Secretary General, Rajko Golubovic, informed the ALDA guests on the most important activities undertaken by the Union of Municipalities in performing their roles.
He expressed the desire to establish a cooperation with ALDA in order to provide expert assistance in preparing the analysis of the functioning of local government whose development is planned for second quarter current year.
The details of this cooperation will be discussed during next meetings between the two associations.
On Friday 23rd March 2012, ALDA President, Mr. Per Vinther, had a meeting with the Secretary General of the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro, Mr. Rajko Golubovic.
Attended the meeting also Mr. Kerim Međedović, executive director of the Local Democracy Agency in Montenegro.
Secretary General, Rajko Golubovic, informed the ALDA guests on the most important activities undertaken by the Union of Municipalities in performing their roles.
He expressed the desire to establish a cooperation with ALDA in order to provide expert assistance in preparing the analysis of the functioning of local government whose development is planned for second quarter current year.
The details of this cooperation will be discussed during next meetings between the two associations.
REGGIO EMILIA MUNICIPALITY AND ALDA WITH THE PROJECT “CITIZENS OF REGGIO EMILIA, FOR EXAMPLE” AT THE EXHIBITION OF THE SUMMIT OF EUROPE'S REGIONS AND CITIES. Copenhagen, 22/23 March 2012
ALDA with the Municipality of Reggio Emilia (I) will participate in the project “Citizens of Reggio Emilia, for example” at the exhibition promoted by the Committee of the Regions on the occasion of the Summit of Europe’s Regions and Cities that will take place in Copenhagen on 22 and 23 March 2012.
Alda will be represented at the Summit by Mr Dobrica Milovanovic, Vicepresident, and Mr Alfonso Aliberti. The Mayor of Reggio Emilia, Mr Graziano Delrio will be a speaker at the workshop on: “Greener urban strategies: Rio+20 and the role of cities and regions”.
In the picture: Alda Vicepresident Dobrica Milovanovic, with the President of European Commission Josè Barroso.
. exhibition, entitled: “Beautiful, green, smart and inclusive: Colourful cities”, will give to about 30 Regions and Cities the opportunity to showcase their best practices in four thematic areas of urban development: architecture and town planning; innovation and smart specialisation strategies; respect to energy efficiency, transport and sustainable development; inclusion, social innovation and employment.
The exhibition will also be put up at the Committee of the Regions’ premises in Brussels in May 2012 and will be open for the public to visit during Open Doors Day.
The City of Reggio Emilia, in cooperation with the Forum of the Third Sector, has developed this pilot project entitled “Citizens of Reggio Emilia, for example”, with the aim of strengthening municipal social capital and promoting a more inclusive city.
Launched in 2008 with a census on citizens best practices, it became a unique tool through which citizens started to realize how social capital ties were very well developed even in their own neighbourhoods. This experience stimulated hundreds of associations to become directly involved: in the last two years 700 projects have been proposed to promote solidarity, cultural activities, city mobility and territorial valorisation. In order to continue the promotion of “community welfare”, Reggio Emilia launched in 2011 a municipal volunteering service that gathers all the volunteering opportunities offered at the local level, reaching more than 400 volunteers.
Today, the project represents the backbone of the “Europeans for example” project, aiming to bring together and promote good practices using a bottom-up approach based on the fact that social capital is a characteristic of the community. The project “Citizens of Reggio Emilia, for example,” also has a European aspiration, developed together with ALDA, to bring this successful experience to a European audience.

ALDA with the Municipality of Reggio Emilia (I) will participate in the project “Citizens of Reggio Emilia, for example” at the exhibition promoted by the Committee of the Regions on the occasion of the Summit of Europe’s Regions and Cities that will take place in Copenhagen on 22 and 23 March 2012.
Alda will be represented at the Summit by Mr Dobrica Milovanovic, Vicepresident, and Mr Alfonso Aliberti. The Mayor of Reggio Emilia, Mr Graziano Delrio will be a speaker at the workshop on: “Greener urban strategies: Rio+20 and the role of cities and regions”.
In the picture: Alda Vicepresident Dobrica Milovanovic, with the President of European Commission Josè Barroso.
. exhibition, entitled: “Beautiful, green, smart and inclusive: Colourful cities”, will give to about 30 Regions and Cities the opportunity to showcase their best practices in four thematic areas of urban development: architecture and town planning; innovation and smart specialisation strategies; respect to energy efficiency, transport and sustainable development; inclusion, social innovation and employment.
The exhibition will also be put up at the Committee of the Regions’ premises in Brussels in May 2012 and will be open for the public to visit during Open Doors Day.
The City of Reggio Emilia, in cooperation with the Forum of the Third Sector, has developed this pilot project entitled “Citizens of Reggio Emilia, for example”, with the aim of strengthening municipal social capital and promoting a more inclusive city.
Launched in 2008 with a census on citizens best practices, it became a unique tool through which citizens started to realize how social capital ties were very well developed even in their own neighbourhoods. This experience stimulated hundreds of associations to become directly involved: in the last two years 700 projects have been proposed to promote solidarity, cultural activities, city mobility and territorial valorisation. In order to continue the promotion of “community welfare”, Reggio Emilia launched in 2011 a municipal volunteering service that gathers all the volunteering opportunities offered at the local level, reaching more than 400 volunteers.
Today, the project represents the backbone of the “Europeans for example” project, aiming to bring together and promote good practices using a bottom-up approach based on the fact that social capital is a characteristic of the community. The project “Citizens of Reggio Emilia, for example,” also has a European aspiration, developed together with ALDA, to bring this successful experience to a European audience.