A New Beginning: Local Democracy Agency Odesa Opens its Doors

In a significant stride towards bolstering local democracy, ALDA and the entire Local Democracy Agency’s family are proud to announce the establishment of the LDA Odesa in Ukraine. Scheduled for November 17, 2023, this milestone event underscores the pivotal role of LDA Odesa in advancing ALDA’s overarching vision of resilient, inclusive, and sustainable communities across Europe and beyond.

LDA Odesa is not just another chapter in the network’s expansion but a beacon of hope for local communities in Odesa. Through the collaborative efforts of local governments in Ukraine and European Union member states, this endeavour aims to support the reconstruction and development of local communities in the city.

This ambitious objective will be brought to fruition through cooperation projects jointly designed by Ukrainian and EU partners. The establishment of LDA Odesa takes on an organisational form as a new non-governmental organisation (NGO) under Ukrainian law, regulated by a Memorandum of Understanding.

The inauguration of LDA Odesa is an extremely important achievement that could not have been possible without the cooperation with key partners

The inauguration of LDA Odesa is an extremely important achievement that could not have been possible without the cooperation with key partners, including the Odesa Rayon Council (UA), Foster Europe Foundation (AT), represented by Mr. Stefan Lutgenau, and Istria Region (HR), represented by Mr. Oriano Otočan, ALDA President. Looking ahead to 2024, the collaboration is set to expand to include additional partners, among which the Autonomous Region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia (IT) represented by Mr. Alessandro Perelli, ALDA Vice President, fostering local democracy and cooperation. Odesa local context is represented by the Centre for Regional Studies and the Odesa Oblast branch of the of the all-Ukrainian community organisation “Committee of Voters of Ukraine”.

Among the expected participants in the event there are Mr. Vitaly Barvinenko, Chairman of the Odesa Rayon Council, Mr. Marc Cools, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Ms. Yuliia Molodozhen, Regional Office of U-LEAD with Europe in the Odesa Oblast, Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Secretary General, and Ms. Inna Volkova, member of the Odesa Rayon Council and member of the ALDA Advisory Board. 

The launch of LDA Odesa is more than just an event; it is a promise of a brighter future for Odesa and Ukraine as a whole. This initiative is not just a commitment to address immediate needs but a vision for a brighter and more secure future for the people of Ukraine. In these challenging times, LDAs continue to be a beacon of hope and support, emphasising the power of cooperation, community cohesion, and sustainable development, representing instruments of cohesion and peace.

As the war in Ukraine persists, these efforts remain essential, as they provide a lifeline for local communities and serve as a testament to the strength of collective, cooperative action during times of adversity.

Moreover, this marks the first step towards the establishment of seven new Local Democracy Agencies in the country, in line with the ambitious ALDA Flagship Initiative. The realisation of these LDAs holds the potential to redefine local democracy in Ukraine and contribute to the broader mission of fostering resilient, inclusive, and sustainable communities throughout the nation.

Stay tuned for further updates on this remarkable journey towards a future of greater cooperation, stronger local democracy, and enduring partnerships.