ADL Zavidovići Association to Receive Prestigious Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award 2023 at the European Summit of Regions and Cities in Mons, Belgium

In the heart of Mons, Belgium, on March 19, 2024, during the 10th European Summit of Regions and Cities, the ADL Zavidovići Association will be honoured with the esteemed Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award. This recognition, pays homage to outstanding contributions in local and regional governance and commemorates the legacy of the former Mayor of the City of Gdańsk, Paweł Adamowicz.

The  “Ambasciata della democrazia locale a Zavidovići” Association, a proud member of ALDA — European Association for Local Democracy- since 1999, was proclaimed as the laureate of the Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award 2023 on January 13, 2024, at the European Solidarity Center in Gdańsk, Poland. The award recognises the association’s exceptional efforts in providing assistance to refugees and promoting local democracy, non-discrimination, integration, and non-violent discourse.

Founded in 1996 during the Bosnian War, the ADL Zavidovići Association emerged as a symbol of resilience and dedication to human rights. Originating from the tragic kidnapping and killing of three pacifists from Brescia, Italy, in 1993, the association has evolved into a dynamic force, extending its impact to support local communities in need.

The Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award Ceremony will be a highlight of the European Summit of Regions and Cities, organised by CoR and hosted within the summit’s framework in Mons, Belgium

The Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award Ceremony will be a highlight of the European Summit of Regions and Cities, organised by CoR and hosted within the summit’s framework in Mons, Belgium. This ceremony, scheduled on the fifth anniversary of Mayor Paweł Adamowicz’s tragic assassination, transcends mere acknowledgment. It serves as a solemn remembrance of his enduring legacy—his unwavering commitment to engaging marginalised voices, offering solidarity, and advocating for diversity in local governance.

The Association was founded in 1996 by initiatives of a group of volunteers during the Bosnian War to honour and enhance the legacy of three pacifists from Brescia (Italy), who were kidnapped and killed in 1993 while bringing humanitarian aid to Zavidovici (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

Since then, the ADL Zavidovići Association continued to support local communities also by strengthening its relationship with ALDA in shaping the local context and promoting social cohesion and inclusion. The Association began its journey in the Balkans and expanded its reach day after day, always remaining in the front line to help communities in need. Today, given the tremendous situation that is taking place in Ukraine, the ADL Zavidovići Association, together with ALDA and other partners, started to work closely with the Local Democracy Agency in Mariupol to ensure a peaceful and democratic future for the people of Ukraine.

ALDA Secretary General, Antonella Valmorbida emphasises the importance of the ADL Zavidovići Association’s recognition. She highlighted the association’s relentless efforts in promoting democracy, integration, and collaboration at both local and international levels.

«We are deeply proud of the extraordinary result achieved by ADL Zavidovići Association, an achievement that reflects their unwavering and daily commitment to promoting and strengthening local communities. It is a success that fills us with pride and encourages us to persevere in our work together. We will continue with determination and passion because we firmly believe that supporting local democracy is fundamental to preserving and defending democracy itself,» states Mrs. Valmorbida.

During the summit, on Monday afternoon, March the 18th, the Italian Delegation of the European Committee of the Regions, coordinated by Mr. Marco Fusaro, will visit ALDA’s stand. The institutional moment will see the presence of Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Secretary General, Mrs. Maddalena Alberti, President of ADL Zavidovići Association, Mr. Michele Orlando, Mayor of Roncadelle Municipality (who also applied for the Award), Mr. Oriano Otočan, President of ALDA, and Mrs. Nataša Vučković, Vice-President of ALDA.

The award ceremony on March 19, 2024, promises to be a momentous occasion during the European Summit of Regions and Cities, reaffirming the enduring principles that underpin local governance and inspiring communities to strive for excellence.

About the Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award: 

The Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award is an annual tribute to outstanding contributions in local and regional governance, created in honour of the former Mayor of the City of Gdańsk, Paweł Adamowicz. The award underscores the values of freedom, solidarity, and equality, reflecting Mayor Adamowicz’s legacy of public service and advocacy for diversity in local governance.