Strengthening collaborations in the Western Balkans: next steps and challenges

On 15 May 2023, ALDA and the Central European Initiative (CEI) met in Trieste (🇮🇹) to identify further possibilities for cooperation on the basis of the MoU — Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2022 in order to formalise the framework of the partnership that combines the work in the Western Balkans. The signature of the MoU represented an official and crucial moment of institutional bond between ALDA and CEI as it has been the outcome of a longstanding fil rouge that combines the ongoing commitment of the two organisations in the area. 

ALDA Governing Board Member and Representative of the Autonomous Region Friuli Venezia Giulia, Mr. Alessandro Perelli, ALDA Secretary General, Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida together with the Director of Programmes and Corporate Strategy, Mr. Marco Boaria, met with CEI Secretary General, Mr. Roberto Antonione, and CEI Senior Officer, Mr. Ugo Poli, to discuss the next steps to undertake and strengthen the cooperation. 

Increasing citizen participation and the democratic level in different local Western Balkans realities is the key point at the basis of the partnership between ALDA and CEI, that are currently cooperating and joining forces to give concrete support to the building of a strong local good governance expertise. 

Increasing citizen participation and the democratic level in different Western Balkans realities is the key point at the basis of the partnership between ALDA and CEI

The plan foresees a key event in Skopje (North Macedonia) together with ALDA Skopje in 2023 and the presentation of the flagship initiative in Ukraine: the aim is to continue to expand LDAs range of action and strengthen their work. ALDA represents CEI’s key partner for its work in the Western Balkans: CEI Moldova representatives will also take part in ALDA Festival and General Assembly 2023 as an opportunity to further enhance this collaboration. 

hese events will be marked by a festive atmosphere as 2023 is the 30th Anniversary of the establishment of the first Local Democracy Agency Subotica in the Balkans: we look forward to celebrating the everyday activity of the LDAs and their delegates, the achievements of ALDA and the LDAs through the years, with the collaboration of our closest partners.

The choice of Trieste, regional capital of the “Friuli Venezia Giulia” Autonomous Region (🇮🇹) as the host of the meeting is symbolic as it remarks the formalisation of this long-lasting collaboration between the Region, ALDA and CEI.