alda* - European Association for Local Democracy

🎙️ New season. New voices. Same democratic spirit. We’re back! The first episode of Shades of Democracy – ALDA’s podcast – is officially live. This season, we’re taking democracy to the streets. But first, we’re turning the mic inward. In Episode 1, our hosts Manal Snidi and Beatrice Frascatani from our Comms Team take you behind the scenes of ALDA – collecting spontaneous voices from colleagues during our latest staff meeting, from field stories and unexpected lessons to a few unforgettable memories. 😉 Whether you’ve worked with us for years or are just discovering ALDA, this episode offers a fresh glimpse into the humans behind our work. 🎧 Listen now on your favourite platform: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | Amazon Music | Deezer | iHeartRadio 📲 Or tune in on our website: https://bit.ly/4lywak0 🗣️ Tag a friend who believes in local democracy. And stay tuned – the journey has just begun. 💬 We’d love to hear your thoughts or feedback – feel free to drop us a comment or message!

📢 On April 1st, ALDA took part in the World Forum of Local Economic Development, contributing to the session on citizen #participation and co-governance in shaping #local policies. 🫱🏽🫲🏽 From the Living Communities Lab to the 3P4SSE project - Social and Solidarity Economy - CentralEurope Network, ALDA shared how participatory approaches are driving #inclusive and #resilient development. 🌱🏙️ 🔗 Read the article here: https://shorturl.at/rk5Q2

🔁 Stronger, sharper, and more connected than ever:  ALDA’s Thematic Hubs have something new in store! These collaborative working groups bring together members, experts, and staff around key themes and regional areas—from #climate, #gender and #migration to #digital innovation and #territorial development, all around #Europe, #Western Balkans and #ASWAT region! 💡 New energy, new synergies, same #mission: building resilient local #democracy through shared knowledge and action. 👉 Stay tuned on ALDA Projects to discover what’s new and visit our website to learn more! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d_EPr7Ga

In these challenging times, ALDA is committed to supporting citizens and local authorities in #Ukraine 🇺🇦 through our flagship initiative 🔗 https://bit.ly/42lSztN. Many Ukrainian cities are showing remarkable #resilience, offering social protection to internally displaced people (IDPs) and providing logistical #support to military personnel while navigating the hardships of war ✊. #Lypovets, a municipality in the #Vinnytsia region, stands out for its efforts. The community is focused on: 🚗 Providing #logistical support for Ukraine’s defense and rehabilitation programmes for veterans and their families. 🏠Establishing a centre for IDPs that offers essential care, legal advice, and support with #housing, clothing and hygiene products. 🩺Improving #healthcare with new equipment and specialists, including laparoscopic surgeries, thanks to the "Assistance to IDPs" project funded by Fons Menorqui de Cooperación and supported by ALDA and the Vinnytsia Regional Association. Lypovets’ unwavering dedication to its residents' well-being and its resilience in the face of adversity showcase the #strength of local communities during these #challenging times. Stay tuned to discover more cities where local #democracy is driving recovery and long-term stability!🤝

[🇫🇷 version below] 🎬 The “L’Europe autour de l’Europe” Film Festival is about to begin in Paris! From 15 to 29 April, ALDA is proud to support this cultural celebration as an official partner of the Festival, alongside Mouvement Européen - Paris. Founded by filmmaker Bilic Irena, the Festival presents over 100 films from across Greater Europe – including fiction, documentaries, short films and experimental cinema – screened across several independent and art house cinemas in Paris and Île-de-France. ⭐️ ALDA supports this initiative promoting European values through cinema and storytelling. 🎟️ Get your Festival pass and discover the full programme! 👉 https://lnkd.in/gY_uXEqM Let’s celebrate diversity, dialogue and democracy through the lens of European cinema! -  - 🎬 Le Festival EVROPA FILMAKT L'EUROPE AUTOUR DE L'EUROPE s’apprête à ouvrir ses portes à Paris ! Du 15 au 29 avril, l’ALDA est fière de soutenir cette initiative en tant que partenaire officiel du Festival, aux côtés du Mouvement Européen - Paris. Fondé par la cinéaste Irena Bilic, le Festival présente plus de 100 films venus de la Grande Europe – fictions, documentaires, courts-métrages, films expérimentaux – projetés dans plusieurs cinémas d’art et d’essai à Paris et en Île-de-France. ⭐️ L’ALDA soutient cette démarche qui valorise les valeurs européennes à travers le cinéma et le récit culturel. 🎟️ Prenez votre pass et découvrez le programme complet! 👉 https://lnkd.in/gY_uXEqM Célébrons ensemble la diversité, le dialogue et la démocratie à travers le cinéma européen !

🌿 On April 7, the First Stakeholder’s Forum of the Green Recovery Platform gathered experts and leaders in Kyiv to discuss #Ukraine's sustainable reconstruction. 🤝 ALDA joined the forum, contributing to talks on how the government, international donors, local communities, and civil society can drive a #green, people-centered recovery. Organised with the support of UN Environment Programme and key national and international partners, the event addressed both immediate and long-term priorities for Ukraine's green recovery. Discussions focused on #rebuilding with safety and sustainability, promoting green finance and fiscal reform 💰, conserving #biodiversity 🌾, managing waste and pollution ♻️, and advancing community-level #environmental architecture. Ukraine is creating a United Green Taxonomy to define green projects and a Green Platform for easier access to green financing. The DREAM - Digital Restoration EcoSystem for Accountable Management Office is becoming the backbone of Ukraine’s Public Investment Management (PIM) system, aligning with EU planning. In 2025, Ukraine will launch its first Medium-Term Investment Plan (MTIP), focusing on climate goals, with Hromadas starting their MTIP preparations this summer. The participation of carlo formosa, Ambassador of Italy to Ukraine (Ambasciata d'Italia in Ucraina) added important political weight to the forum, especially in light of the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome. His presence reaffirmed Italy’s #commitment to supporting a sustainable and #inclusive recovery process—and highlighted the relevance of initiatives like this forum in preparing key messages and partnerships for URC 2025.

NEW PROJECT LAUNCH 🤩 New projects. New ideas. Real impact. 📲 Hit follow to ALDA Projects and stay tuned for events, stories, and real action from the ground 💥 DON'T MISS OUT!

Registration are open for the #ActNow Mayors' Conference in Vienna on 5th &6th of May! Find out more ⬇️

❗Last Day to #Apply as Local Democracy Agency Georgia Delegate/Executive Director❗#HIRING 🌍 ALDA is looking for a Delegate/Executive Director for our Local Democracy Agency in #Georgia 🇬🇪, starting as soon as possible. Lead impactful #projects and represent the agency in local and international relations. ✅ What You’ll Do: 🔹 Represent the agency and sign agreements 🔹 Develop and manage projects 🔹 Supervise staff and ensure effective operations 📌 What We’re Looking For: 🎓 Master’s/PhD in law, international relations, or related field 🗣️ Fluent in English & Georgian 💼 2+ years of relevant experience 📅 Apply by tomorrow, April 11, 2025 👉 More info: https://shorturl.at/HXMN1 #Hiring #JobOpportunity #ApplyNow

🏘️ “Housing can be seen either as a human right or as a market commodity depending on whether one views it through a legal or economic lens, and the challenge is to find the right balance” This was the compelling reflection shared by Maite Arrondo, Member of ALDA’s Advisory Board, during Civil Society Week 2025 in Brussels. At the panel on democratic housing solutions, she called for urgent EU action to tackle the housing crisis, urging a shift towards policies that prioritise dignity, inclusion and citizens’ rights over market interests. 💬 A timely reminder that how we frame housing shapes the future of our communities. 🔗 Read more:https://bit.ly/42pB0Yi #CivSocWeek #Housing European Economic and Social Committee