Dedicated to local democracy, human rights, gender equality, citizen participation, environmental protection, and other issues of importance
“It is a great honour to receive the trust of such a large number of ALDA members and to lead the organisation over the following four-year period. This organisation experienced tremendous growth in recent years, with over a hundred employees operating in an increasing number of countries,” said Nataša Vučković following her election at the General Assembly of the European Association for Local Democracy, held in Barcelona from 13 to 15 May 2024, alongside the ALDA Festival themed ‘Local Democracy for Global Impact’.
“ALDA’s new development strategy envisages further expansion, first and foremost, in the Mediterranean and North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. We address current issues – migration, environmental protection and the climate, digital development and innovation, and also remain dedicated to local democracy, human rights, gender equality and citizen participation.
At the end of April of this year, ALDA commenced with the implementation of the BOOST project in the Western Balkans, with the support of the French Development Agency (AFD).
In conclusion, it is of essence to mention that the Center for Democracy Foundation is an ALDA member that collaborates with other civil society organisations through ALDA,” said Nataša Vučković, Secretary General of the CDF.
The new ALDA Governing Board will lead the entire Association from 2024 until 2028
This annual General Assembly held particular importance as it encompassed the elections for a new Governing Board mandate, which will guide ALDA’s direction until 2028, along with the formulation of a refreshed Strategy for the upcoming four years.
The renewed ALDA approach will pursue the organisation’s ongoing commitment to the promotion of democracy, good governance, and citizen participation, thereby strengthening its global impact.
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ALDA (The European Association for Local Democracy) is a global association of local and regional governments and civil society organisations all working together to impact greater participation and inclusion of the citizenry in decision-making processes with the aim of creating sustainable, inclusive and resilient communities.
Last year marked the 30th anniversary of the association’s work. ALDA is active in over 35 EU countries, the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Tunisia and Turkey, with plans to expand its activities in African and Asia. It has a network of nearly 300 members, encompassing the regions of Emilia-Romagna, the autonomous region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the regions of Istria and Normandy, the city of Barcelona, the Brussels municipality of Etterbeek, and others.
ALDA has implemented over 500 projects, with a team of a hundred employees working in its 5 offices in Brussels, Strasbourg, Vicenza, Skopje, Chisinau, and Tunis.
ALDA collaborates closely with the Council of Europe and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, the European Parliament, the European Committee of the Regions, the European Economic and Social Committee, and a vast array of civil society organisations. It operates locally but works on transregional connections through thematic groups focusing on citizen participation, gender, human rights and inclusion, digital development and innovation, youth empowerment, the environment and climate, and local development.
In the Western Balkans, ALDA began operating in the 1990s through the Local Democracy Agency in Subotica. Today, local agencies exist in Knjaževac, Pristina, Nikšić, Prijedor, Mostar, and Zavidovići.
Source: CDF/ALDA
Photo: ALDA
