ALDA - Association of Agencies for Local Democracy
The Association of Local Democracy Agencies (Association of the Local Democracy Agencies) coordinates a network of since 1999 Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs), which have existed for the 1993rd The LDAs were founded by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe . They originally served to provide concrete support for war- torn cities and communities in the former Yugoslavia through partnerships in Western Europe. With the end of the Balkan War, ALDA shifted its focus from crisis management to democratic reforms. The focus was placed on promoting tolerant and trust-based relationships in the affected communities. The association worked from the outset with experts and representatives of local organizations, communities and NGOs in the former Yugoslavia and their counterparts in other countries of Europe together.
ALDA not only coordinates the activities of the LDAs, but also deals with fundraising , provides the LDAs with technical and administrative support, trains employees , maintains an information and publication center and represents members at international institutions and sponsors, in particular the Council of Europe . The agencies for local democracy have an official working agreement with the Council of Europe with which they share their expertise in the implementation of the programs, collect and disseminate information at local level and organize site visits. ALDA also works closely with other international organizations, including the Network of Local and Regional Associations in Southeastern Europe (NALAS), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) , especially the High Commissioner for Refugees.
activities
The LDAs, which specifically address local needs, support local institutions through training courses and other information services. Activities in the following areas are carried out by the LDAs:
- Cross-border cooperation
- youth
- Municipal economic development
- Minorities and refugees
- European affairs
- interethnic dialogue
- Gender issues
- Communication issues and media
- People with disabilities
- Capacity building for administrations and civil society
methodology
What is special is that each agency works with a network of partners ( municipalities , regional authorities, state governments, NGOs, universities) from different European countries, similar to the principle of town twinning. Together they develop projects in the above-mentioned areas and use synergies that arise from the partner network. ALDA is currently working with more than 300 partners and members from 28 European countries.
Since the methodology of the association has proven to be very successful in the Balkans, ALDA decided to expand geographically into the Caucasus . In September 2006 the 11th Agency for Local Democracy was opened in Kutaisi ( Georgia ). The new agency will primarily offer training for representatives of local government and NGOs and implement projects in the areas of local economic development, combating human trafficking , women and youth.
Pilot projects and active European citizenship
ALDA's expertise in the field of local democracy and human rights is also in demand in other transition countries. ALDA has already carried out two pilot projects in Belarus in the area of social and human rights and is currently involved in the implementation of the charter for local self-government in Russia .
In addition, a new agency for local democracy is expected to open in Shkodra ( Albania ) in 2008 . In terms of content, the focus is increasingly on the subject of “active European citizenship”. Since 2004, ALDA has carried out various surveys and organized conferences and campaigns on this topic with the help of its partners and members .
In the ten years after its founding, ALDA developed from a small pilot program into one of the largest local actors in the promotion of democracy, human rights and sustainable development in south-eastern Europe, in the Caucasus - and increasingly also throughout Europe.