Deskrizzjoni tal-Organizzazzjoni

The Association of Local Democracy Agencies was established in 1999 at the initiative of the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities for coordinating the work of LDAs (Local Democracy Agencies) established in early 1990s in the Western Balkans to sustain the development of local democracy, promote reconciliation and support human rights. With acceleration of transition process in the countries of Eastern Europe and North Africa, ALDA has started to develop its cooperation with various stakeholders in the region, opening several LDAs in Armenia, Georgia, and Ukraine and now preparing for launching three other LDAs in Moldova, Odessa and Tunisia. ALDA works, therefore, in most of Europe and the European neighbourhood countries, with special priorities in different geographic areas: in the European Union it focuses on the promotion of Active European Citizenship; whereas in the Western Balkans and European Neighbourhood - on good governance, citizen participation, European integration and decentralisation. ALDA has, therefore, more than 15-years experience in fostering local democracy and citizen participation across different relevant topics at local level both through direct support to stakeholders as well as through international project's approach. Within the framework of ALDA’s interests the prior thematic areas include European integration, support to civic initiatives and volunteering, youth employment and entrepreneurship and sustainable development. In the framework of these interests, ALDA has a significant experience in project development and implementation through such EU programmes as Europe for citizens, Youth in Action, Erasmus Plus; External Development and Cooperation; Decentralised cooperation in Europe and instrument for Pre-accession. Taking into consideration the importance and contribution of young generation to the future, ALDA has further developed a special focus on youth aimed at: their empowerment for promoting participation and engagement into decision-making process giving them possibility to have a say in local/national and European affairs; building their capacities for entering labour market with adequate skills and competences; fostering intercultural dialogue, tolerance and understanding; encouraging sense of initiative and entrepreneurship through "mobility", "exchange", "networking", and other activities, which became essential elements of ALDA's projects targeting youth. These tools with particular focus on mobility and networking became one of the main in ALDA's methodology for youth empowerment tackling the problems of youth unemployment and disengagement in the public life of their communities. ALDA has implemented a range of projects targeting youth as one of the main and core actor for the future Europe, among which are Youth Metre (A tool for forward-looking youth participation), ThinkEU, POPEYE (Promoting Organic production-Enhancing youth employment), YEP (Youth Employment and Participation), FUNNY (Fighting unemployment through Networking for youth), EYES /European Youth Environmental Sentinels) and many others (http://www.alda-europe.eu/newSite/projects_filter.php?f=18) In brief, in relation to young people, ALDA;s actions aim at:• Encouraging new dynamics of exchanges among new generations all over Europe and its neighbouring countries• Engaging youth in partnership building activities and a responsible construction of the European society• Creating exchange and synergies among youngsters from old, new and future EU members states• Building a tolerant and multicultural societies, open-minded towards cultural exchanges and differences, preventing xenophobia, religious persecution and racism • Empowering youth and encouraging them “to be aware” of their society’s socio-cultural, economic and political mutation• Strengthening the capacities and knowledge of the new generation encouraging them toward an active action at local, national and European level• Fighting the brain drain and youth disorientation on the labour market by raising their awareness on the tools to be used to obtain the necessary experience and skills for an efficient job searching• Promoting mobility schemes and volunteering as tools for exchanging practices, fostering innovation and mutual learning, building capacities necessary to tackle emerging problems through collaboration and diversity of approaches• Building partnerships and common based activities between EU and neighboring countries, activating at local level the priorities established at the European level in terms of youth policies