Association Européenne pour la Démocratie Locale
ALDA
ALDA è uno stakeholder chiave nel campo della democrazia locale, della cittadinanza attiva e della cooperazione tra le autorità locali e la società civile in Europa, nel suo vicinato e in tutto il mondo, agendo principalmente attraverso metodi partecipativi e cooperazione decentrata.
ID: 131570748830-59
Lobbying Activity
Meeting with Karolina Kottova (Cabinet of Commissioner Marta Kos)
11 Dec 2025 · Democracy resilience
Response to EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) – EU funding for external action
25 Nov 2025
The European Association of Local Democracy (ALDA), an alliance of associations, civil society organisations and local authorities committed to promoting local democracy, civic engagement and community resilience in Europe, its Neighbourhood and beyond, welcomes the proposed increase in resources allocated to external action under the Global Europe Instrument. This rise reflects the EUs recognition of escalating geopolitical challenges, democratic backsliding, and the need for strengthened partnerships abroad. Nevertheless, the design and implementation framework of the next MFF raise several concerns that must be addressed to ensure that external action funding genuinely contributes to sustainable development, democratic governance and vibrant civil societies, all areas in which ALDA is deeply engaged. While increased funding is a positive step, the flexibility principle embedded in the new MFF could, if not adequately safeguarded, undermine predictability and coherence. Excessive flexibility risks allowing funds to be rapidly shifted according to short-term political priorities, potentially reducing allocations for long-term development and local democracy support. To prevent this, ALDA stresses the need for an ambitious and fixed ODA-compliant share of the Global Europe Instrument, set at 93%, which should not be subject to unilateral modification by the Commission. A strong ODA commitment is essential to ensure that external action maintains its development orientation rather than drifting toward geopolitical or economic self-interest. Another pressing concern is the absence of a dedicated envelope for accession countries. At a time when EU enlargement and neighbourhood policies are more relevant than ever, as also highlighted by High Representative Kaja Kallas at the November Enlargement Forum, the lack of clear and predictable funding streams for the Western Balkans, Eastern Partnership countries and Turkey is troubling. For ALDA, which has deep involvement in enlargement and neighbourhood policy through decentralised cooperation, it is essential that future Global Europe programmes provide continued and targeted support to civil society and local democracy development. Without dedicated and accessible funding for these regions, the EU risks weakening precisely those local actors and democratic processes that drive stability, reform and EU alignment. We also support the establishment of an integrated Fragility Framework to guide EU interventions in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. Such a framework would help ensure differentiated, context-sensitive engagement, with better coordination across humanitarian, development, peacebuilding and local governance dimensions. To align with global sustainable development ambitions, ALDA encourages the adoption of spending targets on human development, gender equality, inequality reduction, disability inclusion, climate and biodiversity. In parallel, we call for a ceiling on migration-related expenditure to prevent migration management from overshadowing development and democracy objectives. Finally, while we welcome increased attention to civil society and human rights defenders, the absence of a dedicated civil society thematic programme risks weakening support. To avoid dilution or deprioritisation, dedicated, predictable funding for civil society and local democracy actors must be guaranteed. For ALDA and our partners, such support is indispensable for building resilient communities and fostering genuine democratic participation across the EUs Neighbourhood and beyond.
Read full response25 Nov 2025
The European Association of Local Democracy (ALDA), representing associations, civil society organisations and local governments across Europe and its Neighbourhood, welcomes the ambition of the Commission to strengthen youth participation, civic engagement, and democratic resilience within the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). Nevertheless, several elements of the proposed revisions risk undermining the very civic and youth ecosystems that the EU aims to reinforce. In the Erasmus+ proposal, the removal of a distinct youth chapter represents a significant step backwards. A clear structural distinction for Youth, as contained in the current 20212027 MFF, is necessary to protect the visibility, accessibility, and integrity of youth actions. Without it, youth-led and volunteer-run organisations may find themselves competing with universities and large consultancies, weakening grassroots initiatives that most directly reach young people. Similarly, the merging of the European Solidarity Corps into Erasmus+ dilutes the unique contribution of volunteering and solidarity to European identity and democratic engagement. ESC plays a vital role in fostering social cohesion, intercultural dialogue, and active citizenship, functions that risk being sidelined within a larger, more education-oriented programme. We further stress the need to maintain a dedicated budget line for Youth, with at least 15% of the Erasmus+ budget earmarked for the youth field, and to reinstate essential definitions such as youth organisation. Policy development actions must remain separate from cooperation actions, as they address distinct needs related to democratic participation. Participation, transparency, and accountability should also be guaranteed through stronger monitoring mechanisms and the inclusion of participatory governance structures. Finally, given the scale of ambition, the Erasmus+ budget should be increased to EUR 130 billion. Regarding the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), ALDA calls for the reinforcement of the Youth Guarantee with a concrete earmark that ensures sustained youth employment support, along with dedicated provisions to address the escalating youth mental health crisis. Recognition of non-formal and informal learning, essential for employability and civic competences, must be reinstated. Restrictions on spending in countries with youth employment rates above the EU average should be eased to allow targeted support for chronic NEETs. Within AgoraEU (CERV+), we welcome the programmes expansion but are concerned that genuine spaces for citizen engagement have been reduced. The absence of a dedicated human rights defenders strand, stricter funding eligibility, and the weakening of the Civil Dialogue Group risk shrinking civic space at a moment when Europe requires stronger democratic participation. Multi-annual operating grants should be reinstated, as fragmented project grants undermine the stability of civil society networks that underpin democratic resilience. AgoraEU should explicitly recognise the contributions of young people and youth organisations to Europes democratic health and provide accessible pathways for them to engage in cross-border democratic dialogue.
Read full responseMeeting with Victor Negrescu (Member of the European Parliament) and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
10 Nov 2025 · Meeting with NGOs from the Republic of Moldova
Response to EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) – implementing EU funding with Member States and regions
29 Oct 2025
The European Association of Local Democracy (ALDA) is an alliance of associations, civil society organisations and local governments supporting local democracy and civic engagement in Europe, its Neighbourhood and beyond. The Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034 will define the Unions long-term priorities and reflect its shared vision for the future. While the proposed framework addresses key challenges such as competitiveness, security, and defence, it risks narrowing the EUs ability to foster inclusive, sustainable transformation. By shifting resources from shared management instruments to nationally-centralised ones, it weakens local partnership, territorial cohesion, and multi-level governance, principles that are essential to a democratic, resilient, and socially balanced Union. ALDA is concerned by the proposed merger of shared management funds into a single, nationally managed instrument, the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs). Combining cohesion, agriculture, fisheries, migration, and border management funds into one framework could dilute the core mission of Cohesion Policy, namely, reducing regional disparities, promoting territorial convergence, and local democratic accountability. According to CEMR estimates, cohesion expenditure may fall to around 20% of the total EU budget, down from nearly one-third today. This represents a significant cut in resources for agriculture, social development, and territorial cohesion. Only 14% of NRPP allocations are foreseen for social policies (approximately 121 billion, excluding loans), which are less than the current ESF+, even before accounting for inflation and the expanded scope of the new Performance Framework. ALDA calls for a Cohesion Policy that guarantees true multi-level governance, including the integration of Cohesion Policy within the European Semester to promote territorial and social balance. The partnership principle should be mainstreamed across all NRPPs, with mandatory regional chapters and clearly defined roles for local and regional authorities. Dedicated earmarking for integrated territorial approaches is essential to preserving place-based solutions aligned with community priorities. We are also concerned by the removal of thematic enabling conditions, which previously ensured alignment between national policies and EU objectives. The new proposal retains only two horizontal conditions, the Rule of Law and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, while other safeguards, such as the UNCRPD, are relegated to recitals. This weakens social inclusion and deinstitutionalisation efforts. However, ALDA welcomes the greater emphasis on the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights conditionality, including the option to freeze funds and recommit them to supporting civil society. Such recommitted funds must reach affected communities and protect regional chapters not responsible for the breaches. Civil society participation is vital to democratic legitimacy and trust, transparency and accountability, and drives social innovation. Yet the current proposal lacks a meaningful governance structure for CSO involvement and replaces multiannual operating grants with short-term project funding. ALDA urges the Commission to reinstate multiannual operating grants for EU-level CSOs under AgoraEU/CERV+, since predictable, long-term funding is essential to sustaining civic capacity and structured dialogue with the EU. The next MFF must strengthen and not replace the European model of shared management, multi-level governance, and civic participation. Cohesion Policy and civil society must remain at the heart of the Unions democratic, social, and territorial fabric.
Read full responseMeeting with Nathalie Loiseau (Member of the European Parliament, Committee chair)
22 Jul 2025 · Lutte contre les ingérences étrangères
Meeting with Věra Jourová (Vice-President) and
6 Jul 2023 · Defence of Democracy
Meeting with Ingrid Godkin (Cabinet of Vice-President Dubravka Šuica)
4 Jul 2023 · Discussion on Local democracy and citizens engagement
Response to Recommendation on covert interference from third countries
13 Apr 2023
The Defence Democracy Package proposal is timely and ALDA contributed in many ways to the debate, we present here some concrete proposals that are developed in the attachement ALDA is a unique alliance matching local authorities and civil society, supporting good local governance in the EU and its neighbourhood. It works to empower local communities to solve local problems. Local democracy means for ALDA the strength of local and regional authorities, in a decentralized system of governance, as described in the European Charter for Local Self Government of the Council of Europe. Public local authorities, elected leaders and councillors, their civil servants, working with a strong and vivid civil society represent the strongest implementation of democracy, where negotiations, deliberation, action and responsibility are felt and experienced directly by citizens. ALDA has about 300 members (local and regional authorities, association of local authorities and civil society groups) and works with hundreds of partners all over the enlarged Europe and beyond. The threats to democracy are clear and perceived in all the countries where we work. It regards the growth of non-democratic movement and extremisms, violence and refusal of elections vote, low turnover and decline of trust and interest in public life. We are working in Ukraine since 2012 and the aggression of Russia to Ukraine has even more strengthened our perception that local democracy is an instrument of resistance and resilience. On the other hand, we see in our work, a powerful contribution to address these challenges at local level. Participatory democracy is a way to support democracy and defend it. It increases and strengthens civic space. Its potential is particularly high at the local level. We recommend: to raise the opportunities for implementing participatory democracy, as a form of dialogue and co creation with citizens at the local, national and European level (as it was done during the Conference on the future of Europe) - showing concrete results of these processes. to use a wording or measure limiting funding or support to Civil society with attention not to give the opportunity to shrinking civic space. We value the idea of having also a difference between friendly and non-friendly influences coming from different partners and States. at the local level, to improve dialogue with citizens and create spaces of dialogue, as a privileged space for citizens, and young people in particular, to debate the future of Europe and to promote their participation in political processes. These spaces can take the form of consultation committees, citizens assemblies, agorà etc. These measures may help to contain the actual trend of criminalisation of the term NGO (for ex. in Italy, the criminalisation of NGOs helping refugees throughout their migration path led to a general criminalisation of civil society). We should make sure that the recommendations highlight the added value of association and NGOs as a vivid component of democracy. Local democracy is an essential part of Democracy, in Europe and beyond. It is also based on the concrete action of these organisations and the principle of horizontal subsidiarity that they often assume. We must recommend that local authorities are supported. Decentralisation is a better answer to democracy threat that centralisation, since local institutions can promote closer involvement of citizens in the decision-making process, We confirm the need to underline this approach in the neighbourhood of Europe and in particular in Western Balkans and in Eastern Partnership Countries, giving a clear input to the future reconstruction of Ukraine, that needs our full and strong support. We need to demonstrate that Democracy delivers results, welfare and addresses the inequalities, so to be able to respond clearly to those who are presenting more successful options. It is fundamental to focus its added value.
Read full responseMeeting with Věra Jourová (Vice-President) and Transparency International Liaison Office to the European Union and
17 Mar 2023 · Defence of democracy package
Meeting with Dubravka Šuica (Vice-President)
1 Mar 2023 · Local and regional democracy, good governance and citizen participation in democracy. Invitation to attend ALDA general assembly.