ALDA- The European Association for Local Democracy
ALDA- The European Association for Local Democracy is dedicated to the promotion of good governance and citizen participation at the local level. ALDA in particular focuses on activities that facilitate cooperation between local authorities and civil society. It was established in 1999 at the initiative of the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities to coordinate and support the network of Local Democracy Agencies. ALDA developed as one of the strongest stakeholders in the field of cooperation between local authorities and civil society engaged in the promotion of local democracy and active citizenship.
With 300 members from 45 countries, 15 Local Democracy Agencies, and 2 Operational Partners, ALDA promotes good governance and citizen participation at the local level, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030. Governed by a board elected every four years and supported by over 80 staff across six European offices, ALDA leads initiatives in European integration, decentralisation, human rights, social inclusion, migration, sustainable development, and civic initiatives. It is a key player in policy-making and advocacy, empowering local communities worldwide through projects, publications, and recommendations.
PULSE (France)
PULSE (France) was founded in 2006 to support impact entrepreneurship through programmes designed to help people develop their projects from idea to scale-up, through training, individual monitoring, access to expertise, networking and access to financing tools.
PULSE Balkans
PULSE Balkans was founded in 2023 as a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting civil society and entrepreneurial ecosystems in the Western Balkans, through fostering sustainable development and positive social impact.
Leader France
Leader France (France) aims to represent to the European, national and regional authorities the French rural territories involved in the European rural development program LEADER, and to bring together all the actors of rurality who wish to engage in European programs.
LDA Mostar (Bosnia & Herzegovina)
Established in November 2004, the Local Democracy Agency Mostar acts as a locally registered non-profit nongovernmental organization, with the support of its partners and ALDA. The activities of LDA Mostar, aimed at creating a more active citizenry and more transparent and accountable local authorities, are focused towards the development of a modern democratic society.
LDA Zavidovici (Bosnia & Herzegovina)
The Local Democracy Agency Zavidovici was founded in 1996. The LDA implements projects aimed at decentralised cooperation in different sectors such as local democracy, environment, social welfare, educational and cultural activities.
LDA Prijedor (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
The Local Democracy Agency Prijedor was established in the year 2000. the LDA’s main priorities are promoting citizens’ participation, supporting the democratic process at the local level, fostering the social network between citizens, organizations and institutions, supporting social inclusion and local economic development, and contributing to the work on Remembrance.
LDA Subotica (Serbia)
LDA Subotica (Serbia) was founded in 1993, as the first Local Democracy Agency. The LDA advocates democratic governance and participation and getting the accession negotiation process with the EU closer to citizens in local communities.
LDA (Central and Southern Serbia)
The Local Democracy Centre was established in 2001 in the City of Nis, to spread its programme further into the territories in need, in 2014 the LDA moved its headquarters to Knjazevac. The LDA carries out activities based on the principles of active citizenship and participation in the development of communities.
LDA Niksic (Montenegro)
Local Democracy Agency Niksic was established with the support of the Council of Europe in 2001 as a local NGO. The LDA’s main priorities are local administration capacity development, human rights and peacebuilding, youth participation, local economic development, and European Union integration processes.
LDA Kosovo (Kosovo)
Local Democracy Agency of Kosovo was officially opened in 2011 in Peja/Pec to promote local democracy on the territory of Kosovo. The LDA implements its mission through activities in the fields of democracy, justice, human rights, youth and equal opportunities, dialogue among minority communities in Kosovo, economic development, and social and cultural development.
Urban Research Institute (URI)
Urban Research Institute (URI) in Albania investigates social and economic issues facing the country and evaluates government policies aimed at solving them. URI's mission is to raise societal awareness, enhance understanding of these problems, and assess the impact of policies to improve decision-making and implementation at all government levels.
