Joining us means that you express your municipality's willingness to provide humanitarian support and building the Ukraine of tomorrow. By collectively putting together resources, we are able to create a European programme. Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of the European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA Europe) made these ramarks during a discussion with EPP-CoR members on the role of the Local Democracy Agencies in #Ukraine.
She explained how local democracy agencies (LDAs) are locally based organisations funded and supported by both local partners and international associations with a long term programme. They have been implementing projects to support local communities and contribute to the reconstruction of Ukraine. Valmorbida added that more than 100,000€ have been distributed and channelled through LDAs in Ukraine so far. LDAs have been implementing several projects since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine to support local communities and to contribute in the reconstruction in a post-conflict scenario. She referred to various good practices of support from the local and regional level including youth policy support and public transportation organisational expertise from the city of Gdańsk.
Olgierd Geblewicz, President of West Pomerania (Poland) and President of the EPP-CoR Group said "The CoR – under EPP leadership – has put in place a strategy to cooperate with local authorities in Ukraine, especially via a dedicated Working Group. We are committed to contribute to the reconstruction of Ukraine, and to share expertise to rebuild schools, hospitals, roads and other key infrastructure in the country."
Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk said "I strongly recommend to support and cooperate with ALDA Europe because it is vital to bring people together and share good practices and strengthen democracy in Ukraine."
Mark Speich, State Secretary for Federal, European and International Affairs and Media of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) said "In North Rhine-Westphalia we are in talks on deepening cooperation, including through the signing of a partnership agreement. The enormous advantage of working with Alda is having people on the ground, which are getting involved with our communities. It is very important to use our resources to promote cooperation."
Emma Blain, Councilllor in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (Ireland) welcomed the work being done by ALDA Europe and expressed interest for her municipality to contribute to bringing people together and teaching the importance of democracy through the sharing of expertise.