The European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA) is a French-registered, membership-based non-governmental organisation founded in 1999 at the initiative of the Council of Europe. ALDA was created to coordinate and support a network of Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs)—locally registered NGOs, initially in the Balkans, that promote good governance and local self-government in regions facing post-conflict challenges.
Headquartered in Strasbourg, ALDA operates additional offices in Brussels, Vicenza, Skopje, Chisinau, and Tunis. Its structure includes over 300 members from more than 45 countries, encompassing local authorities, civil society organisations, and associations of local authorities. The association is led by a governing board elected every four years, with daily activities managed by a staff of over 80 across its European offices.
ALDA’s work focuses on strengthening local democracy, supporting citizen participation, and encouraging cooperation between local governments and civil society at the local level. Areas of activity include European integration, decentralisation, social inclusion, migration, human rights, and sustainable development. Funding comes from membership fees and project grants from institutions such as the European Commission and the Council of Europe.
Recent projects include supporting digital ecosystems for EU mobile citizens, participating in international forums on development, and providing training and consultancies through its subsidiary, ALDA+. ALDA acts in policy advocacy, coordinates a network of 15 LDAs and two operational partners, and disseminates best practices in local governance through a variety of campaigns and international collaborations.