The European Association for Local Democracy emerged in 1999 as a result of the Council of Europe's initiative to coordinate and support the network of Local Democracy Agencies, which are self-financing agencies registered as non-governmental organisations promoting and supporting good governance and local self-government. ALDA promotes good governance and citizen participation at local level. The association's work focuses on activities that facilitate cooperation between local authorities and civil society.
ALDA has more than 250 members, including local authorities, associations of local authorities and NGOs, in over 40 countries.
In the context of promoting good governance and citizen participation at local level, ALDA focuses its projects on the following issues: European integration, decentralisation, civic initiative and volunteering, human rights and sustainable economic development. ALDA carries out activities such as:
- Coordinates and supports the work of 10 Local Democracy Agencies and 3 operational partners;
- Implements its own projects in the area of good governance and citizen participation;
- Supports local stakeholder initiatives (e.g. local authorities) by providing expertise, where Local Democracy Agencies exist and where ALDA carries out its activities.