30 Years of Local Democracy Agencies: Celebrating Milestone in Skopje

The 30 years of the Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs) were celebrated as part of the "Successful Story from Conflict Aftermath Toward Europe" theme within the framework of the International Conference on "A Wider European Community: The Importance of Local Governance," which took place in Skopje on 19 and 20 October 2023.
This international conference provided a unique opportunity to showcase the extensive work carried out by ALDA and the LDAs in the Western Balkans region over the past three decades. The speakers took the audience on a journey through the establishment of the LDAs and the various projects that have been implemented during this significant period.
The panel discussion was initiated by Antonella Valmorbida, who provided a retrospective overview of the creation of the LDAs and their historical activities. Following that, Stanka Parac from LDA Subotica shared her memories and recounted the success stories of the first LDA established in the Balkans, located in Subotica. Dzenana Dedic, representing LDA Mostar, emphasized the crucial role of LDAs in the reconstruction of local communities. Vullnet Gusia, a representative from the Municipality of Peja, which hosted LDA Kosovo, highlighted the value that LDAs bring to local communities and the collaborative efforts with municipalities.
The panel discussion reached its conclusion with the screening of a documentary video specially produced for this occasion by Francesco Zarzana. This captivating video served as a visual testament to the journey of the LDAs and the remarkable progress they have achieved over the past 30 years.