'The Local Space Is the Space Of Innovation'
This is an excerpt from introductory remarks given by ALDA's Antonella Valmorbida in Vitoria Gasteiz, in the Basque Country.
We represent 350 members, both local and civil society. We work mainly in Europe and beyond.
The mission is to strengthen local democracy through the empowerment of local governments and citizens alike. It means giving local powers government, the powers, the competencies they need. We are convinced that strong local democracy means stronger local communities.
Local governments cannot succeed alone. They need to involve, trust, and participate with citizens.
The local level is where democracy happens everyday. Not everyone will become a member of the parliament. But many of us are engaged in citizens councils, citizens consultation, in school councils.
We know that the local space is the space of innovation... And for that, we need transparency, openness and accountability...Those words need to be put in practice—we need to advocate for financial, political support.
