Together in Action Project: Empowering Local Communities for Sustainable and Inclusive Futures

Deadline: 18-Apr-25

The European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA) is pleased to announce the Together in Action Project: Empowering Local Communities for Sustainable and Inclusive Futures.

This proposal seeks to support initiatives that are aimed at fostering European Citizenship and at supporting an inclusive and people-oriented economic local development all over Europe. Additionally, the aim is to cultivate a profound sense of “local ownership” and engagement within communities.

The project falls under the umbrella of the CERV programme, which seeks to support and develop open, rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies based on the rule of law. That includes a vibrant and empowered civil society, encouraging people’s democratic, civic and social participation and cultivating the rich diversity of European society, based on the common values, history and memory.

Thematic Focus

• The proposals will fund different organisations developing their own projects at the local level, widening public knowledge, awareness and interest about the EU key policies, values and strategies.
• Specifically, applicants should focus their action on two aspects:
  • Strengthening Civic Participation in the EU
    • In alignment with the CERV Programme, projects should strengthen citizens’ engagement and participation in democratic life while empowering individuals and organizations to understand, advocate for, and actively contribute to the respect of EU rights and values at the local level.
    • Values of non-discrimination and equality (including gender equality), and the promotion of inclusivity must be integrated in all foreseen actions, regardless of their specific objectives. In fact, proposals should clearly articulate how these values will be integrated into the project design, implementation, and outcomes.
  • Aligning with ALDA Thematic Hubs
    • Applicants must align their actions with the priorities set by ALDA’s thematic hubs. Proposals should clearly identify the thematic hub under which their action falls and how it contributes to the overarching goals within that theme.
    • Environment & Climate HUB 
      • Promote inclusive just transition that leaves no one behind, empowering marginalised communities and supporting them in the green transition.
      • Promote initiatives that bring to the territory the Green Deal and its ambitions, especially related to sustainable food, clean energy, circular economy and efficient renovations.
      • Promoting Environmental Education and empowering communities by creating learning opportunities for all about the main issues, policies and good practices related to climate and sustainability, especially in connection to water and oceans, food sustainability and energy.
    • Digital and Innovation HUB
      • Supporting Digital Transformation in Local Governance.
      • Enhancing Digital Skills for Youth and Future Workforce
      • Promoting Inclusive Digital Participation.
    • Gender Inclusion & Human Rights HUB
      • Advancing gender-responsive civic participation and governance. Support initiatives that enhance women’s, young girls’ and marginalised group’s representation in politics and leadership roles.
      • Promote and foster human rights and social justice initiatives that protect and advocate for fundamental rights, combat discrimination and support marginalised communities.
      • Countering hate speech and gender-based violence: campaigns, training and advocacy efforts that challenge harmful narratives and promote safe, respectful environments.
    • Migration HUB
      • Support active participation and local inclusion of people with migrant backgrounds in decision-making processes starting from the local level.
      • promote creative community-building initiatives at the local level that foster inclusion and bring benefits to both migrant and host communities.
      • Capacity-building, knowledge-sharing, combat mis/disinformation, advocacy activities that promote positive narratives for key actors working in the migration sector.
    • Youth Empowerment and Education HUB
      • Promote young people’s active participation in society and in decision-making processes at all levels.
      • Support social inclusion and youth with fewer opportunities.
      • Help young people benefit from the digital and green transition.
    • Territorial and Local Development HUB
      • Promote concrete initiatives about SDGs localisation, in particular focused on SDG11 – make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe and sustainable.
      • Increase knowledge or experimenting citizens participation on urban regeneration and common uses of public spaces.
      • Contribute to territorial promotion and cultural heritage, especially enhancing local productive, economic, and cultural chains (for instance, sustainable tourism, historical/cultural routes).

Funding Information

• The overall budget amount for this activity sums up to 160.000 Eur.
• The grants awarded will be: 10.000 Eur each, 16 projects in total.

Duration

• The implementation period of the Partnership Agreement, and thus of the regranted actions, will be from 9th of May 2025 to the 20th of October 2025.

Target Groups

• The target groups of the Re-granted projects can be one or more of the following:
  • Citizens and the local communities;
  • Young people between 15 and 29 years old;
  • Marginalised Groups (people with a migrant background, Roma, Sinti and Travellers communities, girls and women, LGBTIQA+ people, gender minorities, people with physical/mental/sensorial barriers);
  • Local Authorities.

Eligible Activities

• The type of activities eligible for this call are listed below (the list is not exhaustive, the activities can be local, cross-border and transnational):
  • Awareness raising activities: e.g. street actions, shows or workshops, focus groups (etc.).
  • Creative and cultural actions: e.g exhibitions, film festivals, theatre performances, art contests, artistic installations, street art initiatives, artistic residencies (etc).
  • Exchange of good practices: e.g. study visits, field visits, exchange events, networking/partnership building activities; (etc).
  • Promotion and dissemination activities: e.g. digital social activism, information campaigns, publications of manuals, audio-visual productions (etc.).
  • Training and learning-by-doing activities: e.g. thematic seminars, workshops, conferences, working camps, voluntary activities, training courses, thematic visits, webinars and digital workshops (etc.).

Eligibility Criteria

• In order to be eligible for granting the organisation must have all the characteristics below:
  • Be a legal entity;
  • Be a non-profit organization;
  • Be established in a Member State of the EU;
  • Respect EU values as laid down in Art. 2 of the Treaty on European Union and the EU Charter of fundamental rights;
  • Be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action, not acting as an intermediary.
  • Be a member of ALDA before the signature of the grant contract.

For more information, visit ALDA.