ALDA’s Secretary General, Antonella Valmorbida and Aldo Xhani, Coordinator of the Citizenship Programme, attended the plenary meeting of the newly established Civil Society Europe (CSE) platform, held last 22 January in Brussels.
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The event marked an important milestone of CSE’s life as it officialised the adoption of the association’s statute, its 2016 budget and the Advocacy Roadmap for 2016.
More than 35 European networks gathered together around two main principles of action enshrined in CSE’s Manifesto: create and enabling environment for horizontal exchanges between civil society organisations and movements across Europe and be influential in shaping the agenda on transversal issues of common interest for organised civil society in Europe.
Supporting the recognition of the added value of civil society organisations and strengthening their funding mechanisms is now needed more than ever. Populistic and radical movements are strengthening across Europe and core principles at the basis of the European project are put at risk. As one of the main stakeholders in the European Year of Citizens Alliance 2013, ALDA confirmed its strong support and commitment to the development of CSE by bringing in its 15 year expertise in the field of active citizenship and good governance at local level.
