Five years have passed since the opening of the LDA Mariupol, and so much has changed since December 9, 2017. But there is something that has not changed: the mission, the vision and values of LDA Mariupol and its team, which continues, today more than ever, promoting democracy, good governance and citizens engagement, with an ever-increasing determination.

The importance of implementing the project “European Label for Governance Excellence (ELoGE)” both in North Macedonia and in Kosovo* has been further testified by the meeting among the Minister of Local Self Government of North Macedonia, Mr. Risto Pernov; the Minister of the Ministry of Local Government Administration, Mr. Elbert Krasniqi and ALDA President Oriano Otočan; ALDA Governing Board Member Emir Coric together with ALDA Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida.

Starting a process of reconstruction, based on the resilience of Local Authorities, municipalities and citizens not only is a necessary condition but it also the path to follow when facing a crisis. Therefore, envisaging the role of each player involved in the reconstruction process firstly, and in the democratic one secondly, is essential to understand the current situation in the EaP region.

Six countries – be they Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine – gathered together in 2009 to lay the foundation of the Eastern Partnership (EaP). The latter is thus aimed at strengthening the relations, both in terms of politics and socio-economic fields, with the European Union (EU).