The European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA) launched the Local Democracy Library series for publications in the field of good local governance analysing specific topics of expertise in cooperation with its members and partners.

The first issue of this library “Decentralized cooperation: an added value for Eastern Partnership countries” presents the benefits of decentralized cooperation as an instrument for engaging local and regional authorities in the EaP. Written by the Secretary General of ALDA Antonella Valmorbida, the paper is primarily intended for EU policy makers and practitioners in the field of development cooperation, for staff of national, local and regional authorities of Eastern Partnership countries, and provides an overview of the challenges and opportunities linked to decentralized cooperation in these countries. The paper is published in English and Russian.

The European Association for Local Democracy is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the promotion of good governance and citizen participation at the local level with focus on activities that facilitate cooperation between local authorities and civil society. Established at the initiative of the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, since 1999 ALDA operates in the European Union and in its Neighborhood.