On 7–8 May 2025, the city of Cesena, Italy, hosted the fifth GINEVRA Partner Meeting, bringing together project partners at a crucial moment in the lead-up to the project’s final implementation phase. The meeting provided an important space to review progress on autonomous vehicle (AV) pilots, refine governance and engagement strategies, and strengthen coordination ahead of upcoming demonstration activities.

From the perspective of ALDA+, the Cesena meeting highlighted once again the importance of connecting technological innovation with inclusive governance, effective communication, and local institutional capacity.

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Advancing AV governance and preparing demonstrations

The first day of the meeting took place at the Comune di Cesena and focused on technical and strategic updates across GINEVRA’s core activities. Partners shared progress on demo site preparations in Cesena, Varaždin, and Bad Schönborn, with a dedicated coordination session moderated by TU Wien to align timelines and expectations for the upcoming implementation phase.

Discussions also covered advancements under Work Package 2, with partners exchanging insights from ongoing stakeholder and citizen engagement activities. These exchanges reinforced the project’s shared understanding that governance frameworks and public dialogue must evolve alongside technical development.

In this context, ALDA+ led a dedicated session on risk and emergency communication, underlining the role of clear, timely, and responsive messaging as autonomous mobility pilots move closer to real-world testing. The session emphasised that public trust, transparency, and preparedness are essential components of responsible innovation in urban mobility.

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Transnational perspectives on autonomous mobility

The second day moved to the historic Biblioteca Malatestiana, a UNESCO-recognised cultural landmark that provided a symbolic backdrop for discussions on the relationship between heritage and innovation. The Transnational Seminar, titled “State of the Art and Perspectives for AV in Europe”, brought together contributions from TU Wien, inBlenda, and EMFIE, offering both European and global perspectives on regulatory frameworks, case studies, and future pathways for autonomous vehicle deployment.

The setting itself invited reflection on how cities can balance respect for historical identity with forward-looking urban transformation. A guided visit of the Biblioteca followed, reinforcing the meeting’s central theme: innovation is most sustainable when it is embedded within local context and shared values.

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Moving towards final implementation

The Cesena Partner Meeting marked an important milestone as GINEVRA moves decisively into its final implementation phase. With demonstration activities approaching, the exchanges helped clarify roles, strengthen collaboration among partners, and align expectations on governance tools and capitalisation strategies.

For ALDA+, this phase is particularly significant in ensuring that project results translate into practical, accessible, and transferable governance solutions for local authorities across Central Europe. By integrating technical expertise with participatory approaches and strategic communication, GINEVRA continues to demonstrate how cities can responsibly manage the challenges and opportunities of autonomous mobility.

A warm thank you goes to the Comune di Cesena for hosting the meeting and providing an inspiring setting for dialogue, as well as to all project partners for their continued commitment and collaboration.

On 10–11 December 2025, partners of the GINEVRA project gathered in Karlsruhe, Germany, for the sixth in-person Partner Meeting, marking a key milestone in the project’s final implementation phase. The meeting took place at a crucial moment, as GINEVRA moves from pilot implementation towards consolidation, uptake, and long-term impact.

From the perspective of ALDA+, the Karlsruhe meeting represented an important opportunity to align governance, technical innovation, and communication efforts around one central question: how can cities manage the societal and institutional implications of autonomous mobility in a responsible, inclusive, and future-proof way?

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From local pilots to demonstration results

A central focus of the meeting was the exchange on citizen and stakeholder engagement pilots. Pilot cities, including Ptuj, Nyíregyháza, and Słupsk, shared concrete experiences on how participatory approaches can support more transparent and legitimate governance processes around emerging mobility solutions.

These discussions reaffirmed a key message that has guided GINEVRA since its inception: technological innovation alone is not sufficient. Effective governance of autonomous vehicles requires early dialogue with citizens, local stakeholders, and public authorities, ensuring that innovation responds to real societal needs and concerns.

In parallel, partners reviewed technology demonstration activities, with in-depth discussions on demos implemented in Varaždin and Cesena, as well as progress updates from Bad Schönborn. These exchanges highlighted the interdependence between technical deployment, governance frameworks, and communication strategies, particularly when it comes to public trust and policy relevance.

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Strengthening tools, communication, and uptake

Beyond pilots and demos, the Karlsruhe meeting served as a strategic coordination moment for the project’s final phase. Partners jointly reviewed the state of play and next steps for the GINEVRA Toolkit, discussed pathways for uptake and mainstreaming beyond the project’s lifetime, and aligned on final implementation steps.

In this context, ALDA+ contributed particularly to discussions on communication, dissemination, and capitalisation. Updates presented during the meeting showcased the project’s growing visibility, including increased social media engagement, the publication of success stories, and targeted coverage of Demo Days. These efforts underline the importance of evidence-based storytelling in translating project results into actionable knowledge for policymakers and local authorities.

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From results to long-term impact

The Karlsruhe Partner Meeting confirmed GINEVRA’s role as a transnational learning platform for cities navigating the governance challenges of autonomous mobility. By bringing together local authorities, researchers, and governance experts, the project demonstrates how collaborative, place-based approaches can help cities anticipate and manage transformative innovations responsibly.

As GINEVRA enters its final months, the focus now shifts towards consolidating results, strengthening capitalisation, and ensuring long-term accessibility of project outcomes. For ALDA+, this phase is particularly important in supporting public authorities across Central Europe to translate lessons learned into sustainable governance practices that extend well beyond the project’s formal duration.

Watch the Winter Holidays video made by Marco Boaria, CEO of ALDA+, and discover the 2025 highlights of the Benefit Corporation!

As 2025 draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the key milestones achieved by ALDA+, made possible by the commitment and passion with which our team works every day to promote the values we believe in.

It is a moment to look back, but also to look ahead: our goal remains to deliver ever more effective services and to develop impactful projects, building on our successes while learning from the challenges we have faced along the way.

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International School 2025

From 3 to 5 September, in the beautiful setting of Villa Fabris in Thiene, we organised the second edition of the ALDA+ International School.

This year’s theme, “Resilient Communities: Strengthening Local Democracy in Times of Change”, offered an opportunity to reflect on the urgent need to protect democratic systems in a historical moment marked by increasingly complex global challenges.

Over the three days, numerous young participants engaged in discussions with experts from across Europe and beyond, addressing topics such as trust in democratic institutions, the role of technological progress, and the future enlargement of the European Union.

Building on this experience, we are already looking ahead with the aim of organising a third edition in 2026, featuring an even more ambitious programme and new thematic pathways.

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AVGG – Alta Via della Grande Guerra

2025 marked a further step for ALDA+ in its commitment to promoting and enhancing the territory of the Alto Vicentino, a historical and cultural heritage of great value that deserves to be known and preserved.

In this context, ALDA+ has been involved for several years in activities related to the Alta Via della Grande Guerra (AVGG), a hiking route of approximately 200 km that crosses the Vicentine Pre-Alps and preserves the memory of the First World War. By providing technical assistance to the project leader, the Province of Vicenza, ALDA+ contributes to the development and promotion of this initiative.

During 2025, among the main activities carried out, 12 guided hikes were organised, offering participants the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the historical events that shaped these places, while also highlighting the area’s natural beauty and local food and wine traditions.

If you are interested in learning more and taking part in upcoming activities, we invite you to stay updated via our website and social media channels: new initiatives are already planned for 2026!

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Training activities

During 2025, ALDA+ continued to deliver training programmes focused on Project Cycle Management and European funding programmes, with the aim of strengthening the skills of individuals, public bodies, and organisations interested in EU project development. Through these courses, we supported many participants in transforming project ideas into well-structured and concrete proposals.

Building on the positive feedback received and the growing level of interest, in 2026 we plan to further expand our training offer, developing new content and reaching an even wider audience.

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Technical Assistance

Alongside training activities, in 2025 ALDA+ continued to provide technical assistance services to public bodies and organisations that share our values and objectives. Through this work, we support partners in the development of strategies, projects, and communication activities, helping to strengthen their impact at the local level.

Among the most significant collaborations, ALDA+ is responsible for the communication of the LIFE Svolta Blu project for Viacqua, the joint-stock company managing the integrated water service in 67 municipalities of the Province of Vicenza. This collaboration is a concrete example of how technical assistance can support the dissemination of good practices and raise awareness on key issues such as the sustainable management of water resources.

Looking ahead to 2026, we aim to continue and further consolidate this commitment by expanding our partnerships and strengthening the technical support offered to our partners.

We would like to conclude with a heartfelt thank you to all the people, organisations, and partners who have walked alongside us throughout 2025. It is thanks to collaboration, trust, and shared commitment that ALDA+ has been able to achieve these results and continue to grow.

The year 2025 leaves us with new skills, strengthened relationships, and ideas on which to build. With this spirit, we look ahead to 2026 with enthusiasm, ready to take on new challenges and develop even more ambitious and impactful projects.

See you in 2026!

On 22–23 October 2025, the Croatian city of Varaždin hosted the first Demonstration Days of the GINEVRA project, marking a major milestone in Central Europe’s efforts to shape the future of autonomous mobility. Over two days, the city transformed its airfield into a real-life test environment, where citizens, students, public institutions, and professionals experienced firsthand how responsible innovation can be governed on the ground.

Funded by the Interreg Central Europe Programme, GINEVRA helps cities develop and test governance tools to responsibly manage technological transformations – such as autonomous vehicles – while keeping citizens at the heart of decision-making.

From policy to practice

Organised by the City of Varaždin, together with GINEVRA partners, the Demonstration Days brought together a variety of community groups and local stakeholders to test the autonomous shuttle developed within the project.

Before the official opening, emergency services tested the vehicle on 21 October, ensuring that safety protocols were in place for all participants. The following days were structured around thematic sessions:

• Day 1 (22 October): Public authorities, students, elderly citizens, and people with special needs
• Day 2 (23 October): Academic institutions, professional associations, businesses, and emergency service representatives

Each group experienced a test drive and was invited to share feedback using the GINEVRA app, a digital tool designed to capture citizens’ perceptions, comfort levels, and trust in autonomous technologies. This participatory approach turns the demos into both a technological experiment and a social dialogue on innovation governance.

Innovation with inclusion

While the self-driving shuttle captured attention, the true focus of Varaždin’s Demo Days was inclusion. The city demonstrated how innovation can be tested in a way that is accessible, transparent, and beneficial to all segments of society – from schoolchildren learning about future mobility, to elderly residents exploring accessibility solutions.

This approach mirrors the essence of GINEVRA: that innovation must be co-designed, citizen-oriented, and ethically guided. By engaging multiple user groups, Varaždin proved that responsible governance is not only about regulating technology, but also about building trust and understanding citizens’ perspectives.

In the national spotlight

The event attracted nationwide media coverage, with reports featured on Croatia’s three national television channels (HRT, NOVA TV, and RTL), as well as local broadcaster VTV and numerous online media outlets.

Highlights include:

• City of Varaždin Official News : announcing the local initiative and its European relevance
• eVaraždin :  featuring video coverage from the demonstration site
• Mnovine.hr : highlighting the public participation aspect and community engagement
• Financije.hr : focusing on the economic and technological dimensions of the project
• Zimo Dnevnik : presenting the innovation and technology narrative to national audiences
• Regionalni.com : offering photos and testimonials from participants at the airfield
• Varaždinske Vijesti : documenting the live demonstration and reactions from local citizens

Watch the HRT national report here.

Leading by example

The Varaždin Demonstration Days marked the first real-world milestone of GINEVRA, setting a precedent for the project’s next pilots in Cesena (Italy) and Bad Schönborn (Germany). Insights collected from participants will contribute to a transnational strategy for governing technological innovation across Central Europe.

As Mayor Neven Bosilj noted, “Varaždin has shown that even smaller cities can play a big role in shaping the future of mobility. We are proud to be part of a European initiative that not only tests technology but also builds trust, inclusion, and awareness among citizens.”

About GINEVRA

GINEVRA – Governance Innovation for Emerging Technologies in Responsible Automotive Mobility – is an Interreg Central Europe project supporting cities in governing transformative innovations such as autonomous vehicles. The project develops governance guidelines and citizen engagement tools tested in pilot actions across Europe, contributing to a transnational strategy for responsible innovation.

Discover how GINEVRA helps cities across Central Europe govern innovation responsibly: www.interreg-central.eu/projects/ginevra

On 9 November 2025, Marco Boaria, Director of Programmes & Development at ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy and CEO of ALDA+, took part in TEDxVicenza with a talk that blended history, identity, and European citizenship under the title “Europa: il Progetto che ci progetta” (“Europe: the Project that Designs Us”).

The event was held at H-FARM International School in Vicenza — Visionary Partner of TEDxVicenza 2025 — where participants spent a full day exploring workshops and immersive experiences dedicated to communication, sustainability, art, inclusion, and innovation.

A European Approach Rooted in the Local

In his talk at TEDxVicenza, Marco Boaria offered a powerful reflection on what it truly means to work with and for Europe today. According to Boaria, the European Union should not be seen as a distant institution or a mere source of funding, but as a shared space of cooperation, where citizens, local authorities, and civil society organisations act as co-creators of change.

“Europe is not something we receive — it is something we build, together.”

Drawing on the experience of ALDA and ALDA+, Marco presented an approach based on partnership, where territories are not passive beneficiaries of European policies, but active actors in their design and implementation.
Through cooperation, participation, and the exchange of good practices, Europe becomes a concrete driver for local development, capable of generating real impact within communities.

Through an interactive and immersive experience inspired by the Alta Via della Grande Guerra, Marco guided the audience on a symbolic journey across the Prealps of Vicenza — a territory where nature, history, and collective memory intertwine. These mountains, rich with trenches, forts, and paths carved during World War I, form a living museum that preserves both the scars and values of the past.

He recalled how, since 2001, the Province of Vicenza, together with the Unione Montana Spettabile Reggenza dei Sette Comuni, the Veneto Region, and 24 municipalities, has worked to restore and enhance this extraordinary heritage. The result is the Alta Via della Grande Guerra delle Prealpi Vicentine — a cultural and natural route that connects over 200 kilometres of trails, linking memorials, museums, and fortifications, including the Italian and Austro-Hungarian strongholds.

At the heart of this initiative lie the four military memorials of Pasubio, Cimone, Asiago, and Grappa — tangible symbols of memory, freedom, and shared identity.

During his talk, Marco drew a parallel between this local project and the broader European project, reminding the audience that:

Europe is not just an institution, but a shared design — a living project.

By comparing the restoration of historical memory to European cooperation, he invited participants to see themselves as European project designers, capable of transforming daily challenges into opportunities for change. His message highlighted how European values — democracy, solidarity, sustainability, and territorial cohesion — translate every day into tangible actions across territories, turning Europe into a living project, built from the ground up and for everyone.

The recording of the TEDxVicenza 2025 talk will be available soon.

Do you have a project in mind, but no budget to realise it? Are you wondering how to navigate in the EU funding landscape?

Join the training cycle on EU-funded programmes delivered by ALDA+!

It will provide you with theoretical and hands-on knowledge on the EU programmes. Our experienced project designers and developers will guide you through this journey, sharing practical tools to get the funds that will turn your project into reality!

What are the objectives?

• Providing a clear understanding of the main EU programmes (Erasmus+, CERV, LIFE, Horizon Europe and much more) and their funding mechanisms;
• Building participants’ capacity in designing, managing, and reporting EU-funded projects;
• Sharing practical tools & examples from ALDA’s extensive project portfolio;
• Fostering networking among organisations working with EU funds.

Why should you choose ALDA?

• +20 years of experience in successful applications across multiple funding programmes;
• The possibility to benefit from our extensive network, which includes local authorities, NGOs, universities and institutions;
• Practical methodology;
• The flexible format of the training that allows you to choose one or more sessions according to your interests and needs;
• Certificate of attendance issued at the end of the course. 

Who is this course for?

Anyone interested in understanding the mechanism of the EU-funded programmes. 

In particular, project managers and developers, local and regional authorities, NGOs and associations, freelancers and consultants interested in EU project work.

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Practical information

• Dates: From 20 November to 16 December, 2025
• Duration: 8 sessions in total | 2 hours each
• Format: Online
• Language: English
• Fee: 320€ full package (all 8 sessions) | 50€ each session, should you be interested in only one (or more) topic

Date	Time	Topic
20 November	10:00 – 12:00 CET	Erasmus
25 November	10:00 – 12:00 CET	CERV
27 November	10:00 – 12:00 CET	Creative Europe
2 December	10:00 – 12:00 CET	LIFE
4 December	10:00 – 12:00 CET	Interreg
9 December	10:00 – 12:00 CET	AMIF
11 December	10:00 – 12:00 CET	Horizon
16 December	10:00 – 12:00 CET	NDICI

Please click here for the detailed agenda.

Register now!

Registrations are open until 15 November!

To secure your spot, write an email to:  training@aldaplus.it , we will give you all the necessary information to enrol in the course.

To secure your spot, a 50€ deposit is asked at the moment of enrolment. Please note that the number of places available is limited.

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn how to turn your ideas into action through the EU-funded programmes!

For over 25 years, ALDA has been developing, implementing, and managing projects that protect and promote local democracy, focusing on topics such as environmental sustainability, integration and inclusion of migrants, digitalisation, and territorial development, among others.

From this long-standing experience, in 2017 the idea of ALDA+ Srl was born — a benefit corporation that builds on ALDA’s two decades of expertise by offering its skills to local authorities, civil society organisations, universities, and enterprises, helping them design and implement valuable projects that turn ideas into concrete actions.

“We face challenges with a practical and targeted approach, creating value and ensuring sustainable results to build an innovative and inclusive future.”

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What are the services of ALDA+?

The wide range of ALDA+ services is based on three main pillars:
Project Cycle Management, Technical Assistance, and Training.

PROJECT CYCLE MANAGEMENT (PCM)

A complete support service for managing the entire project cycle, assisting you through each stage of project design and implementation:

• Project design – to build a well-structured, high-quality project proposal.
• Project implementation – to support you throughout the execution phase (once funding is approved by donors).
• Financial reporting – to help you manage the project budget, which is often a complex challenge for many organisations.

Currently, for example, ALDA+ is supporting the implementation and communication of the project Alta Via della Grande Guerra (AVGG), an initiative involving several organisations and institutions — including the Province of Vicenza — aimed at promoting a hiking trail of historical, cultural, and environmental significance in the Vicenza area.

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TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

A personalised assistance service designed to meet specific needs across various fields and sectors.

This may include support in: identifying funding opportunities, managing public services, obtaining consultancy, engaging in networking activities with stakeholders, organising online or offline events, and developing or implementing communication strategies.

Recently, ALDA+ provided assistance to the Municipality of Lipari (Sicily) for the communication of IT.A.CÀ – The Responsible Tourism Festival, promoting a vision of travel that combines sustainability, inclusion, and respect for the territory.

ALDA+ supported all communication phases of the project up to the final event held on 11–12 October in the Aeolian Islands.

The initiative was funded by the Italian Ministry of Tourism under the Excover – Explore and Discover the Aeolian Islands project.

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TRAINING

Training is the key to growth and to turning new challenges into opportunities. That’s why ALDA+ Academy offers both standard and customised courses to develop practical skills with the support of its team of experts.

The standard courses currently available cover the following areas:
Project Cycle Management (PCM), EU funding programmes, financial management and auditing of funded projects, European Commission portals, and project communication and dissemination.

The most recent PCM course was held in May and June 2025, with around 25 enthusiastic participants who gained all the tools needed to successfully manage each stage of the project cycle — from identifying and applying to calls for proposals to project writing, implementation, communication, and financial reporting.

Registrations for the next course will open soon — don’t miss the opportunity to join and learn the secrets to achieving a successful project!

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If you have a project idea but don’t know where to start, or if you are looking for support in development, management, or fundraising, ALDA+ Srl will guide you through every phase to turn your vision into tangible results.

To learn more, visit our website https://www.aldaplus.it/ and contact us to find out which service best fits your needs!

On 2–3 October 2025, the GreenScape CE partners met in the vibrant city of Szeged, Hungary, for the project’s sixth Partner Meeting – an important milestone as the consortium enters its final implementation phase to advance nature-based solutions (NBS) and green infrastructure (GI) across Central Europe.

Hosted by the City of Szeged in collaboration with REGEA, the two-day meeting brought together all partners for technical coordination, communication planning, and knowledge exchange, reinforcing the project’s commitment to building more resilient, climate-proof cities.

Day 1 – Strategic Exchanges and Project Coordination

The first day focused on technical and strategic updates from all work packages. Partners discussed the finalisation of the Technical Handbook for NBS/GI Implementation and the Financing Handbook for Public Project Developers led by ETIFOR, as well as upcoming replication activities and policy actions under WP3.
ALDA+, as Communication Manager, presented the updated project visibility plan and shared the communication strategy for the upcoming Final Conference, to be held in Brussels (Belgium) in February 2026.

Day 2 – Communication, Reflection, and Field Experience

The second day centred on communication, evaluation, and field learning. ALDA+ provided an overview of social-media growth, website engagement, and the next dissemination milestones, while partners reviewed progress on deliverables and coordination mechanisms for the final semester.
Participants later joined a guided site visit across Szeged’s city centre to observe how local initiatives are integrating green infrastructure into urban development – from green roofs to community-led public-space projects that support climate resilience.

Next Steps

As the project approaches its final stages, the Szeged Partner Meeting served as a platform to consolidate results, strengthen cooperation, and prepare for the transition from pilot implementation to policy-level impact.

A heartfelt thank-you to our hosts, City of Szeged and REGEA, for their hospitality and excellent organisation of this successful meeting.

Stay tuned for more insights, photos, and success stories from the GreenScape CE partners as we continue turning grey into green across Central Europe!

Is it still necessary, in 2025, to talk about gender inequality in the workplace?

The latest Global Gender Gap Report, published by the World Economic Forum in 2024, gives considerable attention to the issue, revealing that, to date, no country in the world has yet achieved full equality between men and women. According to the document, it will take another 134 years to reach this goal.

So yes, talking about gender inequality in the workplace is necessary. However, despite the alarming data, the same report points out that equality in workforce participation continues to improve globally, suggesting that progress, albeit very slow, is moving in the right direction.

Where are we on the long way to equality in the workplace?

In 2024, women’s representation in the global workforce remained below men’s, constituting about 42% of the total. Furthermore, there is a significant reduction of this number when it comes to high-level leadership positions: only 31.7% of these roles are held by women.

The situation described mirrors the EU one: Eurostat data show that, in 2023, women accounted for almost half of all employees in the Union (46.4%), but remained under-represented among managers (34.8%).

In addition to it, women still face obstacles at the very beginning of their careers. Their chances of being hired for entry-level positions remain lower than those of men, making them under-represented from the outset. And even once hired, they too often encounter further barriers, such as wage gaps: according to UN Women, they earn on average 20% less than men, globally.

Why is gender equality important, not only (and above all) from an ethical point of view, but also in terms of productivity? 

First of all, the concept of equal opportunities at work (not only from a gender perspective) refers to a broader ethical and moral concept that today’s society should ideally reflect: freedom to work, to choose a profession, and to do so in a condition of dignity, safety and equality, is an essential aspect of human well-being. 

Guaranteeing that women have access to this right is an important end in itself.

International Labor Organisation

Furthermore, research shows a correlation between gender equality and corporate-organisational success, revealing that organisations in the top 25% for gender diversity are 27% more likely to perform better than the national average for their sector in terms of productivity. Correlation does not mean causation, but studies suggest that the consistency of data collected over the last decade indicates that the link between respect for diversity and company performance is not a coincidence.

The reasons for this may be many and varied, depending on the specific context. One of these is linked to the issue of human well-being mentioned before: organisations that adopt inclusive policies report higher staff satisfaction and, therefore, a clear improvement in performance.

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Despite the 134 years that separate us from the desirable equality, (slow but significant) progress has been made, which gives us hope.

Thanks to increased awareness and sensitivity on the issue, especially among the younger generations, more and more companies are paying attention to equal opportunity policies. Among these there is also ALDA+, whose commitment has been recognised with the prestigious UNI/PdR 125:2022 certification for the measures adopted to guarantee gender equality in the workplace.

Talking, or rather shouting, to achieve gender equality in the workplace is essential, now more than ever. Equality does not only mean economic and productive advantages. Above all, it means human dignity, a universal value for building, little by little, a more equitable and just world.

By obtaining the UNI/PdR 125:2022 certification, ALDA+ demonstrates that gender equality is achievable for small and medium organisations and not just large corporations.

When gender equality in the workplace is discussed, most of the time the spotlight falls on large corporations and multinationals. Yet, in Europe, 99% of businesses are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and countless NGOs operate with smaller teams but carry enormous social impact. Saying this, these organisations are not exempt from the responsibility to promote gender inclusion but in fact, their smaller size can be a big advantage on this topic, as policies and cultural change can be applied more quickly and visibly, and followed more closely. 

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For NGOs in particular, aligning internal practices with the values they promote externally is crucial for credibility. This is the path ALDA+ has taken.

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In 2024, ALDA+, the operational arm of ALDA – the European Association for Local Democracy, obtained the UNI/PdR 125:2022 certification, an official recognition of the organisation’s concrete and constant efforts to ensure gender equality in the workplace.

The certification confirms that ALDA+ has implemented measurable processes to:

• Ensure equal opportunities in recruitment, training, and career development;
• Promote inclusive leadership and governance;
• Promote work–life balance and fair distribution of responsibilities;
• Monitor and report on gender equality objectives.
  

By doing so, ALDA+ has proven that even a medium-sized organisation can meet the highest standards of workplace inclusion and, more importantly, that policies on paper can be turned into everyday practice. But how, and what can other SMEs and NGOs learn from ALDA+’s journey?

Three key lessons stand out:

1. Start with policy, but don’t stop there

Adopting a Gender Equality Policy is essential, but the real test is always implementation. ALDA+ implements gender objectives in daily operations, in this way ensuring they are not just aspirational statements, but applied operational guidelines.

2. Use certification as a roadmap, not just a badge

The UNI/PdR 125:2022 framework provides measurable indicators that should be followed, from pay gap monitoring to different governance practices. For ALDA+, the process of certification was an opportunity to examine and put to the test existing practices, identify gaps, and commit to continuous improvement.

3. Leverage your mission to lead by example

As an organisation that trains and supports local governance actors across Europe and beyond, ALDA+ recognised that internal credibility strengthens external advocacy. By aligning internal practices with its mission of inclusion and participation, ALDA+ amplifies its impact also in communities.

Why closing the gap is everyone’s responsibility

According to Eurostat, women in the EU still earn around 12–13% less than men per hour. This gap is influenced by factors such as occupational segregation, unequal distribution of care responsibilities, and barriers to career progression. The EU Pay Transparency Directive, adopted in 2023, obliges organisations to report on pay gaps and make recruitment and promotion processes more transparent and fair.

For large employers, compliance is often about complex HR systems and reporting mechanisms. For smaller organisations, it is about practical, everyday decisions:

• Are job descriptions gender-neutral?
• Are recruitment panels diverse?
• Do training opportunities reach everyone equally?
• Are working parents supported with flexible arrangements?
  

ALDA+ shows that the answers can be “yes”, even without the resources of a multinational.

For other organisations leaning to follow this path, here is a practical starting checklist inspired by ALDA+’s experience:

1. Adopt a clear gender equality policy – set principles and assign responsibility.
2. Conduct a self-assessment – use available EU/ILO toolkits to map where gaps exist within.
3. Implement small but high-impact measures – e.g., structured pay reviews, transparent promotion criteria, flexible work.
4. Train leadership and staff – inclusion must be understood and practiced at every level.
5. Monitor and report progress – even a simple annual internal review builds accountability.

ALDA+’s UNI/PdR 125:2022 certification is more than a milestone for us, but a reminder that gender equality is achievable for organisations of every size. By setting inclusion in its own operations, ALDA+ is not only ensuring a fair and diverse workplace for its team, but also setting a standard for the thousands of local actors it supports across Europe.

Closing the gender gap is not a task only reserved for multinationals or governments. It is a responsibility, as well as an opportunity, for every organisation, big or small. ALDA+ shows how it can be done.