How It Began

A summary of the preparations for a Local Democracy Agency in Georgia

01.02.2003 The Governing Board of the Association of Local Democracy Agencies decides to open the Programme of the LDAs out of the Balkans. A particular attention is given to the proposal of Local Government International Bureau for the establishment of an LDA in Georgia.

2003. Liechtenstein supports, through a voluntary contribution to the Council of Europe, a first Programme for setting up an LDA in Georgia.

27^th of February to the 2^nd of March 2004 : first finding mission in Georgia. Visits in Tblisi and
Kutaisi                                                     

29^th of September to the 4^th of October 2004 : Second mission to Georgia with an activity related

to the European Charter of Local Self Government        

29^th o1 January 2005, Governing Board, Bruxelles, Formal approval for the opening; of the LDA
Georgia                           

2005/2006 :

Ø       Follow up contacts with the potential partners (meeting in Bristol, Nantes, Oslo, Strasbourg and Vicenza)

Ø       Need assessment in Georgia

Ø       Fundraising for future Programme

Ø       Contacts with Georgian partners

Ø       Cooperation with the Council of Europe for the establishment of the Georgian Association of Local Authorities (support to NALAG with the funding of Nantes)

21^st of February 2006 : Partner meeting for the potential partners

The objectives of the Meeting:

Presented by the Antonella Valmorbida, Director of ALDA

• bringing the future partners of the LDA together and deciding on possible partnership
• identifying an action plan for the opening the Agency in Kutatisi and the first year of activities.
• identifying priorities for the projects