Shades of Democracy

Shades of Democracy

Welcome to the ALDA Podcast series! Precious highlights to understand what local democracy looks like in our everyday lives. Chats and interviews with many guests from Europe and beyond. Find out more ➡️ www.alda-europe.eu

Episodes

December 18, 2025 8 mins
🎙 Shades of Democracy — Season 4 Recap

As Shades of Democracy comes to the end of Season 4, host Manal Snidi is joined by Beatrice Frascatani to reflect on the journey of this year’s podcast.

This final episode steps back from interviews and formats to revisit the themes and questions that shaped the season — from housing and digital inclusion to gender equality, climate action, local governance, and volunteering. Rather than follow...
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🎙 Inside the COP: Turning Global Climate Decisions into Local Action

What happens at the COP may seem distant — but its consequences are felt most strongly at local level, in our cities, towns, and communities.In this episode of Shades of Democracy, host Manal Snidi explores climate action from a perspective that is both global and deeply local. Starting from street interviews capturing citizens’ priorities, hopes, and concerns aro...
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🎙 Youth Voices at ALDA – Inside the Volunteering Experience

What does it mean to volunteer within an international organisation working on participation and local democracy? 

In this episode of Shades of Democracy, we dive deep into the experience of the young people who join ALDA each year through the Italian Civil Service (Servizio Civile Universale) — a programme that places volunteers in ALDA’s offices across Europe, where they ...
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November 25, 2025 17 mins
🎙 In this special 25 November episode of ALDA’s podcast “Shades of Democracy”, we explore what gender equality really means today — and why it remains essential for the health of our democracies.

Through street interviews, listeners hear how people define (and sometimes struggle to define) gender equality — from pay gaps to representation, from safety to shifting social norms. These voices set the stage for a broader conversation o...
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October 17, 2025 17 mins
🎙 In this episode of ALDA’s podcast “Shades of Democracy”, we dive into the heart of digital inclusion — exploring how innovation, accessibility, and participation intertwine in shaping democracy in the digital age.

From the All Digital Summit in Malta, voices from the field share how technology can both empower and exclude, reminding us that inclusion is not just about access to tools, but about trust, confidence, and belonging.💬...
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🎙️ In this episode of ALDA Podcast “Shades of Democracy”, we explore how cooperation between institutions and civil society strengthens democratic resilience across Europe.
Our guests Lotta Valtonen from the Council of Europe and Katica Janeva, Director of ALDA’s Skopje Office, share insights on the tools and programmes that make democracy work in practice — from the European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE) to the BRIDGE to ...
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July 28, 2025 24 mins
🎙️ Join us in this episode of ALDA Podcast “Shades of Democracy,” as we explore why housing is more than just shelter — it’s a cornerstone of democratic participation.

Our guest Maite Arrondo, member of ALDA’s Advisory Board and long-time advocate for social justice, shares powerful insights on the current housing crisis and what must change at both the EU and local levels.From street interviews in Brussels to policy recommendation...
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April 15, 2025 8 mins
Behind the Scenes at ALDA: Who We Are and Why We Do It

We’re kicking off a brand new season of “Shades of Democracy” with a special behind-the-scenes episode! Meet the team behind ALDA as we share stories, laughs, and honest moments from our everyday work in the world of civic engagement.
From funny fails at international events to heartfelt memories from the field, this episode offers an inside look at what it really means to work f...
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December 23, 2024 5 mins
And we have arrived at the end of the third season of the ALDA Podcast Shades of Democracy! 🚀

In this special recap episode, host Manal Snidi together with Beatrice Frascatani from the ALDA Communication Team reflect on the highlights of the season, their favourite episodes, and the valuable lessons learned. From volunteering and participatory democracy to combating hate speech and fostering inclusion, this season has been packed w...
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December 20, 2024 36 mins
Join us in this episode of the ALDA Podcast Shades of Democracy as we reflect on the results of the 2024 EU elections and their implications for the future of European democracy.
We’re joined by MEP Daniel Freund and Adrien Licha, who will share their thoughts on how citizens can get involved, how young people can participate, and how civil society can help connect institutions with the public. This episode provides a deep look at h...
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December 19, 2024 27 mins
Join us in this episode of the ALDA Podcast "Shades of Democracy" as we explore the transformative power of participatory democracy! Our guests, Anthony Zacharzewski, Anna Ditta, and Tamara Ehs, share their expertise and experiences in fostering local democracy and addressing today’s societal and environmental challenges. 
Tune in to discover how involving citizens in decision-making processes can help shape a brighter, more inclusi...
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December 6, 2024 32 mins
Join us in this episode of ALDA Podcast “Shades of Democracy”, as we dive deep into the critical issue of hate speech and its intersection with gender and inclusion policies.  Our guests, Sara Afendi (ALDA) and Hana Kojakovic (Media Diversity Institute), share their experiences tackling religious-based hate speech through projects like “Get The Trolls Out” and “HATEDEMICS”, and explore practical strategies for fostering inclusive d...
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June 28, 2024 22 mins
In this episode of ALDA Podcast "Shades of Democracy," we dive into the importance of volunteering across Europe. Our esteemed guests, Maurizio Camin, Marta Sys, and Lorenzo Buscema, share their unique perspectives on how volunteer efforts foster community engagement, social inclusion, and active citizenship. 
Listen in to discover how these initiatives are creating positive impacts throughout Europe!

Useful links:

Trento European Cap...
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Join us in this episode of ALDA Podcast "Shades of Democracy" as we discuss EU enlargement, and developments in Ukraine. 
Our distinguished guests, Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Secretary General and Marta Barandiy, founder of Promote Ukraine, share their perspectives on the situation in Ukraine, its links with the EU, and ALDA's role in supporting democratic values in the region.Tune in to gain more knowledge on the topic! 


Useful link...
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May 10, 2024 32 mins
Join us in this episode of ALDA Podcast "Shades of Democracy," as we explore the significance of the EU Elections 2024 and their impact on the future of European democracy. Our distinguished guests, MEP Domènec Ruiz Devesa and Alexandre Météreau offer valuable insights into the complexities of the electoral process and the strategies needed to engage citizens effectively through civil society.
Tune in to gain a deeper understanding ...
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May 7, 2024 4 mins
The Third Season of the Podcast produced by ALDA - The European Association for Local Democracy, has started! ⭐️🎙

In this Trailer, Manal Snidi and Beatrice Frascatani, from ALDA Communication Team, will tell you more about what to expect from this third season! Are you ready to find out more?
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A new episode of the ALDA Podcast is now available and it starts with a question: How much of a priority are the Western Balkans for the EU?

To answer to this question, the guests of the day will explore and analyse the 'New EU Enlargement Methodology' or 'New Methodology' ✨

So let's leave the floor to Ms. Ana Krstinovska, President of ESTIMA, former State Secretary for EU Affairs in the Government of North Macedonia, First Secretar...
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December 29, 2023 5 mins
And we have arrived at the end of the second season of the ALDA Podcast 'Shades of Democracy'!✨

In this Episode, Beatrice Frascatani and Manal Snidi, from the ALDA Communication Team, will talk about the highlights of the season, and their favourite moments.

This season ends here, but do not stop to follow us!

In 2024 another season will be ready for you, directly in your headphones.

Stay tuned! 👀
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December 29, 2023 25 mins
A new episode of the ALDA Podcast is now available!

This episode focuses on the Media for EU project, dedicated to the “Improvement of media
and journalism standards in the Republic of North Macedonia.” ✨

Our guests for the day are Dimitar Nikolovski, the Executive Director of Eurothink - Center for
European Strategies, leader of the project, with a strong background in media and research, and Xhelal Neziri, President of the BIRC Inst...
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December 29, 2023 29 mins
A new episode is OUT NOW! 🎤

In this episode we talk about food sustainability with a focus on the FoodWave project. We do this together with Valeria Fantini, Project Manager at ALDA, and Coordinator of the Environment & Climate HUB in charge of the FoodWave Project, and with Cristina Fernández and Nabil Charour, representing the association Mar de Tierras.


Enjoy it! ✨

Useful links:

More about Food Wave: https://bit.ly/3H0YOr5
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