The Italian Learning Cities Network has signed a protocol of common interest with the Association of Local Democracy Agencies.  ALDA was established in 1999 as an initiative of the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities to coordinate and support a network of Local Democracy Agencies which was established in the early 1990s. It remains one of its supporting programmes. It is the umbrella organisation of the Local Democracy Agencies which are self-sustainable, locally registered NGOs that act as promoters of good governance and local self-government.

ALDA is a membership based organisation gathering more than 150 members (including Local Authorities, Associations of Local Authorities and non-governmental organisations) coming from more than 30 countries. ALDA is funded through membership fees and project funding from the European Commission, the Council of Europe and other public and private donors.