Dear reader,
 
Hundreds of Mayors from twelve countries of South-East Europe took part in the Annual Forum of Local Authorities of South East Europe, organized by the Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe (NALAS), the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (NAMRB) and the City of Plovdiv from 16-19 May 2015 at the International Fair Plovdiv.
 
This amazing event included site-visits to successful projects of the City of Plovdiv, projects market, NALAS General Assembly Meeting, NAMRB General Assembly Meeting, Award Ceremony for the GENiYOUTH Municipal Initiatives for involving women and young people in the activities of the local authorities, Award Ceremony for the European Label of Good Governance and the Conference Competences and Preparedness of Local Authorities from SEE for Risk Prevention and Crisis Management.
 
The President of Bulgaria, Mr. Rossen Plevenliev spoke at the Conference, together with the NALAS President, Mayors of Sofia, Plovdiv, Bijeljina, Paracin, Dobrich, World Bank expert and many more.
 
The delegates unanimously adopted a Declaration on Disaster Risk Management, which calls all relevant institutions to work together in risk prevention and crisis management.

At the X NALAS General Assembly, Mr. Emil Draghici, Mayor of Vulcana-Bai, Dambovita County, Romania was elected a new NALAS President.
 
For all the details about the Annual Forum of Local Authorities of South East Europe, please click HERE.  

The new NALAS website is available at www.nalas.eu. Add it in your favourites and be with us on daily basis. As always, we remain open for your ideas and suggestions.   
 
Enjoy your Digest!
 

Association of Communes of Romania

Second ordinary session of the General Assembly of the Council of Local Authorities from Romania and Moldova
Between 21 and 23 May 2015 the second ordinary session of the General Assembly of the Council of Local Authorities from Romania and Moldova was held in Alba Iulia, Romania.
 
The event, organized by the Association of Communes of Romania (A.Co.R.) and the Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova (CALM), was attended by over 150 Mayors of communes from Romania and 50 Mayors of villages from Moldova, by representatives of local authorities from Alba County, A.Co.R. President, Mr. Emil DRĂGHICI, Mayor of Vulcana–Băi, Dâmbovița County, and CALM President, Mrs. Tatiana BADAN, Mayor of Selemet Village, Cimișlia District.
 
The representatives of the two organizations signed a declaration unanimously adopted by all the Mayors present at the event. The joint Declaration emphasizes the possibility and willingness of local public authorities in both countries to develop relations of cooperation between local communities, to engage in joint projects of investment, institutional strengthening and more. The mutual support in international organizations was also reiterated, including the one that A.Co.R. grants to CALM and local authorities in Moldova for integration in all European institutions to support the process of accession to the European Union of the Republic of Moldova.
 
The first constituent meeting of the Council of Local Authorities in Romania and Moldova was held on 24 May 2013 in Chisinău, Moldova. In the period that followed over 100 cooperation agreements/twinning between local communities in Romania and Moldova were concluded and several joint projects were initiated and the implementation of legal provisions that allow local budgets to fund small projects for twin communities and other joint activities began. The most important aspects were related to the cooperation between ACoR and CALM in the various international organizations (CoR, NALAS, CEMR, CoE) and the efforts to support these organizations in the process of signing the Association Agreement of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union.

Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova

Mayors from Moldova and Romania stand for more women in local public administration
Two hundred women Mayors from Moldova and Romania have been exchanging experiences on good practices in local development and provision of quality public services within Moldovan-Romanian Conference of Women Mayors, entitled Local development through fair participation which took place on 27 April 2015 in Chisinau, Moldova.
 
The conference took place during the visit to Moldova, between 26-29 April, of 50 women Mayors from Romania, members of the Women Mayors League of the Association of Communes of Romania (ACoR).
 
The conference opening was made by Mrs. Tatiana BADAN, CALM President, Mayor of Selemet, Mrs. Nina Costiuc, President of CALMs Women Network, Mayor of Budeşti and Mrs. Mariana Gâju, President of  ACoR Women Mayors League, Mayor of  Primary Cumpăna, Constanta. The guests of honour of the event were His Excellency Marius Lazurca, Romanian Ambassador to Moldova, Mrs. Narine Sahakyan, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative and Mr. Emil Draghici, ACoR President, Mayor of Vulcana Băi.
 
Tatiana Badan stressed that the conference where women Mayors from Moldova and Romania gathered together is very important for the promotion and support of women in public activity. For Moldova it is very important the Romanian experience in attracting European projects and their implementation. The role of women and men Mayors is to promote social development projects for citizens, pointed Badan.
 
Mariana Gaju said that women Mayors in Moldova and Romania have created a common platform to promote and support women in local government. In Romania there are 116 women Mayors, of which 109 are community Mayors and in Moldova there are 164 women Mayors. Therefore, we are not ashamed to say that we support people equally, to accede to politics and governing bodies, regardless of sex, religion, nationality”, said Gaju.
 
During the event exchanged were experiences in various fields related to the activity of Mayors, such as communication with citizens, developing projects and fundraising, water supply, waste management, municipal property management, social entrepreneurship, inter-municipal cooperation, public-private partnerships and many other areas.
 
In accordance with international commitments, Moldova has undertaken to promote women in leadership positions at local level by increasing the share of womens representation up to 40% in local councils, up to 25% in district councils, and up to 25% in positions of Mayors. These indicators could be achieved during local elections from 14 June 2015.
 
The event was organized by the Moldovan CALM Womens Network and ACoR Women Mayors League from Romania with the support of the program Women in Politics, implemented by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with East Europe Foundation and Center Partnership for Development, funded by the Swedish Government.
 
CALM – new member of ALDA
At the beginning of May 2015 the Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova (CALM) became member of the European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA), a non-governmental organization dedicated to the promotion of good governance and citizen participation at the local level. With this occasion CALM representative participated at ALDA General Assembly and its related events, held on 9 May 2015 in Podgorica, Montenegro. Europe Day was used to meet ALDA members, partners and friends, and to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Association.

 

 Albanian Association of Communes 

Women in 2015 Local Elections in Albania
With less than a month to the local elections in Albania, scheduled for 21 June 2015, the political parties have now announced their official candidates for Mayors of the new 61 municipalities. It is quite impressive to see the increasing number of women running for Mayors. From the vivid debates on the candidates, one of the most constructive things is the support of the general public to the ladies taking such a big step.
 
In total, there are 14 women candidates, 12 coming from the governing left coalition and 2 from the right wing coalition. Most of these candidates were previously engaged in politics as Members of Parliament, Government, etc. The most important race would be for the Shkodra Municipality, the biggest municipality in the North and the only one with two female candidates. Durres, as the second important municipality following Tirana, has also a lady candidate from the Democratic Party.
 
Recently, the Assembly approved an amendment to the Electoral Code providing for an increase of women representatives in the local councils. As per the amendment, the candidates list for councillors of the political parties should have consecutive names of each gender, ensuring a 50% of women councillors. The initiative came from the women Members of Parliament. They also demanded an equal representation for Mayors candidates, but the proposal was not supported by the Parliamentary Legal Commission.

Women candidates from the left wing coalition

Grida Duma, candidate for Durres from the right wing coalition
 

Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities

Public offering of municipal bonds of Stara Pazova
The second public offering of municipal bonds worth 125 million € was issued in May 2015 by the Municipality of Stara Pazova. The promotion was held 28 April 2015 in Belgrade, with the participation of representatives of the municipality of Stara Pazova, the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM) and UniCredit Bank.
 
In the previous period, SCTM through the EU Exchange 4 program, funded by the European Union and implemented by the SCTM supported the preparation of the first public offering of municipal bonds in Serbia. Serbia has so far aired five municipal bonds, four through private placements (City of Novi Sad, City of Pancevo and Stara Pazova Municipality) and one through a public offering (City of Sabac).
 
Stara Pazova is the first local government which issues bonds for both public and private placement. Stara Pazova bonds will be available at the branches of UniCredit bank for all domestic and foreign interested parties, meaning that citizens will be able to invest their savings in a new financial instrument that is now more than competitive comparing to the bank savings.

This is the beginning of a new chapter in Serbia, concerning the development of local governments and utilities infrastructure, development of capital market and opportunities for citizens to invest their savings with attractive interest rates while contributing to the development of cities and municipalities in which they live and thus directly improve the quality of their lives.
 

National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria

18 Bulgarian municipalities received the European Label of Innovation & Good Governance 
In 2015, the prestigious European Label of Innovation and Good Governance was awarded for the third time in Bulgaria. Eighteen municipalities were honoured: Bansko, Byala Slatina, Vratsa, Valchi Dol, Gabrovo, Gorna Oryahovitsa, Dimitrovgrad, Dobrich, Dolna Banya, Lovech, Pavlikeni, Petrich, Pomorie, Svishtov, Sofia, Troyan and Targovishte.
 
The European Label of Governance Excellence is award for implementation of the Strategy for Innovation and Good Governance at Local Level of the Council of Europe. Bulgaria officially supports the Strategy since 2007.
 
The Strategy sets out 12 principles for good governance: fair elections, representation and participation, responsiveness, efficiency and effectiveness, openness and transparency, rule of law, ethics, competence and capacity, innovation and openness to change, sustainability and long-term orientation, stable financial management, human rights, cultural diversity and social cohesion, accountability.
 
The European Label is awarded to local authorities that adopted these principles in their daily work. The winners were awarded by Tomislav Donchev, Deputy Prime Minister for European Funds and Economic Development at a special ceremony, within the Annual Meeting of Local Authorities from South East Europe, 16-19 of May in Plovdiv.

Picture: Award ceremony 
 
Recently formed Bulgarian municipality joins NAMRB
The recently formed 265th Bulgarian municipality – Sarnitsa – was officially accepted as member of the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria. The decision was taken unanimously at the General Assembly Meeting of NAMRB, held on 18 May in Plovdiv. The Municipality Sarnitsa was officially established on 1 January 2015.
 
The establishment of Sarnitsa as a separate municipality began in 1996, the year when NAMRB was created. During all these years, we have received the support of the Association and I sincerely thank you on behalf of all residents of the Municipality of Sarnitsa. Now the hardest part lays ahead – a real work of the newly formed municipality, said the Mayor Nebi Bozov.
 
The NAMRB President, Mayor of Pazardzhik Todor Popov said that NAMRB will continue to support Sarnitsa in the realization of its initiatives.
 
Twelve municipal companies became associated members of NAMRB
The number of municipal companies – associate members of the National Association of Municipalities in Republic of Bulgaria is now twelve. This was announced by the Chairman of NAMRB, Mr. Todor Popov during the General Assembly of the organization, which was held on 18 May in Plovdiv.
 
Since December 2014, companies whose capital is over 50% owned by municipality have the right to be associate members of NAMRB. The purpose of this measure is to enable local enterprises to benefit from the methodological and logistical support of NAMRB. Municipal companies bear a great amount of public services to the local communities and have problems similar to those of the municipalities.
 
 I would like to thank NAMRB for the trust they have in us. I hope that our participation in various initiatives of the Association will be a catalyst of ideas, managerial experience and good practices, said Angel Angelov, Manager of Zdravets Ltd., Tryavna, one of the newest associate members of the NAMRB.
 
Meeting of NAMRB financial officers
More than 600 participants: municipal finance officers, central government representatives and Mayors took part in the eighteenth National Meeting of Municipal Finance Officers organized by NAMRB from 28 to 30 May in Kamchia.
 
During the meeting, various topic discussions were held, including: developing the financial management expertise in municipalities, the new Law on Local Taxes and Fees, upcoming changes in the European policy and regulations in the area of ​​internal control and audit in public institutions, etc.
 
The development of a new Law on Local Taxes and Fees was among the key issues discussed during the event. The goal of the new law is to achieve a qualitative change of local government towards increasing the municipalities own revenues and ability to provide more quality services tailored to the needs of their citizens.
 

Association of Municipalities and Towns of Slovenia

SOS meets with Minister of Public Administration to discuss cost reductions for municipalities
On 21 May 2015, the Association of Municipalities and Towns of Slovenia (SOS) met Boris Koprivnikar, Minister of Public Administration, to review the situation in the field of reducing costs to municipalities and discuss possible measures.
 
SOS estimated that lowering the projected costs to municipalities within the set deadline will probably not be successful, since at the end of May the relevant legislative solution is not yet submitted. According to the procedure of changing laws, the effects of declining resources cannot be expected until 1 July 2015. SOS warned that even bigger problems with illiquidity will happen in the second half of the year. The President of SOS Ivan Žagar stressed out that the saving policy should not be based only on estimations, but concrete analysis that will make clear what are the actual savings.
 
Minister Koprivnikar in his role of a coordinator between Ministries expressed the belief that the Government will manage to make the necessary legislative changes until 30 June 2015, as stated in the signed agreement on the amount of the lump sum. If mentioned financial impact wont be noticeable, the Government should provide, in accordance with the agreement, compensation of the loss to municipalities due to a lower lump sum with another method.
 
Meeting with the Ministry of Finance
On 8 May 2015 SOS representatives met with the Ministry of Finance to review the financial effects of the Fiscal Balance Act of municipalities addressing the procedural rules for granting consent for borrowing by municipalities, integration of unified treasury account system of municipalities and treasury account of the state, proposals relating to the regulation on the methodology for the preparation and treatment of investment documentation in the field of public finances and for amendment of data input on the plans of development programs.
 
It was agreed that SOS, in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, will organize a conference for municipal finance employees and mayors, which would be carried out in a wider range as discussions about the pros and cons of introducing a uniform treasury system, where together with participants would be also reviewed sample cases of investment documentation. Representative of SOS welcomed that municipalities will now have a choice whether they hire an external financial advisor or not, according to proposed rules for granting consent for borrowing by municipalities and the possibility of borrowing of municipalities through the year as well as the reduction of bureaucratic obstacles. In the same time it was pointed to the fact that certain provisions of the rules conflict with applicable legislation which provides funding for municipalities, as well as in the light of the autonomy of municipalities it is inadequate.
 
Regarding the cost reduction in municipalities state secretary Mateja Vraničar said that the Government ordered the Ministries to prepare additional potential policy solutions that will alleviate the financial burden on municipalities and reduce their operating costs so that it will be possible to save 22.8 million EUR. The Ministry of Finance will conduct the necessary financial analysis by the end of May and inform the representative association of municipalities  about the results and any necessary follow-up measures in the case that the amendments to the legislation will not show the expected effects, since the Government intends to respect the commitments taken through the signed agreement on lump sum in the beginning of 2015.
 
Meeting of SOS Commission for Budget and Finance 
On 6 May 2015, a meeting of the Commission on Budget and Finance of the Association of Municipalities and Towns of Slovenia was held in the Municipality of Koper. The meeting was also attended by Marjetica Mahne, responsible for local self-government in the Ministry of Finance and Mojca Stropnik from the office of the Prime Minister. The meeting aimed to review the financial effects of the Fiscal Balance Act on municipalities and consideration of proposals for amendments to the Rules on Procedure on the Indebtedness of Municipalities.
 
The Secretary General of SOS Jasmina Vidmar presented the progress of the negotiations to reduce costs to municipalities and pointed out that some significant positive financial impact, based on changes in the Fiscal Balance Act was not detected, on which the Members of the Commission for Budget and Finance agreed. The Commission on Budget and Finance expects the department responsible for local self-government to prepare detailed information no later than 31 May 2015 on the financial impact resulting from the austerity measures the Government made for municipalities and Fiscal Balance Act. It is also expected that the relevant Ministry will present a proposal for next steps after 1 July 2015, when the municipalities should receive less funding.
 
Mojca Stropnik from the cabinet of the Prime Minister said that the Government addressed the issue of reducing cost to municipalities and ordered the Ministries to prepare an additional set of potential solutions that will relieve the Municipalities and reduce operating costs. She also noted that this is an opportunity for changing a number of inappropriate and bureaucratized solutions, which in turn can make work of municipalities easier and will be less cost-burdened.
 
The Commission also requested to repeal the provision of the Implementation of the Republic of Slovenia Budget for 2015 on Articles 49 and 52 which require the same procedures as those for the country (starting point for human resources norms, positions and any further procedures for the preparation of budgets and financial plans). They pointed out that the provision is not feasible and municipalities would be totally blocked in their work.
 
The Commission has also considered proposals for amendments to the rules on municipal borrowing. Marjetica Mahne from the Ministry of Finance presented a proposal for amendments to the Rules, and said that municipalities will now have a choice whether they hire an external financial advisor or not. It is also said that the policy introduces the possibility of borrowing for municipalities through the year and also corrects some of the provisions in respect of reduction of bureaucratic obstacles. The annual effect of the policy change for all municipalities will be around 130,000 EUR. The Commission for Finance and Budget made comments and pointed in particular to the fact that certain provisions of the Rules conflict with applicable legislation, which provides funding for municipalities, as well as in the light of the autonomy of municipalities it is totally inadequate.
 
The President of SOS for the next year and a half is Dr.Ivan Žagar
At its first meeting, the newly elected Bureau of SOS unanimously adopted that Dr. Ivan Žagar, President of the Section of Municipalities with Administrative Units, will lead the Association of Municipalities and Towns of Slovenia in the first third of the four-year term.
 
Meeting of the partners in project OPENN 
On 15 May 2015 the fourth meeting of project partners in the project OPENN – win political equality with new names, was held. The purpose of the meeting was signing of partnership agreement, agreement on the method of reporting, familiarizing with the situation on the project and implemented activities and planning workshops that will take place between 7.7. and 09.07.2015. SOS and the Norwegian partners will conducted 3 workshops, that will result with developed models of good practice in the field of motivation, involvement of women and creating a support network for increasing womens involvement in local politics. Workshops will be held for three consecutive days and will target female Mayors, Deputy Mayors and municipal Councillors.
 

Union of Municipalities of Montenegro

Union of Municipalities at a joint session of the two committees of the Montenegrin Parliament
The Union of Municipalities of Montenegro participated at a joint session of the Committee for European Integration and the Committee for Economy, Finance and Budget of the Parliament of Montenegro held on 11 May 2015, regarding the dialogue (consultative hearing) on the topic “Efficiency of using IPA funds and the performance of the Audit authority responsible for the audit of EU funds”. On behalf of the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro, the meeting was attended by the Secretary General Mr. Refik Bojadzic, Mr. Sasa Scekic, acting Assistant Secretary-General and Mr. Darko Mrvaljevic, Coordinator of the Network of Municipal Project Managers. In addition to the two committees’ members, the session was attended by: Mr. Aleksandar Andrija Pejovic, Chief Negotiator for EU negotiations and National Coordinator for IPA to Montenegro, Ms. Marija Radenovic, Director General for Finance and Contracting the EU assistance in the Ministry of Finance and Ms. Mila Barjaktarovic Chief Auditor of the Audit Authority.
 
During the three-hour debate, participants expressed different opinions and views on principles regarding the IPA project contracting and implementation. They also discussed the lack of fiscal capacity of local governments, as well as the challenges that are reflected in the pre-financing and co-financing, and on the system of responsibility in case of inefficient use of resources. In addition, the level of utilization of IPA funds that were allocated to Montenegro in the period from 2007 to 2013 was pointed out, and the indicative future breakdown was discussed.
 
Since local governments are an important factor in the Montenegro accession to the European Union, having in mind that they are expected to provide a strong contribution to the European integration of the country, representatives of the Union of Municipalities pointed out that it is necessary to utilize all the benefits provided by the EU through the possibilities for using EU funds. In order to maximize benefits from the opportunities provided by EU funds, professional and administrative capacities development at the local level in the planning, preparation, application and management of projects financed from EU funds are really necessary. In this regard, the UMM Secretary-General Mr.Refik Bojadzic emphasized the importance of the functioning of the Network of Municipal Project Managers.
 
Having in mind that most of the local government units in Montenegro are in a very difficult financial situation, Mr. Bojadzic especially pointed out the insufficient capacities of municipalities to provide pre-financing, which is a pre condition for use of EU funds. In this regard, he stressed the need to establish an appropriate national mechanism to enable local government units to provide pre-financing and co-financing of EU projects and, thus, more efficient use of available EU funds.
 
Regional Conference on Public Integrity at the Local Level
A Regional Conference on Public Integrity at Local Level was organized by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro in co-operation with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the Office of the Coordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and the Council of Europe in Budva on 5-6 May 2015. The conference gathered over 40 participants including representatives of local and central governments, associations of municipalities and NGOs from the South-East Europe, as well as representatives of OSCE field operations and international experts.
 
Mr. Dan Redford, acting head of OSCE Mission has pointed out that the importance of supporting local level institutions in their ongoing efforts to best serve the public interest by creating a more transparent, reliable and functional systems of local governance is recognized by all SEE countries. He stressed that the concept of public integrity remains fundamental for the promotion of good governance practices in public administration, particularly at the local level.
 
Also, he reminded that a Model Public Integrity Plan that was designed, jointly with Union of Municipalities of Montenegro, to enable all local government units to successfully develop a document that would be customized to their own specific needs. He emphasized that a lot activities have been done in the establishment of institutional framework since the previous regional conference in Budva on good governance, ethics and transparency at the local level, but there are still many challenges that lie ahead of local government units.
 
The Secretary General of the Union of Municipalities Mr. Refik Bojadzic pointed out that the process of decentralization increases the importance of local authorities and their responsibility to the citizens that are able to directly or indirectly participate in public policy and decision-making, and control their implementation by the public sector, and where are the challenges of public trust and public integrity particularly visible. So, integrity of local officials and employees and the anti-corruption at the local level are key determinants of the new approach in the functioning of local governments. The Union of Municipalities as a representative of local government units’ interests takes part in number of important programs and projects supported by international institutions and organizations aimed to strengthen local self-government in Montenegro. The aim of introduction of a new approach to the work and conduct of public affairs at the local level is to ensure the development of democracy and strengthening civil society. He also stressed that the recommendations from the Regional Conference on efficient governance, ethics and transparency at the local level, held on 3 and 4 June 2010 in Budva, are to a large extent implemented, and that it can be concluded that significant progress has been made in all areas identified in the recommendations.
 
In terms of improving the legal framework, through the adoption of the Law on Civil Servants and the preparation of the Amending Law on Local Self-Government, which, among other issues, stipulates the regulation of local officials and employees status, regulating the area of human resources management at the local level, will improve the local employees training system that enhances transparency of the authorities, which is in direct function of strengthening the integrity and successful fight against corruption at the local level.
 
The Union of Municipalities, in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior, and with the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro has prepared the Model Program for anti-corruption at the local level with the Action Plan for its implementation, as assistance to municipalities to prepare and adopt their action plans. The Model has been widely accepted by local governments as a good basis when making their own plans, which provides activities and mechanisms to ensure the successful prevention of corruption and zero tolerance for corrupt behaviour.
 
Union of Municipalities, with the financial support of the OSCE, and the expert assistance of the Council of Europe has prepared the Models: Code of Ethics of elected representatives and officials in local government, the Code of Ethics for Local Government Employees (2009), Decision on Ethics Commission for elected representatives and officials in local government, Decision on Ethics Commission for local officials and employees (2010) and Manual – Guide for the implementation of the Code of Ethics in local government (2012), as well as models of normative acts for Ethics Commissions’ everyday performance.
 
Recognizing that the importance of increasing transparency and accountability of the local government and all employees, represents the starting point for successful prevention in the fight against corruption, Union of Municipalities, in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior and with the support of the OSCE has prepared and submitted to municipalities Models of the decision – documents which established wide opportunities and mechanisms for participation of citizens and NGOs in policy-making, decision-making and control of policy implementation at the local level.

Each session was followed by a discussion and exchange of experiences and challenges faced by local governments in providing the principles of good governance. Recommendations regarding the good practices and recommendations for further actions to be taken in order to strengthen integrity at the local level were adopted by the conference`s participants.

Association of Municipalities,
Association of Cities in the
Republic of Croatia

Manual for financing and contracting programs
The Office for Cooperation with NGOs published a manual for dealing with the application of the Regulation on the criteria, standards and procedures of financing and contracting programs and projects of common  interest in the associations. The manual presents detailed instructions for state administration bodies, regional and local governments and other public institutions that grant financial and non-financial support from public sources for projects and programs of common interest that the associations carry out. The Association of Cities offers the manual on its website.
 
Open consultations on the draft methodological guidelines for the Development Strategy of Urban Areas
The Association of Cities has announced the deadline for submission of comments (1 June 2015)  for the document that explains that the aim of the Strategy Development of Urban Aareas is to define common directions of development of urban areas, proposing joint courses of action, and facilitation of the implementation of joint projects – all in all the development of common strategic vision that goes beyond administrative borders and creates synergies that use the urban area as a whole.
 
Assembly of NALAS: Bukvic handed over NALAS Presidency
At the 10th Assembly of NALAS in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, the President of the Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Croatia Đuro Bukvić, who has for the past year served as President of NALAS, handed over the post to the President of Romanian Association of Communes (ACOR) Emil Draghici, Mayor Vulcana-Bai in the province of Dâmboviţa. In his speech President Bukvić expressed his appreciation for the successful cooperation during the past year and  emphasized the particular significance that NALAS has for the region of South Eastern Europe in exchange of experiences and expansion of cultural cooperation.
 
Upcoming
 
European Week for Sustainable Development
The first European Week for Sustainable Development will be held in Croatia from 30 May to 5 June 2015, with the support of the European Network for Sustainable Development (ESDN). This European initiative aims to encourage and make more visible activities, projects and events that promote sustainable development. To encourage inclusion and diversity, different participant are invited – local government representatives, government agencies, research centres, educational institutions, foundations, associations, companies, and individuals. The main criterion for participating in ESDW  that the proposed project initiative comprises one or more dimensions of sustainable development and is not solely profit-oriented.
 

Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Meeting with the Parliament 
On 20 April 2015, a delegation of Mayors from the Association of Municipalities and Cities of the FBiH organized a meeting with MPs and delegates of both Houses of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the possible areas and modalities of cooperation on the development of legislation of particular importance for local governments.
 
Participants agreed that the cooperation between the Parliament of FBiH and the Association of Municipalities and Cities of FBiH is especially important in the process of establishing an enabling environment for the development of local governments and proposed activities aimed at further improvement of communication and cooperation.
 
Both houses of the Federal Parliament, as pointed by the Chair of the House of Peoples of the FBiH, Ms. Lidia Bradara, are obliged to provide support to the Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in its efforts to ensure quality development of local government as one of the fundamental values ​​of the constitutional order and society. Mrs. Bradara also pointed out that the problem is that local governments lack the authority and sufficient capacity to address issues of importance since such authorities are delegated to the Cantonal level.
 
In the framework of the Commission for Local Government Representatives House FBiH this meeting is seen as an opportunity for representatives and delegates, as well as representatives of political parties, to get informed on current issues in the field of local self-government that require the adoption of regulations of particular importance for the development of local communities said Vice President of the Parliament Sasa Mitrovic.
 
We finally opened the discussion. We have sixty laws that we could start the review of constitutionality before the Constitutional Court of FBiH. Instead, we proposed signing of a Cooperation Agreement in order to bring the laws to establish a better environment in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina , said Associations Vice Chairman, Mr. Husejin Smajlovic.
 
The Director of the Association, Mrs. Vesna Travljanin said that the BiH Constitution does not mention local self-government. In 2009 the Association, within the Project Constitutional reform – Public debate in local communities developed and submitted set of amendments to the BiH Parliament. During 2013, the Association initiated signing an agreement on cooperation with the Parliament, however up to date the Parliament did not respond, even though the Parliamentary Committee on Local Self Government gave positive opinion on the initiative. This meeting was an excellent opportunity for the Commission of Local Government in both Houses of the FBiH Parliament and Association of Municipalities and Cities of the FBiH to define a Cooperation Agreement which will determine the modalities of future cooperation, and hopefully be signed during the General Assembly of the Association in Neum, on 9 June 2015.

The meeting was organized with the help of the Growth-Oriented Local Development (GOLD) project, jointly-financed by U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

Association of Municipalities and Towns of Republic of Srpska

Training of local leaders
During May three seminars (East Sarajevo-14 May, Banja Luka-18 May and Bijeljina-21 May) entitled Leaders of local government units were held within the project Local government Training System, organized by the Association of Municipalities and Towns of Republic of Srpska, with the support of the United Nations Development Program.
 
The seminars were intended for Mayors, to improve their knowledge and skills in the areas of leadership, and raise the awareness on the role of local leadership in a democratic society.
 
The Deputy Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government of the Republic of Srpska Ms. Milanka Šopin emphasized the achieved results and the good cooperation with the Association of Municipalities and Towns of Republic of Srpska. We are aware that our basic potential are human resources and in this regard we are implementing the project related to the training of local governments. On the other hand, the Association has had a number of activities when it comes to elected officials, councillors, mayors and their deputies said Sopin to in her address to the media. She pointed out that in the recent years numerous training programs were organized that included more than 650 officials annually and about 700 elected officials after the elections. Now we are in the process of developing a new strategic document, which set up the frame when it comes to professional development of employees in local governments, said Sopin. 

 
Training for councillors on Revenue Management
Within the project Municipal Training System, the Association of Municipalities and Towns of the Republic of Srpska in cooperation with UNDP on 29 April 2015 organized a one-day seminar for municipal councillors on Revenue management in local governments.
 
The seminar was attended by councillors of the local government units: Banja Luka, Derventa, Kupres, Prnjavor, Kotor Varos, Mrkonjic Grad, Petrovac, Laktaši, Ostra Luka, Novi Grad and Kostajnica. Participants were introduced to: mechanisms for efficient management of public revenues, legal provisions that deal with the subject area, new sources of revenue and the practice of  other countries from the region.

Association of Kosovo Municipalities

 
Joint workshop between the AKM Board and the Parliamentary Committee on Public Administration, Local Governance and Media 
From 11-12 May 2015 the Board of the Association of Kosovo Municipalities met with the members of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Administration, Local Governance and Media. The beginning of the procedures for amendments and supplements of the Law on Allocation for Use and Exchange of Immovable Property of the Municipality was discussed at the workshop. Joint recommendations were promulgated which could be the leading principles during the amendments and supplements of this important law on economic development in the Municipalities of Kosovo.  More information on the recommendations can be found at the following link: http://komunat-ks.net/en/punetori-e-perbashket-mes-bordit-te-akk-se-dhe-dhe-komisionit-parlamentar-per-administrate-publike-qeverisje-lokale-dhe-media/
 
Meeting of the Council of Mayors 
On 20 May 2015, organized by the Association of Kosovo Municipalities, the Council of Mayors held its meeting, with participation of Mayors and Deputy Mayors, the Minister of Finance Mr. Avdullah Hoti and the Minister of Diaspora Mr. Valon Murati. The meeting was opened by the President of AKM Mr. Naim Ismajli who informed about the discussion topics: activities of the municipalities with the diaspora during the summer season, Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) 2016-2018, information on the Law on Salaries, information on the own source revenue plan for the following year and presenting concerns of municipalities in relation to the central Government. More information can be found at the following link: http://komunat-ks.net/en/nga-takim-i-keshillit-te-kryetareve/
 
Other activities:

• Mrs. Mimoza Kusari – Lila, the Mayor of Gjakova/Djakovica represented the Association of Kosovo Municipalities at the Smart Municipalities’ Summit 2015 (ABZ) in Bursa, Turkey, 14-15 May 2015. Smart Municipalities Summit (ABZ) is a gathering of leaders and officials of municipalities as well as representatives of relevant public institutions and private sector, aiming to offer more advanced technology in municipal services provided to citizens.

Association of Albanian Municipalities

Study on the “Monitoring of the Media”
The Association of Albanian Municipalities in cooperation with the Association for Comparative and International Studies and supported by Hanns Seidel has completed a one-month research and developed a study on the monitoring of media in the pre-elections period. The study provides an analysis of how the visual media reflect the pre-campaign period for the local elections in Albania to be held on 21 June 2015 focusing on local issues and problems. This study aims to analyze in which extent and manner visual media can contribute to the integrity of the electoral process in Albania and thus the quality of democratic processes being banned on local issues and concerns of local communities. This analysis is done by monitoring the visual media and the way they reflected issues related to local governance and local elections in 2015 in the central news. The survey methodology is quantitative and uses content analysis method. The study focuses on six main audiovisual providers in Albania: Top Channel, Klan, Ora News, News 24, ABC News and Vizion+.
 
Study visit to Kosovo Sharing experiences and lessons learned from the management of Revenue and Property Tax in Kosovo 
From 22-24 April, AAM participated in a study visit in Pristina, Kosovo, focused on sharing experiences and lessons learned from the management of Revenue and Property Tax in Kosovo.
 
Through discussions with top Kosovo experts and those who are directly involved in matters of local finance, own income and property tax, the participants had the opportunity to:

• Identify the experience and lessons learned in relation to the local tax management with a focus on property tax
• To observe the tax system on property in Kosovo, to be informed and to identify the practical steps taken by central and local authorities in relation to issues relevant to property tax collection
• To identify elements of effective local tax management with the main focus on property tax
• To oversee the cooperation relations between central and local government in the management of property tax, exchange of information and effective communication vehicles
• To improve and strengthen technical capacity of local staff to deal with the management of local taxes, especially taxes on property
• To improve and strengthen technical capacity of central government agencies for the adoption of new policies on property tax and administrative procedures

Participants included local units that are partners with USAID/PLGP: Korca, Elbasan, Tirana, Fier, Berat, Lushnja and Kucova – Vice-Chairmen and/or Directors of Tax Departments; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Domestic Affairs; representatives from DLDP – Swiss project for local government in Albania.