Fiscal Decentralization Task Force meeting in Skopje, 28-29 June 2010

On 28th-29th of June 2010 the NALAS Task Force on Fiscal Decentralization meeting took place in Skopje, Macedonia. The main topic on the meeting’s agenda was the presentation and discussion of the NALAS Final Report on Developing a Municipal Finance Database in South Eastern Europe: the Preparatory Phase. During the meeting, the report was improved with the input of the participants and two ideas for follow-up phases were developed.  

Meeting of Presidents of NALAS Member Associations

Three well connected topics - the political neutrality and independence in local government associations, the role of the associations in energy efficiency and the  financial crisis - were discussed at the third Meeting of Presidents of NALAS Member Associations, which took place in Sofia on 14 and 15 June 2010. "Being united has always been important, and it is especially so in times of uncertainty and crisis. NALAS is a network with strong ties amongst its members, with well established multilateral relations and clear focus on the topics of the local governments and their priorities related to provision of better services for citizens. It is of utmost importance that we remain united, as a network, but also as associations who stand up for local government interests in their countries, regardless of the political environment and challenges we face for keeping the democratic idea and spirit, especially in view of the continuing financial crisis." said Mr Moskov, president of NALAS and mayor of Goce Delcev municipality in Bulgaria.  

NALAS Program Officer

The Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe (NALAS) advertises a job position for a Program Officer, to be based in the NALAS Secretariat in Skopje. The position requires a creative attitude in interacting with local and international experts in assessing the needs and addressing most priority issues of the NALAS member local government associations. Furthermore, the position requires a communicative and fair-minded individual with high ethical standards, a strong work ethic and professionalism. Applications are accepted until 1700 CET on Wednesday, July 21, 2010.  

CALM membership was officially approved

During the CLO meeting held in Sofia on 14th June 2010, the Committee of Liason Officers approved CALM as a successor of NALMM in NALAS. The establishment of CALM was initiated by NLAMM through a long process closely supported and followed by NALAS. Actually CALM has 350 members, among them the capital and the bigger cities of Moldova and covers about 2 million of inhabitants of the country (2/3 of actual population). The association is already recognized as the main partner of the Central Government in Decentralization reform is being involved in several consultative bodies: Parity commission, Special Parliamentary commission on decentralization, various working groups. CALM is being very active in defending its member’s rights and already started to provide services to them. The association adopted a declaration on current situation of local government in Moldova, elaborated and proposed to Government a vision on decentralization process and made proposals for urgent improvement of legislation, negotiated with Government to “soften” the decision on cutting staff expenses in local units from “mandatory” to “recommended”. CALM stopped enactment of a weak draft Code of Education and produced comments to improve the draft. In the short time after its establishment, CALM organized 7 regional trainings on European funds.  

Energy Efficiency Measures in South-East European Municipalities and The Role of National Associations and NALAS

A network-wide assessment of the needs and potentials for joint activities of the member associations promoting Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the local level has been compiled within the framework of a NALAS study. A total of 13 member associations from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey participated in the study group, which was working under the auspices of the NALAS Task Force on Energy Efficinecy. The study is available on the link below.  

Sustainable Energy Management in Public Buildings – from Policy to Local Action

 Regional Conference Sustainable Energy Management in Public Buildings – from Policy to Local Action took place in Budva, Montenegro on 27th-29th April. It was organized by the Ministry of Economy of Montenegro, German Development Cooperation – GTZ-ASE Project Montenegro, GTZ-Open Regional Fund on Energy for SEE, and the Energy Community Secretariat. The Conference aimed at information exchange between EU and SEE as well as among the SEE countries, promoting the networking between the German/local business sector and the national/municipal decision makers; information exchange about strategies to realize cost-effective energy-savings in different public buildings; contribution to raise awareness about energy efficiency. NALAS was represented by Mr. Kelmend Zajazi, Executive Director, who delivered a presentation of the First Draft of the Survey “Energy Efficiency Measures in South-East European Municipalities and the Role of National Associations and NALAS”.  

Branding Solution for International Municipal Fair

The Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South East Europe requests proposals from interested consultants for the provision of professional services to develop a new brand for the international Municipal Fair scheduled to take place in Sarajevo between 10 and 11 March 2011. The project is to be completed in phases, the last one ending with the Municipal Fair. The request for proposal can be downloaded from the link below and is open until Friday, 14 May 2010.