About us
NALAS is a network of associations of local authorities of South East Europe. The Network brings together 14 Associations which represent roughly 9000 local authorities, directly elected by more than 80 million citizens of this region. The NALAS Secretariat, based in Skopje, is responsible for the overall coordination and the implementation of the activities.
NALAS was created in 2001 following the first Forum of Cities and Regions of South-East Europe (Skopje, November 2000), organised by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. The Network was established under the auspices of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe (Working Table 1) and the Council of Europe. During the first years, NALAS functioned as an informal organisation with regular meetings, seminars and training programmes. In July 2005 NALAS became an officially registered association with its seat in Strasbourg. The NALAS Secretariat was established in March 2007.
| NALAS FACTS |
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Established 2001 |
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Networking 14 members |
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Gathering 9000 authorities |
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Observer status in the Committee of the Regions of the European Union |
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Observer status in the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe |
NALAS Address:
Maison des associations
1a, place de Orphelins
67000 Strasbourg, France
Tel:+33 38 8 25 19 39
e-mail: info@nalas.eu
NALAS promotes the process of decentralisation in cooperation with central governments and international organisations, considering local self-government as a key issue in the current process of transition affecting the various countries in South-East Europe. NALAS builds partnerships in order to contribute to the reconciliation and stabilisation process in the region and henceforth contributes to the process of the European integration of the whole region.
NALAS initiates and carries out regional initiatives for its members and helps the associations to become viable representatives of local authorities vis-à-vis central government. NALAS aims to provide services to local governments for the benefit of the citizens in the region and wishes to develop itself as the knowledge centre for local government development in South-East Europe, recognised among all relevant stakeholders.

In line with its action plan, the NALAS Secretariat organizes task forces on specific themes important to local government in South-East Europe. NALAS focuses primarily on local finances, urban planning, waste management, institutional development and energy efficiency. The task forces on each of these topics develop the different projects and concrete activities.
In its efforts to strengthen local governance in South-East Europe, bringing it in line with the European standards, NALAS operates in accordance with the principles set forth in the European Charter of Local Self-Government and works with a wide array ofinternational partners and donors. NALAS is closely affiliated with the Congress of the Council of Europe, but NALAS has also acquired observer status to the Committee of the Regions (EU), and has good working relations with FEDRE, LGI, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions, the Austrian Städtebund and the Council of Europe’s Centre of Expertise for Local Government Reform.
From the start, NALAS received substantial funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The German Technical Assistance (GTZ) contributes predominantly to the many concrete projects developed by the NALAS task forces. The Open Society Institute also provided funding for NALAS.
NALAS President

The NALAS President for the term 2020-2021 is Mr. Emanuil Manolov, the Mayor of Pavlikeni Municipality, Republic of Bulgaria, on behalf of the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (NAMRB).
Eng. Emanuil Manolov was elected as Mayor of Pavlikeni Municipality in 2011. He was born in Pavlikeni on 20 December 1969. In 1995, Mr. Manolov graduated Architecture and Construction at the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Sofia University. Since 2004, he is a member of the Chamber of Engineers in Investment Design and Planning. Mr. Manolov is married and has a son.
During his mandate as a Mayor, Pavlikeni Municipality attracted European funds of 50 million euros. For his active work, Mr. Manolov has been awarded with a “Mayor of the Month” award in the categories “Agriculture” and “Water attractions”.
The Municipality he leads, Pavlikeni, has been awarded two times with the European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE) of the Council of Europe.
Check out the first interview of Mayor Manolov as NALAS President, where he shares inspiring thoughts about regional cooperation, role of local governments in EU integration, leadership during crisis and much more:
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Prior to Mr. Manolov, NALAS was headed by Mr. Petre Shilegov (2019-2020), Mr.Darko Fras (2018-2019), Mr. Mico Micic (2017-2018), Mr. Naim Ismajli (2016-2017), Mr. Emil Draghici (2015-2016), Mr. Djuro Bukvic (2014-2015), Mr. Anton Peršak (2013-2014), Mr. Ozgen Keskin (2012-2013), Mr. Vladimir Moskov (2009-2012), Mr. Tarzan Milosevic (2005-2009) and Mr. Goran Angelov.
NALAS has a rotation Presidency system, with a President and three Vice-Presidents, who later become NALAS Presidents. The Vice-Presidents are nominated by the member LGAs and appointed by the General Assembly and represent NALAS at various events. In addition, they support the work of the Executive Bureau.
Current NALAS Vice-Presidents are: Mr. Antonio Ratkovic from Serbia, Mr. Lokman Çağırıcı from Turkey and Mr. Veselin Grbović from Montenegro.


Mr. Antonio Ratkovic Mr. Lokman Çağırıcı Mr. Veselin Grbović
First NALAS Vice-President
The first NALAS Vice-President, Mr. Antonio Ratkovic, is the Mayor of the City of Sombor in Serbia.
Mr. Antonio Ratkovic was born on 27th March 1987. He attended elementary school in Backi Breg, where he was born, and later attended the Forestry Secondary School in Kraljevo, to be trained as a Forestry Technician. He graduated with a Masters Degree in Forestry in 2015 and is a Forestry Engineer by vocation. His working experience ranges from Public Enterprise Vojvodina šume (Forests of Vojvodina) where he did his internship, followed by NELT Company in Sombor, NAVIP Winery in Belgrade and Public Utility Company Prostor in Sombor. He speaks English and German.
Mr. Ratković was elected Deputy Mayor on 8th June 2016 and served a full four-year term. He was elected Mayor of Sombor on the Constitutive session of the Sombor city Assembly. He represents the Serbian Progressive Party.
Second NALAS Vice-President
The second NALAS Vice-President, Mr. Lokman Çağırıcı, is the Mayor of Bağcılar in Turkey.
Mr. Lokman Çağırıcı was born in Giresun in 1965. He has been residing at Bağcılar district of the city of Istanbul since 1978. Having graduated from Yıldız Technical University (YTU), Industrial Engineering Department in 1990, Çağırıcı worked in senior managerial positions in various organizations and dealt with trade until 1999.
Besides his works in private business, Mr. Çağırıcı’s political career began in 1990, and he is elected as Bağcılar Municipality Council Member in 1999. He worked as Council Member and Vice Mayor until 11 May 2007, and he was appointed as Bağcılar Mayor by Municipality Council upon Bağcılar Founder Mayor Feyzullah Kıyıklık’s election as congressman of AK Party for Istanbul city in May 2007 General Elections.
Mr. Çağırıcı was elected as Mayor in 29 March 2009 local elections, and re-elected in 30 March 2014 local elections with a vote of 57.25 percent, finding opportunity to continue his services for Bağcılar. Mr. Çağırıcı is elected as Bağcılar Mayor for the third time reaching a vote rate of 57.89 in 31 March 2019 local elections.
In addition to being Bağcılar Mayor, Mr. Çağırıcı has also undertaken and been performing the duties of Bağcılar Amateur Sports Clubs Chairman, Marmara Municipalities Union Vice President, Turkish World Municipalities Association Vice Chairman, World Academy for Local Government and Democracy Foundation (WALD) Supervisory Board Vice Chairman, United Cities and Local Governments Middle East and West Asia Section (UCLG-MEWA) Member.
He is married, and father of four children.
Third NALAS Vice-President
The third NALAS Vice-President, Mr. Veselin Grbović, is the Mayor of the City of Nikšić in Montenegro.
Veselin Grbović was born in 1953 in Šavnik. He finished elementary school and high school in Nikšić, and graduated from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Belgrade, where he earned the title of graduate mechanical engineer.
He started working at the “Željezara” in Nikšić in 1980, where he remained until 1985. In the period from 1985 to 1987, he performed the function of technical director of "Autoprevoz" Nikšić. From 1987 to 1989, he worked as the chief development engineer of the “Željezara” in the Working Organization "Inženjering". From 1989 to 1992 he was the director of production in the company "Braća Karić", and from 1992 to 1998 he was the director of the "Concern Braća Karić" in Moscow. From 1998 to 2005, he was the director and then the president of the Board of Directors of the “Rudnik boksita” in Nikšić. In the period from 2005 to 2013, he held the position of Director of the Traffic Directorate in the Government of Montenegro. He has been performing the function of the President of the Municipality of Nikšić since 2013.
He was a member of the Council for the construction of the Bar-Boljare highway, as well as the Coordination Body of the Government of Montenegro for monitoring the implementation of the strategy for improving road safety (2010-2019), as well as other councils and working bodies. He is the President of the Management Board of the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro.
He is a prominent sports worker and activist, as evidenced by the numerous titles and functions he held. He was the president of the chess club "Radonja Bojović" - Nikšić in the period from 1998 to 2004, and he was also the vice president of the Chess Federation of FR Yugoslavia. He performed the functions of the President of the Ski Association of Montenegro and the President of the Judo Association of Montenegro. He holds the title of FIDE Chess Master.
He lives in Niksic. He is married and the father of four children.
Petre Shilegov
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2019 - 2020 |
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Mr. Petre Shilegov |
Mr. Petre Shilegov was born on June 12, 1969 in Skopje. He graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University "St. Cyril and Methodius" in Skopje in 1995. Two years later he passed the bar exam and began his professional career as a lawyer in the law firm “Petre Shilegov” in 1999. In 2005 he was President of the Second-Instance State Appeal Commission on Public Procurements. Since 2013, he had been a Spokesperson for the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia until 2016 when he was elected Vice-President of the party.
At the parliamentary elections in 2014, he was elected an MP in the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia. He won his second consecutive term as an MP at the parliamentary elections in 2016 and performed this function until October 2017. Within the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, he was an active member of several parliamentary commissions and councils, including being a Chairperson of the Inquiry Commission for the Wiretapping, a member of the Standing Inquiry Commission for Protection of Civil Freedoms and Rights and a President of a parliamentary group of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia for cooperation with the Parliament of the Czech Republic.
After winning the first round of the local elections in 2017, he began his term as mayor of the City of Skopje, becoming the first Mayor of the City of Skopje from the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia. Petre Shilegov is married and is a father of two children.
Darko Fras
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2018 - 2019 |
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Mr. Darko Fras |
Mr. Darko Fras, NALAS President for the period 2018-2019, Mayor of Sveta Trojica v Slovenskih Goricah in Slovenia and member of the Board of the Slovenian Association of Towns and Municipalities. Mr. Darko Fras graduated at the Faculty of Law of the University of Maribor in 1998. He started his professional career at the Institute for Local Self – Government and Public Procurement in Maribor as a Counsellor in organization and operating of municipal authorities.
He was Head of Municipal Administration for six years until 2006, when he was elected a Mayor of the Municipality of Sveta Trojica v Slovenskih Goricah. He is also an active board member of the Slovenian Association of Towns and Municipalities. Darko Fras was a member of the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia and President of the Commission for Local Self-government and Regional Development from 2002 since 2012.
During his practice he has been involved in several international projects such as East West Parliamentary Practice Project as a permanent associate. He has also contributed in the cooperation with countries and Parliaments from Russia, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro (www.ewppp.org).
Mico Micic
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2017 - 2018 |
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Mr. Mico Micic |
Mr. Mićo Mićić is Mayor of Bijelina, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He graduated at the Faculty of Physical Education of the University of Sarajevo in 1981. After the studies, in the period from 1981 to 1996, he worked as a professor of Physical Education in Secondary Education Centre Kalesija and Technical School "Mihajlo Pupin" in Bijeljina. From 1996 to 2000, he worked as a Head of Department of the Veterans and Disabled Persons in the Municipality of Bijeljina. After the elections in 2000, he was elected as Minister for Refugees and Displaced Persons in the Republic of Srpska Government. He performed this duty until 2003. From 2003 to 2005 he worked as a Minister of Labor and Veterans and Disabled People’s Protection.
In October 2005, at the local elections, Mr. Mićić was elected for Mayor of Bijeljina Municipality, and re-elected in 2008. After Bijeljina got the City status, at the local elections held in 2012, Mr. Mićić was elected the first Mayor of the City of Bijeljina. Since he became head of local administration, Bijeljina has been developing rapidly and has become one of the main centers of economy of Republic of Srpska and the whole Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2013, Mr. Mićić has been elected as a President of the Association of Municipalities and Towns of the Republic of Srpska.
During his mandate, Mr. Mićić has received many awards, such as: "the Best Manager of BiH in the field of local governance" for 2008 and 2012, "European Mayor of Republic of Srpska" in 2012, "Gold Medal - Leader of the local government of the decade" in 2012, etc.
Naim Ismajli
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2016 - 2017 |
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Mr. Naim Ismajli |
Mr. Naim Ismajli is Mayor of Shtime Municipality and President of the Board of the Association of Kosovo Municipalities (website).
Mr. Ismajli has graduated at the Faculty of Economy in Pristina, at the Department of Management and Informatics, and has in 2008 defended his master thesis in developing a local development strategy. Mr. Ismajli has started his professional career in the education sector, working as a professor and deputy director of a school. Then, Mr. Ismajli continued his career in the local government, as a Director of the Agriculture, Forestry and Environment Department, and a Chief Executive Officer in the Municipality of Shtime. As of 2007, he has been elected a Mayor of Municipality of Shtime and is serving his second term.
Emil Draghici
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2015 - 2016 |
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Mr. Emil Drăghici |
Mr. Emil Drăghici is Mayor of Vulcana-Băi, Dâmbovița County, Romania (website), President of the Association of Communes of Romania (website) and Prime Vice-President of the Romanian Federation of Local Authorities.
Mr. Emil DRĂGHICI graduated the Law Faculty of the Ecological University from Bucharest and he completes a PhD in Administration Sciences at the National School of Political and Administrative Studies from Bucharest. Starting to work for Vulcana-Băi city hall in 1978, in the bookkeeping department, he became the main accountant of this department and then, in 1990, director of the Taxes and Fees Department of the General Direction of the Public Finances of Dambovita County, after 2 years of working in this organization. In 1990 he became the Mayor of Vulcana-Băi commune, being elected for the sixth time in 2012.
As of 2005, Mr. Emil DRĂGHICI has been an observatory member of the Romanian delegation to the Committee of Regions in Brussels and from January 2007 he became full member of the Committee of Regions. He is alternate member of the Policy Committee of the Council of European Regions and Municipalities – CEMR - and member of the World Council of the United Cities and Local Governments – UCLG.
In Romania Mr. DRĂGHICI is a very active collaborator of the Ministry of Public Administration, Ministry of Finances, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Agriculture, working with different commissions for developing, adapting and changing normative acts which affect local public administration activity. His activity as lobbyist is very well known in Romania, being recognized by central administration as reliable partner.
He is also a member of the Commission for local loans licensing and approval and member in different national and regional committees dealing with rural and regional development.
Đuro Bukvić
| 2014 - 2015 |
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Mr. Đuro Bukvić |
Mr. Đuro Bukvić, Mayor of the Municipality of Lukač in Virovitica-Podravina County in Croatia (website) and President of the Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Croatia – UORH (website) served his mandate as NALAS President between 2014 and 2015.
Mr. Bukvić spent the biggest part of his working life in the business environment as a sales agent, and since 1999 as an entrepreneur and general manager of a private company, developing thriving projects. He was elected a Mayor of Municipality of Lukač in 2005 and he is now serving his third mandate. His entrepreneurial spirit contributed to the economic development of the area which is proven by the number of private companies that increased from 4 to 50. In addition, during his mandate 20 million EUR have been invested in municipal infrastructure.
In late 2013 Mr. Bukvić has been elected as a President of UORH for the second time, and in 2012 as the Chair of KOLOS – Coordination of Local Self-Governance in Croatia established together with the Association of Cities in the Republic of Croatia.
As a football player in his early years, Bukvić is infatuated with sports and healthy life-style and is now a Vice-President of the Croatian Football Federation and member of UEFA's Fair Play and Social Responsibility Committee, acting in a vast array of fields from disability sport to anti-racism and education for health and peace.
Anton Peršak
| 2013 - 2014 |
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![]() Mr. Anton Peršak |
Mr. Anton Peršak, Mayor of the Municipality of Trzin in Slovenia and member of the Presidency of the Association of Municipalities and Towns of Slovenia served his mandate as NALAS President between 2013 and 2014.
Mr. Peršak graduated comparative literature and literary theory at the Faculty of Arts and theatre and radio directing at the Academy for Theatre, Radio, Film and Television in Slovenia. He started his career in politics with joining the Slovenian Independence Movement in the 80's. Fighting for democracy and independence of Slovenia, he has been one of the co-writers of the famous “writers constitution” in 1988. Mr. Pershak has been a Member of the Parliament from 1990-1996 and is state councillor since 2002. He has also twice been elected as vice-president of the Association of Municipalities and Towns of Slovenia.
One of the best indicators of his competence is the fact that Mr. Peršak remains Mayor of Trzin, one of the most developed municipalities in Slovenia, since 1999. In his attempt to make Trzin the first low-energy municipality in Slovenia, he follows a strategic development plan with emphasis on life-quality, integration of housing estate and economic growth, as well as his excellent sense for the needs of its residents. For this reason municipality of Trzin enforced low-interest rate loans for better façades isolation and window exchanges, improved the energy rates of public buildings, and took care of gas supply and the use of biomass. These efforts culminate in the construction of a kindergarten with the use of solar and geothermal energy.
Özgen Keskin
| 2012 - 2013 |
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![]() Mr. Özgen Keskin |
Mr. Özgen Keskin, the Mayor of the Bursa/Yıldırım District Municipality in Turkey and an Executive Committee member of the Union of Municipalities of Marmara served his mandate as NALAS President between 2012 and 2013.
Mr. Özgen Keskin graduated at the Turkish Literature Department of Education Faculty and holds a masters degree in Turkish Language and Literature at Atatürk University. Starting his career as a teacher of Turkish Language and Literature in different cities of Turkey and a school director, he has also served as a director of National Education. He is the author of eighteen books. He served as Deputy Mayor. He took part in some NGO's such as head of Union of Writers and Intellectuals Organization. He was appointed to Regional Directorate of Foundations in 1997. He was elected as Mayor of Yıldırım Municipality at the local elections in March 2004, where he is still a mayor.
Vladimir Moskov
| 2009 - 2012 |
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![]() Mr. Vladimir MOSKOV |
Mr. Vladimir Moskov, mayor of the Municipality of Goce Delcev in Bulgaria was president of NALAS between 2009 and 2012. Mr Moskov, a Bulgarian national, graduated pedagogy at the Neophyte Rilski University in Bulgaria.
The Municipality of Goce Delchev is located in the south-western part of Bulgaria, along the river Mesta. The municipality covers one town with the same name and 10 villages. The total territory is just over 315 square kilometres and is inhabited by approximately 33 000 citizens. Mr Moskov has been mayor of Goce Delchev since 1995, after being president of the municipal council since 1993.
Tarzan Milosevic
| 2005 - 2009 |
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![]() Mr. Tarzan MILOSEVIC |
Mr. Tarzan Milosevic, currently Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in Montenegro, was president of NALAS between 2005 and 2009.
Mr Milosevic was mayor of Bijelo Polje from 2002 to 2010 and has also been a member of the Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro between years 2003 and 2006, president of the Managing Board of the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro during years 2003 to 2007, member of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe between 2003 and 2007 and member of the OSCE Parliament on behalf of Assembly of Serbia and Montenegro between 2004 and 2006. He is also a member of the Managing Board of the Agency for promotion of foreign investment in Montenegro.
We have many challenges ahead of us. Let us turn them into great opportunities. To turn the challenges into opportunities will be possible if we are ready to meet our responsibilities. This refers to delivering good governance in our cities and municipalities. We have to be aware of the fact that European standards can be implemented only if our local authorities are able to deliver high quality services and to promote cultural, social and economic development at local level, through appropriate political leadership. On the other hand, our regional cooperation can really help to overcome dividing lines within the region. We can do something that is very difficult for representatives of national level: unite through cooperation the region of SEE based on values such as democracy, human right, solidarity and tolerance.
More than 2,500 years ago, during the Athenian Golden Age, Pericles, looking at the Acropolis, said: “They will say of us that we have created the most beautiful and happiest of the cities.” A happy and prosperous society is our main goal, and democracy is the only way of achieving it.
- Mr Milosevic at the NALAS General Assembly in Podgorica on 15 December 2006
Goran Angelov
| 2004 - 2005 |
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![]() Mr. Goran ANGELOV |
Mr. Goran Angelov, currently general director of the public enterprise for waste disposal "Drisla", is the first president of NALAS, serving his mandate between 2004 and 2005.
Mr Angelov became president of NALAS during his mandate as a Mayor of the Municipality of Vinica, where he served two 4-year mandates. As a Mayor, Mr Angelov was also elected to be President of the Association of the units of local self government of Republic of Macedonia - ZELS in 2000 and was closely involved in the policy reforms within the decentralization process. In 2001 Mr. Angelov was an appointed member and Chief of the Macedonian delegation at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities at the Council of Europe and vice president of the Ad Hoc Working Group for South-Eastern Europe.
From 2005 until 2009 Mr. Angelov was a general director of a private consulting company, Urban Rural Consulting. He has 10 years of experience managing the processes of municipal development and process of increasing the awareness of the necessity of the implementation of the process of decentralization in Republic of Macedonia as a step towards increasing the democratic values of local self-government and bringing the local decision - making process closer to the citizens.
The NALAS Secretariat is based in Skopje, Macedonia and is responsible for overall coordination and implementation of the activities of the Network, in line with its Strategic Plan and Annual Operation Plans.
| NALAS Contacts: | |
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| Varshavska 36 A Skopje 1000 Republic of North Macedonia |
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| +389 2 3090818 | |
| info@nalas.eu | |

Kelmend Zajazi, Executive Director
Kelmend Zajazi heads the NALAS Secretariat as of March 2007. In the past, Zajazi worked with the USAID programs on Local Government Reforms and Democracy Network Program in Macedonia with Development Alternatives Inc. and the Institute for Sustainable Communities respectively. During 2001 – 2003, he also worked at the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office in Skopje where he supervised programs in the area of health, social welfare, etc; while in the period 2006 – 2007 he was the adviser of the Minister of Health for several projects which launched the reforms of the health sector in Macedonia. Zajazi has received his M.A. in Public Policy and Management at the University of Pittsburgh in 2005 and holds a medical degree from the Medical Faculty in Prishtine. He is the author of several publications in the area of good governance and the development of the civil society in the SEE region. His main interests are related to issues concerning institutional development, strategic planning, project cycle management, etc. zajazi@nalas.eu

Jelena Janevska, Knowledge and Communications Manager
Jelena Janevska joined NALAS Secretariat in May 2012, from the position of United Nations Communication Officer for Macedonia. She has over 20 years of professional experience in the development area, focusing primarily on democracy building, rule of law, civil society development, decentralisation and local development, working for: UN, DPK International/USAID, Center for Institutional Development, PEP International/SIDA, Institute for Sustainable Communities/USAID and the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe. Ms. Janevska is a university lecturer (Modules: Crisis Communication, Public Relations, Business Communication, Project Management) and has extensive consultant and training experience. She holds a MSc degree in Local Development from the University of Trento, Italy, and a BA degree in Journalism and Communications from the University in Skopje. janevska@nalas.eu
Boran Ivanoski, Programme Officer
Boran Ivanoski joined NALAS in September 2013 as Project Officer. He has extensive experience in public administration reform, inter-municipal cooperation, regional development and capacity building of local government in SEE. Mr. Ivanoski has more than 15 years of experience in training needs assessment, curricula development, training delivery and evaluation of training for national and local authorities. He has practical experience in conducting functional analysis, organisational design as well as establishment of Human Resource Management setting in the central government institutions and Local-self Government Units. Mr. Ivanoski has worked with UNDP on Good Governance Programme, but also CARE International, International Rescue Committee, UNICEF etc. After 3 years working for NALAS focused on assessing territorial attractiveness and monitoring, solid waste and water management, and disaster risk management, he has acquired a deep understanding of the challenges of the local authorities in SEE. Mr. Ivanoski holds a master degree in Human Resource Management from the University in Skopje. ivanoski@nalas.eu

Miodrag Kolić, Project Manager
Miodrag Kolić is a Project Manager responsible for implementation of regional projects for improved water management. Currently, he is a Quality Manager within the Project Implementation Team for implementation of the Project “Regional Capacity Development Network for Water and Sanitation Services” (RCDN). He was responsible for implementation of the projects “Local Leaders in SEE: Lead for change” and “Asset Management for water and sanitation sector in SEE”, in the period 2014-2016. Prior to this position, he was Programme Coordinator at the Forum Coordination Unit of the SDC “Community Forums” Programme implemented in Macedonia and Project Officer/Trainer at the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCIC). His professional experience is mainly focused on good governance, local community development, capacity building and training delivery for local authorities. He holds MBA and his education includes BS in Mechanical Engineering and Post-BA in Regional and Economic Development. kolic@nalas.eu

Semra Amet, Project Officer
Semra Amet joined NALAS Secretariat in September, 2017, from the position of Program Assistant at American Councils for International Education Macedonia. She holds a degree in law studies from the “Ss.Cyril and Methodius University” in Skopje. During her studies, she interned at the International Arbitration Law firm, Konrad & Partners. She has extensive training on and has been involved in many projects revolving around human rights, gender equality, democratic and political culture, interethnic dialogue and social entrepreneurship. From 2014- 2016 she was a Program Coordinator of the Sport and Art for Peace for Children Programme, at Generations for Peace. Semra has also worked with the Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities Skopje on democracy, decentralization and gender equality researches. amet@nalas.eu

Joachim Roth, EU Project Officer (GIZ/CIM)
Joachim Roth joined NALAS in October 2015 as an integrated expert of the German International Cooperation (GIZ/CIM). His tasks as an EU Project Officer are centered in the positioning of NALAS vis-a-vis EU institutions and other relevant entities. He has more than 20 years of profesional experience with emphasis on democratization and descentralization processes, good governance and state modernization working for the German International Cooperation and EU institutions in Europe and abroad. He holds a MA in Political Science from the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany and a postgraduate degree and Ph.D. in Political Science and Law from Aix-en-Provence University in France. roth@nalas.eu

Zana Shehi, Project Assistant
Zana Shehi has worked with the Ministry of Interior of Macedonia serving as Assistant to the Deputy Minister in the period July 2017 to March 2018. She holds a degree in law studies from the “Ss. Cyril and Methodius University” in Skopje. Prior to that she has worked with “Early Child Development and Research” and other peace - building organizations, facilitating children educational games in overcoming ethnic divisions. shehi@nalas.eu

Katerina Georgijevska, Finance Manager
Katerina Georgijevska is the Finance Manager at NALAS. She maintains the accounting system, prepares financial reports and makes sure that all NALAS activities run smoothly. georgijevska@nalas.eu

Sofija Karagjorgjeva, Finance Officer
Sofija Karagjorgjeva is responsible for NALAS financial activities and reporting. Before she joined the team, she worked as a Finance Expert for a World Bank project for energy efficiency within the Ministry of Economy and as Finance Officer for the Health Sector Management Project funded by the World Bank within the Ministry of Health. She has a graduate degree in economy and banking and has experience in financial management and accounting by working for government institutions, World Bank projects and non-profit organisations. karagjorgjeva@nalas.eu

Elena Boeva, Finance Officer
Elena Boeva joined NALAS in July 2017 at the position of Finance Officer. She has ten years work experience at ProCredit Bank Macedonia, working at several positions, such as: Client Advisor for five years, three years as Regional Manager for Client Advisors for Skopje and Western Region, two years as Regional Project Manager for Zona 24/7. She has practical experience in preparing financial reports, statistics, etc. Ms. Boeva holds a Degree in Business Administration, Marketing – Management from the Lindenwood University, USA. boeva@nalas.eu

Katerina Stojanovik - Aleksoska, Office Manager
Katerina Stojanovik Aleksoska facilitates the communication with the NALAS Members and takes care of all day to day office management and operations and logistic requirements for the events. Katerina comes from EPRI (Economic Policy Research Institute) and Euro Balkan Institute where she was office manager and junior accountant. She has a BSc degree in management. stojanovik-aleksoska@nalas.eu
NALAS Task Forces
At the heart of NALAS are the Task Forces, bringing together the best experts from the region, competent association staff and professionals employed in the local government administration. These practitioners are most typically heading a local government department and are exposed in the front lines directly facing the consequences and challenges coming from policies and laws which define the system of local government.
Each Task Force is coordinated by a "Host Association", while each ongoing project is led by a "Lead Association". The Host Association can also lead one or more ongoing projects.
| TASK FORCE ON ASSOCIATION DEVELOPMENT Host: Association of the Units of Local Self-government of Republic of Macedonia Liaison Officer: Dusica PERISIC Zhenevska bb, P. fah: 32, 1000 Skopje, Republic of Macedonia Tel: +389 2 3099033, Fax: +389 2 3061994 |
TASK FORCE ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY Host: Association of Kosovo Municipalities Liaison Officer: Sazan IBRAHIMI St. „Gustav Majer" 5, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo Tel: +381 38 245732, Fax: +381 38 245733 |
| TASK FORCE ON FISCAL DECENTRALIZATION Host: National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria Liaison Officer: Ginka CHAVDAROVA Golash Street, Geo Milev, 1111 Sofia, Bulgaria Tel: +359 2 9434468, Fax: +359 2 9434431 |
TASK FORCE ON SOLID WASTE AND WATER MANAGEMENT Host: Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities Liaison Officer: Zorica VUKELIC Makedonska 22/VIII, 11000 Beograd, Serbia Tel: +381 11 3223446, Fax: +381 11 3221215 |
| TASK FORCE ON URBAN PLANNING Host: Association of Municipalities and Towns of Slovenia Liaison Officer: Jasmina VIDMAR Contact: Miha MOHOR Partizanska cesta 1, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia Tel: +386 2 2341500, Fax: +386 2 2341503 |
TASK FORCE ON SUSTAINABLE TOURISM Host: Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Liaison Officer: Vesna TRAVLJANIN Musala 5/1, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Tel: +387 33216502 |











