The association of Municipalities of the Republic of Croatia : Calendar

Recent advocating activities

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:53:45 +0200

As well as other countries, the consequences of economic recession hit Croatia very hard while state budget restrictions have very deep and bad impact on everyday life of people. There is a strong will of UORH to contribute to the reforms, but there is also clear reluctant position of the Government to involve local and regional authorities in the reform process. As far as territorial reform is concerned, UORH has pointed out that it is not the only way how local units can be rationalized and made more efficient. Therefore, it supports a broad and comprehensive reform of the entire system of local governments according to the principles of fiscal and functional decentralization instead of mere redrawing of territorial units' borders. Considering the Law on salaries, Association claims that the Law violates the principles of equality and non-discrimination as well as right of local governments to dispose freely of their revenues. Due to that, the proposal to the Constitutional Court of Croatia to review the constitutionality of the Law has been submitted. Even though proposed reform of personal income tax will take away around 100 million € from local governments, the preparation of tax reform is on-going without any consultation with national associations of towns and municipalities. The reform will make a strong negative impact on local governments and it is not likely that the revenues can be compensated in local communities because of insufficient level of economic activities.

President Bukvic in visit to collegues from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Wed, 12 May 2010 11:50:13 +0200

He added that local authorities from the region's countries went through a turbulent transitional period and that a great deal of work is in front of them, since the issues and actions that local communities need to articulate are very numerous. Meeting in Neum was thematically dedicated to financing of local authorities, the financial impact of broader trends in the local budgets and the presentation of projects. Alongside with officials from the Federation numerous guests and international representatives attended this event.

No secret deals behind closed doors!

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 16:02:15 +0200

During the event on the theme ''The territorial restructuring of Croatia - the role of the Association of Municipalities'' it was also pointed out that the territorial reorganization is not the only way in which local units can be rationalized and made more efficient, therefore, Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Croatia supports a broad and comprehensive reform of the entire system of local government according to the principles of fiscal and functional decentralization instead of mere redrawing of territorial units' borders. Mayor of Slivno Mr. Mustapić as host welcomed the attendees, while the president of the Association of Municipalities Mr. Bukvić presented the current activities of the Association of Municipalities in connection with the announced reform of local government. The coordinator of the Association of Municipalities Mr. Ivanovic presented the experience of the territorial reorganization in several European countries. Photos from the event can be seen in our photo gallery (http://www.flickr.com/photos/uorh/sets/72157623980985982/).

Municipalities looking for town twinning partners

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:29:39 +0100

Both of them would like to explore economic possibility of those kind of partnership and both have some interesting features that could be used as the basis for twinning. You can find additional info in the attached documents on the left side under the category 'Documents'. If you need any assistance in contacting the mentioned municipalities the office of Association of Municipalities will gladly help you.

Letter of CEMR to Croatian Prime MInister

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:35:45 +0100

The letter stated concern with the current state of events that is breaching the provisions of European charter of local self-government and European social charter, and demanded the withdrawal of respective Proposal. The deadline for sending the final Proposal in the legislative procedure is the end of January. You can download and read in full the CEMR's letter at the end of the article.

Merry Christmas!!!

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 11:46:34 +0100

NALAS' General Assembly Meeting held in Istanbul

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:15:54 +0100

On behalf of the Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Croatia and as a delegates with the right to vote, Mr. Đuro Bukvić (president) and Mr. Ivica Mesić (vice-president) were present on General Assembly meeting. President Bukvić also participated on the round table on topic ''Involving local governments of SEE in EU integration process''. During this event members of Assembly, delegates of 14 local authorities' associations from 12 SEE countries, signed ''Istanbul Declaration'' which demands stronger participation of local authorities in the EU accession process.

New Managing Board elected!

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:04:14 +0100

It is important to mention that this Assembly also adopted working and financial plan for 2010, and confirmed the NALAS' membership. Some pictures from the Assembly are already in our online photo ***http://www.flickr.com/photos/uorh/*gallery***.

The Law on Salaries in Local and Regional Self-Government in the Parliament

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:35:21 +0200

Although its effects have no direct impact on the stability of the State Budget, the Law was designed and sent to Parliament for the first reading in few days. Therefore, associations of local governments had no opportunity to discuss its content prior to Parliamentary session. Considering that both the content and the procedure of development of the Law were not in conformity with the European Charter on Local Self Government and Croatian Constitution, Association of Municipalities has sent the letter to the Ministry of Administration. In the letter Association has pointed out that quick passing of the Law, without previous preparation and analysis, can bring confusion and additional costs which can anull its expected effects The content of the letter you can see here (Croatian only).

Meeting of the Presidents of National Associations of Local Authorities Gathered in NALAS

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:18:19 +0200

At the meeting presidents of 14 associations of local governments from 12 South East European states will discuss the impacts of global economic crisis on local governments in South East Europe, and methodology for assessing direct and indirect impacts of the crisis on local budgets. Among others, Ms. Antonella Cagnolati - Director of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Mr. Jeremy Smith – CEMR Secretary General and Mr. Ken Davey – OSI/LGI will be guest speakers at the event. More about meeting in Dubrovnik you can read on the web page of ***http://www.nalas.eu*NALAS.***

Local elections held!

Mon, 18 May 2009 11:16:20 +0200

Association of Municipalities became member of NALAS

Mon, 18 May 2009 10:47:57 +0200

NALAS is a network of associations of local authorities in South-East Europe which represents about 4000 local authorities elected from 80 millions of citizens. The network was established in 2001, under the auspices of Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe. After its establishment NALAS was working informally, while in 2005 it was registered as an association with its seat in Strasbourg. Considering local authorities as a key stakeholders affected by the process of transition in the countries of South East Europe, NALAS is promoting process of decentralization, encourages regional initiatives and helps national associations to become viable representatives of local authorities vis-à-vis central government. In governing bodies Association of Municipalities will participate with two representatives in the Assembly of NALAS as well as one representative in the Committee of Liaison Officers.

Croatian local election called!

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:34:50 +0200

Source: ***http://www.vlada.hr/naslovnica/novosti_i_najave/2009/travanj/vlada_raspisala_lokalne_izbore_za_17_svibnja*vlada.hr*** (croatian government website)

Violence during Local Elections in Turkey

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:22:22 +0200

Almost 48 millions of Turks with right to vote were electing 93 000 local officials in 81 administrative counties and 923 districts. The biggest rivals are Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP), which consider itself favorite, and representatives of opposition - Republican People's Party (CHP). According to some analysts this elections can be considered as turning point, because its results will influence national politics, especially regarding global economic crisis and negotiations with EU.

The Association of Municipalities has received grant from EACEA

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:35:20 +0100

Project 'Promotion of Town Twinning between Croatian and European Self-Government Units' aims for the increase of town-twinning readiness of Croatian local units and the recovery of old connections between Croatian and European towns and municipalities.

The Association of Municipalities has received donation

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:33:08 +0100

First among several planned discussions was successfully held in Pozega, on November 18, while the next one will be organized in Zagreb during January 2009. Representatives of local units, experts and representatives of relevant Government's bodies were invited to participate in it. Within the project some other activities were also planned, with its joint aim to support implementation of the new system of direct election of local officials. The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has recognized values of proposed project for further democratization of Croatian society and has approved financial support from MATRA programme.