Regulating the status of informal structures is of special importance for the local government, which, according to the Law on Local Self-Government and the Law on Spatial Planning and Construction, within its own jurisdiction, governs building land and create conditions for the construction of buildings. Usurpation of space by illegal constructors, local governments are not able to fully and in a quality manner pursue policies of planned development of the municipality, as well as being deprived of the income from which is made municipal construction land, or in order to improve municipal infrastructure as a key requirement for quality of life and work of citizens.

The Sustainable Energy Raodmaps for Association of municipalities in SEE counties is developed within the regional project “Energy efficiency in municipal associations – EeMA”, on which the Union of Municipalities is a partner.

The project is implemented by the German Agency for International Cooperation – GIZ, through its Open Regional Fund for Southeast Europe, and financially supported by the Governments of Germany and Switzerland.

The Manual is prepared by the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro with the support of the OSCE Mission in Montenegro, designed by the Union of Municipalities Working group, composed of local government representatives, business sector, which is developing planning documents and reports on strategic assessment of environmental impact and NGOs which focus is on issues of spatial planning and environment.
The Manual outlined the general principles related to the content of the Terms of Reference, providing a clear picture on how to write Terms of Reference in efficient and effective manner.

The Municipal Asset Management Toolkit – Guidelines for local decision makers, Regional report on practices in the field of asset management and Report on international practices in the field of municipal asset management have been prepared within the project “Asset management in the area of water supply and waste water treatment in South East Europe”, financed by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Swiss Government, and implemented by the GIZ Open Regional Fund for the Modernization of Municipal Services and the Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South East Europe (NALAS), in cooperation with local government associations including the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro.

At its tenth General Assembly, held in Plovdiv on 18 May 2015, NALAS organized the GENiYOUTH Gender and Youth Municipal Initiatives Awards, for best practices in gender and youth mainstreaming at local level. These initiatives are a true example of local government and local government commitment to create a better and more equal world for all.
These best practices enrich NALAS knowledge centre in the Gender and Youth area and we hope that they will serve as motivation and inspiration to other municipalities to implement activities that will strive to ensure inclusion of all citizens in local government issues.
The winners are:
• Municipality of Elbasan, Albania
• Municipality of Petrovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Municipality of Maribor, Slovenia
• The Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities – National Association of Local Authorities in Serbia
• Municipality of Ajdovščina, Slovenia

The purpose of this Position Paper is to a) build a common understanding of what is sustainable tourism development at local level in South Eastern Europe (SEE); b) encourage sustainable tourism planning and development across SEE through deploying the potential of the Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South East Europe (NALAS); c) build a common reference point for local municipalities and local government associations (LGA’s), recognizing tourism as a relevant economic option which, in order to be successful, needs to be carefully planned and managed for continuous use in the future while still bringing benefits to the present.

Building on the opportunities provided by the steady growth of international tourism, the Position Paper presents the vision, general principles, objectives, actions and recommendations to encourage the implementation of sound policies by municipalities and LGAs. It also strives to help NALAS to disseminate its practice throughout the SEE in line with its principles of promotion of the process of decentralisation in South-East Europe and carrying out regional initiatives.

The 18th issue of the Union’s Bulletin “Our Union” is published. The bulletin focus was on activities in the field of local government financing, and in this light the Proposed measures for overcoming the local government financial problems established by the Union`s Executive Board were presented. The Proposed measures were discussed at the meetings of the Uonion`s bodies as well as at the the meetings held with the relevant ministries on this topic. The amendments on the Bill Amemnding Law on Property Tax were presented in order to create the legal preconditions for a sustainable system of property tax administation, prepared by the Union`s Committee on Local Government Financing and has submitted for consideration to the relevant parliamentary Committee for Economy, Finance and Budget.

The municipal`s and the Union`s positions are presented in order to “defense” land development fee as the exclusive source of income for land policies managing at the local level and to introduce new revenue to finance joint consumption communal services through the adoption of the new Law on Communal Services, and to ensure the flow of funds from the legalization of informal buildings fees by adopting the Law on Legalization of Informal Buildings, as well as to establish a “Revolving” Fund for pre-financing of EU projects.

Union of Municipalities in Montenegro, with the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, has prepared this publication in order to encourage the twinning of Montenegrin local governments with the cities of Europe and the world. This publication presents our local governments with a brief description of their specific characteristics, features and rich historical heritage in order to connect with a larger number of cities and municipalities, and achieve a strong sense of friendship and a common European identity. The publication was prepared in 3 languages: Montenegrin, English and French.

Publication TWINNING (.pdf document)

The Guidelines trough Procedures of an Ethical Committee for Local Elected Representatives and Officials are results of the need to clarify and interpret in more details the method of work and procedures of the Ethical Committee, and to resolve other issues important for accomplishment of the role of the Ethical Committee related to the implementation of the Model Decision on Ethical Committee for Local Elected Representatives and Officials and to practical reinforcement of provisions of the Code of Ethics.

The Guidelines contain of a number of practical justifications, recommendations, advices and guides which can help the Ethical Committees in their work. Ethical Committees are being established for the first time in our local governments. This document can also help all others for whom are expected to contribute to the effective and efficient implementation of the Codes of Ethics in Local Governments, such as local civil servants and employees, citizens, media, NGOs and other relevant subjects in local communities.