Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina http://www.sogfbih.ba

1. Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovinahttp://www.sogfbih.ba 01.06.2011.

2. About Association • Union of Municipalities and Cities of the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was established in 1973, with the goal to develop local self-government, inter-municipal cooperation and international cooperation for all member municipalities. • In 2002, during theGeneral Assembly 54 member municipalities established Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. • During 2006, 29 additional municipalities became members of the Association, totaling 78 members (five municipalities within City of Mostar ceased to exist, Mostar Stari Grad, Mostar Sjever, Mostar Jug, Mostar Zapad i Mostar Jugozapad). • In 2009 one more municipality became a member, leaving only municipality Kreševo a non member municipality in Federation of BiH.

3. Legal Status • Law on Principles of Local Self Government, Article 51. In order to protect common interests, to promote and further develop local self government, cities and municipalities can form associations on state and entity level. Federal Association: • Is a legal representative of its members; • Can prepare drafts of laws and amendments of laws in order to strengthen position of local self government; • Give opinions and propositions regarding public revenue sharing, in part which deals with financing of units of local self government; • Can cooperate with similar domestic and international organizations, as well as become a member of other international associations; • Perform other duties in accordance with the Statute.

4. Legal Status • Law on Principles of Local Self Government, Article 19. If the Mayor, the council or one third of the council believes that the adopted budget may, under certain circumstances, jeopardize the functioning of the local unit of self-government, they may seek arbitration within seven days. The arbitration shall be conducted within one month by a body established by the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the conclusion of that body shall be binding. The body of arbitration shall comprise representatives of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Cantonal Ministry of Finance, municipal council and the Mayor, an independent finance expert and a representative of the Association of Municipalities and Towns of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The budget shall be implemented until the arbitration results in a decision.

5. Legal Status • Law on Principles of Local Self Government Article 34. Line 4. The legislator shall be obliged to obtain the opinion of the Association of Municipalities and Cities on all issues that concern allocation of funds, as well as on all changes to laws that may affect financial obligations of local units of self-government. Article 56. Federal, that is to say, cantonal authorities shall have an obligation to consult local units of self-government to the largest degree possible in the process of adopting regulations that directly affect them. Consultations as envisaged by the previous paragraph shall be conducted by federal or cantonal authorities through the association of municipalities and cities.

6. International Cooperation • Member of Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CLRAE) since November, 1994. • Member and one of the founders of Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe(NALAS), since May, 2004. • Member of Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) since May, 2008.

7. Organizational Structure

8. Assembleys 29.05.2002. Mostar 22.03.2007. Gradačac 07.12.2007. Neum 16.04.2009. Neum 07.05.2010. Neum Presidency 7 – 8 sessions per year Committees Sessions are organized as many times as needed Work Groups Formed based on needs

9. Importance of Association • Association is a single association of local authorities in FBiH, and its primary goal is to protect local self government units and represent its interests in relation to higher levels of government. • Municipalities and cities through Association, as their legal representative, can easier achieve its goals. • Through Association members can challenge constitutional validity of laws and protect their right to local self government in front of Constitutional Court, as well as initiate amendments and changes of laws and other legal acts that are not in accordance with the European Charter and Law of Principles of Local Self Government in FBiH.

10. Main Activities • Lobbying - representing and promoting interests of its members toward all levels of government, institutions and other organizations • Services - informational services(web, e-bilten, e-mail) - financial services - legal services • Cooperation with domestic and international organizations and institutions • Platforms - Conferences, seminars, workshop and meetings - Consultations with members through Secretariat, Committees, Work Groups and other bodies of the Association.

11. Program Orientation • Harmonization of the local legislation • Reform of the Public Administration and strategy of development of the local self government • Cooperation with international and domestic organizations and institutions • Capacity building of the Association • Strenghtening of project activities • Strenghtening of the Coordination body of the associations on State level • Cooperation with other associations

12. Harmonization of local legislation • Active participation in the process of Constitutional changes • Participation in drafting laws and changing laws and other legal acts on federal and cantonal level • Giving opinions and propositions on drafts of legal acts • Lobbying higher levels of governement to ensure better status of its members

13. Cooperation with domestic and international institutions and organizations • Association cooperates with Savez sarađuje sa legislative and executive branch of government on all levels • Assciation cooperates with many national and international organizations • Association’s representatives are actively involved at domestic and international conferences that are of interest for local self government

14. Capacity Building of the Association • Secretariat with 9 employees has for a goal to provide quality services to the members of the Association through: - supporting projects that are of interest for local self governement • Following and disseminating information that is of interest for local self government • Organization of educational seminars for the members • Continous cosulting with members regarding representation of its members

15. Strengthening of the Coordination Body on State level • Coordination Body established (both associations are represented by 4 members) • Goal – united stand toward state level

16. Cooperation with domestic and international associations • Day to day communication and cooperation with Association of Municipalities and Cities of the RS • Active cooperation with NALAS, CEMR and CLRAE

17. Association’s Activities for the next period • Activities will be defined and implemented in accordance with the new Development Strategy of the Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2011-2015

18. SAVEZ OPĆINA I GRADOVA FEDERACIJE BOSNE I HERCEGOVINEASSOCIATION OF MUNICIPALITIES AND CITIES OF THE FEDERATION OF BIH Address: Musala 5/1, 71000 Sarajevo Tel: +387 33 216 502 Fax: + 387 33 552 810 e-mail: savez@sogfbih.ba web: www.sogfbih.ba