NALAS contributions in the The Forum of Cities and Regions “Investing in Western Balkans - Investing in Europe” Local Governments session of 6 June,2019 focused on sharing findings of two regional NALAS surveys and active participation in the panel discussion dedicated to the topic of quality public services. Involving Local Government Associations at regional and national level as strategic dialogue partners was a recommendation voiced to all participants, who take sustainable and inclusive development seriously.

The Forum of Cities and Regions “Investing in Western Balkans - Investing in Europe”, organized by the Polish Ministry of Investment and Economic Development, in the framework of the Polish Presidency in the Berlin Process is taking place from 4-6 June in Rzeszow, Poland. The Forum is co-hosted by NALAS, The Association of Polish Cities and the Union of Provinces of Poland. The Forum will be a meeting of cities from the Western Balkans and partners participating in the Berlin Process providing the opportunity for an exchange with the European Commission, the Regional Cooperation Council and the Committee of the Regions to discuss the support on the Western Balkans in the process of European Integration and economic transformation.

A business process re-engineering in Solid Waste Management that will contribute to more efficient performance of the municipal public utilities on waste management has been introduced in 10 municipalities in four countries of the Western Balkans.The outputs of the piloting and harmonization of the methodologies for introduction of each of the process in SWM were discussed at the project partner’s meeting held in Belgrade on 28 and 29 May 2019.

The Danube Water Conference is the Danube Water Program’s flagship event, taking place in Vienna every May since 2013. This year’s conference focused on “Achieving resilience in water and wastewater utilities in the Danube region” brought together over 200 people coming from more than 25 countries representing all stakeholders of the water sector to discuss the way forward towards smart policies, strong utilities and sustainable services.

On 11 and 12 April, the City to City Dialogue Conference: “Cities as Drivers of Economic Growth – Vision 2030” took place in Skopje and Veles, Republic of North Macedonia. The conference explored the role of cities and municipalities in the economic development agenda, how it can be enhanced for the benefit of the citizens of South-East Europe and what are the best practices that cities can learn from.

On April 12th, 2019 EU-Commissioner for European Neighbourhood & Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn delivered a video message during the City to City Dialogue Conference - Cities as Drivers of Economic Growth - Vision 2030. The Commissioner stated that "strengthening of the cities for the Regional Economic Area is vital to stop brain drain and turn it into brain circulation". Watch the full video message below.

On April 11, 2019, the 14th NALAS General Assembly took place in the City of Skopje, while bringing together over 70 Mayors, municipal experts and local government associations from the 12 member countries from the SEE Region.

The Handbook helps municipal practitioners improve their knowledge and understanding of the relevance of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs at local level, raising their capacities to promote SDGs and sensitise other stakeholders.

The ToT focuses on the importance of the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development and elaborates how municipalities are affected by them and what are the steps for localising the SDGs as a way for implementing Agenda 2030.

The kick-off meeting of the project was held on 25-26 February 2019, in Bolzano/Bozen, Italy.