Almost 200 mayors from South East Europe used the occasion of NEXPO 2011 to discuss common challenges, present innovative approaches and agree together upon a joint Declaration on Local Governments Facing the Future: Good Governance, Social Inclusion and European Integration. This Declaration is addressed to the European Union, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, the national governments in SEE, the associations of local authorities and their networks and recommends a stronger role of local governments and their associations in the EU integration process, and in the utilisation of the IPA and other funding mechanisms.

During the two days of NEXPO in Sarajevo, 110 exhibitors presented their innovative communities to estimated 2000 visitors from the region. Municipalities, international organizations and even embassies were among the exhibitors. All NEXPO participants had unique chance to learn about the innovative approaches tried in the region, but also taste the local cuisine and participate in discussions, both informal - at the booths and formal - during the workshops and conferences.

Covenant of Mayors Ceremony will take place in Brussels on the 29th November. This Ceremony is the annual turning point of the Covenant movement where new cities and regions confirm their commitment. NALAS associations will bring several mayors who signed the Covenant this year to the Ceremony.

NALAS has published a new report addressing an issue of central importance to the social, economic and institutional development of local governments in South-East Europe.

The ICT for Local Governments is a guidance study based on best practices for establishment of Local e-Government services.

The European Congress on Citizenship and Twinning organised by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions – on the occasion of its 60th anniversary – and the Association of Polish Cities, with the support of the European Commission, took place from 29th September to 1st October at the City of Rybnik’s invitation (Poland)

Is SEE Decentralisation Observatory needed? What functions should it perform? What areas should it cover? What kind of data to collect? How to use the data collected?

The NALAS Secretariat issues a Call for Applications for Hosting NEXPO 2013, open to NALAS members in cooperation with candidate host cities.

Some 130 participants, mayors of municipalities and the respective Chairs of municipal councils, gathered in Tirana on 28 September at the Seminar “Strengthening the capacities and the cooperation of local elected representatives in Albania”, organized by NALAS and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.

SARAJEVO, 24 October 2011 – Regulation of informal settlements was the topic of a conference on urban planning in South East Europe, which took place today at the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.