The Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe or (NALAS) was created in 2001 to enhance the process of democratization and decentralization in south-east Europe. It is currently made up of national associations of local authorities in the region.
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Background
In each of the countries of south-east Europe, national associations of local authorities have been established with assistance from donors and support of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe. Each of these organizations brings together a great number of municipalities (all voluntarily) and plays a key role in fostering local democracy in each country.
In May 2001, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe began using voluntary donations from the Swiss Government under the Stability Pact to help create this network now known of NALAS to help strengthen local democracy.
In December 2002, the Congress hosted the network’s first conference in Strasbourg, and, after 18 months’ work, the NALAS statutes were signed in the Council of Europe’s Assembly Chamber during the Plenary Session of the Congress on 27 May 2004.
The first General Assembly of the Association was held in Skopje on 6 September 2005. NALAS is no longer an informal network but rather an association with an official status and an infrastructure which should enable it to become more independent. It can now establish links with international and European organizations and with other associations in the same field and set up specific projects and activity programmes.
Members
NALAS currently is a network of associations covering more than 4,000 local authorities who have been directly elected by over 60 million citizens in south-east Europe. It is made up of full members (national associations of local authorities from south-east Europe) and associate members (associations of local authorities from countries outside south-east Europe, international associations of local authorities, bodies working in the same areas as local authorities, foundations, international and European organizations, non-governmental organizations and donors), as well as honorary members.