Association For Development of Mountain Municipalities Of Republic Of Bulgaria

The Association of Mountain Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (ADMMRB) is established in the middle of 2006 by the initiative group consisting of local government representatives, business sector and other persons for solution of problems concerning heavier climate, economic and social conditions that the mountain municipalities have to develop in. The objective of the Association is, by active involvement in the European integration process to be achieved a balanced and sustainable economic development of these municipalities. The decision for participation of the municipality in ADMMRB is taken by the municipal council. It appoints also its representatives in ADMMRB. The structure and activity of the ADMMRB are regulated by its Charter. General Assembly is the supreme governing body of the ADMMRB. The General Assembly consists of representatives of all member municipalities and meets at least twice a year. Each municipality has one voting right in the General Assembly. The Board of Directors is the executive body of the ADMMRB. The Board of Directors consists of 9 members elected by the General Assembly for a 4 years mandate. The Board of Directors elects its Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Executive Secretary. The Control Council is the control body of the ADMMRB. The Control Council consists of 3 members elected by the General Assembly for a 4 year mandate. The Council supervises the execution of the General Assembly and Board of Directors’ decisions, budget of the Association and monitors for the respect of the Association’s Charter. The statutory committees of the Association are established and suspended by the General Assembly. They work for changes in legislation concerning local self-government and dissemination of best practices among municipalities. Members of the committees could be as elected representatives as well as municipal experts. The composition of the committees is constituted on the base of application forms submitted by each municipality. The committees meet at least once per quarter. The meetings are opened for everybody who is interested in the debated issue that makes the meeting working forums. The Executive Secretary is elected by the Board of Directors. He/she appoints and dismisses the ADMMRB employees according to structure and number approved by the Board of Directors. The operational activity of AMMRB is implemented by a team. On certain tasks and projects are involved also short term experts. All they are permanently at disposal for provision of services, information and consulting to the municipalities. The Association’s annual budget is constituted mainly by projects won by competitions by international donors – 60 %, membership fee – 30 % and incomes from activity – 10 %. The Association continuously builds capacity for project management and the result is elaboration and implementation of large projects. Their implementation is made in conditions of guaranteed transparency and control by the members.