The AECM was established on September 19th, 1920 as the Association of Estonian Cities. On February 27th, 2018 the association status was changed and it became the Association of Estonian Cities and Rural Municipalities. At present, all the 79 municipalities of Estonia are members of the association. The local governments belonging to the association cover the whole population of Estonia, so all the Estonian regions are represented. The AECM is financed by membership fees. The amount of a fee depends on the revenues of a member.
Responsibilities of the AECM are:
• to represent the interests and protect the rights of its members in governmental and other institutions, including negotiations with the central government;
• to work out positions of the AECM in the issues of local government policy;
• to arrange co-operation between local governments, their associations and unions;
• to enhance co-operation and twinning with local governments and their associations abroad as well as with international organisations;
• to disseminate information to local governments and to advise local government officials;
• to provide training for politicians and officials of local governments;
• to inform the public about activities of the AECM.
The General Assembly, which convenes at least once during the election period, is the highest directing body of the Association. The members of the AECM are represented in the General Assembly by delegates whose number depends on the population in the territory of the local government.
Between two General Assembly meetings, the Council of the AECM performs the functions of the General Assembly. The Council convenes at least once in three months. The members of the AECM are represented in the Council by delegates whose number depends on the population in the territory of the local government.
The Management Board consisting of 13 members is the directing body of the AECM.
- President of the board is Mr Mihhail Kõlvart (Member of Tallinn City Council).
Vice presidents of the board are:
- Mr Mihkel Juhkami (Chairman of Rakvere City Council),
- Mr Urmas Klaas (Mayor of Tartu).
Members of the Board are
- Mr Kurmet Müürsepp (Vice Mayor of Antsla Rural Municipality),
- Mr Taavi Aas (Mayor of Jõgeva Rural Municipality),
- Mr Ingvar Saare (Mayor of Lääneranna Rural Municipality),
- Mr Lauri Luur (Mayor of Tori Rural Municipality),
- Mr Georg Pelisaar (Chairman of Põlva Rural Municipality Council),
- Mr Andres Laisk (Mayor of Saue Rural Municipality),
- Ms Irina Talviste (Vice Mayor of Pärnu City),
- Mr Imre Jugomäe (Mayor of Mulgi Rural Municipality),
- Ms Maris Toomel (Mayor of Jõhvi Rural Municipality),
- Mr Priit Lomp (Member of Kastre Rural Municipality Council).
- The United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG);
- the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR);
- the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CLRAE);
- the Baltic Sea States Subregional Cooperation (BSSSC);
- the European Committee of the Regions (CoR);
- the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR)
- the Union of the Baltic Cities (UBC).
The AECM highly appreciates close co-operation with national associations of local authorities in other countries. With regard to the EU integration and enlargement, contacts have been established and maintained with the Committee of the Regions of the European Union.
The executive director of the bureau of the AECM, who must be approved by the Board, manages the administrative work of the AECM. The main tasks of the Bureau are:
• to implement the decisions of the General Assembly and of the Management Board;
• to assist local authorities in co-ordination and arrangement of joint activities;
• to arrange General Assembly sessions, Board meetings and other joint activities, and to prepare relevant documentation.
• to collect, analyse and distribute the opinions of local authorities on draft legal acts of the central government;
• to arrange training programmes for municipal officials;
• to develop contacts and collaboration with the associations and organisations of local authorities abroad.
Today the Bureau has 20 employees. Their contact information is available HERE.
Permanent Brussels’ Representative of the AECM is Ms Tiiu Madal
Address of Brussels' Office of the AECM:
Rue Guimard 11/13
1040 Brussels, Belgium
E-mail: brussel@elvl.ee
Phone: +324 9707 1083
Address of the AECM Office in Tallinn:
Lõkke 4
10122 Tallinn, ESTONIA
E-mail: info@elvl.ee
Phone: +372 60 43 001
Viimati uuendatud 28.05.2024
