The bureau of the Association of Estonian Cities (AEC) is close to the ferry terminals of harbour of Tallinn, just a bit outside of the Old Town area.

Address: Ahtri 8, III korrus
10151 Tallinn, ESTONIA
Phone: +372 694 34 11
Fax: +372 694 34 25
E-mail: info@ell.ee

Staff of the Bureau of AEC

Website (general info about AEC): http://www.ell.ee
Website for local governments (news, forums, laws, co-operation (in Estonian only)): http://portaal.ell.ee

The Association of Estonian Cities is a voluntary union established for representing the common interests and arranging co-operation of cities and rural municipalities. Ensuring development of local governments through joint activities is the main goal of the AEC.

The AEC was established on 19 September 1920. At present, all the cities, including the capital Tallinn, and some rural municipalities are the members of the AEC. The local governments belonging to the AEC cover more than two thirds of the population of Estonia and all Estonian regions are represented.

The AEC is funded from the membership fees, the amount of which depends on the revenues of a member.

Political Structure

The General Assembly, which convenes at least once per election period, is the highest directing body of the Association. The members are represented by delegates whose number depends on the population in the territory of the local government.

At the time period between the two General Assemblies, the Council of the AEC shall perform the functions of the General Assembly. The Council convenes at least once per 3-month period. The members are represented by delegates whose number depends on the population in the territory of the local government.

The Board consisting of 7 members is the directing body of the AEC and administrative work is done by the bureau of 11 employees.

I Members of the Association of Estonian Cities
II General Assembly (general meeting of the representatives of members at least once per election period)
III Council (general meeting of the representatives of members at least once per 3-month period)
IV Board:

a. permanent and ad hoc committees
b. bureau (task forces, co-operation networks, etc.)

Responsibilities of the AEC

o Representing the interests and protecting the rights of its members in the governmental and other institutions, including negotiations with the central government.
o Working out the position of the AEC in the issues of local government policy.
o Arranging co-operation between local governments, their associations and unions.
o Enhancing co-operation and twinning with local governments and their associations abroad as well as with international organisations.
o Dissemination of information to local governments and counselling local government officials.
o Providing training for politicians and officials of local governments.
o Informing the public about the activities of the AEC.

International Relations

* International Organizations of Local Authorities

The AEC is a member of the International Union of Local Authorities (IULA, 1925), the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR, 1995), the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CLRAE), the Baltic Sea States Sub-Regional Cooperation (BSSSC), and the Joint Consultative Committee of the Committee of the Regions (CoR).

The Association co-operates with many international organisations, networks and movements such as the Union of the Baltic Cities (UBC), the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), the Baltic Local Agenda 21 Forum (BLA21F), and the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Healthy Cities Project.

* Partnership with Associations of Local Authorities in Europe

The AEC prioritises close co-operation with national associations of local authorities in other countries: there are cooperation projects with the national organisations of the local authorities of the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium (Flanders), Finland, Sweden, Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania, and a twinning project with the State of Maryland in the USA.

* EU Integration

With regard to the EU integration, contacts have been established and maintained with the Committee of Regions of the European Union. The AEC provides information about the EU programs and is actively involved in the Local Governments Network of Central and Eastern European Countries for EU Enlargement (LOGON).

Briefly about Estonia

Estonia is one of the smallest countries in Europe as to its territory and population.

Territory: 45,227 km2
Population: 1,366,723
Average population density: 30.2 people/km2
Cities with the highest population density:
Tartu 2,609 people/km2
Tallinn 2,526 people/km2

About 70% of the population live in urban areas, and 48.4% live in five bigger cities: 399,850 in Tallinn, 101,240 in Tartu, 68,538 in Narva, 47,484 in Kohtla-Järve, and 44,978 in Pärnu.

Estonia takes pride in its rich wildlife, unique landscapes and intact nature. Estonia's natural resources include oil shale, limestone, dolomite, peat, fertile land, forest and ground water. Its seaside and inland water bodies, among others Lake Peipus, the fourth largest lake of Europe, on the eastern border of Estonia, offer excellent opportunities for leisure activities.

Estonian Local Governments

Estonia has a one-layer local government system consisting of rural municipality and city governments. Estonia ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Government on 24 September 1994 and follows all articles of the charter in its jurisdiction.

Additional information on Estonian local authorities could be found on the web-page of The Ministry of the Interior (click on “Local Government in Estonia 2005”).

Consultation between central government and the national associations of local government in Estonia

Information on the system for consultation between central governments and the national associations of local government could be found from the study of CEMR (23/10/2007 - Consultation procedures within European states), available on http://www.ccre.org/publications_en.htm (For Estonia, see page 57)

Competence of Local Governments

Local governments resolve and manage any issues of local life independently and perform their public obligations on the basis of the law and contracts.

Local Government Funding

National taxes 42% (2002), 48% (2004)
Allocations form the national budget 33% (2002), 34% (2004)
Income from economic activities and propreties 17% (2002), 15% (2004)
Local taxes less than 1% (2002), 1% (2004)
Other income 8% (2002), 3% (2004)

Viimati muudetud: 21.02.11