SCTM today

The Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities - Association of Towns and Municipalities of Serbia (SCTM) was founded in 1953 as an association of towns and municipalities and town municipalities in Serbia. Thanks to the great support and active participation of membership, the SCTM's impact is more and more pronounced, and as far as the reform and strengthening of local self-government is concerned. SCTM has been accepted as an indispensable partner to domestic and international institutions, and has become an important factor in the process of decentralisation and reform of the local self-government system. We are the unique voice of local authorities in Serbia before the National Assembly, the Government of the Republic of Serbia, ministries, provincial authorities and other competent institutions and organisations.

Our mission is to represent the interests of local self-governments and support their development through the joint operation of the membership, providing high quality services in accordance with European standards, with the goal of creating the conditions for the functioning of developed and efficient local self-governments.

SCTM is a gathering point of local self-governments and consideration of common issues, formulating, and presenting common interests. We represent the interests of towns and municipalities and we are lobbying for the adoption of regulations and strategic documents that suit their needs. Local self-governments can count on quality services provided to them through training, consultations and advisory support, and our members, partners and the general public are well and timely informed about all issues of importance to local self-government. When it comes to the international level, we pay special attention to representing the interests of local authorities in the negotiations for EU membership, in an effort to adequately present their opportunities and needs in this process.

The SCTM implements a large number of programmes and projects funded by international governmental and non-governmental institutions and organizations. Over the past few years, we have implemented more than 30 different projects alone or in cooperation with our partners.

Within the SCTM, there are eight line committees, permanent working bodies that bring together representatives of towns and municipalities about important issues in the field of local self-government activities in order to exchange experiences and formulate joint initiatives. Also, SCTM has established 28 networks of professionals, experts from the local level, with the task of considering and proposing innovative solutions that will further improve the position and operation of local self-government.