German Association of Towns and Municipalities

The 'Deutscher Staedte - und Gemeindbund' (German Association of Towns and Municipalities ) is the central association representing the interests of Kreis-affiliated towns and municipalities in the Federal Republic of Germany. Its direct members are 17 associations in the federal Laender, that represent almost 15,500 Kreis-affiliated towns and municipalities of the total of ca. 16,000 local authorities within the federal territory. These 17 Land associations collectively represent about 43 million inhabitants.

The Association is a private-law association. It operates without government subsidy. Membership is voluntary.

Functions

The functions of the Deutscher Staedte- und Gemeindebund (German Association of Towns and Municipalities) include the following:

to represent the political views of the elected bodies of Kreis-affiliated towns and municipalities before Federal bodies and the public at large;
to represent the general needs and the experience of Kreis-affiliated towns and municipalities before the Federal Government and the Bundestag in accordance with its right of co-determination;
to promote the exchange of experience among Kreis-affiliated towns and municipalities
to advise its members in all matters relating to local government;
to communicate information to its members.

The organisation is especially active in the tourism sector. The department for economics organizes two so-called 'Arbeitseitskreise', or tourism-workshops for a limited number of members of the Association. The German Association also represents the Council of European Municipalities and Regions in the Consulting Committee of DG XXIII.

Information Source

Prepared by ...
Deutscher Stadte-und Gemeindebund
Kaiserswerther Strasse 199-201, 40474 Duesseldorf, Germany
Telephone +49 211 4587 241 Facsimile +49 211 4587 211