The Albanian Association of Municipalities is a nonpolitical, nonreligious, nonprofit association. The Albanian association of Municipalities is a volunteer and independent union of Albanian municipalities which want to contribute in the protection of common interests of the units of local government of the cities, with the purpose to strengthen and develop the democratic structures and mechanisms in the organization and functioning of municipalities and the application of the European Charter of Local Autonomy. AAM is a volunteer and independent association of municipalities established on October 12, 1993 at the request of a group of 10 mayors. It is for the first time in Albanian environment creates such an organization, which would defend the common interests of the Albanian municipalities for their development and democratization. Association counts as its volunteer members, all municipalities of Albania. AAM has the status of a non-profit organization (NGO) with a geographical spread across the country. Its ongoing efforts aimed awareness of the structures and institutions of the central government to accelerate the process of decentralization and strengthening the role of municipalities in their governance role, providing continuous concrete results. The role and contribution of the association today is fairly valued and recognized not only by its members but also from central government institutions, donors, international associations of local authorities.

AAM has a very special vision for Municipalities. It is a direct link association for Municipalities, it works for them and it is always at their service. The AAM purpose is: to contribute in the protection of common interests of the units of local government of the cities, with the purpose to strengthen and develop the democratic structures and mechanisms in the organization and functioning of municipalities and the application of the European Charter of Local Autonomy Although Albania is a small country, different municipalities present quite different performance.

This is under the effect of the geographic position, unequal historic, economic, financial and social development, different nature resources, uneven level of human capacity, etc. These differences between individual municipalities, as viewed from the perspective of governing performance, testify the need for bringing together the voice and opinion on issues of general interest. AAM Mission is defined as: Protection of common interests of Albanian municipalities with the purpose of achieving and development of real democratization and decentralization, meeting the European local government standards in compliance with European Chart of Local Government.

Pursuant to Law No. 7850 dated on 29/07/1994 “The Civil Code of the Republic of Albania” of Law No. 8781 dated on 03/05/2001 “On Some Amendments to Law No. 7850 dated on 29/07/1994 “The Civil Code of the Republic of Albania”; and Law 8788 dated on 07/05/2001 “On Non-Profit Organizations”, it has been drafted the Statute of the “Albanian Association of Municipalities”.

The Albanian association of Municipalities is a volunteer and independent union of Albanian municipalities which want to contribute in the protection of common interests of the units of local government of the cities, with the purpose to strengthen and develop the democratic structures and mechanisms in the organization and functioning of municipalities and the application of the European Charter of Local Autonomy.

In addition, Albanian Association of Municipalities has also the right to employ part-time experts, who expand and facilitate the daily work of the executive staff. AAM Executive Staff consists of the following structure:

• Executive Director
• Finance Officer
• A lawyer (s)
• PR and projects management expert
• Foreign relations expert
• Assistant secretary