BTA :: National Association of Municipalities Operated Stably, in Line With Core Goals in 2025

National Association of Municipalities Operated Stably, in Line With Core Goals in 2025 - Report

Diana Dukovska, Nikoleta Vasileva

The National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria holds its 39th General Assembly, Sofia, February 24, 2026 (BTA Photo/Milena Stoykova)

Sofia,

24.02.2026 14:54

(BTA)

The National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (NAMRB) operated in a stable, consistent manner and fully in line with its core objectives in 2025, providing expert and reliable support to Bulgarian municipalities, according to the organization's annual report. It was presented at NAMRB's 39th General Assembly in Sofia by Daniel Panov, Chair of the Management Board and Mayor of Veliko Tarnovo, and Nebi Bozov, Chair of the Control Board and Mayor of Sarnitsa.

Panov said that despite a dynamic political environment, NAMRB had maintained its active role as a defender of municipal interests. Key challenges included finalizing thousands of investment projects under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, the municipal investment programme, the Strategic Plan for Agriculture and Rural Development, and other EU-funded programmes. He noted that the Management Board and NAMRB's team had sustained ongoing communication with central government, including on specific projects.

The report highlighted NAMRB's strong engagement in law-making, with more than 160 reasoned opinions issued on draft laws and secondary legislation, as well as participation in interdepartmental expert formats. According to the leadership, this further consolidated the association's position as a leading and competent partner of central authorities on local self-government issues.

Training and expert initiatives were a major focus in 2025, including the launch of a training platform for municipal councillors, capacity-building for mayors of mayoralties and municipal administration staff, and preparations for the introduction of the euro. Another priority was waste management and the application of the polluter pays principle, supported by regional meetings and pilot testing of different models.

Presenting the Control Board's report, Nebi Bozov said all decisions of the General Assembly and the Management Board, as well as the 2025 activity programme, had been fully implemented.

As of December 31, 2025, membership fee revenues totalled BGN 2,973,000, paid by 256 out of 265 municipalities. By April 30, the deadline for discounted payment, 238 municipalities and two associate members had paid their dues. Only nine municipalities had not transferred the amounts due for 2025, prompting an appeal from the Control Board for them to meet their obligations this year.

The General Assembly approved the reports of the Management Board and the Control Board by a majority vote.

/RY/