Statute

Believing that the social development is desirable and economically efficient, politically democratic and environmentally sustainable;

Believing that social development should be organized "top-down", but also "bottom up";

Believing that local units are one of the main foundations of any democratic system;

Believing in the right of citizens to participate in the government of public affairs as one of the democratic principles;

Convinced that the exercise of this right can be most directly exercised at the local level, by applying the principle of subsidiarity;

Convinced that the Republic of Croatia has to truly decentralize and strengthen the capacities of the local government;

Reaffirming justification of HILS’ mission since its establishment in 1998;

Pursuant to the Article 18. in conjunction with the Article 55. of the Law on Associations ("Official Gazette" No. 74/2014.) Assembly of the Croatian Institute for Local Government at the session held in Osijek on September 28th 2015 adopted the

STATUTE OF THE CROATIAN INSTITUTE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT

 

I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1.

Croatian Institute for Local Government (hereinafter: the Institute) is an association founded to study and promote the ideas and practices of local and regional government in the Republic of Croatia in order to develop the local community.

Article 2.

The Institute operates under the name: Hrvatski institut za lokalnu samoupravu.

In its work, the Institute uses the abbreviated name: HILS.

In addition to the name in Croatian, the Institute may use the name translated into English: Croatian Institute for Local Government and its abbreviation CILG.

The headquarters of the Institute are in Osijek, and the business address is Trg Sv. Trojstva 3.

The area of the Institute 's activity is the Republic of Croatia.

Article 3.

The Institute has its own logo. The logo represents the abbreviation of the Institute’s name "HILS" inscribed in the clipped red square. Appearance of the logo is established by the body authorised by this Statute by accepting the graphic standards of its execution.

The Institute has a round seal with a diameter of 30 mm, along whose edge stands the inscription: Hrvatski institut za lokalnu samoupravu - Osijek.

Article 4.

The Institute is a legal entity and is entered in the Register of Associations in accordance with the regulations.

For his commitment the Institute is responsible with its entire assets.

The Institute is represented by the President and the Secretary General of the Institute, or people who are replacing them in their absence, pursuant to this Statute or the decision of the competent body.

Persons referred to in paragraph 3. represent the Institute is without limitations.

Article 5.

In order to expand and to enhance the activities of the Institute, the Institute may establish branch offices outside its headquarters. Branch offices, as a structural form of the Institute, are not legal persons.

The establishment and operation of the Institute’s branch offices shall be regulated by a special act issued by the competent body of the Institute.

Article 6.

The Institute may merge with other local and international associations if it thereby contributes to achieving the goals of its activities established by this Statute.

Article 7.

For giving public recognition for the work on promoting the Institute's objectives and the for the outstanding achievements and contribution of special significance for the development of activities within the scope of the Institute's work, and for the encouraging activities that focus on it, the Institute awards the title of honorary member and other public recognition. Public recognition assigned by the Institute, their appearance and form, criteria and procedure of their award shall be regulated by acts enacted by the body authorised by this Statute.

Article 8.

The work of the Institute and its bodies is public.
The Institute ensures publicity of its work by providing notification to the Institute's members on all important matters regarding the Institute's activity by delivering materials for the sessions of the Institute's bodies and other information, by the public character of its bodies' sessions and by informing the public through the mass media and other means of public communication. The publicity of its work is realized through publishing its own publications in accordance with the decision of the body authorized by this Statute.

II. ACTIVITY OF THE INSTITUTE

Article 9.

Members of the Institute associate in the Institute for the purpose of cooperating, alignment of special and common interests in promoting the ideas and practices of local and regional government in the Republic of Croatia and achievement of other common aims and interests.

Members of the Institute within the Institute work on the promotion and development of local and regional government in the Republic of Croatia and the training of local and regional government units to manage their own functioning and development, as the primary objectives of the joint action.

The areas of the Institute's activities are:
- Democratic political culture
- Human rights
- International cooperation
- Education, science, research
- Sustainable development
- Protection of the environment and nature

Activities for achieving the objectives of the Institute:

- Education for democratic citizenship
- Promoting non-violence and peace building
- Prevention of violence
- Volunteering
- Promoting social solidarity
- Intercultural dialogue
- Promoting good governance
- Prevention and exposing corruption
- Promoting participatory democracy/citizen participation in decision-making
- Monitoring of public policies and advocacy
- Informing the public and media
- Other activities of the democratic and political culture
- Literary-publishing activities
- Free legal aid
- The rights of active participants and victims of the Homeland War
- The right of access to information
- The right to protection of personal data
- Prevention and protection against discrimination
- Combating corruption
- Religious rights and freedoms
- The protection of consumer rights
- Protection of the Croatian diaspora
- The rights of national minorities
- Fostering native identity
- Other activities in the implementation and protection of human rights
- Development cooperation
- Other activities of international cooperation
- Lifelong learning and adult education
- Non-institutional education
- Education for active participation in the development of a democratic culture
- Education for the protection and promotion of human rights
- Development of rural areas
- Development of urban areas
- Nature conservation
- Environmental Protection

Article 10.

In achieving the goals set forth in this Statute, the Institute:

• organizes and carries out programs for education and training of people of influence on decision-making in local and regional government units and other persons for individual knowledge and skills relevant for the functioning and development of local and regional government units as well as training upon the introduction of new techniques and work technologies,
• organizes professional and scientific meetings on regional and local government,
• organizes research and other forms of monitoring and studying the local and regional government in the Republic of Croatia and the world,
• organizes and negotiates the programs and projects of interest to the common good it implements,
• establishes and maintains databases on regional and local government,
• organizes and provides counseling and other forms of technical assistance to local and regional government units,
• issues publications (manuals, memos, newspaper)
• organizes and maintains an electronic university (via the Web site of the Institute)
• participates in the development of international cooperation, establishes and maintains relationships with similar organizations in other countries,
• performs other activities entrusted to it by the members of the Institute through this Statute or other acts.

Article 11.

Education provided by the Institute is carried out through the organization and execution of conferences, seminars, forums and workshops and other forms of professional conferences and professional activities, and advisory and other forms of professional support (preparation and review of draft documents in the field of local and regional government and under the authority of local and regional governments and other agreed programs and projects).
The Institute carries out educational and other activities defined by this Statute mainly for the purpose of meeting the needs of its members and the needs of other people under the terms set by the decision of the Institute’s competent body. In this regard, the target groups of the Institute are local and regional government, educational and other institutions and the academic community, associations, families, ethnic and other minorities and citizens in general.


III. MEMBERSHIP

Article 12.

Local and regional government units, scientific and professional institutions, associations and other legal persons (hereinafter: collective members) and Croatian citizens who are scientifically and professionally dealing with the issues of local government and who accept the Statute of the Institute, may become members of the Institute.
Natural and legal persons referred to in 1. paragraph become members of the Institute when the Institute's competent body determined by the Institute by this Statute agrees with their decision on the accession.

Article 13.

The list of members is kept electronically or in any other appropriate manner. Form of the records of membership is determined by the body authorized by this Statute.
Records of members shall contain data on personal name (name), OIB (personal identification number), date of birth (establishment), the date of accessing the association, the category of membership, the date of termination of membership in the association, and other necessary information.

Article 14.

The rights, obligations and responsibilities of the Institute's members are particularly to:

• participate in establishing common policies and programs of the Institute,
• decide on the funds and property of the Institute and other issues defined by this Statute and other acts,
• negotiate and work together to achieve common goals,
• participate in activities of common interest,
• jointly conduct agreed activities,
• elect and be elected in the bodies of the Institute,
• be regularly and timely informed about the work of the Institute and its bodies and the financial operations of the Institute,
• pay the membership fee,
• preserve and promote the reputation of the Institute and
• comply with the provisions of the Statute and other acts of the Institute.

If the member considers that the Association has violated the Statute or other general act, the member is entitled to warn the bodies of the Institute, and require that the irregularities are removed.

Article 15.

In the exercise of their membership rights, members may not put their private interests ahead of the interests and objectives which the Institute was established for determined by this Statute, especially when his/her/its interest is affecting impartiality in the performance of his/her/its duties in the body of the Association.

A member of the Association who is caught in a conflict of interest shall cease to carry out actions that represent a conflict of interest and inform the body in which he/she/it operates.

In case of doubt about the existence of conflicts of interest, at the request of a member or a body of the Institute, the decision is made by the Court of Honor.

Article 16.

Membership in the Institute is terminated by the:

• dissolution of the Institute,
• dissolution of a collective member,
• resignation expressed by the member's written statement,
• exclusion of a member.

The status of an individual member may be terminated by his expulsion when the competent body of the Institute determines that he/she/it acts contrary to the objectives of the Association defined by this Statute, endangers its interests or causes it serious harm, and makes a decision in this regard.
The responsibility of the member is established by the Court of Honor. The Court of Honor consists of the president and two members who are appointed and dismissed by the Board of Directors of the Institute. The Court of Honor shall act by the Rules of Procedure governing the initiation and course of the proceedings and decision-making on the prononuncement of measure.
Body authorized by this Statute decides on the appeal against the decisions of the Court of Honour.

IV. ASSETS AND FINANCING

Article 17.

The material basis for the activity of the Institute consists of real estates, movable assets and rights included in the assets of the Institute.

To achieve the objectives of its existence and mission established by the programs Institute secures funds from:

• membership fees,
• by financing and contracting programs and projects of interest to the common good,
• revenues generated by its own activity,
• grants, donations and other voluntary contributions,
• international sources aimed at promoting local government,
• other sources.

Article 18.

The Institute is a non-profit legal entity.
If in the course of its activities the Institute makes profit, it will be used for the performance and improvement of its activities aimed at achieving the objectives set out in this Statute.

Article 19.

Institute manages its assets in accordance with the regulations on material and financial operations of non-profit organizations and acts of the bodies of the Institute.

V. MANAGEMENT OF THE INSTITUTE

Article 20.

The Institute is managed by members of the Institute directly or through their representatives in the bodies of the Institute.

Article 21.

The bodies of the Institute are:

1. The Assembly
2. The Board of Directors
3. The President of the Institute
4. The Supervisory Board.

1. The Assembly of the Institute

Article 22.

The Assembly is the highest governing body of the Institute.
The Assembly consists of all members of the Institute and representatives of collective members of the Institute determined in the manner prescribed by the law and acts of those organizations, for a period of four years. Every collective member of the Institute has one representative in the Assembly of the Institute.
Members of the collective members of the Institute may be relieved from their duty before the expiration of the period for which they were elected, if the organization that has elected them decides so.

Article 23.

The Assembly of the Institute:
a) considers:
• realization of approved programs of action and other acts of the Institute,
• reports on the work of the bodies and the Institute as a whole,
• other issues relevant to the functioning of the Institute;

b) establishes:
• basic elements of the policy of the Institute's activities contained in its programs,
• method of insurance, distribution and use of funds that the Institute uses to achieve its goals;

c) adopts:
• the Statute of the Institute,
• a decision to establish and the way of operating of the branch offices of the Institute,
• Rules of Procedure,
• programs of the Institute and its bodies,
• a decision on the establishment of other legal entities in accordance with the regulations,
• a decisions on complaints on acts that are adopted by the Board of Directors within its jurisdiction,
• a decision on establishment of Institute's public recognition,
• a decision on status changes,
• a decision on the termination of activities and of the distribution of the remaining assets,
• a decision on joining associations, communities, networks and other forms of linking of associations,
• other acts;

d) appoints and dismisses:
• The President and the Vice-president of the Institute,
• The Board of Directors of the Institute,
• The Supervisory Board of the Institute,

e) decides also on other matters for which the law or this Statute do not determine the authority of other bodies of the Institute.

Article 24.

Electoral session is held usually once every four years.

In the period between two electoral sessions the Assembly meets as needed, but at least once a year. The Assembly session is convened by the President of the Institute on his own initiative, at the discretion of the Board of Directors or when it is requested by:

• at least one third of members of the Institute or
• the Supervisory Board.

In the case of expiry of the mandate of the authorized convener of the session, at least one third of members of the Institute can directly convene a session of the Assembly.

The session of the Assembly is convened by the authorized persons in writing or electronically at least eight days before the session.

Article 25.

Session of the Assembly is headed by the President of the Institute, if the Assembly does not elect working presidency and confides it with conducting the session.

The Assembly can validly decide if a session is attended by the majority of its members.

The Assembly decides by a majority vote of the present members. If required majority of members does not respond to the invitation for the session, the session will be postponed. At the resumed session, the Assembly can decide if it is attended by at least one third of members.

Article 26.

The rights and obligations of members, preparing and the procedure of convening the session, course of the session and decision-making, as well as other issues of the Assembly are defined in more detail in the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly.

2. The Board of Directors

Article 27.

The Board of Directors is the governing and executive body of the Institute.
The Board of Directors has 7-11 members elected by the Assembly from among its members for a period of four years. The President and Vice-president of the Institute are members of the Board of Directors by position. The number of members of the Board of Directors is determined by the decision of the Assembly and the manner of their election is determined by the Assembly's Rules of Procedure.
When choosing members of the Board of Directors, the Assembly takes into consideration the adequate representation of members of the Institute in its composition.

Article 28.

The elected members of the Board of Directors are jointly responsible for the work of the Board of Directors to the Assembly, and individually for their work and the work of the Board of Directors within the limits of the powers and duties entrusted to them, to the Assembly and the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors and each of its members may resign or be dismissed before the expiry of the period they were elected for.

An individual member of the Board of Directors and the Board as a whole can be revoked if he/she/it:

• does not meet the obligations laid down by this Statute,
• acts contrary to the provisions of this Statute and the policies established by the Assembly.

Duty of an individual member of the Board of Directors ceases if he or the organization he represents in the Assembly, ceases to be a member of the Institute.

Article 29.

The Board of Directors:

• proposes to the Assembly the basis of the policy contained in the proposals of the Statute, programs and other acts,
• adopts the financial plan and revenue account,
• if the Assembly can not convene timely, temporarily establishes financial plan and the revenue account, which is submitted to the Assembly for approval at the first following session,
• ensures the implementation of acts and policies established by the Assembly,
• implements the financial plan and disposes of planned funds with taking care of the purpose and the proper use of these funds, and adopts implementing decisions,
• establishes standards of graphic appearance of the Institute's logo,
• determines the form of records of membership,
• decides on concluding legal matters on behalf of the Institute,
• coordinates the work of members of the Institute and organizes activity of the Institute as a whole,
• approves the accession of new members of the Institute,
• determines termination of a collective member of the Institute
• decides in the second instance on appeals against decisions of the Court of Honor,
• decides on the hight of the amount of membership fees,
• organizes and coordinates cooperation with other organizations,
• decides on the establishment of working bodies and appoints and dismisses their members,
• adopts acts in which the award of public recognition of the Institute established by the decision of the Assembly is regulated in more detail,
• edits and organizes publishing and informational activity of the Institute,
• appoints and dismisses the representatives of the Institute in the bodies of other organizations,
• appoints and dismisses the Secretary General of the Institute,
• defines the organization of specialized activities of the Institute and in this regard adopts the necessary acts,
• appoints and recalls the liquidator
• performs other tasks entrusted to it by the Assembly and that are required by the regular functioning of the Institute if they are not put within the competence of other bodies by this Statute or other acts.

Article 30.

The Board of Directors works and makes decisions at sessions.
The Board of Directors meets as needed, but at least once in three months.
The Board of Directors is convened by the President of the Institute or the person who replaces him in writing or electronically upon his decision or when requested by:

• the third of the members of the Board of Directors or
• the Supervisory Board.

On the issues which by their nature permit it, the Board of Directors decides electronically.
The Board of Directors decides by the majority vote of its members. On a session's agenda and other matters of procedural nature the Board of Directors decides by majority vote of the members present.
The operation of the Board of Directors is regulated in more detail by its Rules of Procedure.

3. The President and Vice-president of the Institute

Article 31.

The President of the Institute convenes and chairs sessions of the Assembly and the Board of Directors, signs their acts, coordinates the work of the bodies of the Institute, represents the Institute and performs other activities provided by this Statute and the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly and the Board of Directors.
The President is assisted by a Vice-president, who in case of his absence also replaces him.

Article 32.

The President and the Vice-president of the Institute are elected by the Assembly from among its members for a period of four years.
The duty of the President and the Vice-president of the Institute can be terminated even before the expiry of the period which they were elected for under the conditions and in the manner provided by this Statute for members of the Board of Directors.

Article 33.

Persons authorized by this Statute to represent the Institute are responsible for the legality of the Institute's business operations in accordance with the decisions of the Assembly and the Board of Directors, for the proposals of the annual financial report, submitting minutes of the regular sessions of the Assembly to the competent office, concluding contracts and performing legal actions on behalf of and for the account of Association.

4. The Supervisory Board

Article 34.

To protect the principle of legality and regularity of the Institute's business operations the Supervisory Board shall be established.
The Supervisory Board has a president and two members elected by the Assembly for a period of four years.
A member of the Supervisory Board can not simultaneously be a member of the Board of Directors.
The president and the members of the Supervisory Board may be dismissed under the conditions and in the manner of revocation of members of the Board of Directors.

Article 35.

The Supervisory Board is responsible for the control of the
• implementation of general acts and decisions of the Institute,
• lawful, responsible and economically purposeful disposal of funds and
• regularity of material and financial operations.

Article 36.

The Supervisory Board has the right and obligation to report the observed instances and their opinion to the Assembly and the Board of Directors.
The body to which the report is addressed is obligated to consider, determine their position and take action it is authorized for in order to remove the identified deficiencies, or to propose taking such measures.
About their activities and the results of the monitoring the Supervisory Board reports to the Assembly as appropriate, but at least once a year.

b) Working Bodies

Article 37.

Part of the tasks in its scope, the Assembly and the Board of Directors may entrust to the councils, boards, commissions and other permanent and temporary working bodies.
Decision on the establishment of working bodies determines their scope of work.
The authority to decide on matters that are entrusted by this Statute to the Assembly and its Board of Directors can not be delegated to the working body.

Article 38.

Within its scope, the permanent working bodies:
• monitor the situation and discuss issues in the field for which they are established,
• propose measures and activities aimed at improving the situation and programs of action,
• organize the execution of programs and other tasks in the field for which they are established,
• perform other tasks assigned to them by the decision of the body that established them.

c) The Secretary General of the Institute

Article 39.

The Secretary General of the Institute organizes and is responsible for:

• professional and technical preparation of sessions of the bodies of the Institute,
• implementation of decisions of the Assembly and the Board of Directors,
• performing professional and technical tasks for the bodies of the Institute.

In carrying out its tasks the Secretary General:

• represents the Institute and signes documents of its material and financial operations,
• prepares proposals of financial and other documents,
• performs other tasks entrusted to him by the Assembly, the Board of Directors and other bodies of the Institute.

About his work and performing professional and technical work for the Institute the Secretary General reports to the Board of Directors upon its request but at least once a year.

Article 40.

The Secretary General of the Institute is appointed by the Board of Directors without contest for a period of four years. The same person may be reappointed to the post.
The Secretary General can perform his duty professionally. The decision on the professionalization of performing work of the Secretary General is made by the Board of Directors.
Person appointed as the Secretary General may be a person who has proven his commitment to goals of the Institute provided by the Statute in his work, professional and public engagement, who as well has the necessary expertise and ability of successful organizing and effective management of the organization and who enjoys the reputation and trust of the community in which he operates.

Article 41.

For his performance the Secretary General is responsible to the Board of Directors.
The Secretary General may resign or be dismissed even before the expiry of the period he was elected for.
The Secretary General may be dismissed for reasons determined for the revocation of the members of the Board of Directors or other reasons provided by the law.

VI. LIQUIDATOR

Article 42.

The Liquidator is a natural or legal person appointed by the Board of Directors of the Association and who is entered as a liquidator in the Register of Associations. The liquidator does not have to be a member of the Association.
The liquidator represents the Association in the liquidation process and is entered in the Register of Associations upon the opening of the liquidation procedure as a person authorized to represent the Association until the completion of the liquidation proceedings and deletion of the Association from the Register of Associations.

VII. PERFORMANCE OF PROFESSIONAL TASKS

Article 43.

The Secretary General of the Institute carries out and organizes professional and other tasks for the Institute, manages the work of professional departments and is responsible for it.
The Board of Directors monitors and evaluates carrying out of professional and other tasks for the Institute on the basis of the report submitted to it by the Secretary General of the Institute once a year or as needed, or upon its request.

Article 44.

In order to perform administrative - professional, technical, analytical - planning, accounting, support and other similar activities a professional department can be established at the Institute.
The decision on the establishment of professional department is made by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors regulates the establishment and the organization of operation of professional department, as well as other issues of functioning of the department, through the Decision on the establishment and other acts.
The authority and responsibility of the body on behalf of which the department performs tasks can not be transferred to the professional department.

Article 45.

Rights and obligations arising from their employment persons employed for professional work in the Institute exercise in the manner specified in an act adopted by the Board of Directors in accordance with the regulations.

VIII. TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 46.

Institute ceases to operate when the Assembly of the Institute on the initiative or with the prior consent of the majority of members of the Institute, or for other reasons provided by law.
In the event of termination of operations and existence of the Institute its assets remaining after liquidation and related operations are taken over by an organization that continues its activity, or a legal person in accordance with the Law on Associations.

Article 47.

The incentive for the adoption or amendment of the Statute and other general acts of the Institute can be given by each member of the Institute and the bodies of the Institute. The drafting process of a general act is inevitably being initiated in accordance with the given initiative when the initiative is submitted or supported by:

• at least one third of members of the Assembly
• the Board of Directors
• the Supervisory Board.

Work on drafting the act is organized by and is the responsibility of the Board of Directors.

Article 48.

The competent bodies of the Institute shall adopt general acts for which they are obliged by this Statute, within six months from the date of entry into force of the Statute.

Article 49.

Members of the bodies of the Institute elected for duty before adopting this Statute shall continue to perform their duties until the expiration of the period for which they were elected.

Article 50.

With the entry into force of this Statute the Statute of the Croatian Institute for Local Self-Government adopted on 8th July 1998 shall cease to be valid.

Article 51.

This Statute enters into force upon its adoption.


President
Professor PhD Zvonimir Lauc