Purpose/Activities

As a communal umbrella organisation, the Federation of German Cities and Communes represents the interests of these communities in communal self-administration both in Germany and in Europe. Its members represent over 14,000 municipalities, town and village councils with a total of more than 47 mil-lion inhabitants. It is politically independent. Members of the different executive bodies are selected in accordance with the results of communal elections. The Federation of German Cities and Communes does not depend on government subsidies.

The FGCC works

as a communal lobby in keeping in constant touch with members of the Bundestag (parliament), the Ger-man government, the Federal Council (upper house), the European Union and other organisations. In its decision-making processes, it takes into account vari-ous assessments of the situation in German cities, towns and villages, as well as committee draft resolutions/amendments; efficient co-operation in federal advi-sory committees, in the Kulturrat (Business Cycle Market Development Council) and the Finanzplanungsrat (Fiscal Planning Council).

as a communal informa-tion network in raising public awareness and 'activating' the public and the media for current communal-political themes and problems

as a co-ordinating body by furthering constant exchange of experience and information between its six-teen member organisations

as a representative body delegated to central organisations which serve local community interests (e.g. German Savings Banks and Giro Federation, German Hospital Society).

Please also refer to Council of European Municipalities and Regions - CEMR

Deutscher Städtetag (DST)

Periodical Publications:

Stadt und Gemeinde