The Sigma Program focuses on supporting its partner countries in modernizing their public governance systems and assisting decision-makers in harmonizing their legislation with the EU. Sigma works with the 11 EU candidate countries and countries of the Western Balkans. Sigma launched its website in 2003, to provide information on the program, various events, partner countries and donors. The site also has an online library.

URL for additional information:
http://www.sigmaweb.org

Category: European Integration, Legislation,

EURA is an international association of urban researchers established in 1997 in Brussels. Its aim is to provide a European forum for people from different disciplines and policy backgrounds to exchange information about and findings from research on towns and cities as the basis for closer co-operation. Its main activities include organizing and participating in conferences, publishing newsletter, fostering cooperation of experts.

URL for additional information:
http://www.eura.org

Category: Urbanization,

ICMA is a professional and educational organization representing appointed managers and administrators in local governments throughout the world. ICMA develops and publishes a vast array of publications and reference material to help improve the process of local government management. ICMA also serves as a major clearinghouse for the collection, analysis and dissemination of information and data about local government.

URL for additional information:
http://www.icma.org

Category: Citizen Participation, Citizen and Local Government Relations, Economic Development and Partnerships, Securing Investments, Education, Environmental Issues, Information Systems and Technology, International Partnerships and Programs, Legislation, Local Government Finance, Budgeting, Municipal Credit, Taxes,

LGEAN is an information clearinghouse that provides clear, concise, and relevant environmental management, planning, and regulatory information for local government officials and their staffs through its Internet Web site (http://www.lgean.org), toll-free telephone number (1-877/TO-LGEAN [865-4326]), and quarterly newsletter focused on small communities.

URL for additional information:
http://www.lgean.org

Category: Environmental Issues,

JUNIUS (Junior Network for International Urban Studies) is an informal network aiming to contribute to the ongoing urban studies. Its website serves as the initial platform in realizing international exchange of experience, containing information on events and activities, recent publications and calls for papers and also includes a virtual discussion forum.

URL for additional information:
http://www.eurajunius.org/

Category: Urbanization,

The mission of NISPAcee is to foster the development of public administration disciplines and training programmes in post-Communist countries. NISPAcee is a forum for East - East dialogue through joint research, educational and training programmes and discussions between instructors, civil servants, trainers and public sector managers. Their website provides information about their publications, databases, activities.

URL for additional information:
http://www.nispa.sk/_portal/homepage.php

Category: Education, Management Methods and Tools,

The project encourages cross-border cooperation and communication between Central and Eastern European (CEE) NGOs, particularly public policy institutes or think tanks. The project began as a component of the Democracy Network Program launched in 1995 by the United States Agency for International Development. The project offers a range of grant making, training, information-sharing and networking opportunities.

URL for additional information:
http://www.freedomhouse.org

Category: International Partnerships and Programs,

The German Institute of Urban Affairs (Difu)’s online publication, the German Journal of Urban Studies, is a forum for all disciplines related to urban studies. The objective is to further the transfer of knowledge from research and scholarship to local government praxis, and of practitioners' experience and expectations to the academic community.

URL for additional information:
http://www.difu.de/index.shtml?/publikationen/dfk/en/

Category: Urbanization,