The German County Association (DLT) is the umbrella organization of the 294 German counties at the federal level, based in Berlin. Its direct members are the county associations of the 13 Länder, which advocate for municipal concerns in their respective federal states.
The DLT represents public interests and thus differs from other associations such as economic interest groups, since counties bear political responsibility for their citizens. For this reason, the German Bundestag and federal ministries involve the DLT in numerous legislative initiatives that affect local issues. These are mainly federal laws and projects that counties, as the primary actors at the local level, must implement, for example in the fields of social and environmental policies.
The central task of the DLT is to secure the guarantee of local self-government, to foster the exchange of experience among counties, and to represent the common interests of counties vis-à-vis the federal government and the public.
Representation to the EU
Over 70% of European legislation is implemented at the local level, from water and waste management to economic development, public transport, and social services. The DLT established a representation in Brussels in order to advocate for the interests of counties effectively in European legislation at an early stage, the DLT established a European office in Brussels.
Its main task is to actively follow EU legislative processes in order to make the concerns of the 294 German counties heard in Brussels. It also regularly informs counties about European developments relevant to local government, organizes thematic events, and strengthens exchanges with European partner associations from other member states. Furthermore, the representation to the EU comprehensively contributes to the work of the European umbrella associations.
Another key task is the involvement with its members in the Europe an Committee of the Regions and in the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. Finally, the representation to the EU is also active in local development cooperation.