The Union of Harju County Municipalities (hereinafter: the Union), a voluntary association of the local authorities of Harju County, was launched on 10th April 1992 and registered in the Governor’s office in December 1992. The Union currently represents all 24 local authorities of Harju County.

According to the Local Self-Government Organisation Act the main tasks of the Union are to represent and protect the common interests of Harju County municipalities, assist its members in co-ordinating their activities and performing their economic activities, to promote co-operation and relations between local authorities and with associations of local authorities both in Estonia and abroad, organise training of civil servants of local authorities, etc.

The highest organ of the Union is the Council, which consists of delegated representatives of the member local authorities. Each member authority is represented by a representative appointed by the local municipal Council and by the Mayor. The Council of the Union elects the Board of the Union.
The Council adopts annual budget of the Union and approves the fulfilment of the latter. The Council of the Union also elects an audit committee responsible for auditing of the Union’s budget. The Council can also appoint other committees and representatives of the Union.

The Board elects among its members Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board. The Chairman represents the Union and chairs the meetings of the Board and of the Council. The Board can set up its own committees and appoint representatives of the Union.

The Bureau of the Union, headed by managing director, carries out everyday business of the Union.

The Union also plays an active role on national level. The Union is member of the Union of Estonian Associations of Local Authorities (UEALA) (http://www.eoly.ee/), the national association uniting county associations of local authorities.