Innovative practices in Bulgaria
Sharing innovations for improving local self-government
Increasing Public Ecological Culture
Municipality of Velingrad
Background
The main factors for involvement in the development of Citizens Participation on a Local Level project, are the natural resources and the human potential of the Velingrad region, as well as the creation of an economic, social and ecological development strategy for the municipality. The theme and the objectives of the project are determined by means of a survey conducted among more than 100 citizens from the town. The project`s name is Increasing the Ecological Culture of the Citizens of the Municipality of Velingrad. The main aims of the project are determined with the assistance of the mass media representatives directly involved in the project. As an expression of the citizens` position, the opinion and the ideas of some non-governmental organizations from the region are also taken into consideration.
The main factors for involvement in the development of Citizens Participation on a Local Level project, are the natural resources and the human potential of the Velingrad region, as well as the creation of an economic, social and ecological development strategy for the municipality. The theme and the objectives of the project are determined by means of a survey conducted among more than 100 citizens from the town. The project`s name is Increasing the Ecological Culture of the Citizens of the Municipality of Velingrad. The main aims of the project are determined with the assistance of the mass media representatives directly involved in the project. As an expression of the citizens` position, the opinion and the ideas of some non-governmental organizations from the region are also taken into consideration.
Practice
The aims of the project Increasing the Ecological Culture of the Citizens of the Municipality of Velingrad are the following:
research on the public notions for the possible ecological risks threatening the municipality;
conducting useful activities which increase the ecological education of the three generations in the municipality;
creation of certain mechanisms for mutual control from both citizens and municipal administration;
implementation of citizens control over the activity of the municipal administration through the local NGOs.
The Sociology Institute at the Bulgarian Science Academy conducts a sociological research. As a result, a report is prepared and announced at a public discussion. 60.1% from the interviewed declare their readiness to participate in the discussion and the solution of ecological problems existing in the area. Most of the people from this group are middle-aged and form a significant potential for active involvement in the process of determination and pursuing an environmental policy on a local level.
An educational program is proposed to all the three different generations living in the town. Methods and techniques specific for each group are offered and implemented as an attempt to form and develop the educational, value and behavior aspects of ecological culture. There is also a Municipal Environment Day called ecological Wednesday. The citizens are given the opportunity to express their ideas, proposals and experience, participating in the local television`s programs. As an appendix to the Chepinets newsletter a special environmental newsletter is published, which popularizes the concepts of the project and the results from it. In the town`s pensioner clubs discussions and lectures connected with the current regulations for environment protection, and local and global problems, are organized. In the schools ecology classes are held, differentiated according to the age of the students. Two student clubs are established. The members of the clubs cultivate an alley in the park and plant it with trees typical for the region. For teaching the children in kindergartens audio tapes are used with tales about the secrets and beauty of nature.
Difficulties in the project implementation:
mass skepticism in respect to the possibilities for influencing the person in the process of solving local problems;
the wide-spread conviction that the authorities and the institutions are responsible for the protection of the environment and the ecological balance.
The aims of the project Increasing the Ecological Culture of the Citizens of the Municipality of Velingrad are the following:
research on the public notions for the possible ecological risks threatening the municipality;
conducting useful activities which increase the ecological education of the three generations in the municipality;
creation of certain mechanisms for mutual control from both citizens and municipal administration;
implementation of citizens control over the activity of the municipal administration through the local NGOs.
The Sociology Institute at the Bulgarian Science Academy conducts a sociological research. As a result, a report is prepared and announced at a public discussion. 60.1% from the interviewed declare their readiness to participate in the discussion and the solution of ecological problems existing in the area. Most of the people from this group are middle-aged and form a significant potential for active involvement in the process of determination and pursuing an environmental policy on a local level.
An educational program is proposed to all the three different generations living in the town. Methods and techniques specific for each group are offered and implemented as an attempt to form and develop the educational, value and behavior aspects of ecological culture. There is also a Municipal Environment Day called ecological Wednesday. The citizens are given the opportunity to express their ideas, proposals and experience, participating in the local television`s programs. As an appendix to the Chepinets newsletter a special environmental newsletter is published, which popularizes the concepts of the project and the results from it. In the town`s pensioner clubs discussions and lectures connected with the current regulations for environment protection, and local and global problems, are organized. In the schools ecology classes are held, differentiated according to the age of the students. Two student clubs are established. The members of the clubs cultivate an alley in the park and plant it with trees typical for the region. For teaching the children in kindergartens audio tapes are used with tales about the secrets and beauty of nature.
Difficulties in the project implementation:
mass skepticism in respect to the possibilities for influencing the person in the process of solving local problems;
the wide-spread conviction that the authorities and the institutions are responsible for the protection of the environment and the ecological balance.
Results
Results with a sustainable effect are the following:
creation of an active connection between municipal administration and local non-governmental organizations for practical cooperation in solving the problems on a local level. As a result, the municipality provides some NGOs and local media finances from the Municipal Fund for environment protection. establishment of several public committees which stimulate citizens participation in the public discussions;
establishment of a municipal video-club;
organization of an advertisement campaign, using nylon bags on which appeals for environment preservation are printed. The campaign results from attracting several representatives of the businesses in the project implementation.
Results with a sustainable effect are the following:
creation of an active connection between municipal administration and local non-governmental organizations for practical cooperation in solving the problems on a local level. As a result, the municipality provides some NGOs and local media finances from the Municipal Fund for environment protection. establishment of several public committees which stimulate citizens participation in the public discussions;
establishment of a municipal video-club;
organization of an advertisement campaign, using nylon bags on which appeals for environment preservation are printed. The campaign results from attracting several representatives of the businesses in the project implementation.
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