Background
The Young Lawyers Association, with the assistance of different donors, has implemented a number of activities of anti-corruption and educational character in the municipalities of Lovech, Pleven, Kjustendil, Gorna Oriahovitsa and Liaskovets. These activities aim to provide expert legislative assistance in the area of public services through consultations as well as publication and dissemination of citizen guides offering information about municipal administrative services. The need for such activities is determined by the citizens` insufficient legal knowledge, which creates favorable conditions for misuse in municipal public services. The initiatives started after a survey of citizens opinion conducted through various interviews and round table discussions with the participation of local authorities. The events are widely publicized in the media and supported by the mayors of the municipalities.

Practice
The anti-corruption activities implemented by the Young Lawyers Association (YLA) aim to create a model of work at municipal level, which:
- provides support to the citizens in exercising their rights;
- establishes citizens` control over the activity of local authorities in order to restrict corruption;
- assists in establishing public intolerance to corruption;
- increases citizens` legal knowledge about their own rights, about the terms and regulations for administering public services, and about the structure and functions of the municipal administration;
- involves distinguished people working in local government, NGOs, public figures and political leaders, etc. in the anti-corruption campaign;
- increases the transparency in the activity of local authorities and provides information about significant projects financed by municipal budgets or connected with renting, concessions or leasing of municipal property.

At the core of the anti-corruption projects implemented by YLA are the so called mediation groups. They are groups of experts whose main function is to oppose illegal acts or inertia on the part of municipal clerks, which violate the rights of the citizens and could force them to give bribes in order to exercise their rights guaranteed by law. These groups mediate between the citizens and the local authorities in the area of public services. Citizens who are subject to groundless rejection or unlawful delay in obtaining administrative services are supported in the preparation of documents according to requirements, and their rights are advocated before the relevant administrative departments. When necessary, citizens are helped with the preparation of complaints to be referred to higher authorities.

The mediation groups are formed by two YLA lawyers familiar with the situation in the relevant municipality, and a local journalist. The reception rooms operate on particular days of the week, and their address and telephone numbers are announced through the local media. In some cases the reception room moves to smaller, less populated areas, like the villages of Kakrina, Leshtnitsa and Slivek. In the last year, more than 350 citizens contacted the mediation groups in writing, looking for support and assistance. The groups have regular meetings with the mayors of the municipalities where the reception rooms are set up. In addition, the mediation groups have published a Citizens' Administrative Services Guide for each of the municipalities, which provides concise information about different types of public services, including documents and charges required, terms of application etc.

Results

- Putting the problem of corruption on the agenda of public life in the above mentioned municipalities and creating public intolerance to corruption;
- Approbation of new forms, methods and practices in specific local conditions for civic opposition to corruption even at the lowest levels of local administration;
- Increasing the legal understanding of the citizens about their own rights, the terms and order of obtaining administrative services, and the structure and functions of the municipal bodies;
- Creating confidence in citizens that corruption, both at national and local level, is a problem, which can be solved.