The idea for this project originated as a result of the tension that was created with the increase of the prices of water, electricity heating and gas and the consequences of that increase for the different users.
Spokespersons on the subject were above all the state bodies and representatives of the business. The media asked questions, but most of the time the answers were not concrete and comprehensible for the common people.
The following problem was identified: the citizens and their organizations did not seem to know enough about the activity of the state regulatory agency or the opportunities for civil participation and control on its policy and practice.
The main goal of the project was ensuring effective citizen participation in the decision-making process of the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission. In order to achieve this, conditions had to be created for clear, transparent and effective dialogue between the regulator and the users, monitoring had to be carried out on the activity of the regulatory agency and citizen awareness had to be raised regarding the existing mechanisms for citizen participation in the activities of the regulator.
A Coalition for citizen monitoring of the activity of agency was established and a training of the members in the monitoring teams was held. The team members carried out on-site monitoring as well as monitoring of media reports on the activity of the commission.
A monitoring report was written and published, containing recommendations for enhancing the interaction between the commission and the citizens. Citizen awareness of opportunities for participation in SEWRC activity was raised through the development and the dissemination of an information booklet and specialized publications in the media.
The results of the monitoring were presented at a round table with the participation of all stakeholders.
Citizen awareness was raised and better opportunities for citizen participation and control on the activities of the commission were created. The SEWRC publicly undertook the commitment to implement citizen recommendations in its activity.
Contact information
Antoaneta Tzoneva
121 Nishava Street,
1408 Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel.: ++359 2 958 24 33
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