Innovative practices in Bulgaria
Sharing innovations for improving local self-government
Encouraging Citizens Initiative for Sustainable Regional
Development
National Association "Green Alternative"
Background
In 1999 the Green Alternative National Association initiates and implements the project Encouraging Citizens Initiative for Direct Participation Environmental Decision Making and Sustainable Regional Development on the territory of the Municipalities of Blagoevgrad, Simitli, Kresna, Sandanski, Strumiani and Petrich. The project is implemented with the financial support of PHARE Program in the framework of the Education Program administered by the Civil Society Development Foundation in partnership with Green Alternative - Sandanski, Foundation for Ecological Marketing and Projects - Sandanski, Solaris - 3 and Borrowed Nature , Sofia. The project aims to:
- stimulate citizens activity in smaller municipalities in Bulgaria;
- create favorable conditions for cooperative activity between citizens organizations, local government and the media;
- give knowledge and skills in the area of environmental protection and sustainable development, project planning and financial management, and communication strategies of NGOs and municipalities.
In 1999 the Green Alternative National Association initiates and implements the project Encouraging Citizens Initiative for Direct Participation Environmental Decision Making and Sustainable Regional Development on the territory of the Municipalities of Blagoevgrad, Simitli, Kresna, Sandanski, Strumiani and Petrich. The project is implemented with the financial support of PHARE Program in the framework of the Education Program administered by the Civil Society Development Foundation in partnership with Green Alternative - Sandanski, Foundation for Ecological Marketing and Projects - Sandanski, Solaris - 3 and Borrowed Nature , Sofia. The project aims to:
- stimulate citizens activity in smaller municipalities in Bulgaria;
- create favorable conditions for cooperative activity between citizens organizations, local government and the media;
- give knowledge and skills in the area of environmental protection and sustainable development, project planning and financial management, and communication strategies of NGOs and municipalities.
Practice
Survey of the activity, experience and needs of the local and regional citizen organizations from the municipalities along the Struma River. Based on this survey, a training program is developed focused on NGOs, local government and media representatives. The essence and opportunities of the ongoing project are presented to the target groups.
Establishment of a group of consultants on environmental protection and sustainable regional development. The group is established in the town of Sandanski with the active support of Municipal Councilors Ilia Mitov and Dr. Ilia Tonev. 78 citizens and 4 companies have experienced and learned from the services provided by the consultants group, with meetings being organized in smaller municipalities, e.g. three consultations took place in Melnik. The information most needed is concerned with the environmental situation in the region, the building of the new highway in the gorge of the Struma River, the forthcoming re-registration of private companies, commercial lots, restaurants and hotels, and employment opportunities.
Round tables and press conferences.
Four round tables and press conferences entitled Sustainable development and environmental protection perspectives are held in the towns of Sandanski, Melnik and Blagoevgrad, with the participation of different citizens organizations and media representatives from the region. The participants in these meetings obtain up-to-date information about the current environmental situation in Southwest Bulgaria, about ongoing environmental projects, about the National Plan for Regional Development and the Blagoevgrad Regional Development Program etc.
Training seminars.
Three training seminars are held: Crossing Points (Sandanski), Keys for Success (Melnik), and If Only They Could Talk (Predela, Simitli). Interactive methods and techniques are applied, such as role play, case study, participatory planning, discussions of environmental videos etc. In this way more than 80 participants obtain knowledge in the area of sustainable development, project financial management and communications, as well as skills for working with the media and implementing environmental projects based on partnerships between different sectors of society.
Establishment of a citizens library fund.
A citizens library fund focused on environmental protection, sustainable development and NGO activity is established in Sandanski, featuring a collection of more than 35 titles, and promotional materials for NGOs and funding organizations. Due to the strong interest on the part of citizens and students, the fund continues to grow and develop.
Publications.
A promotional brochure and three publications focused on the needs of NGOs and municipalities are produced in the framework of the project: How, Where and Why in the NGO Financial and Legal Labyrinth (L. Stoilova), Sustainable Development: Challenge of the 21 Century (B. Vilarov) and Communication Strategies of NGOs (B. Vilarov). These materials are disseminated free of charge.
Survey of the activity, experience and needs of the local and regional citizen organizations from the municipalities along the Struma River. Based on this survey, a training program is developed focused on NGOs, local government and media representatives. The essence and opportunities of the ongoing project are presented to the target groups.
Establishment of a group of consultants on environmental protection and sustainable regional development. The group is established in the town of Sandanski with the active support of Municipal Councilors Ilia Mitov and Dr. Ilia Tonev. 78 citizens and 4 companies have experienced and learned from the services provided by the consultants group, with meetings being organized in smaller municipalities, e.g. three consultations took place in Melnik. The information most needed is concerned with the environmental situation in the region, the building of the new highway in the gorge of the Struma River, the forthcoming re-registration of private companies, commercial lots, restaurants and hotels, and employment opportunities.
Round tables and press conferences.
Four round tables and press conferences entitled Sustainable development and environmental protection perspectives are held in the towns of Sandanski, Melnik and Blagoevgrad, with the participation of different citizens organizations and media representatives from the region. The participants in these meetings obtain up-to-date information about the current environmental situation in Southwest Bulgaria, about ongoing environmental projects, about the National Plan for Regional Development and the Blagoevgrad Regional Development Program etc.
Training seminars.
Three training seminars are held: Crossing Points (Sandanski), Keys for Success (Melnik), and If Only They Could Talk (Predela, Simitli). Interactive methods and techniques are applied, such as role play, case study, participatory planning, discussions of environmental videos etc. In this way more than 80 participants obtain knowledge in the area of sustainable development, project financial management and communications, as well as skills for working with the media and implementing environmental projects based on partnerships between different sectors of society.
Establishment of a citizens library fund.
A citizens library fund focused on environmental protection, sustainable development and NGO activity is established in Sandanski, featuring a collection of more than 35 titles, and promotional materials for NGOs and funding organizations. Due to the strong interest on the part of citizens and students, the fund continues to grow and develop.
Publications.
A promotional brochure and three publications focused on the needs of NGOs and municipalities are produced in the framework of the project: How, Where and Why in the NGO Financial and Legal Labyrinth (L. Stoilova), Sustainable Development: Challenge of the 21 Century (B. Vilarov) and Communication Strategies of NGOs (B. Vilarov). These materials are disseminated free of charge.
Results
- Conditions created for cooperative activity and training of NGO representatives (60 people from 9 organizations) and municipal representatives (6 municipal councilors and ecologists) from the towns of Blagoevgrad, Simitli, Sandanski and Strumiani, state institutions (Regional Environmental Inspectorate - Blagoevgrad), media (7 journalists from 24 Hours Newspaper, Blagoevgrad Radio, Pirin Cable TV, Duma Newspaper, Oko Cable TV and Gea Radio - Sandanski), university representatives (6 people from Sofia University, New Bulgarian University, Institute of Scientific Studies - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Southwest University).
- A successful model for partnership between different sectors of society with the active participation of the media is created. Specific ideas for cooperative work are generated, e.g. developing a sustainable development action plan for the municipality of Sandanski.
- As a result of the seminars, a training program is developed and three publications focused on environmental protection and sustainable regional development are produced. A citizens library fund is set up, featuring 35 titles, bulletins and promotional materials.
- Conditions created for cooperative activity and training of NGO representatives (60 people from 9 organizations) and municipal representatives (6 municipal councilors and ecologists) from the towns of Blagoevgrad, Simitli, Sandanski and Strumiani, state institutions (Regional Environmental Inspectorate - Blagoevgrad), media (7 journalists from 24 Hours Newspaper, Blagoevgrad Radio, Pirin Cable TV, Duma Newspaper, Oko Cable TV and Gea Radio - Sandanski), university representatives (6 people from Sofia University, New Bulgarian University, Institute of Scientific Studies - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Southwest University).
- A successful model for partnership between different sectors of society with the active participation of the media is created. Specific ideas for cooperative work are generated, e.g. developing a sustainable development action plan for the municipality of Sandanski.
- As a result of the seminars, a training program is developed and three publications focused on environmental protection and sustainable regional development are produced. A citizens library fund is set up, featuring 35 titles, bulletins and promotional materials.
[Nominate]
back