Innovative practices in Bulgaria
Sharing innovations for improving local self-government
Hello Members of Parliament, I m Your Constituent
Challenges Foundation
Background
The Challenges Foundation was established in 1998. Its goal is to support citizen participation in the formulation and implementation of governance decisions in different areas of life. The Foundation supports and works on educational, research, information and applied project aimed at:
nurturing a new culture of political behavior and citizen activity based on awareness, responsibility, openness and tolerance;
creating a public environment stimulating the democratic development and interaction of public institutions and the free exchange of ideas and information between representatives of different social groups;
stimulating an equal and effective dialogue between government institutions and citizens, a dialogue that would guarantee feedback and would provide citizen control opportunities.
The Challenges Foundation was established in 1998. Its goal is to support citizen participation in the formulation and implementation of governance decisions in different areas of life. The Foundation supports and works on educational, research, information and applied project aimed at:
nurturing a new culture of political behavior and citizen activity based on awareness, responsibility, openness and tolerance;
creating a public environment stimulating the democratic development and interaction of public institutions and the free exchange of ideas and information between representatives of different social groups;
stimulating an equal and effective dialogue between government institutions and citizens, a dialogue that would guarantee feedback and would provide citizen control opportunities.
Practice
The goal of the Hello members of parliament, I m your constituent project was to develop a model and rules for the functioning of a public institutions, the Constituent Admission Room. The purpose of this institution was to enhance dialogue and the constant feedback between members of parliament and citizens from a given region, by means of which to achieve:
transparency and accountability of members of parliament s actions during the period between elections;
increased personal and political commitment of members of parliament s actions to the benefit of the citizens;
a new model of citizen representation and participation in public debates on the formulation of members of parliament s public policy and legislative initiative;
a new type of political behavior and culture of both citizens and members of parliament, marked by a spirit of trust, tolerance, openness and responsibility;
increased public confidence in the parliamentary institution.
The first Constituent Admission Room in the country was established on April 27, 2000, in Sofia. It has the following functions:
Provides the Sofia citizens information on the involvement of the 35 Sofia members of parliament in the work of the 38th National Assembly. The information includes: legislative initiatives and proposals; important questions; participation in National Assembly meetings (statements, opinions, etc.); involvement in parliamentary committees and other parliamentary and extra-parliamentary organizations; and activities within their constituent area.
Provides the citizens the opportunity to get to know the texts of bills, opinions, declarations and decisions submitted for approval by the National Assembly, as well as any other materials and information related to the National Assembly s current activities. Presents to both the members of parliament and the citizens materials and documents on parliamentary institutions and practices in countries with long-lasting democratic traditions.
Gathers citizen opinions, proposals, assessments and questions on specific legislative initiatives and bills, on important issues of public life, as well as on members of parliament s work within the National Assembly.
Summarizes and analyses the collected information on a monthly basis.
Publishes a newsletter and other information materials on the activities of the National Assembly and the members of parliament.
Organizes public discussions and debates of legislative initiatives and important issues with the participation of citizens and members of parliament.
Assists contacts and feedback between members of parliament and their constituents and citizen groups in the capital.
The goal of the Hello members of parliament, I m your constituent project was to develop a model and rules for the functioning of a public institutions, the Constituent Admission Room. The purpose of this institution was to enhance dialogue and the constant feedback between members of parliament and citizens from a given region, by means of which to achieve:
transparency and accountability of members of parliament s actions during the period between elections;
increased personal and political commitment of members of parliament s actions to the benefit of the citizens;
a new model of citizen representation and participation in public debates on the formulation of members of parliament s public policy and legislative initiative;
a new type of political behavior and culture of both citizens and members of parliament, marked by a spirit of trust, tolerance, openness and responsibility;
increased public confidence in the parliamentary institution.
The first Constituent Admission Room in the country was established on April 27, 2000, in Sofia. It has the following functions:
Provides the Sofia citizens information on the involvement of the 35 Sofia members of parliament in the work of the 38th National Assembly. The information includes: legislative initiatives and proposals; important questions; participation in National Assembly meetings (statements, opinions, etc.); involvement in parliamentary committees and other parliamentary and extra-parliamentary organizations; and activities within their constituent area.
Provides the citizens the opportunity to get to know the texts of bills, opinions, declarations and decisions submitted for approval by the National Assembly, as well as any other materials and information related to the National Assembly s current activities. Presents to both the members of parliament and the citizens materials and documents on parliamentary institutions and practices in countries with long-lasting democratic traditions.
Gathers citizen opinions, proposals, assessments and questions on specific legislative initiatives and bills, on important issues of public life, as well as on members of parliament s work within the National Assembly.
Summarizes and analyses the collected information on a monthly basis.
Publishes a newsletter and other information materials on the activities of the National Assembly and the members of parliament.
Organizes public discussions and debates of legislative initiatives and important issues with the participation of citizens and members of parliament.
Assists contacts and feedback between members of parliament and their constituents and citizen groups in the capital.
Results
The establishment of the first Constituent Admission Room for the 23rd, 24th and 25th constituent areas in Sofia provided guarantees for bilateral communications and information flow. The admission room is an opportunity to overcome the accumulated mistrust between citizens and government institutions and is the initiator of creative solutions. Everyone who wishes to express an opinion, to present their point of view, offer a solution, get acquainted with the collected opinions and views on specific issues, is welcome.
The Constituent Admission Room is a forum for the implementation of a new practice aimed at the democratization of the public environment, so that the citizens could make themselves heard through more active contacts with their elected representatives.
The establishment of the first Constituent Admission Room for the 23rd, 24th and 25th constituent areas in Sofia provided guarantees for bilateral communications and information flow. The admission room is an opportunity to overcome the accumulated mistrust between citizens and government institutions and is the initiator of creative solutions. Everyone who wishes to express an opinion, to present their point of view, offer a solution, get acquainted with the collected opinions and views on specific issues, is welcome.
The Constituent Admission Room is a forum for the implementation of a new practice aimed at the democratization of the public environment, so that the citizens could make themselves heard through more active contacts with their elected representatives.
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