Innovative practices in Bulgaria
Sharing innovations for improving local self-government
Creating new mechanism for alternative funding of chitalishta (Culture Centers) in Pleven Municipality
Pleven Community Fund "Chitalishta"
Background
The Lik Chitalishte in Pleven is an active organization in the sphere of culture, education and social activities on the territory of Pleven Municipality. The financial difficulties of chitalishta - usually the only civil organization in the small settlements are the reason for their inability to answer the precise needs of local communities. Enjoying traditional public trust and internal organizational resources, they need additional funding and adaptation of activities in order to meet the changing cultural, educational and social needs of their clients. The lack of communication and consolidation among the chitalishta in Pleven Municipality hinders the process of renovation, new vision of their role, and utilization of their capacities not only for survival but also for adaptation to the new conditions of transition.
The Lik Chitalishte in Pleven is an active organization in the sphere of culture, education and social activities on the territory of Pleven Municipality. The financial difficulties of chitalishta - usually the only civil organization in the small settlements are the reason for their inability to answer the precise needs of local communities. Enjoying traditional public trust and internal organizational resources, they need additional funding and adaptation of activities in order to meet the changing cultural, educational and social needs of their clients. The lack of communication and consolidation among the chitalishta in Pleven Municipality hinders the process of renovation, new vision of their role, and utilization of their capacities not only for survival but also for adaptation to the new conditions of transition.
Practice
The Lik Chitalishte initiated the formation of an operative coalition of 14 chitalishta, 6 NGOs and 40 citizens (active chitalishte associates). They made a serious analysis of the external and internal conditions, which underlied the Lobbying Campaign Strategy. A number of meetings were held with key figures from the Municipality and political parties represented in the Municipal Council, followed by an active media campaign and public pressure (signing list, correspondence, workshops and community forums) for the involvement of Pleven Municipality as a partner and co-founder of the Chitalishta Pleven Community Fund. After an agreement, the Municipal Council took the decision to become the co-founder and an active member of the association, supporting it financially through the payment of membership fee.
The Fund was officially registered on August 8, 2001, as an association acting for the benefit of society. The Management Board, elected on the principle of equity, included two chitalishta representatives, two NGO leaders, one representative of local administration, one member of the Municipal Council, and three citizens. This election was a guarantee for the protection of everyone s interests, publicity, and transparency. The Code of Chitalishta Pleven Community Fund provided financial support for competitive chitalishta projects in favour of community, with clearly defined agreements and the opportunity of development and accumulation of social capital.
Further steps of the Fund were related to the organization of a fund raising campaign, the expansion of public resources, the formation of teams of volunteers, the improvement of knowledge and skills of chitalishta teams on project preparation and management. The first call-for-proposals session of the Fund financed 9 small projects of village chitalishta, striving to solve acute social, cultural, or educational problems of various public groups in the smallest settlements of Pleven Municipality.
The Chitalishta Pleven Community Fund Association continues its work on fund raising, public needs assessment, raising the competence of chitalishta staff, and funding socially important and efficient chitalishta micro-projects.
The Fund tried to promote its model not only within the region but nationally. At its presentation at the Euro-Bulgarian Cultural Center in Sofia, the Fund received support from the attending representatives of Bulgarian Parliament, ministries, Bulgarian and international funding organizations.
The Lik Chitalishte initiated the formation of an operative coalition of 14 chitalishta, 6 NGOs and 40 citizens (active chitalishte associates). They made a serious analysis of the external and internal conditions, which underlied the Lobbying Campaign Strategy. A number of meetings were held with key figures from the Municipality and political parties represented in the Municipal Council, followed by an active media campaign and public pressure (signing list, correspondence, workshops and community forums) for the involvement of Pleven Municipality as a partner and co-founder of the Chitalishta Pleven Community Fund. After an agreement, the Municipal Council took the decision to become the co-founder and an active member of the association, supporting it financially through the payment of membership fee.
The Fund was officially registered on August 8, 2001, as an association acting for the benefit of society. The Management Board, elected on the principle of equity, included two chitalishta representatives, two NGO leaders, one representative of local administration, one member of the Municipal Council, and three citizens. This election was a guarantee for the protection of everyone s interests, publicity, and transparency. The Code of Chitalishta Pleven Community Fund provided financial support for competitive chitalishta projects in favour of community, with clearly defined agreements and the opportunity of development and accumulation of social capital.
Further steps of the Fund were related to the organization of a fund raising campaign, the expansion of public resources, the formation of teams of volunteers, the improvement of knowledge and skills of chitalishta teams on project preparation and management. The first call-for-proposals session of the Fund financed 9 small projects of village chitalishta, striving to solve acute social, cultural, or educational problems of various public groups in the smallest settlements of Pleven Municipality.
The Chitalishta Pleven Community Fund Association continues its work on fund raising, public needs assessment, raising the competence of chitalishta staff, and funding socially important and efficient chitalishta micro-projects.
The Fund tried to promote its model not only within the region but nationally. At its presentation at the Euro-Bulgarian Cultural Center in Sofia, the Fund received support from the attending representatives of Bulgarian Parliament, ministries, Bulgarian and international funding organizations.
Results
As a result of the lobbying campaign, a new organizational structure was born with the help of local government, to support financially and operationally the chitalishta in Pleven Municipality, distribute resources and responsibilities among the civil sector, manage and attract funds to the municipality. The most important results include:
The introduction of a new principle of financial support for the chitalishta in the smallest villages;
Consolidation of the chitalishta network in Pleven Municipality; Testing and introduction of new methods of fund raising; Acquiring new type of skills and raising the competence of chitalishta staff; Stimulating public participation, communication and cooperation with local authorities.
As a result of the lobbying campaign, a new organizational structure was born with the help of local government, to support financially and operationally the chitalishta in Pleven Municipality, distribute resources and responsibilities among the civil sector, manage and attract funds to the municipality. The most important results include:
The introduction of a new principle of financial support for the chitalishta in the smallest villages;
Consolidation of the chitalishta network in Pleven Municipality; Testing and introduction of new methods of fund raising; Acquiring new type of skills and raising the competence of chitalishta staff; Stimulating public participation, communication and cooperation with local authorities.
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