Innovative practices in Bulgaria
Sharing innovations for improving local self-government
Municipal Development Center Dimovo
Municpal Development Center - DimovoExecutive Director
Background
In December 1999, the Foundation for Local Government Reform and the US Agency for International Development organized a meeting in the town of Montana. At this meeting, all representatives of the Danube region municipalities had the chance to get acquainted with the application terms for the Danube River Initiative Program. The Municipality of Dimovo decided to participate with a project in it.
In December 1999, the Foundation for Local Government Reform and the US Agency for International Development organized a meeting in the town of Montana. At this meeting, all representatives of the Danube region municipalities had the chance to get acquainted with the application terms for the Danube River Initiative Program. The Municipality of Dimovo decided to participate with a project in it.
Practice
Two projects were presented before the Danube River Initiative Program Municipal Development Center and Building a heat installation and finishing the construction work of Hristo Botev High School in the village of Archar. The Consultants Council of the Danube River Initiative Program and the Managing Board of the Foundation for Local Government Reform supported the first project. Towards the completion of the project, it was decided that the Center should spread among neighboring municipalities Rujinci and Makresh and become an inter-municipality center.
Simultaneously with the development of the Municipal Development Center project, the team prepared the establishing of the Municipal Development Center Dimovo Association. Several workshops with representatives of private businesses, partner organizations, and citizens were conducted, at which participants were acquainted with the idea of establishing an association of this kind, and its role in the future development of the municipalities. The idea was supported and a constituent assembly was held on October 10, 2000. The representatives elected a board of managers, statutes, and an executive director.
The project implementation consisted of three stages:
1. Construction work the municipality spent additional 12 000 leva for building a steam boiler installation and repairing of the building;
2. Buying the equipment needed and its installation;
3. Setting up the main activities of the Center: providing citizens with services, supporting local businesses; joining the efforts of the municipality for sustainable economic development in the region.
Since January 2001, a representative of the Municipality of Dimovo has been working for the Center. He establishes direct contact between the Center, the municipal administration and the municipal council. The municipalities of Rujinci and Makresh gave their general consent to send their own representatives who would have similar functions.
Two projects were presented before the Danube River Initiative Program Municipal Development Center and Building a heat installation and finishing the construction work of Hristo Botev High School in the village of Archar. The Consultants Council of the Danube River Initiative Program and the Managing Board of the Foundation for Local Government Reform supported the first project. Towards the completion of the project, it was decided that the Center should spread among neighboring municipalities Rujinci and Makresh and become an inter-municipality center.
Simultaneously with the development of the Municipal Development Center project, the team prepared the establishing of the Municipal Development Center Dimovo Association. Several workshops with representatives of private businesses, partner organizations, and citizens were conducted, at which participants were acquainted with the idea of establishing an association of this kind, and its role in the future development of the municipalities. The idea was supported and a constituent assembly was held on October 10, 2000. The representatives elected a board of managers, statutes, and an executive director.
The project implementation consisted of three stages:
1. Construction work the municipality spent additional 12 000 leva for building a steam boiler installation and repairing of the building;
2. Buying the equipment needed and its installation;
3. Setting up the main activities of the Center: providing citizens with services, supporting local businesses; joining the efforts of the municipality for sustainable economic development in the region.
Since January 2001, a representative of the Municipality of Dimovo has been working for the Center. He establishes direct contact between the Center, the municipal administration and the municipal council. The municipalities of Rujinci and Makresh gave their general consent to send their own representatives who would have similar functions.
Results
1. The three municipalities cooperated for the issuing of two bulletins describing the services provided by them and two quarterly newsletters with information about the work of the municipalities and the municipal councils.
2. The municipality administrations, the Accounting Chamber Vidin and other partners organized two seminars on problems related to the work of the municipal and business specialists in the region.
3. The Center was provided with specialized literature, important not only for its employees, but also for those using its services.
4. Citizens cooperated for issuing a chronicle book of education in the Municipality of Dimovo.
5. Over 150 different services were provided to people in socially disadvantaged position, to business and administration representatives.
6. The development of a database and a reference book on the economic potential of the municipalities has entered its final stage. Both would be presented in the Internet.
The work done up to the present moment is just part of the project, but yet it is a strong prerequisite that the Center will establish itself as an important participant in the municipalities` life.
1. The three municipalities cooperated for the issuing of two bulletins describing the services provided by them and two quarterly newsletters with information about the work of the municipalities and the municipal councils.
2. The municipality administrations, the Accounting Chamber Vidin and other partners organized two seminars on problems related to the work of the municipal and business specialists in the region.
3. The Center was provided with specialized literature, important not only for its employees, but also for those using its services.
4. Citizens cooperated for issuing a chronicle book of education in the Municipality of Dimovo.
5. Over 150 different services were provided to people in socially disadvantaged position, to business and administration representatives.
6. The development of a database and a reference book on the economic potential of the municipalities has entered its final stage. Both would be presented in the Internet.
The work done up to the present moment is just part of the project, but yet it is a strong prerequisite that the Center will establish itself as an important participant in the municipalities` life.
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