Background

Before developing its new official Internet site the Municipality of Rousse had published another two - one presenting primarily the city of Rousse but not the municipal administration with its functions and activity, and another one - developed under the Domino project, which has unified structure for all municipalities participating in the project and does not provide the uniqueness and contents representative of the municipality.

In the summer of 2002 the new mayor s team of the municipality took the decision for developing a unique, representative website with artisitc design and enriched structure and contents. The development of the site was assigned to a specialized local firm.

Practice

A representative and actively maintained Internet site of Rousse Municipality has been developed and published at http://www.rousse.bg

The Internet site has an impressive design and well-organized thematic structure at several levels. Especially attractive features are the photo gallery presenting photographs of the historical and architectural landmarks of the city and a geographical map of Rousse.

Through the Internet site the Rousse municipal authorities have successfully implemented important components of their policy of openness and accessibility to the citizens and have made an attempt for presenting to the world the main data and advantages of a European city with a centuries-old history, culture and traditions.

Basic structure of the Internet site:
1. Current news from the Municipality
2. About the Municipality
Historical information
Geographic characteristics
Demographic profile
Architectural heritage
Photo Gallery a rich set of photographs of the historical and architectural landmarks
Transport
3. Mayor - biographical information and competences
4. Administration
Organizational structure
Phone-book
Mayor`s team in Rousse Municipality
5. Municipal Council
Chairman
Competences, obligations and functions
Regulations for organization and activity
Members - Municipal Councilors
Standing Committees
Local taxes and duties
Regulations
6. Municipal activity - general characteristic
7. Investment profile of the city of Rousse - information intended for internal and external potential investments
Competitive advantages
Economic profile
Labor resources
Infrastructure
Quality of life
Regional contacts
Investment projects
Support for investors - specific information and consultations
8. Taxes and charges
9. Administrative services - catalogue, necessary documents, taxes
10. Municipal property
Presentations of municipal companies
Property register
11. Tenders and competitions - information about tenders and competitions that are currently open
12. Twin towns - short historical, geographic and economic information about Rousse`s twin towns: Saint Jean - France; Gjurgevo - Romania; Volgograd - Russia; Peristeri - Greece
13. Access to information - possibility for applying for information under the Public Information Law
14. Citizens Reception
15. Mail Box for proposals, complaints and signals from citizens 16. Links - educational and cultural institutes, regional governor, territorial units of state administration

Results

The results of publishing the Internet site of Rousse Municipality have several dimensions:
The Municipality is accurately presented and open to the world, which creates real opportunities for attracting foreign investments With regard to the development of Internet technologies and the realization of the e-Government concept there are premises for future provision of services to citizens by using the Internet
Citizens access to information about municipality`s activity, its governing bodies, its structure and the services provided has been ensured
Strong interest in the Internet site has been registered in the course of three months after its launch it was been visited by 408 different visitors, who have looked through 2527 pages of the site
A long term strategy for the development of the Internet site has been elaborated