Considering the amendments of the Social Support Law, the Municipal Council of the town of Mezdra, at its session on January 22, 2003, resolved to establish a Municipal Center for Social Services and Activities as a secondary distributor of budget finances. At the same session, the Municipal Council founded a Public Council for social support, which would function as a control body on the matters of social support in the municipality. Members of the Council are two of the Municipal Counselors, the chairman of the Club of the elderly, the chairman of the Disabled people association, the chairman of the Municipal Council of the War veterans association, as well as representatives of the Mezdra Municipal Administration.

The Municipal center for social services and activities realizes the social policies of the Municipality of Mezdra in the following structure:

1. Specialized body (management) provides consultations on the matters of social services and activities along with the Center for citizens services and information. Responding to citizens needs, specialists from the Municipal center for social services and activities and Social Support Division hold consultations at CUIG. Further steps will be holding consultations and providing social services for citizens in their homes, according to their personal choice.

2. Social Patronage provides social services for senior citizens above 60 years of age in their homes; also for citizens with permanent disabilities damaged work abilities by at least 50%, as well as for children with permanent disabilities. The patronage provides the following social services:

- food supply;

- maintenance of the citizens personal and home hygiene;

- helping disabled citizens with their social life, accompanying them and organizing spare time activities inside and outside their homes;

- cooperation in supplying with technically supportive devices necessary in case of permanent work disability or serious illness;

- everyday services food and first rate necessities shopping, paying electricity, water, telephone bills on behalf of the citizen;

- assistance in preparing the documents required by TELK

- keeping in touch with the citizen s personal physician and dentist; purchase of medical supplies, etc.

Currently, the Social Patronage provides services for 135 physically challenged citizens from 9 different areas of the Municipality of Mezdra: the town of Mezdra, Carevec, Moravitsa, Dolna Kremena, Gorna Kremena, Brusen, Bodenets, Vurbeshnitsa, Reburkovo. The project team searches for alternative financial support in order to expand the capacity and the compass of the social patronage.

3. Club of the Disabled and Club of the Elderly both associations provide possibilities for social contacts and active lifestyle for people with certain extend of decreased work ability. The Municipality of Mezdra has granted a building for the needs of the clubs. Additionally, the members of both clubs are provided with medical consultations on certain days of each week. Active members of the Club of the disabled are currently 390 physically challenged citizens; 120 people possess membership cards for the Club of the Elderly. However, many more elderly citizens participate in the events initiated by the club. Three more Clubs of the elderly have been already established at the territory of the Municipality of Mezdra: Zverino, Ignatitsa, and Vurbeshnitsa. Associated to the club is a women choir for traditional songs that not only performs frequently all around the territory of the municipality, but also has won numerous rewards from traditional music competitions. The Municipality of Mezdra finances the tours of the choir, as well as the excursions of both clubs around the country. Since February 2003, as a part of the national program From social support towards employment ensured employment for 17 so far unemployed citizens in 13 different towns and villages of the municipality. As team members of the Social Patronage, the newly employed citizens assist 130 physically challenged citizens, elderly people, and families experiencing social and financial difficulties.

4. Public dining room presently the team develops a joint project with a British foundation from the City of Bristol. The project includes opening of public dining room that will provide food for 100 citizens and families experiencing financial difficulties.

5. Specialized institution Center for mentally retarded children and youths from the age of 3 to 25 years the Center, with its capacity of 72 people, covers the regions of Vidin, Montana, Pleven and Vraca. Currently, 47 places are taken. The Center works on various programs with international participation. The next step is gasification of the building.

The work of the Mezdra Municipal center for social services and activities contributes significantly to resolving citizens problems in the area of social services and activities. Expanding the compass of provided services, opens possibilities for better fostering of disabled people and preconditions for facilitating their difficult everyday life.

Cooperation with non-profit organizations with charitable and humanitarian purposes, as well as establishment of new social contacts is an advantage for the newly formed organization that supports its challenging activity.