The common opinion that the municipality or the local authority is an independent and closed institution, which does not maintain contacts with citizens, just providing services to them, still exists . When one would have to use a given service, he/she usually is not aware of the order of implementation of the service; whom he/she should address and how to proceed . There is also a common understanding that corruption exists at all levels and spheres of government .

Lead by its efforts to make its work public and transparent and to change vision of citizens on local authority , Razgrad Municipality has undertaken a series of actions aiming at borader citizen participation in decision - making processes referring to community issues . Community Councils were established in relation with different activities, and since the mid-term of 2003 a Community Forum is in the process of implementation as a result of a project, supported by the municipality and non-governmental organizations and funded by the Swiss Government. The first in the country Code of Ethics for Municipal Councilors has been adopted here, servicing under One-Stop Shop system has been introduced, and the Entrepreneur s Office was established . Although there are fields of work of the administration and municipal council , where there is need to use more transparent approaches in the activity implementation .

The need of greater openness , publicity , accounting and citizen informing on local activities and matters as a common phenomenon provoked the representatives of NGOs in Ragzrad Municipality to propose their partnership to the local authority and to support it in the process of reaching an effective dialogue with citizens . This also implies to the principles of the European Chart on Local Self-Government .

Before the official start of the campaign a lot of preparatory activities were performed by the local authority and the non-governmental organizations . The officials of the municipal administration were acquainted with the concept of the campaign , its principles and expected results . The questionnaire on the transparency status was discussed and complemented with additional questions under the suggestion of the officials , thus broadening the fields of transparency analysis . The questionnaire was disseminated and filled up by key figures in the municipality and by the municipal councilors . By an order issued by the mayor a five - member group was formed to summarize the results of the self - assessment , to elaborate an analysis and outline follow - up steps regarding the continuation of the transparency practice in the work of the administration and the municipal council . The members of the working group are part of the general working group with the participation of the NGOs .

Within the principles of the campaign and the expected results the position Public Mediator in Razgrad Municipality was institutionalized under the project Open Gates for Citizens in Ragzrad implemented by the Razgrad Club in partnership with the municipal administration and the municipal council . Regulations on Statute and Activity of the Public Mediator was developed and adopted by the Municipal Council . It was elaborated by a 9- member Temporary Committee within the MC , including two representatives of the municipal administration , six municipal councilors and the project coordinator . The Committee nominated and proposed for selection three successful candidates after a competition was carried out .

On 2 March 2004 27 representatives of NGOs from Razgrad Municipality established a coalition Civil Organizations to support the Transparency Campaign in the municipality . The participants in the meeting developed an Appeal to Local Authorities , in which they declared their support and readiness to cooperate the implementation of the Transparency Campaign . Under a recommendation addressed by the participants the Questionnaire on Transparency Status was filled up by 20 community leaders . The working group within the coalition processed and analyzed the results of the inquiry .

On 16 March at a press-conference on the start of the campaign the Coalition Civil Organizations submitted the Appeal of Support and Partnership in front of the media. The event was consequently reflected by the local media .

On 24 March a meeting between representatives of local authority and the coalition was held . An agreement was reached that the purpose of the Questionnaire developed by LGI and FLGR was a self - assessment regarding transparency and should be filled up by representatives of the local authority . Coalition Civil Organizations took the decision to review and improve the approach of participation in the Campaign for More Transparency in local authority and to prepare its own questionnaire on the level of citizen awareness . The latter was filled up by 30 civil leaders and has its expert aspects . The answers were summarized and analyzed .

At a meeting of the joint established working group were introduced , compared and discussed the results of the Self - Assessment Questionnaire of the municipality and the Questionnaire developed by the Coalition Civil Organizations . The results of both questionnaire show similar levels of transparency and directions to improve . Next steps and actions under the Transparency Campaign were outlined , including elaboration of concrete suggestions to improve local procedures and regulations on the work of the administration and the municipal council; introducing the results of both questionnaires and the follow - up steps at a joint press - conference ; organizing a roundtable to introduce and discuss the recommendations on achieving more transparency in local self-government; discussing options in the standing committees also, with municipal councilors from different political parties and groups . All initiatives will be announced by the local media in order to inform timely the community about all actions within the Transparency Campaign .

v Appeal of Cooperation and Partnership with the local authority in the Transparency Campaign .

v Reaching an agreement on joint actions between local authorities and NGOs aiming at the improving transparency .

v Joint working group to implement campaign activities established .

v Own Questionnaire to assess transparency developed by the Coalition Civil Organizations .

v Elaborated and analyzed self-assessment and assessment of the level of transparency .

v The working group will prepare recommendations to be addressed to the local authority regarding amendments in the local legislature in relation with improving the quality of delivered public services and implementation of democracy control by citizens on local self - government .

v Carrying out of a roundtable is previewed to discuss options for improving local procedures and regulations .