Till the moment of publishing the questionnaire Vratsa Municipality had no clear vision about improving its work in the field of transparency . The management of the municipality and the working groups consider the summarizing of good practices related to transparency in the work of municipalities an important step in approving the efforts of local authorities to enhance citizen participation and build confidence .

After receiving the questionnaire in Municipality of Vratsa we established two working groups one comprising of municipal councilors , and the other one of experts from the municipal administration .

The analysis made on the results of their performance drew the following conclusions :

1. The Municipal council and municipal administration implement great part of the practices indicated in the questionnaire ;

2. The local authority does not have a clear vision on its work in improving transparency actions undertaken so far do not correspond to the principles of order and purposefulness and citizens are not adequately informed .

3. It is necessary to develop systems of measures and actions to improve the status of openness and transparency and to increase confidence of citizens in local government bodies .

First two steps that the municipal council and administration initiated were related to organizing and carrying out of two public discussions one on the draft budget 2004, and second one on the tourism development strategy of Vratsa Municipality . By means of the needed preliminary preparations and carried out under the extreme interest on behalf of media , representatives of business , NGOs and citizens , both discussions were new for the practice of the municipal council and municipal administration in Vratsa .

As a result of the recommendations addressed by both working groups the following actions are in the process of implementation :

1. Developing and adopting the Code of Ethics referring to the municipal council .

2. Elaborating an inquiry for citizens about key issues to be indicated in the agenda of the municipal council s sessions .

3. Publishing an information newsletter on funding and training opportunities addressed to people willing to start their own business or to develop such .

4. Developing and adopting the Code of Ethics referring to the municipal official.

5. Measures to improve transparency in the field of privatization , public procurement , tenders and competitions .

First steps of the transparency campaign in Vratsa Municipality were rather encouraging . The willingness and efforts of the municipal council and municipal administration to work together and transparently meet the support of citizens , media and partner organizations . This enhanced local authority to introduce new practices of transparency and to constantly improve mechanisms of interaction with citizens and civil society structures .