Innovative practices in Bulgaria
Sharing innovations for improving local self-government
Action Initiative Neighborhood Councils
Municipality of Gabrovo
Background
The Action Initiative project, implemented by the Municipality of Gabrovo in one of the biggest quarters of the town is part of the Development of Local Democracy project, financed by the European Fund for Liberty of Expression . The population of Bichkinia is 10 000 people.
The initiator of the pilot project is the Chairman of the Municipal Council - Gabrovo - Ivan Nenov. The main goal of is not only to improve the living standard of the area, but also to make it attractive for the citizens. The accents in the project are on the organization and coordination of civic activity, encouraging cooperation with the local municipal administration, publicising cultural forums and stimulating environmental, social and economic development.
The Action Initiative project, implemented by the Municipality of Gabrovo in one of the biggest quarters of the town is part of the Development of Local Democracy project, financed by the European Fund for Liberty of Expression . The population of Bichkinia is 10 000 people.
The initiator of the pilot project is the Chairman of the Municipal Council - Gabrovo - Ivan Nenov. The main goal of is not only to improve the living standard of the area, but also to make it attractive for the citizens. The accents in the project are on the organization and coordination of civic activity, encouraging cooperation with the local municipal administration, publicising cultural forums and stimulating environmental, social and economic development.
Practice
The aims of the Action Initiative neighbourhood council in the Municipality of Gabrovo are to:
- assess the particular cultural and material needs of the citizens;
- support and develop the contacts with the municipal authorities in order to achieve efficient mutual cooperation;
- establish successful partnerships between various local institutions, NGOs, private companies in the area and local media;
- develop and improve various forms of access to municipal or administrative information and assure transparency in local government policies.
Due to the activity of the citizens, the Municipality and NGOs, most of the planned initiatives are already realized. The community in the quarter of Bichkinia is always timely informed about the tasks and aims of the ongoing project. There is a poster-calendar describing the ideas of the initiative and telling the history of the neighborhood, which is delivered all over the area.
The members of the Action Initiative neighborhood council are well-known citizens - informal leaders, municipal councilors, businessmen, etc. A reception room is opened in the local community center where the citizens get actual information and give their ideas and concrete proposals for the successful development of the project. All opinions are gathered in a database and processed; the problems in the competency of the Municipality are discussed by municipal specialists.
As a result of the wide publicity of the project and active citizens participation the following has been achieved up to this moment:
- the local community center is functioning successfully;
- charity campaign for poor citizens in the municipality has been organized;
- environmental campaign for cleaning up the area;
- an initiative working group which deals with the restoration of the residential house of one of the best Bulgarian violin players - Mincho Minchev is established;
- specialists prepare the Brief History of the Quarter of Bichkinia for publication;
- the project managers consider establishing an informational center for the citizens of the area. It will provide municipal informational services and will work in cooperation with the Municipal Information Center;
- a monument of Gabrovo industrial workers is going to be built.
The aims of the Action Initiative neighbourhood council in the Municipality of Gabrovo are to:
- assess the particular cultural and material needs of the citizens;
- support and develop the contacts with the municipal authorities in order to achieve efficient mutual cooperation;
- establish successful partnerships between various local institutions, NGOs, private companies in the area and local media;
- develop and improve various forms of access to municipal or administrative information and assure transparency in local government policies.
Due to the activity of the citizens, the Municipality and NGOs, most of the planned initiatives are already realized. The community in the quarter of Bichkinia is always timely informed about the tasks and aims of the ongoing project. There is a poster-calendar describing the ideas of the initiative and telling the history of the neighborhood, which is delivered all over the area.
The members of the Action Initiative neighborhood council are well-known citizens - informal leaders, municipal councilors, businessmen, etc. A reception room is opened in the local community center where the citizens get actual information and give their ideas and concrete proposals for the successful development of the project. All opinions are gathered in a database and processed; the problems in the competency of the Municipality are discussed by municipal specialists.
As a result of the wide publicity of the project and active citizens participation the following has been achieved up to this moment:
- the local community center is functioning successfully;
- charity campaign for poor citizens in the municipality has been organized;
- environmental campaign for cleaning up the area;
- an initiative working group which deals with the restoration of the residential house of one of the best Bulgarian violin players - Mincho Minchev is established;
- specialists prepare the Brief History of the Quarter of Bichkinia for publication;
- the project managers consider establishing an informational center for the citizens of the area. It will provide municipal informational services and will work in cooperation with the Municipal Information Center;
- a monument of Gabrovo industrial workers is going to be built.
Results
Despite the numerous difficulties, the ideas of the project were successfully realized or in process of realization; the tasks and strategies were publicised among the citizens and the attention of the local community was attracted. The experience shows that local self-government and the neighborhood councils can successfully serve as a working model in the reality. Despite the numerous difficulties, the ideas of the project were successfully realized or in process of realization; the tasks and strategies were publicised among the citizens and the attention of the local community was attracted. The experience shows that local self-government and the neighborhood councils can successfully serve as a working model in the reality.
Citizens are inclined to participate in public activities, which leads to less criticism and more activity and involvement. A more efficient coordinating structure and offering of more attractive possibilities are necessary in order to attract a bigger part of the population in the project activities.
Citizens are inclined to participate in public activities, which leads to less criticism and more activity and involvement. A more efficient coordinating structure and offering of more attractive possibilities are necessary in order to attract a bigger part of the population in the project activities.
Despite the numerous difficulties, the ideas of the project were successfully realized or in process of realization; the tasks and strategies were publicised among the citizens and the attention of the local community was attracted. The experience shows that local self-government and the neighborhood councils can successfully serve as a working model in the reality. Despite the numerous difficulties, the ideas of the project were successfully realized or in process of realization; the tasks and strategies were publicised among the citizens and the attention of the local community was attracted. The experience shows that local self-government and the neighborhood councils can successfully serve as a working model in the reality.
Citizens are inclined to participate in public activities, which leads to less criticism and more activity and involvement. A more efficient coordinating structure and offering of more attractive possibilities are necessary in order to attract a bigger part of the population in the project activities.
Citizens are inclined to participate in public activities, which leads to less criticism and more activity and involvement. A more efficient coordinating structure and offering of more attractive possibilities are necessary in order to attract a bigger part of the population in the project activities.
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