The development of the trans-border cooperation only on local level limits the possibilities for its enlargement. The project initiates and creates the base of a future growth of friendly contacts between the citizens of the two fraternized municipalities through the initiation of activities of different public institutions, as well as introduction to the requirements of the European legislation in the area of tourism and ecology.

The Municipality of Zlatograd is one of the few Bulgarian municipalities, which has a long term experience in the domain of the trans-boarder cooperation with a Greek municipality. Ten years Zlatograd and Christoupolis as fraternized cities cooperate and keep close relations with each other.

The project aims to strengthen the cooperation between our fraternized cities for mutual improvement of the socio-economic development and life conditions, creating permanent contacts through the different initiatives of representatives of the local authority and local institutions.

The target project groups are: seven members of the Municipal Council- Zlatograd, representatives of the local public institutions from the two cities and ten employees from the Municipal Administration- Zlatograd.

For the implementation of the project goals the realization of the following activities is set up: a) a one day educational seminar of the Municipal Council- Zlatograd for the application of the European legislation in the domain of ecology and tourism; b) a work meeting between the two Municipal Councils for discussing the possibilities for common cooperation; c) twinning of the public institutions; d) training of employees of the Municipal Administration- Zlatograd for implementation of common projects with the Municipality of Christoupolis; e) publishing an advertising (informational) reference book/guide of Zlatograd and Christoupolis.

The activities on the project are related to the priority area of Phare Program- TBC (Trans-border cooperation) local democracy.

The Municipality of Zlatograd is the leading organization, partners are the Municipality of Christoupolis Republic of Greece and Association Regional Center 21 . The project is being realized in the framework of project Trans-border cooperation Bulgaria-Greece on the Phare Program of the EU with contracting party the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, in the period between 01.12.2004 31.10.2005.

The employees of the Municipal Administration Zlatograd and the representatives of different public institutions from Zlatograd and Christoupolis will achieve knowledge and skills for working out, realization and management of common projects with our partners from Greece.

The Municipal counselors will increase their abilities in applying the European legislation in the prior for the municipality areas of tourism and ecology .

The team will gain experience and will be able to apply for similar programs. The results of the project will be disseminated through the local and regional media.

Thanks to the participation in the project of different institutions and non-government organizations the trans-border effect would be multiplied in different areas of the social life.